COROMANDEL RUGBY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32713, 15 May 1946, Page 9

COROMANDEL RUGBY

MATCH WITH KENNEDY’S BAY

EAISY MTN FOR HOME TEAM 'Coromandel and Kennedy’s Bay met in the first, round of the senior rugby championship on Saturday and l a large crowd turned out to see these old rivals for the first time since the war. Returned servicemen were very much in evidence in both teams including Tutu Ngapo and the Hale brothers from Kennedy’s Bay and Denize, MeKeddie, Maughan and Murphy McNeil from Coromandel.

Coromandel won the toss ted to defend the northern goal. The game was not long in progress before it was realised that the Kennedy’s Bay men were suffering from their long spell and the fast and young Coromandel forwards assumed charge and they dominated the • game throughout. Within a few minutes of the start off side play by Kennedy’s Bay in front of the goal gave Denize an easy chance and he made no mistake. Coromandel 3, 'Kennedy’s Bay nil.

'Shortly after the kick-off the Coromandel forwards again broke through and the ball was snapped up by Savage who went across to score a good try for Denize to convert, after the referee had awarded a “no charge.”

Strongman, .Savage .and Maughan were consistently breaking through the heavier Kennedy’s Bay forwards and in an effort to hold them up Kennedy’s Bay were again penalised in an e'asy position for Denize to kick an effortless goal, Coromandel 11, Kennedy’s Bay nil.

Kennedy’s Bay made play at this stage and the Bay 'backs took a hand led by Thwaites at centre threequarter but the 'Coromandel forwards were not to be denied and with the Bay defending another infringement gave 'Denize another chance, the ball going between the posts making the score 14 u nil in favour of Coromandel. After the interval the'game was brightened by several back movements by the Bay headed by Thwaites and Hale but the Coromandel forwards again took charge and from a loose rush B. Bouskill picked' up and scored for Coromandel. Denize again converted.

(Shortly after the forwards again took the play to the Kennedy’s Bay goal mouth and McNeil finished the movement with a smart try under the posts. Denize failed with the kick, .

iStrongman was the next to score for Coromandel and again Denize converted.

iDesultry play then followed and both sides were tiring 'badly when the final whistle sounded with the score 27 to nil in favour of Coromandel. (For Kennedy’s l 'Bay, Thwaites at centre was easily the best babY on the'field. His straight,running and good handling deserved-greater success, with better support at least two tries would have gone to the Bay.

For Coromandel Maughan was the outstanding man in a good set of forwards and he was ably supported by Strongman, Bouskill and 'Savage. The Coromandel backs lacked cohesion. MbKeddie played his usual safe game at fullback and 'Dear and Weaver showed up at times at five-eighths. The wings did not see much of the ball 'but Denize showed glimpses of brilliance when the ball came his way. His kicking was outstanding and this made all the difference in the score which was not a true indication of the strength of the teams. The referee was Mr Keefe.

Championship points. Coromandel 6, Manaia 4, Kennedy’s Bay ,1, Colville 1.