Rugby

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 40, 19 September 1949, Page 5

Rugby

THREE GAMES PLAYED AT WHAKATANE

Three senior rugby games at Whakatane on Saturday provided, the large crowd with some entertaining football when in the senior games for the Bracken Cup United narrowly lost to Taneatua by 14 points to 11 and Wairaka clinched their stand for the trophy by downing a fighting Paroa side 22 12. The other game was between Whakatane R.S.A. and Barbarians, the latter finally winning 11—8. The early games were played in a slight drizzle, which no way hampered clean handling.

WAIRAKA-PAROA HAVE HARD TUSSLE

From the opening whistle Paroa attacked in a determined manner and after ten minutes had six points on the board from an unconverted try and a penalty goal. They hooked cleanly fom the scrums and went into the rucks. Here they had a definite superiority over Wairaka. But in the loose it was a different story. The fast Wairaka forwards made ground quickly and when they whipped it out to the backs they were always in danger of scoring.

For the first spell teams were about even, throwing the ball about and running hard for the line.' As the game wore on Wairaka came

into their own. Showing greater fitness they threw the ball round and kept play open. Paroa fought all the way but near the end when the points began to pile on they could not match the pace set by Wairaka which, in the last few minutes, turned on an attractive display of open rugby. The final score was Wairaka 22 Paroa 12. Scorers: Wairaka, tries by T. Riini, M. Riini (3), M. Bluett, K. Martin; two conversions by T. Riini and M. Bluett. Paroa, try by Ruru; three penalty goals by J. Wano. Referee: Mr A. C. Mitchell. TANEATUA HOLDS UNITED FOR NARROW WIN Reinforced by' seven juniors and assisted by some fine kicking by B. McGougan, who played on the side of the scrum instead of his customary place on. the wing, Taneatua defeated United narrowly in a rather unimpressive game which, however, improved as it progressed, United failed to show their form of previous games and allowed Taneatua to take advantage of many mistakes. Taneatua played an attacking game against a seemingly tired pack. McGougan kicked eight points and scored a try. United had the same opportunities but failed to convert easy penalty goals and two tries. Scorers: Taneatua, tries by Hill and McGougan, one converted and two penalty goals by McGougan. United, tries by Rutherford, Goodwin and Dines, one converted by De Lacey. Referee, Mr J. Hyland.

BARBARIANS DOWNED 11-8 BY R.S.A. In a rugby game in which the mind was willing but the body refused past footballers met in a keen challenge match when the Whakatane R.S.A. managed to down Barbarians by 11 points (two tries, one converted and a field goal) to 8 (two tries, one converted). The game attracted a large crowd and was played for a special dinner, the losing team to “shout” the victors. Four 15 minute spells were played with a fine disregard for international rules. Any player requiring a breather was able to retire and have his place taken by some one else.

There was a loud cheer as the teams filed on to the field and were acknowledged individually by several players. A collection of greying heads broken only by one or two bald plates left no doubt as to the age of the teams. There was no lack of vocal support from the side line, which included some raucous remarks about the appearance of certain players in football shorts.

The game provided some goc-d football and revealed flashes of the ability of many players who had made names for themselves in the past. Bright movements, and there were several, were enthusiastically applauded and the final score was a fairly even indication of the run of play. The teams as they took the field the first time were: —

R.S.A.: L. Roach, C. Smith, C. Francis, E. Gardiner, M. Lennie, S. Carter, D. Morpeth, D. Wilson, G. Whalley, FI. Carter, G. Washer, A. Shaw, Shapley, Mason, L. Carey. Barbarians: C. Wells, E. Hunt, R. Cave, R. Brassey, D. Stewart, J. Dodd, M. Merito, C. Pile, F. Cutler, E. Wilson, B. Harawira, K. Hollis, D. Butler, Haeg, C. Murray. Scorers: R.S.A., tries by Wilson and Francis, one converted by Roach, field goal by Roach. Barbarians, tries by Cave and Merito, one converted by Dodd. Referee, Mr N. W. • Chambers.