WON BY COROMANDEL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4168, 3 August 1949, Page 8

WON BY COROMANDEL

DAVIS CHALLENGE CUP MATCH WITH KUAOTUNU A large crowd of Rugby supporters saw a good match at Whitianga on Saturday, July 30, when Kuaotunu, holders of the Davis Challenge Cup, were defeated by the Coromandel club team, by 11 points to 9. Among the spectators were a number of executive members, and supporters of the Coromandel club.

The game, although hard, was played in the traditional Rugby spirit which continued at a gathering after the match. Many flashes of individual brilliance kept the crowd on its toes. Kuaotunu forwards were always dangerous with loose rushes, and many times swept the length of the field with the ball at toe. Coromandel forwards packed much quicker for tight work, but marred a splendid performance by failure to heel to a sound halfback. Perhaps the best performance for the day was that of R. Chaney, fly-weight fullback for Kuaotunu, whose handling, tackling, and positional play was splendid. kuaotunu kicked off under ideal weather conditions, and play was very even, although both teams seemed a little slow in settling down. • Coromandel was first to open the play when Notman sent Fuller, McKenzie and Quest away, but Kuaotunu defence held, and R. Chaney cleared to the line with a good kick. Kuaotunu forwards, led by Alf and Harry Simpson, broke away with the ball at toe, to sweep to Coromandel twentyfive, where they were awarded a penalty. D. McLean put over a good kick. Securing from a ruck, Notman sent to McKenzie, who penetrated with the use of a strong fend, but his strong break through was wasted through lack of support. N. Davis broke away and after a good dash passed to D. Beech who scored a determined try in the corner. The kick failed. Kuaotunu 3, Coromandel 3. Fast forward rushes took play to Coromandel line where D. Taylor crashed over to score.

Kuaotunu 6, Coromandel 3.

Good handling by Coromandel back line took the ball to Mclntosh, who was forced out in the corner. Tight forward play kept Kuaotunu hard pressed on- their goal line until a penalty allowed McLean to clear. Coromandel continued to attack, and a penalty was takenby D. Beech, who put over a fine kick, and made the half-time score Coromandel 6, Kuaotunu 6. Following the spell, Kuaoturiu set the pace and pressed to Coromandel’s twentyfive where a period of heavy forward play took place but the defence held. McKenzie was forced to retire with a knee injury, and was replaced by H. Dick. N. Strongman broke away in a splendid run, and a sure try was stopped by R. Chaney’s game tackle. S. Hale raced round to clear for Kuaotunu. Play was held up for a few minutes, and R. Chaney received a good hand when he resumed play. Up and under tactics by Winiata and McLean, and fast following by I. Brophy, kept Coromandel on the defence until E. Gamble put in a smart run down the line. A series of set scrums in Kuaotunu’s twentyfive, with Coromandel hooking consistently, en-

abled Notman to call the jhay. One heady break around the scrum failed when he was held just short of the line. From the next scrum, Notman sent to Fuller, who penetrated and scored a good try right under the posts. Notman converted. Coromandel 11, Kuaotunu 6.

The latter stages of the match saw Kuaotunu attacking consistently. Some good line kicks by Mclntosh were a great help to Coromandel, but strong runs by D. Simpson, N. Winiata, D. McLean and P- Simpson kept the visitors on the defensive. D. McLean put over a good penalty kick to make the score

Coromandel 11, Kuaotunu 9.

A surprising break by N. Davis looked dangerous when he caught Kuaotunu out of position, but lack of support spoilt a promising effort. Kuaotunu strove for victory when Brophy tried hard for a break down the line, but lack of room and good handling by S. Quest saved the day for Coromandel. The game ended with' no further score. Mr F. N. Donaghy was referee. The teams were:— Coromandel: G. Lang, E. Gamble, S. Quest, Mclntosh, McKenzie, Fuller, Notman, N. Strongman, W. Glogoski, M. Strongman, J. Beech, N. Davis, D. Beech, J. Barry, Noel Strongman and Ji. Dick. Kuaotunu: R. Chaney, I. Brophy, D. McLean, I. Simpson, N. Winiata, D. Simpson, G. Chaney, M. Blade, R. Hale, J. Courtney, H. Simpson, D. Taylor, I. Lowe, A. Simpson and P. Simpson.

CUP PRESENTED SCHOOLBOYS ALSO PLAY Immediately /following the match, Mr C. H. M. Simpson, president of the Mercury Bay Rugby Union, addressed the teams, and said that the Davis Cup could not be in better hands. He presented the trophy to Mr N. Davis, captain of the Coromandel team, who is a nephew of Mr Blake Davis, of Auckland, donor of the Davis Cup. Mr Simpson mentioned that Neddy Davis was a member of the Kuaotunu team when he lived on this side of the hill. Mr Davis replied, and said that he looked forward to the time when the two teams could meet again in another match. A very popular entertainment was provided at half-time, when Mr R. Otter controlled a game between two local seven-a-side schoolboy teams.