In a fast Rugby game played at Colville on Saturday between Manaia and Colville, Manaia won by 19 points to nine.
The outstanding players for Manaia were Winkie and Sombo Mikaere, while G. Thwaites, R. Bright and Bridle played well for Colville.
Mr V. Keefe was the referee.
Coromandel kicked off with the sun behind them, and were 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 around mid-field for most of the first spell with neither side doing much with the ball, except dropping it or taking it back into the forwards. Wishnowsky missed a penalty for Colville and Fuller missed one for Coromandel just before half-time, and the teams changed over without scoring.
The second spell was only a repetition of the first with both sides being penalized frequently for lineout 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 forwards to life and they carried play into Colville twenty-five with a good rush. Play stayed on the Colville line for nearly 15 minutes but the defense held. Colville was penalized for offside play and Fuller evened the score with a very good kick against the wind.
Coromandel 3, Colville 3.
Shortly after the kickoff, 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.
Coromandel will now meet Kennedy Bay in the final.
Two Rugby football matches were played on the Coromandel domain on Saturday last when the two visiting teams were well and truly beaten by the footballers of the peninsula.
In the first match a combined team from Whangapoua and Kennedy Bay defeated the Martha club’s senior team from Waihi by 22 points to 0.
Mr V. T. Rout was referee.
In the second game the Coromandel club defeated Te Aroha by 20 points to 5.
Mr N. Rivers refereed the game.
HAURAKI PLAINS GAZETTE, VOLUME 60, ISSUE 4324, 30 AUGUST 1950, PAGE 12
The principal rugby attraction on the Coromandel Domain on Saturday was Coromandel versus Kennedy’s Bay in the knock-out challenge round for the Montgomery Shield.
Kennedy’s Bay fielded the strongest team this year and snatched a last minute victory from Coromandel by nine points to eight. G. Thwaites was playing for the first time for several weeks for the Bay and in the second half the spectators were treated to some fine back play and in and out passing by him and Colin Flavell who turned out for the first time this season.
The score at half time was Bay 3 Coromandel nil, made up of an unconverted try by Potae.
After the interval Syddalls and Ngapo scored for Coromandel and Ngapo converted his own try with a very fine kick from a difficult angle while Herring scored an unconverted try. On the call of time G. Thwaites kicked a penalty goal for Kennedy’s Bay.
Mr V. Keefe was the referee.
HAURAKI PLAINS GAZETTE, VOLUME 55, ISSUE 32742, 24 JULY 1946, PAGE 9
13th Of August 1949
In a good Rugby game at Coromandel on Saturday last Kennedy Bay was successful in its challenge for the Ngapo shield and outclassed Coromandel to win by 17 to 0.
The game was marred by injuries to Coromandel players. Neil Strongman suffered slight concussion, K. Notman received an injured elbow, L. Quest a twisted knee while R. Fuller split his lip necessitating three stitches being inserted.
At half-time the score was 3 - 0 in Bay’s favour but after the change over with Coromandel two men short Kennedy Bay threw the ball around and gave an excellent exhibition of open football, overwhelming the lighter opposition.
Points were made up of five tries, one of which was converted by Pickering. Outstanding for the Bay was Leggan at first five-eighths and D. Mareroa, the Bay skipper, but the entire team excelled itself and fully deserved its victory. Mr Rivers was the referee.
In a gathering after the match Mr C. M. J. Caliagher, in presenting the shield, congratulated Kennedy Bay team on its victory and on once more taking the shield over the hill.
HAURAKI PLAINS GAZETTE, VOLUME 58, ISSUE 4174, 17 AUGUST 1949, PAGE 8
Although these might not be from the same year there should be a few names from the same two teams that played. If you have any photographs from this period please get in contact with us.
Coromandel met West (Paeroa), in a rugby match at Coromandel on Saturday last. Coromandel kicking off soon made it apparent that the visitors would need to be on their mettle. However, the visitors were well able to defend themselves, the play being fast and clean with good team work and sporty play on both sides. Taking the ball from a succession of scrums in the visitors’ 25, Wiki Wikaira was successful in scoring for Coromandel and S. Fisher converted. Coromandel 5, Paeroa 0.
Soon after this, S. Hampton, taking a penalty kick for West brought the score to: Coromandel 5, Paeroa 3.
Drawing near to half-time, both teams were striving to take the lead, but S. Fisher, making a brilliant dash from near half-way, crossed West’s line to score for Coromandel. He was also responsible for converting his own try. The score at half-time was: Coromandel 10, Paeroa 3.
The second half opened with West forcing the play, and Harris made an attempt to score with a drop-kick, failing to reach the distance, but McMillan, following up on Harris’s play took the ball to score for West, making the score: Coromandel 10, Paeroa 6.
Soon after this, S. Fisher made a spectacular 'drop-kick to score again for Coromandel, making the score: Coromandel 14, Paeroa 6.
With time drawing short and a fair lead to catch, West started to force the play, the game getting fast and determined. R. Harris was successful in scoring for the visitors, bringing to a close a really good, clean and fast game. The final score was: Coromandel 14, Visitors 9.
The Paeroa West Rugby Football Club were entertained at a very enjoyable dance arranged by the Coromandel Rugby Union on Saturday in the St. George’s Hall, Coromandel. Miss C. McNeil provided; the music for the dancers, assisted by members of the Paeroa club, who, having their instruments with them, gave several extras.
On Sunday morning the Coromandel Rugby Union arranged a fishing excursion, the visitors being taken out in Mr S. Strongman’s launch the “Wee Pat,” but adverse weather conditions marred what would have been a very enjoyable day, although the visitors seemed not to be demurred from enjoying themselves.
The visitors’ leaving Coromandel on Sunday evening brought to a close a week-end much enjoyed and appreciated by all concerned.
HAURAKI PLAINS GAZETTE, VOLUME 48, ISSUE 2830, 25 AUGUST 1939, PAGE 8
On Saturday last the Coromandel Rugby team suffered its second loss this season when it was defeated by Kennedy Bay to the tune of 6 points to 0.
The weather was not kind and heavy showers made the ball very greasy though the backs handled very well considering the conditions, and were always dangerous.
For the first fifteen minutes of the game the Bay team, ably led by Mareroa and Potae, hammered at the Coromandel goal line, scrum after scrum taking place within a few feet of the goal posts. Fuller temporarily relieved but Bay came back again and forwards and backs combined in a fine passing movement for Harrison to go through and score in a handy position.
Coromandel then went to the attack and Quist, securing possession, sent his backs away. Fuller side-stepped a man and sent the ball on to McIntosh to Gamble who dropped the pass a yard from the line. The Bay forwards again took charge and halftime found play again in Coromandel territory with the score Kennedy Bay 3, Coromandel 0.
Coromandel again attacked and the defence held until Quist secured possession and shot round the blind side to dive over in the corner. The referee, after consulting the line umpire ruled that Quist had been out and from the ensuing line out Bay cleared.
Pressure was maintained by Coromandel who had the misfortune to see the ball trickle over the dead ball line on three occasions when a score seemed likely.
Eventually Bay rallied and worked into Coromandel territory where an infringement gave Harrison a chance to kick a good penalty goal. Despite desperate efforts by Coromandel there was no change in the score when time was called. Bay 6, Coromandel 0.
Mr Rivers was the referee.
After the game, Mr R. Holmes, president of the Coromandel Rugby Union, presented the McGregor cup to the captain of the Bay team, D. Mareroa, and congratulated the team on its good win.
A very popular and fully deserved victory was secured by the Colville Rugby team when at Coromandel last Saturday it succeeded in defeating Kennedy Bay by 11 points to 3 in the Denize Cup competition.
From the very start of the game the Colville forwards took charge and held the superiority throughout the match. Wishnowsky opened the score with a penalty goal which was followed by a try by McDonald. The try was converted and at half-time the score stood at Colville 8, Kennedy Bay 0.
Colville continued to press and a further try was secured. Kennedy Bay made every effort to penetrate the Colville defence but it was not until late in the game that B. Potae scored for the Bay.
The game ended Colville 11, Kennedy Bay 3.
Mr Rivers was the referee.
HAURAKI PLAINS GAZETTE, VOLUME 58, ISSUE 4162, 20 JULY 1949, PAGE 9
24th of September 1949
In a fast Rugby game played at Coromandel on Saturday, Coromandel defeated an Avondale R.S.A team by 11 points to 9.
Tries for Coromandel scored by E. Glogoski, E. Gamble and O. Glogoski and R. Fuller converted one try. Mr Rout was the referee.
This was the first occasion this season that the Avondale R.S.A. team has been defeated.
In the evening the Coromandel branch of the Labour Party staged a dance at which the visiting footballers were entertained and an enjoyable evening was spent.
HAURAKI PLAINS GAZETTE, VOLUME 58, ISSUE 4192, 28 SEPTEMBER 1949, PAGE 8
