BAY RUGBY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4174, 17 August 1949, Page 11

BAY RUGBY

GAME AT WHITIANGA TECH. 0.8. BIJAT THE BAY A £ood crowd of spectators enjoyed a fast open game of Rugby at Whitianga on Saturday between a Technical College Old Boys’ team and a Mercury Bay team. Sound team work gave victory to the visitors by 16 points to 11, although the game was never one-sided. Tech, kicked off in ideal ’conditions and, settling down quicker than the home team, swept to the attack. From a scrum Gould sent his back line away for a fine orthodox movement, but Birnie was forced into touch. Tech, continued to press strongly in the twenty-five with good handling by K. Mackintosh and T. Peters, but sound defence by C. Simpson and F. Chaney spoilt several promising moves. Bay forwards began to get their share of the ball, and P. Beach sent his backs away. The ball went out smartly, but the defence was sound, and when Martinovich kicked through, x Tech, managed to force. Following a period of fairly even play, a penalty wak awarded to Tech, and K. Mackintosh put over a good kick from outside the twenty-five. Tech. 0.8. 3, Bay 0.

Strong runs by C. Simpson and Winiata put Tech, oh the defensive, and good support with quick packing by Tech, forwards stopped Bay from scoring. Tech, forwards rucked well and heeled smartly. Their backs sent the ball out to Davis-Goff who passed in-field for Clarke to score a fine try. K. Mackintosh converted. Tech. 0.8. 8, Bay 0.

Bay forwards broke With the ball at toe, /until Martinovich secured and penetrating the opposition, scored a good try under the posts. Winiata converted, and half tifae came with the score w Tech. 0.8. 8, Bay 5. The early stages of the second spell were dominated by Bay, and open play sent the ball to Winiata who put in a determined rup only ,to be well tackled just, short of the line'by W. Wilton. Heavy pressure in the twenty-five ended when a penalty was awarded t 6 Bay, which Winiata put over, making the score

.Tech. 0.8..8, Bay 8. With Bay hooking consistently at this stage Bay backs kept up the pressure but tackling was sound and the defence held. Gould opened the play for Tech, back line and a strong run by P. Bennett looked promising until he was 'well tackled by di. Chaney. From a scrum Beach fed his backs for Martinovich to go through, only to be well held on the line and Wilton cleared with a good kick. R. Chaney was forced to retire and was replaced by R. Simpson. Teclu forwards took play to Bay twenty-five where, following some tight play, Dane secured and dived over to score. K. Mackintosh* converted. Tech. 0.8. 13, Bay 8.

Fast forward work by both sides, with Tech, a little quicker on the heeling, hqld play fairly even until R. Clarke dived over to score. T^ e Mck failed. Tech. 0.8. 16, Bay 8. A last minute attack by Bay forwards took over Tech, goal line and G; Simpson’s fast following was rewarded with a score beside the posts. ■The kick failed and the game ended Tech. 16, Bay 11. Mr F. N. Donaghy was referee. The- teams were:— Tech. Old Boys: W. JVilton, G. Birnie, P. Bennett, Davis-Goff, K. Mackintosh (captain),.T. Peters, J. Gould, R. Clarke, B. Mathews, C. Dane, L. Andrews, E. Lee, T. Capon, T. Moore, T. Mackintosh. . Mercury Bay: R. Chaney, P. Simp•son, T. Martinovich, N. Winiata, F.‘ Chaney (captain), C. Simpson, P. Beach, D. Laycock, M. Blade, R. Laycock, A. Simpson, H. Norton, J. Hawkeswood, F. Simpson, G. Simpson, D. Simpson.

Following the match, the president of the Mercury Bay Rugby Union, Mr C. H. M. Simpson, presided at a dinner when both teams were entertained. Other guests included executive members of the Technical Old Boys Club, Messrs R. Haslam, H. Cooper, coaches; Mr C. L. Strong, club secretary; and Mr L. Mathews, vice-president.