SPORTS NEWS AND COMMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 26, 26 April 1950, Page 5

SPORTS NEWS AND COMMENT

Rugby

BIG COMPETITIONS START SATURDAY With six teams playing in both the senior and junior grades and four teams in the third grade the Whakatane Rugby season, which, opens on Saturday, promises to be one of the best yet held. Strong competition is expected in all grades while the entry of Whakatane High School teams has created much interest.

This year games will be played a+ Taneatua and on the two grounds at Whakatane Field and on Saturday there are to be three games van each ground, commencing at noon. The third grade will start at midday, juniors at 1.30 p.m. and the seniors at 3 p.m. In the senior draw last year’s competition winners, Wairaka, will meet Poroporo, Taneatua' will play Paroa and the young United team meets Ruatoki at Taneatua. The full draw:—

Senior: Poroporo v Wairaka on Whakatane No 1, referee, Mr H. W. Chambers; Taneatua v Paroa on No. 2, Mr C. Wells; United v Ruatoki at Taneatua, Mr A. Mitchell. Junior: Paroa v Whakatane High School on No. 1, Mr G. Oswald; Taneatua v Poroporo at Taneatua, Mr D. Debreceny; United v Wairaka on No. 2, Mr T. De Lacey. Third Grade: High School. A v Paroa on No. 1, Mr G. Gartshore; High School A v Ruatoki at Taner.tua, Mr C. White.

RANGITAIKI GAMES START SATURDAY

Rugby commences in the Rangitaiki Union on Saturday for all grades, with four teams in both the senior and junior sections. For this week-end the senior games planned are Thornton v Matata at Thornton at 2 p.m., the referee Mr A. Magee and Edgecumbe v Te Teko at Edgecumbe at 2 p.m., referee Mr J. Hyland. In the junior games Te Teko plays Edgecumbe at Te Teko at 1 p.m., referee Mr B. Smith, while Otakiri plays Matata at Otakiri at 1 p.m., referee Mr A. Heagh. The draw for the remainder of the first round is:— Senior: May 6, Matata v Edgecumbe, Te Teko v Thornton. May 13, Thornton v Edgecumbe, Te Teko v Matata. Junior: May 6, Edgecumbe v Otakiri, Matata v Te Teko. May 13, Matata v Edgecumbe, Otakiri v Te Teko. UNITED JUNIOR TEAM Following is the Junior United Rugby team to play on Saturday, all players to be at A. and P. shed at 12.45 p.m.:— Brown, Seebeck, Edmondson, Luxton, Henderson, Hall, Goodwin, I. McKenzie, M. Mahy, Dockray, Civil, Chadwick, Pritchard, Hauesler, D. McKenzie, Goodall, Shapley, Butler, McGlashen, Burt, Taylor (2), Needham, Littlejohn, Sandham, Comiskey.