FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 82, 14 August 1950, Page 5

FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT

Whakatane Has Little Trouble DefeatingTouring Team

Producing their best form yet Whakatane had little trouble in defeating the touring Central Hawke’s Bay Sub-Union team by 20 points (4 converted tries) to six (unconverted try, penalty goal) on Saturday. Whakatane dominated play almost entirely in all departments from start to finish and at no time seemed in danger of losing.

The weather was fine and the ground hard. There waS a large crowd.

There were two outstanding players on the ground". Both from Whakatane they showed class. At full back E. Welch was the star of the game and capped a fine display with the first try of the match. He defended splendidly and often came lip on attack. His kicking was long and accurate. H. Ranapia, the side row forward, was the other who attracted attention. He played hard throughout to keep on the ball. He was particularly noticeable in liioout work.

In the three-quarter line M. Bluett played one' of his best games at centre. He woi’ked shrewd movements to cut in and was always dangerous. Outside of him J. Biddle showed improvement in his determined running. He made some moves and only slowness off the mark prevented him from gettmg way on a number of occasions. A new five-eighth S. McGarvey, showed promise. He made some fine openings and took his passes from G. Stewart at half, at top speed. He gave penetration to his back line but he and Stewart seem-

ed unable to come to an understanding. Stewart’s passes were not good and McGarvey’s handling suffered as a consequence. However, Stewart’s other play generally could not be faulted.

Next to Ranapia P. Smith was a forward who toiled hard throughout. He moved off the side of the scrum quickly and was never off side. Fast following up gave him a try. The remainder of the pack worked hard but near the end seemed to tire. They won most of the scrums and line outs. A feature of the line outs was the high jumping of P. Gardiner.

Among the Central Hawke’s Bay players N. Renner played a sound game on the wing and overshadowed B. McGougan. At centre P. Kuni was a dangerous back. In the forwards F. Spiith in the back of the scrum, P. Stoddard and J. Twentyman, locks, and J. Atkins in the front row, worked hard in a beaten pack. For Whakatane tries were scored by Bluett (2), Smith and Welch. Welch converted three and McGougan one. For Central Hawke’s Bay P. Strickland scored and Renner kicked a penalty.

Referee, Mr A. Mitchell, Whakatane.

WHAKTANE SHIELD TEAM There are a couple of changes in the Whakatane team to challenge Rotorua for the Te Hurinui Apanui Shield at Rotorua on Saturday. All the backs are the same as that which met Central Hawke’s Bay on Saturday. The team is to meet in the Wairaka 'meeting house at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday for a compulsory practice. The team:— Full back, E. Welch (T); threequarters, B. McGougan (T), M. Bluett (W), J. Biddle (Po); fiveeighths, S. McCarvey (R),- T. Riini (W); half back, G. Stewart (W); back row, P. Gardiner (U); middle row, Smith (T), T. Ngahuru (R), P. Ratahi (P), H. Ranapia (P); front row, C. Walker (W), S. Ruffles (U), O. Anderson (T). Reserves: Backs, P. Carter (W), B. Ruru (P); forwards, L. O. Stewart (U), K. Merito (W), B. Aukaha (P).

WHAKATANE B LOSES MOORE SHIELD In the two earlier Rugby matches played at Whakatane on Saturday a large crowd was treated to some good football. In a junior game United defeated High School 12-0. The second game for the Moore Shield resulted in a win for Opotiki B, who took the trophy 'from Whakatane B. The score, 19-8, was not a true indication of the- game although Opotiki looked in little danger of losing.