United Beats Taneatua 6-3 In Forward Battle Under Good Conditions

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 79, 9 August 1948, Page 5

United Beats Taneatua 6-3 In Forward Battle Under Good Conditions

United defeated Taneatua by six points (two penalties) to three (a potted goal). Considering the fact that the ground was in excellent order and the ball dry this game developed more into a dour forward struggle than it should have. United’s backs, when they were fed looked more dangerous than they have done all the season. However, fast-breaking forwards and a little slowness from hte base of the scrum gave these backs very little opportunity. - The Taneatua backs did not get a run throughout-, the game, Shaw at half-back finding the position too strange for him. Hurran was inclined to try to much on his own but invariably ran into trouble. McCready got very few opportunities, which was a pity, as he is a very forceful player. Sisam made one or two good runs from loose balls coming his way. It would be hard to single out any United back they all played reasonably well. De Lacey could well afford to run a little further before handing it on and thus draw his opposing five-eighths. Of the two fullbacks Welch was, as usual, faultless in his handling and positional play, but did not seem to be gaining the length with his kicks that he usually does. Boon, for United was quitesafe, but is inclined to overdo the “keep cool” policy. The United pack appeared much fitter than last week and backed-up much better on defence. Ruffles, Butler, Rolfe and McGougan showed up, but all played well, In the Taneatua pack Semmens got through more hard work than he usually does ' and Ball, Rawson and Foreman led most of the rushes. The last-named is inclined to play a little too loose. A remarkable feature of the game was the large number of penalty kicks Mr Mahy awarded. Most of these were for very technical breaches. Scorers:— United (6 points): McGougan two penalty goals. . Taneatua (3 points): Welch, a field goal.