SPORTS NEWS AND COMMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 1, 20 June 1949, Page 5

SPORTS NEWS AND COMMENT

Rugby

WHAKATANE & TAURANGA DRAW

Several representative Rugby games were played on Saturday between sub-unions of the Bay of Plenty. Rangitaiki drew with Galatea at Murupara, Apanui defeated Opotiki and Whakatane was held to a six-all draw at Tauranga. At Whakatane Opotiki B were too strong for Whakatane B when they won 13—6.

Whakatane v Tauranga Although superior in the forwards the Whakatane back play was poor in both handling and pass-, ing. Tauranga .took advantage of this but there were mistakes on both sides although for Whakatane Welch at full back was the outstanding player and saved many times.

Soon after the start Whakatane scored. They attacked and a hard forward rush took play to the Tauranga line where Rolfe, who played a good fast game in the loose, barged his way over. McGougan kicked badly all day and he missed this conversion, a fairly ■difficult angle. Play swung ,up and down the field but the visiting backs could not get going. G. Stewart at half was

sending low passes to De Lacey at first five-eighths, whose handling did not improve ,as the game progressed. 0 ' v . Just before halftime \Tauranga gained a penalty goal. V-* v Soon after the resumption Welch kicked a difficult penalty. •The forwards were now going well with Ball always about closely supported by Ranapia, Hona, Ratahi and Rolfe. Without the backs they c,ould not make the line and just before time Tauranga kicked a further penalty goal. The game ended Whakatane 6, Tauranga 6. * Opotiki B v Whakatane B

'*Opotiki B gained h; fairly ’convincing win over Whakatane . B at ’Whakatane on Saturday 13 (2 converted tries and a penalty goal) to 6 .(2 converted tries). -- .' The/, game Vas ragged and not a bright’ spectacle although there were 1 some good moves which made the game more pleasing to the fairly 1 large crowd, Opotiki were superior in the forwards and with the backsplayed together as a team.

The ' Whakatane combination was not happy and some of the players went to positions they "were unused to. The forwards did not-combine, while the backs seemed unable to get going. C Referee: Mr F. Paton. Galatea v Rangitaiki Galateta fought out a 14 point draw at Galatea in a very hard game. For Galatea points came from tries by Higgins, D. Wilson and R. Wilson converting one while Anderson and K. Rangi each kicked a penalty goal. For Rangitaiki Parkinson, Sullivan, Mexted each scored, L. Newdick converted one and •a penalty goal. Stronger in the-backs and packing better in scrums and tight rucks Rangitaiki forwards vtere worried all day by the fast worrying play of the Galatea pack. The visitors -were held in the lineouts but several times were unlucky hot to score, WHAKATANE JUNIORS BEAT TAURANGA At Tahranga on Saturday Whakatane Juniors beat Tauranga 8-10. Whakatane outclassed the home side on combination, putting on a splendid display of team work. Scorers: Cave 4, Kilgour 2, Bridger 1, Spong 1.