TOLAGA BAY RUGBY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22390, 24 July 1947, Page 8

TOLAGA BAY RUGBY

SUCCESS OF RUATORIA GOAL KICKS DECIDE CELTIC BEAT B TEAM With seven players absent in the East Coast touring team, the Tolaga Bay Rugby representatives on Saturday played an evenly-contested game against Ruatoiia, who also had -five Defections from their ranks. The visitors won 15-11 and took the K. S. Williams Challenge Cup. Each side scored three tries and the goal-kicking of Takarangi decided the issue. Play commenced with a Tolaga Bay attack, but an interception by Reedy brought action within a few yards of the home goal-line. A penalty gave relief; but .the Ruatoria pack made another sortie. Glover was unable to clear and. McClatchie kicked through to fall on the ball over the goal-line. Takarangi converted. Swinging into attack, the Greens had Ruatoria penned in. the 25, where both .T. Crawford and Blakeley missed easy opportunities to score from penalties The latter also attempted a field goal, but the kick was smothered. O'Sullivan brought the crow’d to their toes with a fast dash, but was tackled short of the line. The Whites’ halfback, T. Browm, came round the blind side of a scrum and was stopped only a yard from the line. Half-time found Ruatoria still leading, 5-nil. On resuming Tolaga Bay tried to open up the game. Blakeley and Donald were associated in some passing bouts, but were well w'atched by Reedy, who was playing an excellent defensive game.

Using their superior weight in the scrums, the visitors were heeling the Hall well and Reedy set his backs in motion for the winger’s infield kick to be accepted by Walker, who dived over for a good forward try. Takarangi converted, to put Ruatoria 10 points up.

During a Tolaga Bay attack J. Mauirere failed 1 y inches to register a field goal. l but shortly afterwards Donald broke through under the posts. He dropped the ball, but regained it to touch down for Tolaga Bav’s first try. His kick failed to rise Ruatoria 10, Tolaga Bay 3. Improved Combination

The defenders of the cup were nowplaying with better combination, but Ruatoria withstood the pressure and swung play back for Collier to score after a good bout of passing. Takarangi again converted. The burly huatoiia custodian was instrumental in saving his side from a number of forward attacks by his raking line kicks. The heavier visiting pack seemed to tire, and from the resultant be.ck movements Blakeley sent Donald away on the right wing and the ball was returned iftfield lor Blakeley to score. The kick failed.

Receiving a oetter set vice from the scrum, the Green backs again came into view with a bright movement which ended in Donald scoring his second try. Biakeley converted, and the scores lead; Ruatoria 15. Tolaga Eav 11. The home players were on top during the final stages, but. time found the score unaltered.

Mr. Wi Pere Amaru was the referee. For the visitors Reedy, Collier end Tekaran i were Ihe best of. the backs, and Walker. McCiatchie and Maxwell were tlie pick of a hard and virile pack. Coming on as an emergency for Tolaga. R. Donald played an inspiring game on (lie wing. He was well supported by Blakeley and Paenga. The forwards battled well all day agains* a heavier opposition, and it was hard to select one who showed.above the others. Bright Curtain-Raiser Played as a curtain-raiser to the cup game, the match between the home B team and Gisborne Celtic drew a large crowd of spectators, who witnessed a duel between a clever club combination and a team of individualists. Celtic took the decision by 17 points (four tries, cne converted, and a penalty goal) to thiee (a try). With two tries, a penalty goal and a conversion of a try, the Celtic captain, R. McKinley, contributed 11 points.

Hopes that the local representatives would acquit themselves well appeared bright when within ihe first five minutes of play, when the exchanges were even, the Tolaga Bay forwards carried play to their opponents’ goal line, when E. Carrington elected to clear instead of forcing. His clearance was smothered and W. Hooper dived on the ball for a try, which was not converted. The visitors received a feast of the ball from the scrums and lines-out. Well served by the half-back Read, they provided Gashes of sparkling football 'the half-time score was 11-3. Scorers in addition to those mentioned were the forwards, W. Varley and W. Carrington. Mr. Bert Moles was the referee. Of the visitors Read impressed very favourably both on attack and defence, while McKinley ’and the Carrington brothers were also prominent. The forwards all played well and gave (heii backs excellent service from “the loose and lines-out. For the losers T. Stubbitigs. .T. and W. Hooper were always in the limelight