Rugby

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 10, 11 July 1949, Page 5

Rugby

BAY OF PLENTY HAS NARROW WIN OYER THAMES VALLEY

(Special to Beacon) ROTORUA, Sunday. In cold and wet conditions Bay of Plenty defeated Thames Valley in a representative rugby match at Arawa Park here yesterday by 5 points (two tries, one converted) to 6 (penalty goal, unconverted try). Played before a fair crowd the game did not produce inspiring football and was marred by the illluck of Thames in not producing a sure boot to capitalise on several fair opportunities from penalty kicks, two of these being about 20 yards out and fairly in front of the goal. However, as it was, the score was a fair indication as to the run of play. The teams: —

Bay of Plenty: E. Welch, B. McGougan, F. Martin, M. Delameue, L. Rewiti, D. Narby, L. Raureti, S. McLaughlan, Smyth, J. Rolfe, H. Ranapia, B. Rogers, W. Trotman, E. Moncur, J. Gabolinsky. Thames Valley: B. ON’eil, R. Laurence, S. Silcock, R. Dickson, W. Hume, N. McMillan, H. Hayward, L. Samson, N. Nettingham, R. Osborne, O. Wood, W. A. Nicholls, B. Coxhead, R. Duffin, G. Alack. The Bay forwards were superior in weight and the backs had more penetration, if not more speed. Thames Valley had the better of the lineouts but the scrums were in favour of the defenders. After ten minutes of mid-field play with Bay playing with the wind and sun behind a sally by the

backs ended in a snappy try by Smyth and converted by Raureti. There was no further score half time which came with Bay of Plenty 5, Thames Valley 0. The rain fell in the second half tnaking conditions as cold and unpleasant for spectators as they were for the players on the muddy field. R. Laurence, the Valley wing, put over a penalty goal at his first attempt, to make the score 5—3. After the whole Bay line had got going again F. Martin, on the wing, scored wide out. The kick missed. Bay of Plenty 3, Thames Valley 3. The next score for Valley came mid-way through the spell when W. A. Nicholls rounded off a passing movement of the backs and got over in the corner. Laurence's kick was unsuccessful. Play continued solidly and the game ended with Bay of Plenty 8, Thames Valley 6. Referee: Mr Abbott, Opotiki. W AIR AKA WELL IN LEAD OF COMPETITION Only senior rugby competition games were played at Whakatane on Saturday. By defeating United comfortably Wairaka have now definitely established a strong lead in the competition and retain their unbeaten record this season. In the other match the unpredictable Paroa side held the hard' Poroporo team and lost by only three points. Wairaka Wins Again Combining together more as a team and with slightly better backs Wairaka beat United by 17 points (3 tries, one converted, one field goal) to 3 (unconverted try). With a better pack United dominated the scrums and rucks and won the line-

outs but their backs were unable to make use of the ball. The Wairaka back line had more penetration and the quick backing up of the whole team gave them a distinct advantage. For Wairaka T. Riini and R. Crapp were always dangerous while S. Mokai and H. Bluett worked hard in the forwards.

Parsons, Goodall and Mundy were, the pick of the United pack with Parsons showing his undoubted superiority as a hooker by winning nearly all the scrums. Rutherford on the wing was always a possible scoring menace*. The teams:— United (white): Malaquin, Rutherford, Kahui, Olsen, De Lacey, Hunt, Goodwin, Ruffles, Parsons, Mundy, McMillan, Goodall, Stewart. McCormick, Dines. Wairaka (amber and black): L. Stewart, S. Mokai, Wharewera, Gardiner, T. Crapp, K. Merito, H. Bluett, P. Kingi, G. Lawson, Martin, M. Bluett, B. Carter, T. Riini', R. Crapp, B. Hudson. Referee: Mr F. Paton. Paroa Holds Poroporo Although part of their regular team was missing and only able to field 14 players Paroa held the strong Poroporo side by spoiling tactics to lose by 6 points (two unconverted tries) to 3 (unconverted try). The game was ragged with neither side .playing particularly good football. / Play swung from one end of the field to the other quickly but few bright movements were produced. On several occasions both sides missed scoring • through poor handling. Referee: Mr J. Keepa.