EAST COAST RUGBY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22405, 12 August 1947, Page 8

EAST COAST RUGBY

LOCKWOOD CUP PLAY RUATORIA HOLDS TROPHY TOLAGA BAY DEFEATED (Herald Correspondent.) In the sub-union Rugby representative game in Ruatoria on Saturday the home* team resisted successfully the challenge of Tolaga Bay for the Locicwood Cup, the scores being 111 points to .-ix. Ruatoria scored three tries, two converted and a penalty goal, while the visitors registered a try and a penalty goal. The weather was fine and the turl firm. A fresh breeze swept the field troin end to end. A good assembly of spectators included a Dig proportion of Tolaga Bay supporters keen to lift the cup. Except in the final stages the match was not a spectacular one, numerous moves on both sides being marred by mistakes. The teams were: Tolaga Day (White).—C. Nelson; Alaurirere, Tautau, James; B. Brown, M. Tuheke; Faenga; P. Kutia; Stubbings, Crawford. Johansen, Hooper; McNeil, Saddler. Lincoln. Ruatoria (Light Blue). —J. Takarangi; Collier. T. Reedy, J. Smyth; J. C. Reedy, J. Mcllroy; S. Walsh; T. Ngarimu; B Maru, M. Maxwell, W. Mackey J. Walker; D. McClutchie, H. Goldsmith, S. Moeke. Several infringements in the first spell gave Tolaga Bay penalty kicks within reaso lable distance of tlie goal; both Nelson and M. Tuheke tried, but neither succeeded in raising tire flags. Tuheke’s attempts were very close and one from well out the ball hit the post. Takarangi, the Ruatoria full-back, eventually opened the scoring with a good penalty kick into the wind, from about 12 yards beyond the 25 and about 15 yards from the touch line. Ruatoria’s lead was increased when, from a scrum inside Tolaga’s 25, the ball went from Walsh to Mcllroy to J. C. Reedy without gaining ground. It came out to T. Reedy at centre. ITe took almost a standing pot at goal. The ball fell short. The White fullback was beaten by the bounce and T. Reedy, following up smartly, gathered the ball to touch down beside the post. Converting the try, Takarangi took the Ruatoria score to eight.

The White team returned to the attack and pressed from a line-out on the home 25 with a series of short, quick passes to send Maurirere, the winger, over for a try near the flag. M. Tuheke put in a good kick, but a fresh crossbreeze ruined his chances. Late in the spell the Blue forwards were offside in a loose rush. A penalty on the twenty-five line and in midfield gave Tolaga a chance. M. Tuheke placed the ball and was stepping back when a gust of wind blew it over. Thinking he was not allowed to replace it, he kicked it as it was and missed. Half-time came with the score still at 8-3 in favour of Ruatoria. Backs Rearranged

The Tolaga Bay backs were rearranged from the opening of the second spell. James moved in from the wing to first five-eighths, Nelson from full-back position was next to him, while Tuheke and Brown were respectively wing and full-back. Early in the spell the Blues increased their lead. From a scrum near the White’s goal.me the home side hooked the ball. M. Mackey gathered it to dive over for a try well out from the goal. Takarangi's kick went outside the posts.—Ruatoria 11, Tolaga 3. White returned to the attack with renewed vigour. Many times the forwards carried the ball at their toes and gained much ground, Lincoln, Hooper, and Stubbings frequently being to the fore. A good dribbling rush was led by Lincoln and Kutia when a Ruatoria back falling on the bail rolled against Kutia who was taken off with a knee injury and replaced by T. rtangiuia. Shortly afterwards a scrum infringement inside the 25 and near the centre of the field brought Tolaga’s points to h when Nelson raised the flags with the penalty kick.

The Blue forwards renewed their attacks both dribbling and with passing rushes D. McClutchie and N. Mackey were often in the lead. One of these rushes beat the full-back and carried the ball over the line where James was beaten by the bounce and J. Walker scored Cor Ruatoria. From a few yards out Takarangi converted. Both in attack and defence James was a source of strength to the challengers, but always lacked the necessary support to produce points. Nelson, who was also prominent, had to retire with a hand injury and was replaced by R. DoniFd. Taking a penalty kick a little inside halfway and about five yards from the touch-line Takarangi put in a surprising kick which hit the post. The challengers made a number of likelv rallies, but the final .whistle soundc-d with the score still at lti-O. Mr L. Mackey, was the referee.