Rugby Prospects In The Bay

Northern Advocate, 5 May 1939, Page 2

Rugby Prospects In The Bay

[Special. ?o " Northern Advocate ’'3 KAIKOHE, This Day. Tomorrow will sec the commencement of the 1939 Rugby football season in the Bay of Islands sub-union district. Six senior, eleven junior and four third grade teams are taking part in the competition, which, promises to ■be one of the most successful experienced in the Bay for many years. New players and coaches have been obtained by the majority of the clubs, and this influx of fresh blood must bring with it new styles and new combinations. The Otiria team, which won the senior - competition last season, will not have such a good chance of success on account of a number of its bosh players having loft the district. But. if it can regain the excellent form of last year, the team will go very close to the top of the ladder.

~.v; Several New Fifteens. The Motatau club is ,a recruit in the senior grade, and will be very hard to beat. There are several outstanding players from outside districts in this team, and Taiapa, a Maori All Black, has taken over the responsibilities of coaching. Provided they stick together. Kaikohe will be knocking at the door at the close of the season. This club ■has the makings of .a good senior team when the players are moulded together. ‘Good football is expected from the newly-formed Ruataniwha Club. Under the coaching pf H. Whiu, whose experience in representative football will be an asset, this team should be well to the fore. Past performances have shown that Ohaeawai seniors is always a battling team. Every year it has been in the running for club honours. With several reinforcements Kawakawa should field a team which should hold its own. Junior Sides Reviewed. Kaikohe A, the winners of last year’s competition, should again finish ,at the top of the junior ladder provided the majority of last year’s players stick together.

Although a light fifteen was fielded last season, it is anticipated that the Okaihau team will be more weighty this year, and if this is so the club should do well in the grade. With a little more coaching and experience Ohaeawai should do better this season.

H The Oromahoe team is a solid one. - Kaikohe B includes some very smart third grade players of,.last season. Possessing ..good pace, this team will be able to keep opponents on the m6ve. Moerewa, runners-up last season, again have a good all-round side. Tamarere possess a very promising combination, and players are particularly keen. , A comparatively new team, Moroni,aku should be of a high standard, as the boys have been training conscientiously. ; Little is known of the Motatau team, comprised largely of players new to the game. With last year’s nippy backs again in .action Opua will be hard to beat, KAIKOHE TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. The Rugby teams to represent the Kaikohe Football Club in competitive games on Saturday are to be selected from the following.— Seniors: Moffatt. D. Webster. T. Webster, T. Taniha. F. Rogers, I. Witihera, I. Dalton, D. Rogers, B. Nicholas, G. How.ard, P. Marsh, B. Skipper, F. Tane, B, Narata, B. Witihera, J. Hau, L. Kidd, K. Dargaville, and A. White. A special bus will convey the above players to Motatau, and it will leave at 1.30 p.m. Juniors. W. Dalton, A. Rogers, S. Peri, J. McGarry, W. Perry, P. Kepa. T. Pau, S. Young, T. Marsh, J. Saddler, Tony Marsh, Johnny Wihongi

and W, Wara. This team is to meet Oromahoe at the Kaikohe reserve. Thirds: J. Smith. R. Yorke, B. Roberts. Moffatt. O. Grady. Don and Dave Hammon'd. D. Flechter. Tomore. M. White, F. Hinoy. T. Dickeson. W. Kowhai, R. and P. Edmonds and N. Fort. This game is to be played at the Recreation Reserve at 2 p.m.