RUATORIA RUGBY REPS.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22665, 16 June 1948, Page 7

RUATORIA RUGBY REPS.

HOUKAMAU CUP WIN (Herald Correspondent.)

A wet ball and a disconcerting crosswind were factors which combined to restrict scoring in Saturday’s Rugby game in which the Ruatoria reps, defeated Waiapu at Tikitiki by a try and a penalty goal to a try, and annexed the Houkamou Cup. . Despite the conditions the highlights were provided mainly by the Ruatoria rearguard, whose pace Waiapu found hard to match. J. Mcllroy gave good service at the base of the scrum, and T. Reedy and R. Kerr (centre) were particularly dangerous. Opposite Kerr, Mitchell played a fine game for Waiapu and PI. Mackey was a sound wing. The Waiapu half-back played an exceptionally good game. The Ruatoria hooker, PI. Goldsmith, dominated the set scrums and had the weather been fine the many chances offered the Red and Black line would probably have led to further scores. Outstanding in the Waiapu pack were Turei and L. Tuhaka. For Ruatoria, whose forwards were evenly matched by those of the opposition, J. Walker, S. Rogers, L. Whangapirita and H. Goldsmith were the best of a good pack. At full-back, J. Takarangi gave the best performance he has produced this season and converted a difficult penalty to give Ruatoria the three-nil lead. This was extended to six-nil when from a set scrum near half-way, Mcllroy sent the ball out to G. Stainton, who handed on to T. Reedy. The latter threw a dummy pass to R. Kerr at centre and cut through the opposition to score after a 40yd. run. Waiapu’s unconverted try made the final score: Ruatoria 6, Waiapu 3. Mr. G. Nepia was the referee. JUNIOR TEAMS DRAW Heavy rain of the previous night rendered the Whakarua Park unplayable for basketball and hockey on Saturday morning and the matches were postponed. However the ground was dry enough by the early afternoon to permit representative Rugby games in which Ruatoria and Waiapu drew, three-all. Ruatoria obtained the only try of the game, the visitors replying with a penalty goal. A stiff wind assisted Ruatoria in the first spell anl Waiapu after the changeover. Thus in the first spell Ruatoria had the territorial advantage ana me Waiapu defence line tested again and again. Only once did it break, when from a loose scrum near the Maroon s twenty-five, the forwards let the ball out to K. Katene, to S. Reedy, N. Tamahere, M. Reedy and finally to W. Te Rauna, who shouldered off three tacklers to score near the corner. Sam Reedy's attempt at the goal was unsuccessful. With the wind behind them, the maroon forwards attacked repeatedly in the second spell but could not pierce the defence, but when a Ruatoria player was penalised 10yds. from half way and directly in front of the goal Ned Karaka made a good kick to equalise the scores A later attempt at the goal from an easier position failed, however, when Karaka allowed too much for windage. There was nothing to choose between the teams and the 3 —3 score was a good indication of the game. Mr. L. Mackey was the referee. The union teams were:— Ruatoria (Blue).— Backs: J. Upuwai, W Te Rauna, M. Reedy, P. Hogan, N. Tamihere, S. Reedy (capt.), K. Katene. Forwards: C. Haenga, P. Ferris, J. Doherty, N. Tawhae, B. August, S. Keelan. S. Nepia. B. Pohatu. Reserves: T. Taukamo, J. Hongara. Waiapu (Maroon). —Backs: B. Baker, M. Baker, F. Karaka, T. Manuel K. Ngata (ejapt.), W. Ngata, K. Manuel. Forwards: M. Pepere, S. Tuhaka, H. Tangaire, A. Raroa, K. Waihi, Kanuta, P. Kaa, B. Riuwhiu. Reserves: Haenga, R. Ngatai, L. Tangaire, Konia, C- Rangi.