Mangonui Rugby

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1937, Page 7

Mangonui Rugby

MANGONUI REPS. v. BAY OF ISLANDS. In a most spectacular scoring game, Mangonui showed far and away diderent form from the previous week to defeat Bay of Islands on Saturday in a friendly fixture. Summer-like conditions prevailed, and the field was hard and fast. There was only a moderate attendance.

The Mangonui backs wore superior to the visitors. M. Costello, a new olaycr to the district, from Whangarci. played an outstanding game at second five-eighth. T. Flynn, too, this time on the wing, was the player we knew as a champion junior. He scored three tries. One which he scored from halfway, was an absolute gem. The rest of his game was of a high order. I. Gardiner was another young player who made an excellent showing for his first repgame.

D. Urlich did everything that was asked of him at full-back, and his experience of late as a threequarter allowed'him to join in several attacking movements, one of which resulted in his scoring a nice try. With no broadcast to distract the players, the forwards were much livelier. T. Harrison and Sam Gibb, two new men. with their fast following up, were definite improvements on last week’s pack. Possession front' the scrums was fairly evenly distributed, but in the linecuts, W. Cooper was outstanding for Mangonui. The Bay team never let up for a moment, and on the run of the day’s play might easily have come off winners.

The side was capably led by Ihe Maori All Black, Whiu. who was in everything, along with Edmonds, a hard-working veteran. P. Clark was another who impressed. At half-back, a previous Mangonui and ex-North Auckland rep.. W. Evans, was a regular box of tricks.

Most of the other backs gave solid exhibitions, but appeared to lack pace. Tries were scored for Mangonui by D. Urlich, T. Flinn (3), J. Gardiner and F. Harrison. Two were converted by Heke Yates. For Bay of Islands. P. Clark. W. Nut. and Edmonds scored tries, while Whiu kicked two penalty goals. Nut also kicked a penalty, making the score: Mangonui 22, Bay of Islands 18. Mr N. Wilkinson was referee.