RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 211, 24 July 1939, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PARATA CUP FINAL A DRAWN GAME ROT Oil UA-UPUTIK.JL Cold and threatening weather marked the meeting of the Rotorua and Upotiki, senior Rugby representatives in the final cf the Bn rata Gup competition at-. Arawa Bark en Saturday, states the Rotorua Morning Bost. - There was a large attendance of spectators to watch what was an exciting match, though not a display of consistent football. The final result was a draw, three all, after an extra spell.of 20- minutes had been played, ten minutes each way. The cup will thus be held by each team lor six months under the rules governing the competition for it. The visitors, though appearing to be not so heavy as Rotorua, played a hard fast game from beginning to end and were perhaps unfortunate not to have scored more frequently. Several chances were missed right in front of the Rotorua goal by bad handling on the part <>l the Upotiki outside backs, and for the .major portion of the game, Upotiki were on attack. Their forward play wa- almost above reproach, but they failed to show up so well in the backs, where there’ were no really good attacking players. The Rotorua side, although laced with strong opposition, put up a good fight, and played a line defensive game, credit for a great deal of which

must be given to the half-back Ahipene. who again saved the team irom disaster several times during the match. The hack line generally was lai better than that cf Upotiki. but the outside men. particularly Hapi on the wing, saw little ol the- hall. However. three magnificent bac-k runs were executed by the line in the course of the game, and were an indication of what the team could- do in, this direction. The forwards, although packing well. were outclassed by those of Upotiki, and some were several times penalised tor broaches ol the rules.

From the kick-off Rotorua (black), contrary to orclinary procedure, took the initiative and forced Upotiki (black and white). hack into their own 26. but- the latter soon regained the lost ground. and the visiters made a determined effort to score, a good! save being effected by Ahipene. A penalty awarded against Rotorua gave Upotiki a chance, but it did not take advantage of this, and E. Rooke sent the hall into touch well up the line. There followed some tight and loose play in the midfield until Aliipetie gathered up the hall and cleared to the white 26. Ro-tprua Opens Account. A further kick into touch put Opo-t-iki in a difficult position, and they were obliged to force down. Another Rotorua rush to the mouth of the goal resulted) in a live-yards scrum, from which the backs gained possession. B. Bene scoring after an opening by Jacobs. No kicks was allowed alter the ball bad been grounded twice. Rotorua 3 Upotiki 0 Flay was very even from this stage of the game until the interval, when the score was still the- same. Flaying into the sun at the commencement of the second spell. Rotorua Cieterniinod to make* an attempt to score befoie if became too low, but were forced back into their own territory by a strong Upotiki advance, the latter team remaining on top for most of the. remainder of the game. Rotorua were now on the defensive in real earnest, the white forwards maintaining a continuous attack cm the goal-line, and here it was that the Rotorua inside backs did their work well in assisting the full-back. Ahipene madle several fine saves from ticklish positions, and Rook defended the lino ably. Bt .Jacobs executed some splendid penetrating movements which gained valuable ground at times. Two excellent back runs at Rotorua gave them a chance of scoring again on each occasion, but they were unable to make the- grade, being forced back again into their own 26. Finally, Starkey, on the Upotiki wing, took the hall from his inside backs after a .movement which left the Rotorua defence out of position, and scored right at the corner. The try was -not converted. I'Rortorua 3 Upotiki 3

Time was upshortJy. after the Opotiki try, and an extra ten minutes each way was ordered by the referee. As no alteration in the score was made, the match was called off with the score unaltered.. Mr. J. J>. Coogan was in of the match. ANOTHER SK(ELD MATCH 'J'Ei PUKE DEFEATED Seldom lias there been such a. genera! exodus from and seldojn has interest been so keen and hopes so high as before the To HurinuiApanui Shield match at Tauranga on Saturday. The d'efeat of Te Puke by 11 points to 9 was a sore disappointment to the many hundreds of To Puke supporters who watched the game. It was generally agreed, however. that the best team had won. Following the match a protest was decided on by the Te Puke Union, arising out of the inclusion of 11. Bidois, second five-eighths, in the Tauranga team. ft is understood that a counter protest may he lodged by the Tauranga Union, in connection with certain Te Puke players. WHAKATANE DEFEATED R AXGJTA I K 1 VICTORY Kangitaiki avenged their defeat,

b.v Whakatane a few weeks ago by winning 6t— 1 0 at To Teko on Saturday. The game was tlie first for tlie Tom Dundertlale Memorial Cup, presented for annual competition between the two unions. Bangitaiki’s two tries were taken by Renata the wing three-quarter. 'The game was confined to the forwards, and was played in the best spirit in distinct contrast to their last game. BAY TEAM CHOSEN The Bay of Plenty representative team to play against Waikato at Hamilton on Saturday next was announced at Rotorua on Saturday night by the selectors, Messrs. Bes Clarke (Rotorua),* A. JO. Spratt (TV Riike), and G. Peebles (Wliakatano), as follows: — Full-back, H. Rayinent (Tauranga). Three-quarters, G. Gregory (Rotorua), R. Bees (Rangitaiki).' E’. Donovan (Rangitaiki). Five-eighths, El. Flowed (Rangitaiki,captain), M. Bees (Rangitaiki). Half, R. Jone.s (Upotiki). Forwards, E. Hayward (\\ ha kata ne). B. Farrqn (Opotiki). B. Tama (Rangitaiki). A. D. Robinson (Rotorua). 'l'. Wbitely (Rangitaiki), J. Best (Whakatane), J. 31cNeiI ('lViura nga). C. Satlierly (TV 1 Buke). Emergencies: Forward. B. Hughe:(Whakatane), Nicliolseii (Te Buke). backs, G. Oswald (Whakatane), Ahipene -(Rotorua). 31ATCHFS AT OBOTJKI No senior Rugby matches were

played at Opotiki on Saturday, In a junior match, after a very hard game, OJd Boys succeeded)-in defeating 0.31.8. by 8 points to 3. A match was played between Opotiki High School and Te Karaka 'High School. The match was rather, a farce as the Opotiki side simply played with the opposition. The- general opinion was that two or three of the bigger Opotiki boys should have been replaced before the game commenced as they were far too solid for the smaller To Karaka boys, who were i neap able f - doing thoinselvcs justice against .such weighty opponents.