League

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 5, 29 June 1949, Page 8

League

RUATOKI HEAVILY DEFEATS ROTORUA

Mr Steve Watene, of the New Zealand Maori League Control Board (Auckland) was more than satisfied with the standard of football shown when Ruatoki A and B teams met Rotorua A and B on the Ruatoki Domain on Saturday. The games were to enable the selectors to choose a team to represent Bay of Plenty in a match against West Coast at Rotorua on July 6. In the A game Ruatoki defeated Rotorua 40—11, and in the B game Ruatoki 13 beat Rotorua nil. In the A game both teams tossed the ball about with ease by the forwards and backs alike. Superior team work by Ruatoki was the main reason for Rotorua’s defeat. In the B match the lack of combination in the Rotorua back line spoilt their chances of victory. RUATOKI & OPOTIKI DRAW GAMES Drawn games nil all, resulted in hockey matches between Ruatoki and Opotiki at Ruatoki during the week-end. In a women’s match play was rather poor with Ruatoki showing a slight advantage in good positional playing, For Opotiki, Mrs H. Rewiki played a very sound game in the back line. The forwards showed fitness but lack of combination. Mrs T. Temo of Ruatoki was very safe with the Biddle twin-sisters always in the- thick of the game. Opotiki Goes Well The honours of the men’s game went to Opotiki,, who showed up better than the home team. I. Tai was the star player of the day for Opotiki and was well supported by M. Apanui. Both games were refereed by M. Steven of Opotiki and Ben Uatuku of Ruatoki.