FOOTBALL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXI, Issue 3267, 20 May 1895, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

TAURANGA V. EOTOBUA. The above match was played at Rotorua on Saturday last in the presence of about 1 50 spectators. At 3 o'clock precisely the following teams lined out : — Tauranga — Full-back, 0. Laird ; Three-quarters, F. Norris, Asher, S. Darragh ; Halves. 0. Haua, W. Patterson, H. Tanner; Wings, A. Haua (Captain), W. Eusden ; Forwards, Bramble, Bainbridge, E. Reeves, A. Rolfe, A. Mathias and Casting. Rotorua — Full-back, Huka ; Three-quarters, Dansey, Aporo ; TeWiremu; Halves, Webber, Dansey, Martin ; Forwards, Wera, Rangitahi, Ten, Dalton, Wilson, Ngarotata, G-areghty, Arawhata. Tauranga won the toss, elected to play against the wind, and kicked off. The wind was blowing very strongly from the westward. As soon as play commenced Rotorua rushed up well, and looked very much like scoring in the first five minutes, but Tauranga was acting on the defence and kept them in check for 15 minutes when a native secured the ball and made a pot at goal, the ball striking the bar, and was said to have gone over. The Referee was of this opinion and allowed the score. The applause was deafening at this point. i The scores now stood, Rotoiua, 4, ! Tauranga, nil, and again Tauranga was kept in their own territory, but up till half time no further score was made. Rotorua was playing very roughly and when play stopped several of both teams had a limp. The whistle again calling the players to the field,, Tauranga, who during the first spell had been acting on the defensive, showed what stuff they were made of, and in a few minutes A. Mathias, getting the ball from a neat passing rush, carried it over the line, and S. Darragh converted. Tauranga, 5 ; tlotorua, 4. Again Rotorua was made to protect their line, and though desperate efforts were made to carry the ball up the field Tauranga was not to be denied, and A. Haua, with his usual smartness carried the leather behind Rotorua's line, and Casting successfully negotiated a goal. Tauranga, 10 ; Rotorua, 4. Rotorua now played all they knew, and though Tauranga did their best the ball was brought up and down the field, and soon midst shouts and yells young Dansey carried the ball over the lino. The shot at goal went wide. Tauranga, 10 ; Rotorua, 7. Although Tauranga was still ahead, they again got Rotorua pinned in their own 25s and soon C. Haua secured a try, which" S. Darragh converted. Tauranga, 15 ; Rotorua, 7. Rotorua now seemed to be winded, and acted on the defensive, somewhat roughly withal, and young Asher who was always showing up was slung out several times. A. Mathias now got the ball and again scored. The attempt at goal by F. Norris failed to improve. Tauranga, 18 ; Rotorua, 7. Within a few minutes C. Haua again carried the ball over, but S. Darragh failed to convert. Tauranga, 21 ; Rotorua, 7. The scores stood as above until the finish, which was about 15 minutes later. In making a run A. Asher was again thrown out, but continued to play until no time was sounded, when it was found his collar bone was broken. Patterson was also injured by a kick on the knee. Mr Mays acted as line umpire for Rotorua, and Mr C. Baker in the same capacity for Tauranga. Mr Mays was Referee. After the match the visiting team were entertained at a dinner at Lake House, where the proprietoress, Mrs Graham, had everything one could wish for in readiness. After this had been done full justice to y speeches and toasts became the order of the evening and the. Tauranga boys say it will be a long time ere they forget the kindly manner in which they were treated.