RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 80, 15 September 1947, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WEEKEND GAMES BRACKEN CUP CONTESTS Two senior games were played under the Whakatane Rugby Union last Saturday. The best exhibition took place at Waimana where the home fifteen defeated United after a close and willing game by 14 points to 9. The Waimana team had the edge on the visitors most of the way but United discovered some good individual players who shone in some spectacular movements. At Whakatane a very weakened Wairaka side was soundly trounced by Poroporo. The game opened well and by half-time was fairly even with the score s—o in Poroporo’s favour. From then on the Wairaka defence deteriorated and the final score 27—3 was a fair indication of the relative merits of the teams concerned. WAIMANA 14, UNITED 9 United kicked off into .the sun and a strong wind blowing against them. The first score came early when United were awarded a penalty kick in a handy position. McGougan had no difficulty in converting. United 3, Waimana 0. From the kick off Waimana carried play into white territory where it remained for a time. Several moves by the Waimana backs were broken up. Play surged back into Waimana territory once more.

Waimana pushed and United forced behind their own line twice in succession. Waimana forced their way over again but a free kick on the goal line saved United. United’s backline got away and carried play inside the Waimana 25. Waimana managed to clear.

Once more the United backs collected the ball. A pass was intercepted by a red man who streaked for the line. He was taken but the ball was taken over and United forced.

Though United got away into Waimana territory on several occasions, Waimana were mainly on the offensive and the ball was forced by the United fullback several times. A score seemed certain and shortly after the Waimana backs went over in the corner and F. Hughes touched down. The kick missed. United 3, V/aimana 3 Waimana took play down again from the kick off and United were awarded a free kick on their own line... Waimana collected and went over. Rodey forced and Martin converted. Waimana 8, United 3 From the kick off of the second half United pressed hard but fought hard for every inch they gained. A Waimana player C. Boynton received an injury to his ankle and left the field. He was replaced by G. Mitchell. The United backs secured from a scrum and handled beautifully. Hunt put in a great run down the line but was taken and lost the ball which went into touch.

A penalty just inside the half-way mark was awarded to United. McGougan placed and sent a lovely kick. Waimana 8, United 6 United was awarded a further free kick outside their 25 and McGougan sent a long high kick into touch near the Waimana 25. on the opposite side of the field. An easy shot at goal on the halfway was missed by McGougan. From a scrum the United backs secured and went over in a heap in the corned. Kahui forced the ball. Although the umpires signalled a conversion the referee ruled it out. United 9, Waimana 8 Waimana took play into white territory and a regular skirmish developed round the goal. Spectators were kept on their toes and Waimana eventualy pushed over for D. Black to score in the corner. Martin converted. Waimana 14, United 9 From a lineout Rolfe a newcomer to United’s ranks broke through in possession. With some other players in support he took the ball over but it rolled into touch.

With only a few minutes left play was very willing United doing their best to make up the small difference. Their efforts were in vain and at the final whistle, the score was still: Waimana 14, United 9. Mr J. Whitehead was referee. POROPORO 27 v WAIRAKA 3 Wairaka, the side which narrowly defeated United the previous weekend went down for a walkover victory by Poroporo last Saturday. Unfortunately the Wairaka fifteen was mainly composed of jun-

iors who replaced several key men who were not available—on the other hand Poroporo was definitely, on the game and individual play" by Biddle on the wing and Watarawi at centre gave innumerable openings which were fully exploited before the game developed into a enesided affair with points clipping on monotonously every few minutes. King! brothers were outstanding also in fast individual play. Scorers for Poroporo were Nuku, Watarawi, T. Koroeko, R. Kingi, J. Kingi, J. Biddle, T. Tunui. Conversions were notched by Kororeko and J. Kingi (2). Wairaka’s points came from a single try by Penny which went unconverted. Mr J. Keepa was referee. mcintosh shield TE TEKO ADJUDGED WINNERS TE PUNA TEAM DISQUALIFIED Advice that the Te Puna junior team, which retained the Mclntosh Shield after drawing with Te Teko in Tauranga recently, had been disqualified and the shield granted to Te Teko (following a protest lodged by the Rangrtaiki Sub-Union against the playing of J. Trau in the Te Puna team), was received from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union by the management committee of the Tauranga Rugby Sub-Union at last week’s meeting.

It was stated that Trau was registered as a financial member and a senior member with the Matahiha Club, and had not obtained a clearance before becoming registered with the Te Puna Club as a junior player.

Advice was received by the management committee at a previous meeting that the executive cdMmittee of the Bay of Plenty Union, which considered the protest, at meeting at Te Puke, had decided foreplay the game there as a curtainraiser to the Te Hurunui-Apanui Shield match, which was played at: Te Puke recently. Members of the management committee had previously expressed general disapproval <of the executive’s action and had decided not to accept the match, but to ask the Bay of Plenty Union for a definite decision in connection with the protest entered by the Rangitaiki Sub-*. Union. ,