WHAKATANE OUTPLAYS ROTORUA TO WIN TE HURINUI APANUI SHIELD IN SPLENDID DISPLAY OF RUGBY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 85, 21 August 1950, Page 5

WHAKATANE OUTPLAYS ROTORUA TO WIN TE HURINUI APANUI SHIELD IN SPLENDID DISPLAY OF RUGBY

For the first time in the last 20 years Whakatane brought the Te Hurinui Apanui Shield, emblem of Rugby supremacy in the Bay of Plenty, home on Saturday after they had defeated the previous holders Rotorua at Arawa Park, Rotorua, by 14 points (3 tries, one converted, a penalty goal) to six (penalty goal, unconverted try). It was a clear cut win and on the day Whakatane rose to the occasion splendidly to outplay their opponents in almost every department.

It was obvious very early in the piece that Whakatane were playing to the instructions of their coach, Mr G. Stockwell, and these tactics certainly paid dividends. The team had decided to kick for the line until well into the Rotorua territory. Each time they gained valuable ground and then they unleashed their attacks.

A remarkable feature was the quick breaking of the Whakatane side row forwards Ranapia and Smith. Each played good football. They harried Raureti, the Rotorua half back and former Maori All Black, unmercifully so that the Rotorua back attacks were often squashed at the scrum. If the ball did get out it rarely went far. The Whakatane backs played for their men and they’tackled hard. The tackling of Carter, first five-eighth, and Riini, second, was very hard and they kept the men opposite them subdued. Carter kept the Maori All Black Douglas well bottled, while Haimona never once got past Riini. ■

Altogether it was ' a satisfying performance by a vastly improved Whakatane team. They played hard to win and' went on the field with a plan Which they seldom varied. The backs were cdrtainly an improved unit. They kept the Rotorua backline, which included five Bay of Plenty representatives, playing to their tune and throughout never once let up. Perhaps their keenness to tackle their man was a bit overdone but only once -could they have been accused of tackling a man before he received the ball. Then McGougan was penalised.

At the rear the Whakatane full back, E. Welch, played soundly. His positional play and tackling were good although the Rotorua full back,

Sewell, shaded ' him in kicking. These two had a great dual. In the three-quarter the wings, Biddle and McGougan showed determination but had few opportunities. Following up his fine performance of the previous week M. Bluett played one of his best games at centre. He did not see the ball as much but when it did come to him he was dangerous. Several occasions he beat the Bay of Plenty threequarter, Martin, with- his hard straight running and deceptive swerve. He will be difficult to keep out of the Bay team in future. Gave Away Nothing

In the five-eighths B. Carter and T. Riini were marking proved men, both Bay representatives, but they gave away nothing on the day. Rather, they came through with honours in their attacking and defensive play. Behind the scrum, G. Stewart suffered somewhat with the fast breaking Rotorua pack and did not receive the protection he should have from his forwards. However, it improved later in the game as did his passing. His backing up was very good and he marked Raureti closely.

Among the forwards Ranapia and Smith were outstanding with Ruffles and Ratahi not far behind. In the loose Ranapia and Smith were always handy with the latter handling and running like a back. Ruffles outhooked Rotorua but continued his fine play in the 'tight, where he was well supported by Ratahi. Gardner was prominent in the lineouts with some very high jumping. Anderson, Ngahuru and Walker were hard and willing workers. However, Walker gave three points away for a childish offence.

One noticeable fault of the forwards was their failure to back up. This improved in the second spell but could have been better.

Most of the game was played in Rotorua territory, but the home team played good football. The backs were kept • qpuet but in a

hard working pack Kerei and Boyle were prominent. The match was played in fine weather and before a large crowd. The referee was Mr C. Walker, Tauranga, who gave decisions that not only puzzled the spectators but also the players. For Whakatane scorers were Riini, Ranapia, Ngahuru; Welch converted one and kicked a penalty. For Rotorua the linger, Morrison, scored and Sewell kicked a-penalty goal.

WHAKATANE JUNIORS WIN The holders of the Shalfoon Shield, Whakatane juniors, had little trouble in defeating Rangitaiki ~at Whakatane on Saturday in a bright ancl fast game. From the start Whakatane soon appeared to be the stronger team although Rangitaiki made some dangerous moves. The game was played under cold conditions before a fair crowd. In a curtain raiser a Whakatane High School lightweight team defeated Whakatane district primary school 6-3.

RANGITAIKI UNLUCKY Rangitaiki were rather unlucky, to be defeated by Galatea 3-0 in the Burt Shield Rugby match played at Murupara on Saturday. Both teams played hard football with the home team just able to score its second win of the season against Rangitaiki. At Matata another Rangitaiki senior team had a good win when they defeated Te Puke 13-3.