TWO TEAMS LEVEL IN TOKOMARU BAY RUGBY AT END OF ROUND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23244, 4 May 1950, Page 3

TWO TEAMS LEVEL IN TOKOMARU BAY RUGBY AT END OF ROUND

(Herald Correspondent.)

The first round of the Tokonmru Bay senior Rugby competition closed on Saturday with United and Waiirm even with live points each, Tawhiti two points and Mata nil. United had a narrow win over Mata on a heavy field. Waima established an 11-point margin against Tawhiti. A Forward Battle

Both packs maintained vigour and pace in the forward play which dominated the Waima-Tawhiti encounter on the Domain ground. Waima won, 11-nil. . For Tawhiti, T. Fox again showed determination on the left wing and had tiie capacity to turn a dropped pass by the opposition into an immediate attack. He narrowly missed two tries, and with support may have crossed. J. Maraki, the captain, with few chances played a steady game, his covering on defence being a strong feature. PMitchell, especially in the second half, showed glimpses of form, while D. Manuel behind Ihc pack outplayed his vis-a-vis and impressed with a smart display. P. Parata. for most of the

match, was one of the most prominent forwards on the field, but tired towards tlie end. P. Renner also played an excellent game, his mobility and vigour being a source of worry to tne opposition. 13. Manuel was a useful support in a pack that displayed zest from the first whistle. For Waima, W. Tichborno. as custodian, was steady, while N. Goddard a, second five-eighths was a tower ol strength on attack and defence S ie Puna on the right wing showed determination on the few occasions he saw

the ball, while J Hosie at centre was a reliable support. In a mooile pacx. | led bv the evergreen S. Pewhairangi, it was difficult to differentiate, but P. Rvlanci X Hoia and R To Kira tolled ~ hard while S. Pewhairangi showed his j value in the light and line-outs His j generalship in the forwards was ies-M ponsibk for clinching a win. fries j were scored by S To Pura, R To Kira and D Walker, one being converted b> W. Tichbornc. . n , , ! The teams were: Waima: . 1 ic.i- 11 borne. S. To Puna. J Hosie. D talker, j N Goddard N. Walkei Raroa K . Grev. N Hoia. P. Ryiand 1 Williams, , S Pewhairangi, R Forrester R Te Kira J Te Kawa. Tawhiti: R Pohonvi, T Fox J Maraki M Newton, B. Green. P. Mitchell D. Manuel, P. Goldsmith. J. Wharehinpa. D. Harrison, P. Parata. P. Rennet, D. Manuel, P. Atkins, B. Dewes. Mr. M. Forrester was the referee. A Close Finish Though clinching a 9-6 win, United gained it by the margin of a penalty goal and had a narrow shave when the full-back, S. Kopua. found touch m , goal and narrowly averted a try by f■ Blane following his own kick past the full-back. _ Tr , For the winners, S. Kopua was outstanding. Both wings, M. Pewhairangi , and T. ChafTey, played well, while J. , Herewini and J. ChafTey were good on attack, the former having an interesting ; duel with L. Blanc. In the pack. W Forrester was outstanding. {he wet . ball was difficult to handle. B. Hadfield ; was a tower of strength in all phases ol | play. N. Rcihania again proved to be j a good rake, while R. Porter played an j improved game. , . , ! For Mata L. Blane seemed to be everywhere on both attack and defence. : T. Walker, who commenced in the for- ( wards, finished up in the backs and in both positions gave sterling displays. In a youthful pack R. Barwiek. H Hooper. C. Ahipene and J. Lomas toiled ; hard all the time. , , ! The first try came after 15 minutes of . play, T. ChafTey crossing. S. Kopua s kick'hit the cross-bar. A penalty came to United and S. Kopua goalcd from a handy position. Mata replied with a try by P. Hauiti. M. Pewhairangi raised the hopes of United when he scored shortly after. L. Blane then scored kicking for a gap fo outpace the opposition. . r _ ! The teams were: United: S. Kooua, ~ | Chaffe.v M. Pewhairangi. T. Poihim. .1. I Herewini. J. ChafTey, B. Taare. J. Mau- [ rirere, B. Stevens. N. Reihama, B. | Pewhairangi. W. Forrester, T. Naden, B. Hadfield, R. Porter. Mata: J. Grace. J Morey, L. Blane, H. Pammi, Titi Walker, P. Hauiti, D. Te Rure. IT. i Ilooner, H. Williams, J. Lomas. T. Rang!, C. Ahipene. R. Barwiek, Tom Walker, R Chalcroft. Mr. W. ChafTey was the referee. Junior Matches

A strong United team defeated High School by 17 points to nil. R. Williams, P. Parata, T. Maurirere and P. Brooking scored tries, while T. Karauria added a conversion and a penalty. Mr. W. Baker was the referee. Waima defeated Tawhiti in a scrappy game by 2.1 points to eight. For Waima, F. Halo D. Ngerensere, TI. Coleman. W. T Puni (2), T. Taingahuc, and T. Manuel scored tries, one of which H. Coleman converted. For Tawhiti G. Harrison scored two tries and one_ was converted by L. Tamcpo. Mr. S. Woodcock was the referee.