TWO TEAMS WITH FIVE POINTS EACH VIE FOR TOLAGA RUGBY LEAD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22951, 20 May 1949, Page 6

TWO TEAMS WITH FIVE POINTS EACH VIE FOR TOLAGA RUGBY LEAD

(Herald Correspondent.)

With on 6 game played in the second round of the senior championship of the Tolaga Bay Rugby sub-union Hauiti and Tauwhareparae are leading with 5 points each and Country and Paikea have three points. In tomorrow’s fixtures the main interest will be centred in the meeting between Hauiti and Country. Both teams gave markedly improved exhibitions in their last engagements and with a challenge at stake for the McNeil Cup which is at present held by Country, the encounter should be keen. Sparkling Display

A sparkling exhibition of with backs and forwards co-ordinating in attacks that would haS'e produced a bigger tally of points, but for the sound tackling of the defence was given by the Hauiti fifteen in defeating Tauwhareparae six—three, last week. Right from the outset they made the play, but the spell was well advanced before Toroa shot the ball out and Warren transferred to Te Rure who cut in and handed to Hapi-Smith and when the latter was tackled took a reverse pass to get a fine try in the corner. Thompson’s attempt to convert was a good one but just failed. Play was very even until just before half-time when another Blue onslaught took all before it and Hapi-Smith was sent away to score on the left wing. Thompson again failed with the kick. Hauiti 6.

Tauwhareparae were in trouble early in the second spell, but eventually took the offensive and fine forward play by Hooper, Dobbs and Percy swung play into Hauiti territory where the backs took a hand in some fine passing movements. They pressed strongly for a period and I. Hooper dashed over to score from a melee near the line. His kick at goal failed.

For the winners Te Rure, Toroa, Warren and Hapi-Smith were the pick of an efficient back line, and T. Rangiuia. Ruru and K. Henry shone in a hard-working pack. For the losers W. Hooper. Shelton, and Hale were Drominent in the backs, and I. Hooper, Percy and Dobbs in the forwards. Mr. Wi Pere Amaru was the referee. Five Unconverted Tries Without the services of their star back \V. Lanigan, at present on tour in Australia with the Maori All Blacks, Paikea went down to a vastly-im-proved Country team by five unconverted tries to a field goal and a penality in a match that contained more spasms of individual brilliance than combination. Logan one of the Country forwards scored the first try of the match within the first five minutes following loose play in the greens’ 25. Nukunuku forced his way over and Country were six points up. Scrappy play eventuated until midway through the second spell when during an attack by the greens in Paikea’s territory Wilson cross-kicked to the left wing and Papuni beat three defenders to score a determined try. A Paikea counter-attack brought results when the Greens were penalised and Ted Pokai goaled from a handy position. Country 9, Paikea 3. The Greens again asserted their, superiority when Wanoa broke through in a dribbling rush to score near the corner flag. Country were now on top and throwing the ball about freely. From one of these movements Wilson again found a gap in the defence and transferred to Joe Maurirere whose speed carried him over at the corner flag.

During a last-minute bid by Paikea Te Kani reduced the leeway with a neat field goal and the final score was Country 15 Paikea 6. Wilson, Joe Maurirere and Papuni were the pick of the Country backs and Logan, Lincoln, and Katae were Drominent in a virile pack. For the losers Paenga, C. Leach and Te Kani were the best of the backs and Morall, Ted Pokai and Tom Pokai in the forwards. Mr. Bert Moles was referee.