FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 67, 10 July 1950, Page 5

FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT

Two Rugby Wins To Whakatane Senior Football Teams

While junior and third .grade Rugby competition t games were continued at Whakatane on Saturday -the two senior representative teams had convincing victories in other centres. Playing their first game in the Te Hurinui Apanui Shield series Whakatane A defeated Apanui A at Te Kaha before a small crowd. At Matata Whakatane B won the Moore Shield for the first time from Rangitaiki B. Although the weather was fine grounds were damp and inclined to be slippery. WHAKATANE OUTPLAYS APANUI Meeting little opposition Whakatane defeated Apanui by 24 points (5 tries, 3 converted, a pealty goal) to three (unconverted try) in the first game of the elimination round for the Te Hurinui Apanui Shield. Although outhooked in set scrums Whakatane won most of the lineouts and rucks while the backs outplayed Apanui. From the start Whakatane set the pace and at no stage did the result appear in doubt. At full back E. Welch had a good day, converting three tries and a penalty. He was always safe and his line kicking was a feature of his play." However, the star Whakatane back was the first five-eighth, Peck, whose mercurial play and sound cover defence was noticeable in a game where such tactics were almost non-existent. He showed tremendous energy and wajs, the general of his side’s back attacks. Nearer the scrum G. Stewart, half back, played a courtageous game. In a hard working pack which, however, appeared to lack fire, Ratahi was prominent in lineouts, jumping high and taking the ball cleanly. Walker put in some hard work in the tight.

Generally the . forwards showed better understanding than in previous games and were much more successful in heeling from rucks. For Apanui the half back was outstanding. Often he broke* through to cut the Whakatane defence. For Whakatane, tries by T. Riini (2), Peck, McGougan, Walker; 3 conversions and penalty by Welch. For Apanui Rata scored a try. Whakatane next plays Rotorua, holders of the shield, at Rotorua.

WHAKATANE B WINS MOORE SHIELD Although slumping in the . first spell Whakatane B recovered after being eight points down at halftime to take the Moore Shield when they defeated Rangitaiki B 12 (two unconverted tries, two penalty goals) to 8 (converted try, penalty goal). Whakatane looked a different team when they took the field in the second spell, both forwards and backs working together well. Rangitaiki commenced strongly and largely dominated play. They soon had eight points up from a try by Marks and converted by Davies, who also kicked a penalty goal. The team attacked with vigour while the Whakatane forwards moved sluggishly. Even among the backs there seemed a lack of interest.

Into the second spell Whakatane took the initiative. Forwards came to life and the backs played to score. Rangitaiki were playing as good as before but Whakatane were better. Their try started from a scrum. L. O. Stewart on the side whipped the ball to the backs. It went along the line to Tawa, who raced over. Further points were added by M. Harawira, a try and two penalty goals. Among the forwards Ruffles, Foreman and Stewart went well while in a dangerous back line Carter was prominent.