UNLUCKY AGAIN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 54, 25 August 1939, Page 8

UNLUCKY AGAIN

shalfoon shield game

whakatane beaten on post

The curtain-raiser to the Fiji-Bay of Plenty Maori match at Rotorua on Wednesday, the Shalfoon Shield challenge meeting between Whakatane and the holders, Rotorua, resolved itself into a hard fought game from the commencement, victory finally going to Rotorua, 6-4, a t~y and penalty to a Held goal.

Play as the score indicates, was fairly even on both neither holding the advantage for any length of time. Whakatane had a hardworking pack of forwards who took the ball consistently in the scrums and line outs, while their backs were a dangerous combination when once in motion. Rotorua, though they started poorly, and were on the defensive for most of the first half, rallied considerably in the second, scoring all their points in this spell.

Whakatanc opened the attack, ami went close to scoring, but a good save by Skinner put the ball into touch and out of danger. Rotorua retaliated with a run into Whakatane territory, and Ewert attempt, ed to put over a penalty kick. He failed in the attempt, and Skinner was unable to clear with another, Whakatane carrying play into Rotorua ground, where it stayed for the rest of the first spell, leaving the position at halftime scoreless. Immediately after the Chambers put over a good field goal from outside the 25 yard line, »placing Whakatane in the lead. In retaliation Rotorua fought back with a strong forward movement which resulted in a score by S. Williams, playing in the forwards. With time drawing out, Rotorua were in a difficult position and struggling to makeup the deficiency of one point. There was tremendous applause as, about four minutes before time, Ewert sue. ceeded in dropping over a penalty goal kick, putting the home team in the lead". Rotorua 6 ; .Whakatan-1 Mr S. McNiimarn was the referee.