POROPORO v RUATOKI

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 41, 8 May 1950, Page 5

POROPORO v RUATOKI

With both teams throwing the ball about like basketball Poroporo and Ruatoki gave a large crowd some fast, if unusual, football on the No. 1 field but in the end the orthodox movements told and Poroporo took a narrow win by three (unconverted) to nil. The Ruatoki backs were always dangerous but the forwards, although big were sluggish and it was obvious in much of their play that League had left its own distinctive imprint. \ On the other hand Poroporo tried to play open rugby and moved about quickly but bad handling and a tendency of over-eagerness by some players caused movements to break down. On the day Ruatoki Looked the better team but the forwards have still to get fit and forget League. Teams:— *

Poroporo (blue): B. ■ Huta, B. Taylor, T. Kororiko, J. Biddle, P. Merito, T. Hotene, M. Tiepa, W. Kopae, T. Brown, B. Martin, R. Kingi, W. Biddle, S. Paul. P. Watarawi, T. Clay. Ruatoki (maroon): C. Matui, T. Hohua. T. Williams, W. Mokomoko, P. McGarvey, T. Rangi, K. Maaka, P. Maui, G. Tait, H. Nuku, K. Porika, W. Haumate, A. Leurry, Hakeke, Tihema. Up to half time there was ho score. For 40 minutes play had moved about quickly with one side making the move and then the other. Into the second spell the fitter Poroporo side began to sweep back gradually with first the forwards and then the backs probing for the opening. Then came the reward. Near line the ball moved smoothly from a loose ruck along the blue line to Merito who raced over with two men outside him. The kick missed. Later Kororiko missed an easy penalty. There was no further score. PARC A v UNITED It was unfortunate that the second week of rugby should be marred by rough and illegal tactics in the meeting between Paroa and United. Paroa were the heavier team but the lighter United side! fought hard to go down by three (unconverted try) to nil. Throughout the game players shaped up to one another, fists moved like pistons in scrums and rucks while late tackling was gloried in by both forwards and backs. Off side play was indulged in until the referee clamped down hard.

Much of the fighting was done out of sight of the referee. It was difficult to see which side started the fighting but from the side Paroa looked to be the biggest offenders. Teams: —

Paroa (black): A. Wilson, W. Ingram, M. Harawira, K. Ratahi, K. Wano, B. Mokai, H. Ranapia, T. Rehe, B. Matuku, S. Takotohiwi, J. Pile, B. Riini, D. Tutua. P. Nathan, T Wahapango. United (white): Hunt, Malaquin, Rutherford, Boyle, Haddon, Cullaghan, Goodwin, Dines, Ruffles, Butler, Howat, Goodall, Green, Taylor, Gardiner. i

Play moved about slowly with good movements stopped by spoling tactics. Play was more opportunist than planned. Early into the second spell there was still no score

end then the heavier Paroa forwards began to tell. Slowly they moved to the white line and then from a scrum Pile crashed over in the corner. United fought back and there was no further score. Referee, Mr W. Chambers. WAIRAKA v TANEATUA Typical fast play by both forwards and backs gave Wairaka a convincing win by 20 (six tries, one converted) to nil over Taneatua. The forwards proved faster and more experience than the home side while the backs definitely had the edge. Wairaka piled on the points quickly and players combined in some scintillating movements. For Wairaka tries were scored by Martin (2), Kingi, R. Bluett, M. Bluett, R. Hudson. T. Riini converted one. Teams:—

Wairaka (amber & black): R. Crapp, K. Martin, M. Bluett, M. Rini, B. Carter, T. Riini, F. Malrnanche, L. Stewart, I. Mareroa, C. Walker, B. Hudson, T. Crapp, J. Copeland, K. Merito, P. Kingi. Taneatua (blkck & white): C. Foreman, J. Wano, P. Tuhoro, B. McGougan, J. Semmens, B. Symmans, R. Hill, T. Marshall, K. Hurran, J. Downes, C. Eggleton, S. Thatcher. Referee, Mr A. Mitchell.