WAIRAKA v POROPORO

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 28, 1 May 1950, Page 5

WAIRAKA v POROPORO

In the main game on No. 1 field Last year’s competition winners, Wairaka, presented a scintillating display to defeat that clever Poroporo team by eight (two tries, one converted) to nil. Teams:— Wairaka (amber and black): Fowell, Moreroa, L. Stewart, G. Stewart, M. Riini, M. Bluett, K. Martin, T. Riini, B. Carter, J. Crapp, K. Merito; B. Hudson, ,T. Crapp, J. Dodd, Merito. Poroporo (blue): Clay, Ropae, Rangikotua, Kororiko, T. Brown, Moeke, P. Paul, P. King!, Watarawi, S. Paul, J. Biddle, W. Biddle, B. Huta, M. Tiepa, Taylor, P. Merito, T. Hotene, B. Nuku. The game was delayed by frequet stoppages because of injuries and in the second half play became willing with some hard work going in the tight rucks. This culminated in two players being ordered off and served to cool frayed tempers. From the start Waira’ka threw the ball about in their own style and drove for the blue line but a tight defence h'eld. There were several individual runs both ways but the first try came to Wairaka on attack. The. ball flashed out to Martin on the wing who sliced through the back division, cutting out two men to score in a handy position. The pace slowed in the second spell but not in willingness. Play moved back and forth with Wairaka having the edge on Poroporo who, however, were always dangerous but could never quite make the opening. Then came the final points. Wairaka hammered at the blue line and then from a loose ruck T. Riini snapped up the ball and in an elusive trot whipped across to score under the posts. He completed the conversion and the game ended Wairaka 8, Poroporo 0. Referee, Mr W. Chambers. PAROA v TANEATUA Although sporting a fine set of backs, which looks like developing into a strong combination Taneatua found it difficult to counter the bustling fast running tactics of the Paroa forwards and were defeated on No. 2 ground by six (two unconverted tries) to three (penalty goal). The teams Paroa (black): Wilson, Ratahi, Harawira, Ruru, Mokau, Wana, Aukaha, Ranapia, Watuki, Ingram, Rehe, Tutua, Jensen, Wahapango, Hona.

Taneatua (black and white): Welch. Eggleton, Bennett, McGougan, Thatcher, Hill, Semmens, Marshall, Downes, Tuhora, Wano, Rawson, Hayward, Andrews. Paroa whipped into gear from the start and gave Taneatua some anxious moments. Then Paroa scored the first senior try of the season, The ball came to Ruru on the wing who set his ears back and drove for the line, ran round behind the posts and touched down. Play moved back and forth and then Welch evened the score with a fine penalty goal

but Paroa were not to be denied. Their bustling pack swept back again and again and then Tutua received and went over. The kick failed again. At the resumption play increased in speed and there were some exciting moments with both teams unlucky not to score on a number of occasions. There were no further points. Referee, Mr B. Norman. UNITED v RUATOKI Entering the competition for the first time in a number of years Ruatoki appeared sluggish when they •met United at Taneatua and although they got going in the second spell could not score and went down to the tune of 17 (three trijes, one converted, two penalty goals) to nil. Teams:— United (white): Forbes, Hunt, Eoyle, Haddon, Rutherford, Goodwin, Gardiner, D. Butler, Howat, Green, Goodall, K. Butler, Ruffles, Dines.

Ruatoki (maroon:) McGarvey, W. Mokomoko, T. Hohua, Rangitane, T. Rangi, Williams, Waaka, Kori, Ponika, Haumati, Ngahuru, Hehoma, Maui, Tait, Hakeke. Making good use of a strong wind in their United scored all their points in the first half. They outplayed the slower Ruatoki team and revelled in fast passing from the forwards to the backs. Ruatoki appeared slow to take advantage of any opening and did not seem able to cope with the fast white backs. In the forwards' it was the same. After the resumption it was a different tale. United slowed down and Ruatcki got going and play moved about in a solid fashion.

United’s points came from tries scored by Gardiner, Goodall, Hunt (one each); Goodall one conversion and two penalty goals.