COROMANDEL RUGBY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4150, 22 June 1949, Page 9

COROMANDEL RUGBY

McGREGOR (TP MATCH COLVILLE BEATEN S TO 3 The Rugby match on the Coromandel domain last Saturday between Coromandel and Colville was, except for the last II) minutes, a very dull affair. The spoiling tactics of both back lines plus some veiy poor handling and passing all combined to make the match a poor one from the spectators’ point of view. The wings received few opportunities and, particularly Coromandel, failed to exploit their fast outside men. The fault, so pronounced in Coromandel Rugby gentrally, of holding on to the ball for too long, thus crowding the wings, or being caught in possession, was veiy clearly demonstrated on Saturday.

Coromandel kicked off with the sun behind them, and weie soon on the defensive with the heavier Colville pack rucking well and winning most of the set scrums. Bright and Wishnowsky broke through but a good kick by fullback Lang eased the position for Coromandel. Play continued round mid-field for most of the first spell with neither side doing much with the hall, except drop it or take it back into the forwards. Wishnowsky missed a penalty for Colville and Fuller missed one for Coromandel just befcie half-time, and the teams changed over without scoring.

The second spell was only a repetition of the first with both sides being penalised frequently for line out and scrum infringements. Finally, after a series of penalties for holding the ball on the ground, McKeddie raised the flags with one for Colville. Colville 3, Coromandel 0.

The- reverse .seemed to spur the Coromandel forwaids to life and they carried play into Colville twentyfive with a good rush. Play stayed on the Colville line for nearly 15 minutes but the defence held. Colville was penalised for offside play and Fuller evened the score with a veiy good kick again>t the wind. Coromandel :>, Colville 3.

Shortly after the kick off Coromandel again attacked and a short kick over the fullback’s head bounced right for Coromandel, for Fuller, with Gamble in support to score wide out. The extra points were added, making the score Coromandel 8, Colville 3. Coromandel forwards were now playing much better and the ball was coming out much cleaner but bad handling spoiled many promising movements. The game ended without any addition to the score. Coromandel 8, Colville 3. Mr Rivers was the referee. Coiomandel will now meet Kennedy Bay in the final.