HURINUI SHIELD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 53, 23 August 1939, Page 6

HURINUI SHIELD

ROTORUA WON MATCH WAS GRUELLING The Ilurinui Shield game against Opotiki was the best seen for a number of years, Rotorua had a feast or the ball in the but the fast breaking Opotiki forwards ga\e the Rotorua backs little chance toget going. AVith the exception, of a . few minutes near the end of the game the Opotiki team definitely proved itself the better side. Thcra were several casualties, two Opotiki' players and one from Rotorua hav~ ing to leave the field. Play was exceptionally hard, and clean. Opotiki thoroughly deserving the victory, which could be at-, tributed mainly to physical fitness. Rotorua hooked the ball consist--entjy from the set scrums, Opotiki being forced to counteract this advantage by spoiling tactics, the kick off both sides went into the •fray determined to gain the upper hand early. About half-way throughthe first spell a dummy and kick Trainor in front of the Rotorua goal' played into Lindrum's hands t that player putting over a beautiful field" goal. Five minutes before the call' of time in the first spell, Rotorua were awarded a penalty directly in front of the goal ? but Jacobs faile.l*. to put the ball over the bar. The second half opened at the same hectic pace, Rotorua making ate efforts to make the backs function properly. Two fine solo effortswere made by Jacobs, and another by Francis and Hapeta, but they failed by a narrow margin in each ease to reach the line. With four minutes to go, Opotiki scored again, Starkie going over the corner after a run round the blind side of a loose scrum. There was no further scor^ before time was called and the reff tree, Mr F. Wedcrcll, of Whakatane blew the whistle to finish one of the t hardest matches seen in Opotiki formally years.