BAY RUGBY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32865, 4 June 1947, Page 8

BAY RUGBY

WIN FOR WHITIANGA L MATCH WITH KUAOTUNU FINAL SCORE 19 TO FIVE In the Rugby match between kuaotunu and Whitianga at Whitianga on •Saturday, May 31, Whitianga won, the score being 19 points to five. The day was the finest Saturday experienced in Whitianga this season and there was a fair number of spectators.

The young Kuaotunu team showed a vast improvement in a fast, open game, taking the initiative at every opportunity right up to the final whistle. During the first half Whitianga back play lacked its usual finish. Whitianga kicked off and although Kuaotunu lacked weight in the scrums, play was fairly even until R. Simpson was injured and had to retire. He was replaced by O. Carter. Whitianga forwards took the play through with a loose rush for R. Lowe to score between the posts. Fussey converted. Whitianga 5, Kuaotunu 0.

The match at this stage appeared to be anybody’s game, with both sides opening up the play only to lose their advantage by faulty handling. The' score at half-time was:— Whitianga 5, Kuaotunu 0.

After the spell, loose forward rushes gained little advantage for either side. From a scrum, E. Le Bagge sent his backs away for Jackman to make a nice opening before transferring to Rohrlach, who scored well out. The kick failed. Whitianga 'B, Kuaotunu 0.

Whitianga backs again swept to the attack for Clinton-Smith to centre but a dangerous situation was reversed when Kuaotunu took control and 8. Chapman brought the play back to mid-field, where N. Winiata secured. He made a good run before passing to Brophy, who scored a spectacular try alongside the posts. Winiata converted.

Whitianga 8, Kuaotunu 5.

At this stage Kuaotunu forwards dominated the play, with A. Simpson, M. Hodge and H. Simpson doing good work in the tight. Pressure was-re-lieved only when Sewell cleared with a fine line kick. From a line-out Le Bagge opened up the play for Fussey to penetrate, and pass to Peachey, who went over. Fussey converted. Whitianga 13, Kuaotunu 5.

Kuaotunu forwards had Whitianga hard pressed until, in a solo effort, A. Whiting brought play back to midfield. He transferred to Sewell who was pushed out. From the line-out R. Lowe went over to score. The kick failed.

Loose forward play followed, with backs on both sides failing to find the line. With play in Kuaotunu’s twenty-five, Troughear went over on the corner. The kick failed, making the final score— Whitianga 19, Kuaotunu 5. The game ended with an exciting run by Rohrlach but sound defence put the ball out of play. The teams were:—

Kuaotunu: R. Chaney, I. Brophy, R. Simpson, W. Simpson, N. Winiata, S. Chapman, Rob. Simpson, M. Hodge, H. Simpson, R. Dickens, A. Simpson, P. Simpson, F. Taylor, R. George, O. Carter, L. Kirk. Whitianga: H. Rohrlach, C. Simpson, J. Jackman, Clinton Smith, C. Peachey, W. Fussey, E. Le Bagge, J. Simpson, Arthur Lee, A. E. White, R. Lowe, B. Troughear, A. Whiting, G. Dale, R. Sewell.