THREE SUB-UNIONS HAVE NEVER HELD RUGBY SHIELD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 88, 28 August 1950, Page 5

THREE SUB-UNIONS HAVE NEVER HELD RUGBY SHIELD

Galatea, Apanui and Whakatane have the doubtful honour of being the only Rugby sub-unions in the Bay of Plenty who have never won the Te Hurinui Apanui Shield. That is, according to the inscriptions on the shield, which is now on show in a Whakatane shop window.

Whakatane did win the shield on two occasions but failed to hold it more than a couple of weeks in each case. 'Galatea and Apanui have only come into prominence in the last few years and Galatea especially have made some strong challenges.Since the shield was presented for competition among sub-unions in the Bay of Plenty in 1927 it has been held on occasions by five different unions. Rangitaiki have been one of the strongest contenders and were, in fact, the first holders. They have held the shield for seven different from 1933 to 1938 were the unbeaten holders, surely a fine record. In the past Rangitaiki produced some of the finest teams in the Bay of Plenty and their records still stand.

The next in line is Opotiki, who have their names on the shield for six seasons. They came into prominence after the war and were "unbeaten from 1944 to 1946.

Tauranga has held the shield for four years, Rotorua three and Te Puke two.

Whakatane will withstand their first challenge from Tauranga at Whakatane on Saturday. Tauranga have their players in strict training and will be making a determined bid. /The next challenge will be from Te Puke and then Rotorua.