Combined Eastern XV To Play British Isles Chosen

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 55, 12 June 1950, Page 5

Combined Eastern XV To Play British Isles Chosen

Although Bay of Plenty had five players selected with another two chosen as reserves and ommission of L. Raureti, the Bay half, in the combined Bay of Plenty-Poverty Bay-East Coast team to play the British Isles on June 21 caused some comment after the announcement of the team on Saturday night. In the match against Poverty Bay on Saturday Raureti played an outstanding game both on attack and defence and eclipsed his opposite number S. Lee, who was lucky enough to gain selection. E. Welch was elected vice-captain of the team under the All Black forward, R. White, Poverty Bay. The team:—

Full back, E. Welch (Bay of Plenty); three-quarters, N. Goddard (East Coast), J. Maraki (E.C.), F. Martin (B of P); five-eighths, K. Sullivan (B of P), B. Fitzgerald; half back, S. Lee (P. 8.); back row, H. Potae (B of P); middle row, J. Walker (E.C.), R. White (P. 8.), C. McGrannathan (P. 8.), I'. Turnbull (P.B); front row, D. Trotman (B of P), S. Shelton (E.C.), I. Hooper (E.C.).

Reserves: Forwards, S. McLaughlin, W. Moses (B of P); backs, L. Blane (E.C.), W. Kane (P. 8.)

Narrow Win For Bay Of Plenty Over Poverty Bay

Showing almost a complete reversal of form from their ‘showing of the previous week Bay of Plenty were lucky to defeat Poverty Bay in a representative rugby match at Whakatane on Saturday and the score was not a true indication of tiie game. Although they saw little of the ball the home team scored more often and took more advantage of the visitors’ mistakes and ended the game with the final score 16 (two penalty goals, two converted tries) to 11 (two penalty goals, one converted try). The game was watched by a large crowd and the ground was slightly damp. The weather was ideal for good football. Bay of Plenty were outhooked in the scrums and rucks and were on the debit side in the lineouts. Individually their players showed more dash but in team work and combined moves between backs and forwards Poverty Bay gave their opponents a lesson.- Because their backs saw more of the ball Poverty Bay seemed to be more impressive but the fine defence of the home backs, especially that of the full back and the half Raureti was one reason why the score was not the other way. Welch played an outstanding game, neither his defence nor positional play being faulted. His line and goal kicking was in top form and his kicking up the line averaged from 40 to 60 yards at a time. He rarely failed to find touch when he wanted it. In the three-quarter line the centre Kapua had few opportunities but he showed glimpses of brilliance, especially in the try he for Martin. McGougan went well but did not see the ball often enough while Martin seemed slow and unsure of himself. In the five-eighths Sullivan and Douglas had a torrid time defending against attacking backs all day. Raureti played, a grand defensive game. Willing to attack from anywhere at any time he covered up and kept his forwards on the move throughout.

Among the forwards Potae showed. his worth in the loose and impressed with a fine sense of anticipation while Isaacs and the All Black trial|st Trotman were particularly hard workers. Ranapia and McLaughlin were not a happy combination locking. This was probably partly due to Ranapia breaking his jaw early in the game. He played through to the end without treatment.

In the Poverty Bay team the winger Richards showed amazing speed and a clever swerve while Fitzpatrick was always dangerous in the five-eighth line. Lee saw the ball often and gave a good service from the scrum. Fine line out play was done by McGrannathan who jumped high and took the ball cleanly. Birrell backed up well while Brown did a lot of hard work : n the tight.

There was little quick heeling or hard rucking by either pack and both sets of forwards showed a disinclination to pack in and heel hard at any time. The refereeing of Mr O. Slow, Tauranga, was difficult to follow at times and several decisions puzzled both the players and spectators. Often he was far behind play. The teams: Bay of Plenty: Full back, Welch; three-quarters, B. McGougan, Kapua, Martin; five-

eighths, Douglas, Sullivan; half, Raureti; back row, H. Potae; middle row, Isaacs, Ranapia, McLaughlin, Ririnui; front row, Trotman, Pryor, Moses. At half time Kerei replaced Pryor. Poverty Bay: Full back, Cowley; ihree-quarters, E. Carrington, Kane, Richards; five-eighths, Fitzpatrick, Donovan; half, Lee; back row, Bullivan; middle row, Birrell, Turnbull, W. Carrington, McGrannathair; front row, W. Brown, T. Donovan, Shaskey. At half time Shaw replaced W. Carrington, Cleary replaced Birrell, Preston replaced B. Donovgn. The first try for Bay of Plenty was the best of the game. From a loose ruck the ball rolled free and Douglas sent a grubber kick towards the corner. Kapua shot into action and snapped up the ball brilliantly, raced and drew the full back and wing before he unloaded to Martin who raced behind the posts. Welch converted and also converted two penalty goals and a further try by McGougan. For Poverty Bay Cowley converted two penalty goals and a try scored by Birrell. JUNIORS WIN In a junior representative rugby game, the curtain raiser to the Bay game, Whakatane defeated Opotiki 14—6.