WEEK-END SPORTS ROUND-UP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 49, 25 May 1948, Page 5

WEEK-END SPORTS ROUND-UP

OLD RUGBY RIVALS MEET: GRIM TUSSLE ENDS IN DRAW, 11 ALL

In the principal match at Whakatane on Saturday, the old rivals, Paroa and United, drew, 11 all, after a grim tussle on soft ground with a greasy ball. Conditions favoured Paroa, who had a definite advantage in the superior weight of their forwards, but United made the most of what chances the backs could get and piled up an B—o lead at one stage. Later weight told, and it was sheer gameness with not a little luck that saved United from a loss. Teams:—

United: R. Goodall; B. McGougan, R. Cave, W. Rutherford; R. Hohua, T. De Lacey; D. Debreceny; P. Gardiner, J. Rolfe, G. Goodall, L. Stewart, M. Crofskey, A. Mundy, S. Ruffles, D. Butler. Paroa; J. Dodd, K. Wano, M. Harawira, C. Hakopa; N. Goodwin, C. Forbes; J. Lafferty; A. Martin, H. Ranapia, P. Ratahi, B. Harawira, K. Wahapango, Jensen, W. Wharewera, T. Hona. As though they realised that to build an early lead and hold it was their best chance on the day, United attacked with dash from the outset, making better use of their backs than Paroa, but considerably handicapped by Ranapia and Harawira, who continued to spoil many chances in spite of the fact that Ruffles was having the better of the hooking against Wharewera. Later, when the sting wore out of United’s lightweight pack, Paroa had the better of the scrums, and enjoyed a shade of advantage in the line-outs, but their chief superiority in the closing stages lay in determined rushes, headed usually by Ranapia, Ratahi and Hona. Consistently hard workers amongst the United forwards were Rolfe, Mundy, Ruffles and Gardiner. Stars of the Paroa backs on the day were Goodwin, Wano and Lafferty, with J. Dodd playing consistently safe football as fullback. A lot of Lafferty’s good work broke down before the three-quarters got going, because Hohua, marking Goodwin, was playing inspired Rugby, stopping Goodwin again and again with smothering tackles that gave him no chance to throw a pass. Wano was sound in all departments, but the rest of the line got few chances.

For United, Hohua undoubtedly’ took the honours amongst the backs, except for some careless handling. Facing determined opposition from the Paroa forwards, who surged right over them from time to time, Debreceny and De Lacey carried heavy responsibility and, though both showed a certain reluctance to go down at times, they worked consistently and well. The three-quart-ers made the most of what chances they had, McGougan in particular showing to advantage, though not Without occasional blunders unworthy of a player of his' undoubted class. Though a bit light against a heavy team, Rutherford played dashing Rugby and shirked nothing in the way of defence. Scorers:— United: Rutherford a try; MqGougan a try, a penalty goal and a conversion. Paroa: Wano and Ranapia a try each; Dodd' a penalty goal and a conversion. Mr A. Mitchell was the referee.

Wairaka, Down Early, Stage Comeback To Beat Poroporo 20—11

Poroporo held Wairaka well until quite late in the second senior match at Whakatane, ,but when the latter team’s backs got the feel of the greasy ball and started to throw it about with confidence they forged ahead to win by 20 points to 11, going comfortably at the finish. Teams:—

Wairaka: W. Biddle; M. Riini, T. Riini, K. Merito; R.. Hudson, R. Stewart; R. Crapp; W. Merito, T. Crapp, R. Dodds, R. Bluett, R. Kingi, Leo Stewart, K. Merito, R. Wharewera. Poroporo: B. Martin; W. Bidois, T. Kororika, J. King; M. Hotene, T. Hotene; W. Paul; R. Kingi, W. Kopae, S. Hokianga, P. Watarawi, S. Moeke, T. Tunui, R. Ngoungou, T. Clay.

Poroporo started well and when Hotene cut right through the defence for a brilliant solo 'try, their tails were right up. Working like beavers, the Poroporo forwards, led by Kopae, Watarawi and Tunui, kept the pressure on and, with able co-operation from Kingi and the Hotene brothers in the back line, maintained a lead until after the interval. Later, when the Wairaka backs began to get the upper hand, Poroporo showed weakness in defence, and missed their usual fullback badly. Martin, the substitute, shirked nothing, but kicked a little wildly at times and seemed to lack experience of positional play.

Wairaka took time to settle down to work. Of the forwards, W. Merito, T. Crapp and Bluett seemed most comfortable under the conditions that prevailed and they formed a solid nucleus for a pack that played rather ragged Rugby for the first spell. Later in the game there was more combination forward, and the

backs had a better chance to operate, but took time to warm up. R. Crapp, halfback for the day, goes much better in his usual position in the five-eighths, but had strong support from R. Hudson who, with T. Riini made the most of everything Crapp could give them to do. Scorers:— Wairaka (20 points): R. Hudson, two tries, M. Riini, T. Crapp, R. Crapp and K. Merito, a try each; T. Riini, a conversion. Poroporo (11 points): M. Hotene, a try and a conversion; J. Kingi and T. Tunui, a try each. Mr J. Keepa was the referee.

Other Whakatane Results

Seniors Taneatua 16, Waimana 3. Juniors United 16, Taneatua 0. Waimana 6, Wairaka 0. Rangitaiki Results Seniors Edgecumbe 14, Thornton 3. Matata 3, Matahina 0. Te Teko 27, Otakiri 6. Juniors Te Teko 6, Edgecumbe 0. Thornton 6, Otakiri 0.

Whakatane Senior-Rugby Representatives For King’s Birthday Week-End

As a rehearsal for the Dunderdale Cup match against Rangitaiki on June 7, the Whakatane Rugby SubUnion is. trying to arrange matches for A. and B. senior teams and juniors with the Opotiki Sub-Union on Saturday, June 5. 4 The selectors have chosen the following teams to represent the Whakatane Sub-Union. Any selected players not available for either the Saturday or Monday should notify Mr P. Bryers as early as possible. All emergencies will be given at least half a game. A Team Welch (T) McGougan (U), Hohua (U), Laurie P Tina Riini (W), R. Crapp (W) Hurran (T) Rolfe (U) Ball (T), Ranapia (P)'(Capt/, Ratahi (P), Gardiner (U) Hona (P, Merito (W), Jensen (P). B Team Huta (Po) Rutherford (U), McCready (T), Wano (P) Black (Wai), Takau (Wai) Koha Merito (W) Semmens (T) (Capt), Hunt (T), Cain (T), T. Crapp (W) Ruffles (U, Te Pou (Wai), Rawson (T) Emergencies: Forwards L. Stewart (U), Kopae (Po), Bluett (W), Dodds (W). Backs Debreceny (U), R. Black (Wai), Hudson (W), Sisam (TK The following players were not available for selection for either June sor 7: Goodwin (P), Cave (U), De Lacey (U), Harawira (P).

United Senior Team

* United senior team to play Taneatua at Taneatua on Saturday. All players to attend training tonight at the A. and P. shed from which the bus is to leave at 1.30 on Saturday afternoon: — R. Goodall; E. Hunt, A. Cave, B. McGougan; R. Hohua, T. De Lacey; D. Morpeth; J. Rolfe, P. Gardiner, W. Cassidy, R. Collins, L. Stewart, B. Butler, G: Dines, K. Hollis. Reserves: M. McGill, D. Boon, W. Rutherford, G. Goodall, A. Mundy, M. Crofskey.