TE ARAWA WIN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 337, 26 September 1932, Page 6

TE ARAWA WIN

WAIPA BEATEN AFTER FAST AND 1NTEREST1NG GAME KAHUKURA BEAT PATETERE Rotorua Rugby got a rnuch needed boost on Saturday when the Arawa tribal team dafeated the Waipa representatives by 16 points to nil and provided the spectators with thrills aplenty in the brightest football seen in Rotorua for some seasons. The visiting forwards were superior to the home pack in the early part of the game, but once Te Arawa warmed up they more than held their own in the loose although Waipa shared the honours in the scrum-work. Te Arawa backs played like champions. They ran their supports into position, their backing up was clever, while their defensive work was faultitiss and they made the visiting rearguard look little better than a club s.et. Of the forwards, R. Waerea, W. Scott, Te Purei and L. Mackie were ' the pick, Mackie shining particularly I in the lineouts by getting the ball and I slinging ifc to his five-eighths. Hirai, Te Arawa full-hack, was not over-worked and niade few mistakes | on the day. On the right wing, Hohapata showed great dash, and accounted for three tries. The brightest try of the day was scored by him after a brilliant solo burst, following an opening made by H. Potaka, whose straight running pcnetrated the visitors1" defence.

N. Steele at centre, played a good game boih on attack and defenoe hut he was well marlced and it would have improved matters had he fed T. Waerea on the left wing more often. P. Howell showed initiative and combined well with his supports, his deadly tackling being a stumbling block to the opposition. G. Mitchell had a gruelling time behind the pack, but nevertheless . acquitted himself very creditably. The winners' points were the result of four tries, two of which were converted. Mr. R. Mason was the referee. Visitors Entertained The players and officials of the visioing Waipa Rugby team were the guests cf the Rotorua Rugby subUnion at a dinner at'the Geyser Hotel on Saturday evening, Mr. A. de Luen occupying the chair in the unavoidable absence of the president, Mr. T. S. Robertson. In welcoming the visitoi's, Mr. A. de Luen remarked upon the outstanding play of the Waipa forwards and said that it was a surprise to him to see Rotorua win from such a strong combination. The play of both teams had been of a high standaid and the game had been a most enjoyable one for all. Expressing the visitors' keen appreciation of the hospitality extended to them by the Rotorua Union, Mr. Brill, manager of the Waipa team, said that they were always glad to visit Rotorua and stressed the sporting spirit with which the game had been played. He invited the Rotorua j Union to send a team to Waipa next season and thanked Mr. W. Galbraith j on bei-alf of the team for facilities , provided. In spealcing on behalf of the Rotorua team, the manager (Mr. T. AnI derson), commented upon the good * game played by the losers and cmI nhasiped that they were not beatcn j hy a Rotorua team entirely, but by I the pick of the Bay of Plenty Maori I players. He said that the game had j done mueli to reawaken the public j interest and would probably ensure , a record gate at next week's game against Morrinsville. Mr. R. Paul, secretary of the Arawa Tribal Club also welcomed the visitors.