RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 219, 11 August 1939, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TAURANGA’S LUCKY ESCAPE . ———t- r. . LOSERS VERY UNLUCKY The following description of the match played at Tauranga on Saturday last for the Apanui Shield appeared in Monthly’s issue of the Wlmkata.no Beacon:— Oswald kicked off and Whakatanc wore soon down on the Tauranga line, and inside three minutes Hayward had scored in the corner. ’ Dodel narrow ly missed the hard shot. Whakatane 3, Tauranga U. The same player was only a little out with a penalty from haif way. 11 ayi'.cr sliced through to the Tauranga line luit Oswald knocked on. Dodd missed another tough shot alter a period of play near the Tauranga line. McNeile and Kakau worked together fn clear to half way. Riini lined well down. Rnyment missed a free kick, then Hohapata showed up in a good run. Dodd missed another hard free kick. Kakau Idufieel' Raynor and left him sprawling l*&l Hoteno and Host brought play hack. "\\ hakatane forced after Mell and Riiiuui had dribbled down, tlien Oswald kicked to Castaing and Raynor caught the lullhack and after pressure Castaing forced. McNeile was checked 'by Thompson hut (May followed down to Riim who was safe. Hack in Tauranga':-: couniry Hayward was kicked and winded. Alter the resumption. Raynor cut through but lost the hall and Tauranga forced. A few-minutes later the .hulk of the \Yhakatane pack left their markers standing and shot down to. Castaing at the corner hut as Alerito reached for the ball to Hop over for a try the halt slid into touch. Hohapata saved when McNcile was away hut he held on too.'long, though Old was handy. It was a good run. Again Castaing was caught when Raynor followed his kick and Drown, and other \\ ha kata lie forwards joined in, hut once more iauranga were lucky. Kiini made a lot of ground with a line kick hut ho was hurt-a little later and Wells went on. The end of the spell cairn; soon afterwards.

Whakatanc had been unlucky to miss scores. Lineouts and scrums had been pretty even. After half time an exchange of kicks ended in Tauranga’s favour. Raynor kicked to Castaing and Whakatanc came to the 25. A\ hakatane came through, Oswald and Hotene leading with the hall at their toes. In a .scramble Dodd dived on it behind the posts and Oswald converted. Whakatanc S, Tauranga 0.

Hayward speculated to the 1 corner. Tauranga showed up in a pretty motemint. Bidois slipping past Raynor and Raynient. Faulkner and B. Bidois handling in turn, hut the winger was just short. Tauranga pressed lor a while and rucked savagely on the line. A Whakatanc man held on hut Rayment’s kick went in front of the posts. Best put a free kick well down and and Wilson ran to gayi ground. Ihe Tauranga forwards came through from a line out but Howell took the ball trom their toes. Tauranga got, a tree kick when the "Whakatnno Jorwards would not straighten out the scrum, but McNeile missed). Dodd missed a shot from near hall-way. Raynient kicked down hut Raynor lined. As lie kicked Ririnui went with him. Doth were knocked out, Ornisby replacing Riiiuui. There was a tense moment when Wells’ clearance was charged down but Whakatanc. were soon back oil the attack. Oswald sprinted after a kick from Raynor hut Didois tripped him and Oswald cartwheeled, landing on the base of bis spine. Dodd, puthis only weak free kick in ; in looked a, sitter for him. Hotene kicked to Castaing and Raynor and Oswald caught tin 1 fullback. Dodd came up at a. surprising pace and tom-lied down in the corner but next second he was bundled out by Raynient. First Raynor, then Oswald, dropped to cheek flu' Tauranga forwards, then Oswald forced. Whakatanc cleared but Tauranga summoned up the reserves and battled hack. Whakatanc were penalised on the 25, and McNeile goaled. Whakatanc 8, Tauranga. 3. Kven then nu one w’as prepared for what happened for Tangitn ran down the line, and Raynient, finding the corner guarded, eentredi to the goal mouth into a gap. The first rushing Tawanga forward over-rail the ball, Imt Bidois came in, gathered it to his bosom and scored under the posts. Raynient goaled and saved the shield. The game ended after the kick-off.