Rugby

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 7, 4 July 1949, Page 5

Rugby

BAY OF PLENTY TEAM TO MEET THAMES VALLEY The following team has been chosen by the selectors, Messrs T. Anderson (Rangitaiki), R. Stacey (Tauranga) and L. Clarke (Roto- 1 rua), to play for the Bay of Plenty against Thames Valley in the first representative rugby match of the season at Rotorua on Saturday:— Full back: E. Welch (Whakatane). Three-quarters: B. McGougan (Whakatane), F. Martin (Rotorua), M. Delamere f Opotiki). Five-eighths: L. Rewiti (Te Puke), D. Narby (Rotorua). Half back: L. Raureti (Rangitaiki) capt. Back row: S. Mc-i Laughlan (Opotiki), vice-capt. Side row: Smyth (Galatea), T. Jacobs (Te Puke). Locks: H. Ranapia (Whakatane), B. Rogers (Rotorua). - Front row: W. Trotman (Tauranga), E. Moncur (Rotorua), J. Gabolinsky (Rotorua). Reserves: Forwards, J. Rolfe (Whakatane), K. Woods (Rangitaiki). Backs, L. Newdick (Rangitaiki), J. Parkinson (Opotiki). The team Vnanagers are Messrs Anderson and C. Andrews, Rotorua. WIN FOR. WHAKATANE IN POOR gAme > In a ragged game played before a large crowd Whakatane 38 (nine tries, four converted and one penalty goal) defeated Apanui 10 (two converted tries) in a representative rugby match for the Te Hurinui Apanui Shield at Whakatane Field on Saturday. Disorganised in the forwards and the backs too slow and unable to move together Apanui were no match for the home team, although the general play was far below representative provincial standard. The Whakatane forwards played soundly together and won more than their share of the scrurrs and lineouts. Ranapia and Parsons were outstanding, especially the former who must be considered for higher honours on his lineout and loose play alone. As a hook Parsons'.has no equal in Whakatane.

Of the backs Welch at fullback stood out. Time and again he saved with long kicks down the line. Not once was he caught out of position. The remainder were not up to standard. Their play at times was

barely that of club football and often many silly mistakes were made. Apart from Welch nonji seemed worthy of possible provincial honours. Starting off well the Apanui team slumped badly and as the game progressed their play got worse. Worn out perhaps, by their long trip the whole team seemed sluggish and tired and played without fire. The forwards did not combine although Titirangi, Waititi and I. Grey played sound individual games. In the' backs the standard generally was below that of Whakatane. J. Koopu at first five-eighths and N. Titirangi outside him were both steady and tackled solidly. R. Rata, a product of the New Plymouth Boys' High School, backed up well at centre. The game was not a bright spectacle and there were few movements at any time to excite the crowd. The teams: —

Whakatane (blue and white): Welch, McGougan, M. Bluett, Riini, T. Riini, M. Hotene, G. Stewart, Rolfe, Goodall, Ranapia, Ratahi, Merito, Mundy, Parsons, Hona. T. Riini retired injured and was replaced by De Lacey. Apanui (green and black): Poihipi, Hawiti, Rata- Whitewood, J. Koopu, N. Titirangi, Keene, Carlson, Peters, Titirangi, Kahake, T. Grey, I. Grey, Maangi, Waititi.

Points for Whakatane: Tries by Ranapia (2), McGougan (4), Parsons, Hona, Hotene; four converted by Welch; penalty goal by McGougan. Apanui: Tries by Koopu and Rata, both converted by Rata. Referee: Mr P. Chambers, Opotiki.

RANGITAIKI B WINS MOORE SHIELD GAME With several last minute changes in the team Whakatane B went down to Rangitaiki B by 6 points (unconverted try, penalty goal) to nil in a challenge match for the Moore Shield at Matata on Saturday. Watched by a large crowd in cold, dull weather the game was uninspiring and did not bring forth t football of a representative standard. Part of the game Whakatane played -with only 14 men after Thatcher retired injured. Among the Rangitaiki backs Marks played soundly while Conn and Lyons were the pick of the ' pack. In the Whakatane back line Thatcher was hard on defence with the forwards being well served by Ruffles, who played with a broken toe, and Stewart at the back of the scrum. The teams:— Rangitaiki (blue and black): Wereta, Hunia, Weteni, Haimona, Marks, Raurina, Ihaia, Black, Lyons, Baldock, Paul, Conn, Moses, Hahipene, Caverhill. Whakatane (blue): Lawson, Wano, Biddfle, K. -Martin, Rutherford, A. Martin, Thatcher, Tait, Ruffles, Hayward, Crapp, Gardiner, Anderson, Mokai, L. O. Stewart.' In the first spell play by both teams was lifeless and ragged. Both backs kicked too much and Whakatane won most of the scrums but the backs could not do anything with the ball. Rangitaiki gained their points in the second spell when Hunia kicked a fairly easy penalty and Haimona scored in the corner. Several times Whakatane were unlucky not to score. Referee: Mr D. G. Lewis. UNITED BEAT. TANEATUA TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP In a 14—3 win over Taneatua at Whakatane Field on Saturday Unit-. ed went away to win the 1949 junior rugby championship of the Whakatane Sub-Union comfortably. Playing consistently good football throughout the year United lost only one game, against Paroa, and they avenged this defeat twice. Against Taneatua United showed themselves a very powerful com-

bination and gave a display of attractive football.

Both packs battled hard with P. Butler, J. Taylor and J. Chadwick showing up in home forwards. Prince and Green worked unselfishly for Taneatua. In the backs Brown and Seebeck worked holes in the Taneatua defence although Thatcher and Merito played sound lyReferee: Mr H. Mahy.