RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 23, 11 September 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PILE CUP GAME PAROA DEFEATS MATATA Paroa again successfully defended the John Pile Memorial Cup at the Whakatane Domain on Saturday when Matata, the latest challengers were defeated 27—13. The match was one of the best witnessed this season. The packs were evenly matched, but Paroa was far superior in the back line where several tries resulted directly from accurate passing. Laurie played his usual very safe game, whilst Dodds boot alone was sufficient to warrant his place in the team. On the Matata side, Davis also displayed good kicking ability. To the delight of spectators the Paroa team’s tiny mascot again led that side on to the field and kicked off with all the confidence in the world. The teams lined out as under:—

Laurie, Ratahi, Hohapata, Riini, Goodwin, T. Riini, Goldsmith, Simpson, Aukaha, Wahapango, Dodd, Cleland s Hona, Wharewera, Harawira.

(Wahaponga who was injured shortly after the commencement of the game was -replaced in the scrum by Ratahi who moved in from the wing. Butler came on to fill Ratahi’s place). Matata: Marks, Mahanga, Burt, Lees, Peni, Schuster, Raureti, Fraser, Marr, Rata, Davis, Conn, Rota, Wharewera, Rendall. Paroa took the opening kick and both teams immediately settled down to tight forward play at midfield, Matata facing a brilliant sun. A forward rush took Paroa to the goalline, but a line out and a penalty kick saved the situation, and play swept into Paroa’s half where it became more open. A period of back and forth play developed with Paroa sending determined thrusts into the strong opposing defence. The first points came from a penalty kick which Dodd sent over the bar from an easy position right in front of the goal. Back at halfway, Paroa bustled their way down the side line but Marks blocked the rush. Play swept straight across the field inside the Matata quarter. The leather came in to a line out, and the Paroa backs gained possession. In the other corner of the field Goodwin handed on to Butler who dived over to complete the movement. Dodd’s kick was low and the score board read: Paroa 6, Matata 0. In the next few minutes one of the best tries of the game was witnessed, ParOa’s lead being reduced to one point. Schuster gathered in and broke through the opposing defence.. He short-kicked and Burt took possession beating the field for a good thirty yard run to score between the po'sts. Peni converted. Paroa 6, Matata 5.

Paroa pushed their way quickly to their try line where a battle royal ensued. Bad luck was all that stopped a try. Matata cleared with a penalty kick, but the Paroa men, backing up well pushed their way to the corner again. Mahanga cleared with a good run but lost possession to Riini who, with the help of Laurie put Matata on the defence again. A scrap in the same fatal corner this time resulted in Ratahi diving over to score. Dodd’s kick from the side line travelled the long distance to cross the bar. Paroa 11, Matata 5. In a quick rush including both backs and forwards, Matata tore through the opposing defence to the try line. Raureti and Lees were both unlucky not to score before Laurie cleared with a long kick. Half-time came with no further score. The second half opened with Paroa throwing the ball about freely, and an excellent try resulted in a very short time. The leather went right through the back line without a slip to Butler on the wing who crossed in the corner. Dodd’s kick failed to rise, and the score was: Paroa 17, Matata 5.

Play grew tight as the packs fought for possession, and Paroa worked their way by inches towards the try line. Suddenly the Paroa backs had the leather, and with the Matata defence men out of position Goodwin crossed by the post. Hohapata took the kick which succeeded. Paroa 19, Matata 5.

Matata launched the next rush and on Paroa’s 25 line were-award-ed a penalty kick. Davis sent it high over the bar bringing his sides points to 8. A penalty kick by. Dodd a few minutes later was outside the post and another by Davis for Matata also missed by inches. With play in Paroa’s quarter, hard defence work was all that stopped a try on more than one occasion; then Conn gained possession and dived over beside the post. Peni’s

kick was good and the score board read: Paroa 19, Matata 13. With a good chance of notching '•*. victory, Matata redoubled their efforts, and kept the Paroa defence men working full time. Paroa managed to extricate themselves with • a back movement however, turned the tables on Matata. A battle on the visitors’ quarter line was waged for a good five minutes before anything resulted, and then the ball came into a lineout and was passed on to Ratahi who dived over for a try. Almost immediately after Harawira followed up with another which Hohapata converted bringing the score to Paroa 27, Matata 13. The match ended shortly' after with no change in the points. Mr J. Keepa refereed.

CURTAIN RAISER POROPORO v UNITED The Poroporo v United Junior; curtain raiser to the Pile Cup game . was a good display of Rugby. United were the victors by 13 points to 6. The home side gained first blood with an unconverted try by R. Goodall who completed a back movement. A determined attack by Poroporo resulted in Ratima being sent across to equalise. But immediately after Whakatane, tossing \ the leather about like veterans swept in a combined forward and back <; rush right up the field, Buddie go-| ing across to score between the posts. Rutherford converted bring- ! ing the scorb to B—3. A first try after the change-over came from T. Hotene who took - a pass from Penny and crossed near the corner, raising the visitors’ points to 6. United replied by sending G. Goodall across close to the posts, Rutherford converting, making the score 13—6. No further points were added, and the final whistle sounded with the score board unchanged. Mr H. Mahy refereed.

THIRD GRADE Waimana, High School and Huimai 3rd grade teams combined in a practice game at the Whakatane Domain on Saturday for the purpose of the selection of a representative side to meet Opotiki at Opotiki for the last challenge for the Parata Cup. This team will be announced later. UNITED v P.W.D. I

The match which had been arranged between United and Public. Works Department did not take place. THIRD GRADE PRACTICE A practice game for the Third Grade Representative team to play Opotiki in the final challenge for the Parata Cup, will be held at Tane- ' atua at 1.15 p.m. on Saturday against a combined team of High School, Waimana, Taneatua and Huimai players. The representative team will be chosen from the following: K. Carter, H. Coker, M. Brown, P. Seebeck, C. Goodwin, J. Chadwick, • L. Goodall, S. Cameron (High. School), J. Wano, Tunui (Huimai), Stevenson, Seeker, Ngapuhi, Manuel (Waimana), Stewart (Taneatua), Teepa (Ruatoki). The bus for the representative team will leave the Whakatane Domain at 12.45 p.m.