RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 208, 17 July 1939, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PARATA CUP SEMI-FINAL WIN FOB OFOTiKI 8008 GOAL-KICKING One of tlie biggest crowds seen on the reserve for some years, watched a good game of Bngby football between Whaiqata-ne and Opotiki in a semi-finai match for the Pa rat a Cup, and saw • the home side win the right to play in the final. The visitors were fairly confident that- they were going toi have a rather easy win and a large number of supporters came over to Opotiki to see the visiting team “lick” the winners of last year’s competition. The result- of the game showed that there is very little to chouse between the representatives teams throughout the Bay. Opotiki wen by was expected by local supporters, but the team did not quite give the per forma nee it- is capable of, en account- of two obviously weak spots in the hacks. The Opotiki full-hack could not be blamed lor his poor performance as the position wa quite new to him. The hero ol; the match was undoubtedly Bex Jones, who. in the half-back position, gave a really wonderful exhibition, nothing finer having been seen on an Opotiki ground. Jones went to the half position soon after the commencement of tho game, replacing the ex-Taranaki half-back. Lendium. who ' was unfortunately kicked on the hand and had a finger badly broken. Despite their defeat, the visitors showed they are a very fine team and had the local players let up in the slightest the Whakatane team would have soon been oh top. Opotiki supporters were rather disappointed in the play of Be.st, the ex-AH Black and Whakatane captain. The goal-kicking by both teams was shocking, considering that the day was a very calm one. and many of the kicks wine right in front of the posts. Far too many players wore allowed to take the kicks and the sooner a player is selected and trained for goal-kick-ing the better. The Play Whakatane kicked off with the sun in their favour and their forwards played with plenty of pace. Oswald marked but Lendrum cleared the kick to the line. A free kick to Opotiki saw the ball find the Whakatane' 25 line. The visitors attacked' and swept down into the Opotiki quarter. A scrum was given and then Whakatane had a penalty kick at goal right in front of the posts, hut Biini missed. .Soon afterwards the visitors had another penalty kick and Blest- took this shot hut also missed. Shalloon then put in a good solo run and kicked but- there was ho support. Soon afterwards the hall was kicked over the line and .(J, Walker scored. Leiidrum was injured at- this stage and l had to retire, being "replaced by Starkey. Opotiki 5 Whakatane 0 On resuming Whakatane scored from a rolling kick near ~the posts. Oswald took the kick but was rushed. Opotiki - Whakatane d • The Opotiki forwards got- in front of the hall at the kick-off. Whakatane held the advantage and the ball went out near the Opotiki goal-line. The Opotiki forwards then dribbled into Whakatane territory. Jones secured and ran straight to the visitors quarter but- the ball was kicked too hard over the line. Opotiki again attacked' and went into the visitors - 25. A great rush by Whakatane swept almost from one end of the Held to the other. The visitors were penalised and t-lie ball went out near hall-wa\. Beech then -passed off the ground andthe visitors took a shot at goal hut* missed; Opotiki forcing. Opotiki moved \ip to the A\ ha kata lie 25 and a force followed, l’lay remained in the centre and Whakatane secured Irom a line-out. Oswald marked and gained a lot of ground. Mihaere then cleared to the 25 flag and a line-out followed in the Opotiki quarter. The Opotiki forwards secured and with the ball at toe went down into the Whakatane quarter. Here St-arkev secured and, being blocked on the outside cut infield' and scored a good try. Shalloon failed with the kick. Opotiki Whakatane A 5

Opotiki were soon in the Wluikatane half but offside, play held them up. The home side again attacked and went down to the visitors’ corner. A penalty against Opotiki eased the position ’ for the visitors. Kay nor kicked toi the line and after going across the field, play went to half-way. Opotiki bold the territorial advantage and then Best .got offside and Alaui Delamere

Ton. Ton Lift, G. G: Bruce, Walton, Iff gns. ■; 'Ton Ton Felicitv.- Magnus Anderson, IU gns. '' ■ : 'lon Ton Bcmta, W. IT. Vanstone, Opotiki. 10J gns. Ton 'Ton Rosa. Magnus Anderson, 133 gns. Ton Tea Su/.iaua, Sid Lambert, 10.) gns. ‘ Ton. Ton Timpress, T. Wardlaw, Waimana. Id gns. ■ •: ’Ton 'Ton Tint's. Kst: I*. P. •Hunter, 14 gn f. Tea Ton Sheba. T. Wardlaw, Waimana. £0 gns.'- -5. •- Ton ’Tea Betty’s Best, T'. Wardlaw, 20 gns.