COAST RUGBY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20034, 5 September 1939, Page 16

COAST RUGBY

TAINUI CUP LOST MATATUA’S> success MARGIN OF FOUR POINTS (Herald Correspondent.) By a margin of four points, the Matatua Rugby team, representing the Bay of Plenty, defeated the Ngatiporou team, and secured possession of the Tainui Cup in the major fixture of the East Coast 1939 season, the score being 13—9. The game attracted a large attendance. The weather was ideal, and the ground was in excellent condition. The visiting team were the better on the day, and thoroughly deserved their win. Emery, Dodd, Kingi and Merito were the most prominent of the Matatua forwards. In tlje back line Kani, the first five-eighth, was outstanding. E. Hohapata played a fine game at centre, his attacking and defensive work being good. Crapp, the full-back, was safe, bis line-kicking gaining a lot of ground. The .'best of the Ngatiporou forwards was L. Whangaparita, who was the best forward on the ground, his line-out work being of the highest class. Dan Tuhoro figured in some good rushes, and K. McClutchie, T. McClutchie, H. Rangiuia, Jensen and W. Hogan were prominent throughout the game. In the Ngatipouri back line J. Reedy, J. Kapu and P. Kutia were the pick. J. Baker and G. Walker played good games, but neither had many chances. J. Hikitapu was sound, but on the day was shaded by his opposite number, Runi. The full-back, M. Waititi, was safe, his line-kicking gaining a lot of territory, and on defence *he was very sound. The teams were:— Ngatiporou (white).—iM. Waititi, G. Walker, E. Tuhoro, P. Kutia, J. Kapu, J. Reedy, J. Hikitapu, H. RanjJiuia, K. McClutchie, D. McClutchie, T. McClutchie, D. Tuhoro, Jensen, L. Whangapirita, captain, and W. Hogan. Matatua (blue and gold).—Crapp. Topi, Hohapata, captain, Bluett, Kani. Faulkner, Runi, Ririnui, Merito, Fox. Murray, Emery, Kingi, Dodd, and Brown. Matatua’s Early Lead The home side kicked off, and from fill scrum Runi cut in and was tackled just short of the line. The blue forwards were pressing when Dodd secured the ball from a ruck and passed to Faulkner, who sent it on to Hohapata, the centre draw'ns human before passing to his winger, Bluett, who was tackled just a few yards from the line. Play was right on the white line, and from a. loose ruck Dodd gained possession and dived over for a try. .Hohapata had no trouble in converting, making the score, Matatua 5, Ngatiporou 0. The Ngatiporou captain, WhangapiHta, was securing the ball in file majority of the line-outs, but was not* getting the proper support from his forwards. Kopu secured the ball from the scrum and whipped it out to P. Kutia, who fended off two players but was tackled a few yards short of the line. Shortly afterwards, Hogan had a pot at'goal, which narrowly missed. Ngatiporou’s First Score The home team’s first score came when T. McClutchie fielded the ball and, after a dodging run, passed the ball to D. McClutchie, who gave it to W. Hogan. The last-mentioned, with a fine burst of speed, outpaced the opposition to score under the posts. He missed the kick, the score being Matatua 5, Ngatiporou 3. The whites were nearly over again when T. McClutchie, D. Tuhoro and K. McClutchie handled, aild the lastnamed dived for the line, but lost possession, a force down being given. Half-time followed shortly afterwards. On the resumption of play, E. Tuhoro retired hurt, being replaced by J .Baker. H. Rangiuia, D. Tuhoro and L. Whangapirita figured in a good forward rush, an infringement halting them short of the line. From a scrum, Kingi and Murray broke away, carrying the ball to the white 25. Merito secured the ball-and went over for a try. Hohapata converted .making the score, Matatua 10, Ngatiporou 3. The blues were nearly over again when Kani cut in-and gave the ‘ball to Topi, but his pass was knocked on. Baker, after a good run, transferred the ball to Kutia. who was tackled short of the line after a good run. Shortly afterwards M. Waititi was caught in possession, the blue wards carrying the ball down to the white line for Brown to pick up and race across for a try. Hohapata missed the kick, the scores being, Matatua 13, Ngatiporou 3. Good Final Effort i The whites increased their score shortly afterwards, when Kingi was penalised for lying on the ball. J. Kopu found the uprights with a .good kick. ■ i Walker was seen in a good dash down the line, but, was soundly tackled by the full-back, Runi kicking a good liner. The whites’ next score came from a fine effort by the forwards. T. McClutchie broke away from the lineout, and after a good run passed the ball to H. Rangiuia, who beat three opponents to score the best of the day. Hogan missed the kick, and the scores were, Mata 4 ua 13, Ngatiporou 9. There was no. further score. Mr. G. Mackey was the referee. The visiting team was entertained at a dinner at Mangahanea, where Mrs. Wi Tawaho presented the cup to the Matatua captain, Mr. E. Hohapata. Messrs. A. Reedy and F. Jackson spoke on behalf of the Ngatiporou team, Mr. Kepa replying for the visitors.