FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 95, 15 September 1948, Page 5

FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT

Bay Of Plenty Primary Schools Make History In First Rep Rugby Match For the first time in Rugby history, the Bay of Plenty has been represented by a Primary Schools’ fifteen, which made its first appearance against - a Thames Valley Primary rep team at Tauranga on Saturday, September 11 as a curtain raiser to the Rotorua v Tauranga senior rep. game. The Bay team.was: — Fullback, Wilson (Rotorua). Three-quarters: Morrison (Rotorua), Kingi (Rangitaiki), Hingston (Rotorua). Five-eighths: Ahomira (Te Puke), Parkinson (Opotiki). Half back: Raureti (Rangitaiki). Forwards: Hatu (Rotorua), Brown (Whakatane), Eivers (Rangitaiki), Craig .(Opotiki), James (Whakatane), Huni (Rotorua), Papuni (Opotiki); Davis (Rangitaiki). Emergencies: Backs, Kiwi (Tauranga); forwards, Lever (Tauranga), Curry (Rotorua). During the match, all emergencies were given a game. The team took the field on a day perfect for Rugby, and almost from the. kick off, the Bay backs went away with a passing rush, the ball travelling right out to the wing, and taking play right to Thames Valley line. After this good start, however, Thames Valley gained the advantage,' and took play back to Bay territory, where it remained for some time. It took some time for both teams to settle down, \

the Bay team in particular never having played together before. Once warmed up, the Bay backs showed decided superiority over the Valley, and always looked dangerous when in possession. Towards the end of the first half, after a passing rush along the right wing amongst Raureti, Parkinson and Hingston, the latter sc.ofed a good try which was converted by Morrison. Bay 5, Valley 0. At this stage of the game the Bay were winning a good share of the ball in scrums and line outs, and the backs made several good rushes. The first half ended with no further score. In the second half, Kiwi replaced Ahomira in the backs and Lever and Curry replaced two forwards! Thames Valley, whose heavier forwards had been rather listless in the first half, improved in the second spell, and the Bay backs did not see nearly so much o.f the ball. There was little back play for some time, and the game became rather dull. Then from a ruck, Raureti sent the ball to Kingi, who after a good run in which he beat a couple of men, sent on to Hingston. The latter, after a swift and determined run, scored his second try, which was not converted. Bay 8, Valley 0. The final try of the game came when the ball rolled loose from a scrum right on the Valley line, and Hingston, picking it up went over unopposed in the corner, scoring his third try, which was also unconverted. Bay 11, Valley 0. The final whistle went shortly afterwards. Towards the end of the game, the Bay had established a decided superiority Players prominent in the Bay team were the two fast wing three-quarters, Morrison and Hingston. The latter especially shows promise of being an exceptional footballer, and his future, football career will be watched with interest. Raureti gave good service from the scrums and line outs,- while Parkinson and King; handled very well and ran determined!v. It was more difficult to sort out forwards from a good lot who packed well. Davis and Papuni were prominent in line outs, as was Lever when he went on. Brown hooked slightly more than his share of the ball against a heavier pack. A return game is to be played next year against the Thames Valley team. In the senior game, Tauranga proved too good for Rotorua, wim ning by 14 points to 5.