RUATORIA RUGBY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22617, 21 April 1948, Page 6

RUATORIA RUGBY

UNITED BEAT WANDERERS DRAW WITH TE ARAROA (Herald Correspondent.) In a match arranged to give players l a run before the commencement of the 1 competitions. United defeated Wanderers on Saturday by six points to ' three. Wanderers. —Forwards: T. Maru, S. J Nuku Nuku, L. Mills, S. Gerrard, S. Pinto. W. Haua, R. Reedy. Backs: B. f Maraki, W. Campbell. C. Walker, S. Mead, B. Tangahue, B. Campbell, W. Te Puni. . £ United. —Forwards:. T. Brown, H. Rangiuia, J. Walker, V. Rickard, R. Grace, B. Tuheke. Backs: B. Te Whata, J. Apuwai. T. Te Maro, J. Worley, E. Biggs, T. Ngahue, K. Waihi. H. Rangiuia opened the score for United with a bfv wide out, his own kick at goal failing. The second try was also scored by United when Biggs received the ball in a combined back movement and fended off two tackles and scored in the corner. K. Waihi missed with the kick. Wanderers scored when a concerted forward attack ended in E. Taukamo crossing the line between the flag and the goal. T. Maru failed with the kick the wet ball slipping off his toe. Penalties Only Points A good standard of play for the opening of the season marked the game in which Ruatoria (City) and Te Araroa (City) drew at Ruatoria on Saturday, the score being three-all. The points came from penalty kicks, over the same bar and from practically the same position straight out from the goal. Several Ruatoria players were unavailable for selection in this match. The teams were: Ruatoria (City). White. —Forwards: T. Awatere. H. Goldsmith, J. Reedy, N. Maxwell, W. Walker, D. McCluthie, J. Doherty, H. Rowley. Backs: P. Reedy, J. C. Reedy, G. Roberts, M. O’Sullivan, C. Tucker, R. Maru. J. Mcllroy. Te Araroa (City) Red.—Forwards: R. Manuel, B. Te Ngahue, P- Pere, T. Crawford, F. Henderson, P. Edmonds, P. Henderson, M. Sterling. Backs: F. Still, J. Waitoa, T. Rangihuna, H. Abraham, B. Hauiti, R. Brown, A. Brooking. Emergencies: P. Waitoa, P. Puha. The ground was in good condition, but a wet ball made handling difficult. Te Araroa’s goal came in the first spell when a Ruatoria defender was penalised for a late tackle about 10 yards out from the goal and M. Sterling’s kick was successful. Territorial honours throughout both spells were contended very evenly, the sides alternating on the attack, but in the face of sound defence neither line was crossed successfully. The Ruatoria points were obtained late in the second half when an attack broke near the objective and a penalty incurred in the ensuing scrimmage was converted by N. Maxwell. Mr. L. Mackey was the referee.