RUGBY FOOTBALL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 260, 27 June 1932, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

INTER-SCHOOL QA^IES WHAKATANE BEATS OPOTIKI : ' D.H.S. IN RETURN ^ ; MATCH. COMFORTABLE MARGIN. The return match between Opotiki and Whakatane District High Schools at. Whakatane on Saturday resulted in a win for Whakatane. "Possibly owing.to the fact that Opotiki had such a big win at the previous -meeting, they did not play with their usual dash and spirit until after half time, whereas. Whakatane .came on the field pbviously determined to re- . vpnge their recent def eat. From the kick-off Whakatane were quickly on -the move, bttt' when Opotiki heeled from a scrum, Mahairi cut in well and made a good ruri through the def ence only to find himself unsupported. • . Whakatane, gaining possession, forced- the play back to Opotiki's ground. . The Whakatane f orwards were- playing with- considerable vim, , but the Opotiki pack did not appear to.have found their feet at this- stage. When the Opotiki backs did get the ball the opposing f orwards followed rip so fast that Opotiki became bustled and threw the ball about wildly. The Whakatane forwards, still following up fast, managed to bustle them off the ball, and gaining ground in this manner, they were in so good a position when awarded a free kick that they were able to turn it to account. Whakatane pressed hard from the kick, and when Opotiki -fumbled the ball after a long kick, fast following up by Whakatane forwards, enabled them to score again. The try was converted. These reverses appeared to demoralise the Opotiki team still further, while Whakatane, flushed with victory, dominated the situation again from the drop-out. Bearing down on the Opotiki backs, they again managed to score, this time partly as a result of tackling on the part of the defence. The score was now 11 — nil. From the kick it was obvious that Whakatane had no intention of letting up, and poor tackling again let them through. This time they failed to convert, however, and the whistle sounded for half time with the score 14' — nil in Whakatane's favour. Second Spell. After half time, the Opotiki forwards showed a distinct improvement and had they played as well from the beginning, the result might have been different. As it was, they carried the play into their opponents' 25, Whakatane disputing every yard of the way. Both packs were now working hard, but neither side seemed able to gain a definite advantage. In the last quarter of an hour, Opotiki were dominating the play, although they were unable to score. This was really the only time that the Opotiki team came up to their form of the previous fortnight, and when the whistle went for time, the score remained 14 — nil in favour of Whakatane. Bennett, who was one of the best of the Opotiki team, unfortunately had to be carried off five minutes bef ore the end of the garae. Forbes and J. Walker played excellent games, but Maihairi was the only back to do really well, although Mokomoko was sound on the wing\ The Opotiki backs as a whole did not get very much chance to show; their capabilities owing-to a quite, surprising turn of speed on the part of the opposing forwards.