BAY OF PLENTY XV WAS ATTRACTIVE TEAM: ALMANACK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 44, 15 May 1950, Page 5

BAY OF PLENTY XV WAS ATTRACTIVE TEAM: ALMANACK

The strong opposition supplied by the Bay of Plenty representative Rugby team last year is mentioned in 1950 Rugby Almanack, which has been received at Whakatane. A whole section is left to Bay of Plenty with full details of the players, games played and scoring record. Altogether Bay of Plenty played five games, losing three and winning two. The team scored 64 points with 84 points being scored against it. These games included the match against Australia.

Of the team the Almanack states

“Bay of Plenty fielded an attractive side, and at its best was a strong combination displaying keenness and ability. Unfortunately, injuries affected the backs particularly, and many changes had of necessity to be made. The endeavour was to produce bright open football, and the apparent fitness of the players was a contributory factor to the success gained.”

The Almanack refers to the first class form of E. Welch, fullback, and to B. McGougan, who “was noticeable with his powerful wing three-quarter play, and J. S. Morrison, small but fast, also an excellent winger. J. Goldsmith “handled w.ell and ran strongly from first five-eighth, but L. Raureti, (halfback), though lively, was not as good as previous years.” In Almanack’s opinion the outstanding forward was S. McLaughlin and so impressed were the editors, Messrs A. H. Carman, A. C. Swan and Read Masters, that they selected him as side row forward in their New Zealand XV. The locks, H. Ranapia and P. A. Ratahi, come in for mention as a powerful pair revealing great dash and fitness.

The hooker, R. Goddard, is mentioned as a forward of more than average ability. In all, the Almanack concludes, 28 payers were required for the Bay of Plenty team, of whom 12 were new to first class Rugby.