Rugby

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 96, 8 June 1949, Page 5

Rugby

OPENING OF NEW GROUND MARKED BY BRIGHT RUGBY: WHAKATANE RETAINS CUP A record crowd of over 800 people attended the opening of the new rugby field at the Whakatane Domain on Monday when three Whakatane representative teams played teams from Rangitaiki. The weather, was brilliantly fine and the field in ideal condition while trees and bushes on the outskirts of the ground made a fine setting for the day. Opening, the ground the president of the Whakatane Rugby Sub-Union, Mr N. Semmens, said that the field was filling a long felt need at Whakatane. It was hoped that further seating accommodation and full amenities for the players would be available when the Australian team played the Bay of Plenty on the field in August.

The deputy-mayor of Whakatane, Mr C. S. Armstrong, officially declaring the ground open said that it was one worthy of the town and a credit to the district.

Dunderdale Cup Game The main match of the day was for the Dunderdale Cup, which was retained by Whakatane, after one of the best games seen in the district for some time, open and fast, with both sides throwing the ball round. Rangitaiki at one stage appeared to be certain winners but the fitter home team lasted better and in the final few minutes gained the winning points. Whakatane came cut on top by 11 (a field goal, two tries, one converted) to 3 (unconverted try). Teams:—

Whakatane (blue and white): E. Welch, B. McGougan, M. Bluett, M. Riini, T. Riini, T. De Lacey, K. Hurran, G. Foreman, K. Merito, H. Ranapia, P. Ratahi, L. Ball, A. Mundy, W. Parsons, Wahopango. Rolfe replaced Foreman and K. Wana replaced T. Riini. Rangitaiki (blue and black): N. Schuster, G. Burt, L. Newdick, F. Parkinson, K. Sullivan, N. Raureti, M. Davis, A. Black, S. Davis, P. Falwasser, M. Jensen, A. Caverhill, S. Edwards, B. Pryor, E. Mulligan.

In the forwards Whakatane were a shade better. They won 18 lineouts to 9 and 24 scrums to 12. In their pack Mundy, Parsons . and Ranapia toiled unstintingly all day while Rolfe, when he came on, worked a grand loose game which culminated in a fine try. The backs were not so good as Rangitaiki’s but Hurran and M. Riini were always dangerous. Welch did not play his usual game at full back, failing to find touch on a number of occasions. His defence was unshakeable. , .

Rangitaiki fielded a fast; young side which was served well in the forwards by S. Davis, Jensen - and Caver hill. The pack as a whole played well and only a stubborn defence kept them back on several occasions. The backs were undoubtedly superior to Whakatane. N. Raureti (brother of the Maori All Black) at first five-eighths carved the home line to ribbons repeatedly/while at centre L. Newdick slid his way through with ease in a manner reminiscent of J. B. Smith. Playing his first representative game at full back N. Schuster was near provincial standard and was in no way disgraced by the imperturble Welch. Scorers:—

Whakatane (11 points): Welch, a field, goal; McGougan, a try and conversion; De Lacey, a try. Rangitaiki (3 points): Burt; a try. . Referee; Mr A. Mitchell.