Rotorua Defeat Opotiki By Weight And Fitness In Hurinui-Apanui Game

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 80, 11 August 1948, Page 5

Rotorua Defeat Opotiki By Weight And Fitness In Hurinui-Apanui Game

Weight and fitness were the deciding factor in the Rotorua-Opotiki Hurinui-Apanui Shield match played at Rotorua on Saturday. Opotiki had the better team for. the beginning of the game but faded badly in the last spell of the game for Rotorua to win by 14 points to 8. There was a record crowd at the match. Teams were:— Opotiki: T. Stainton, J. Oswald, J. Koopu,' C. Walker, J. Parkinson, D. Moore, J. Goldsmith, J. Howe, S. McLaughlin, H. Poihipi, B. Gage, V. Delamere, V. Hata, H. Lingman, H. Taratini. Rotorua: K. Nepia, D. Narby, F. Martin, S. Morrison, 'A. Ewert, I. Kennedy, J. Fitzgerald, R. Roberts, W. Kerei, T. Jacobs, A. Broughton, F. McGuigan, I. Gabolinski, E. Moncur, A. Whata. The outstanding player on the field was the Rotorua half, J. Fitzgerald. Gradually the Rotorua scrum got more and more of the ball and he sent the leather out with sure deliveries. All the rest of the Rotorua team played well, but the honours, apart from the half-back, were with the forwards. On the Opotiki side, Hata, Poihipi and Tanatui among the forwards, and Stainton and Koopu among the backs, did best. Rotorua (14 points): Martin, twotries, Morrison and Moncur, a try each, conversion. Opotiki (8 points): McLaughlin a try, Stainton a penalty goal,' Goldsmith a conversion.