MATAKANA v. RANGATAUA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLII, Issue 6128, 24 June 1914, Page 7

MATAKANA v. RANGATAUA

Tha ruatcli for the Jordan Cup on Saturday between Matakana and » Kangataua was a great trial of strength, Fa eh cub was represented by a .strong fifteen and a very fast and inter; sliue: game resulted. Kangataua won by li points to G. each side scoring two tries, and one of Rangataua's beiDg conveit^d by Phillips gave his side the victoiy. The following were the teams : -Matakana (maroon) — luiUback, Turoia. : throe-quarters, V. Tarau, W Johnston, W'ahiii : five-eighths, WitI auii Murray : half-back, Motutere : wing forwards, J. Kuka, JMoreliu : forwards, Morgan, Walter Murray, Te Whara, (Gardiner, King, 11. Ngatai, P Gear Kaugataua (black) — Fullback, Kiwi; threequaiterp, K. I'tirinui, Tapeta, J. Marara ; fivo eighths, C. McLaod, K. Williams; half back, Harawera ; wiag forward, Phillips ; forwards, M. Eiiinui, \V. Webster, J. Eirinui, A. Dodd, T. Mita, W. Werohia, G. Kirinui.

Referee : Mr W. Hamtnond. Bangataua won the toss and defended the southern goal. Shortly after the commencement Morehu secured near centre, and mace a fine opening. 110 transferred to Wahia, who sprinted for the south eastern corner and scored. The extra points were not added : Matakana o Kangataua 0 Play hoverod round, centre for fonio lime, until a combined effort by Morehu, Johnston, and Wahia enabled the maroons to attack, but Tapeta cleared. Poor fielding by a Matakana back found the maroons defending. The Rangataua backs then threw the leather about, and a fine passing bout ended in McLeod racing over at the noith eastern corner and scoring. Phillips converted : Rangataua ."> Matakana o Play followed in neutral territory and the teams then chauged round. Phillips and Werohia were associated in a decisive dash, and carried activities into Matakana's 25. The blacks dribbled the leather over the line, but cnlv a force resulted. A little later Morehu. put in a great run for seventy yard?, beating several opponents, but was pushed into touch. Eangataua rallied and thtir forwards swept up the Held in an irresistible rush. The leather we a toed over, and an ineffective kick by a maroon player placod the ball in the hands of Marara, who scored cleverly. Tho kick at goal was a failure : Kangataua 8 Matukana o Matakana assumed the aggressive, and a smart manoeuvre by tho vanguard looked like a score, but Kiwi forced in the nick of time. lv the the third spell Matakma made determined efforts to increase their score, and pen.ned Kang-ataua in their 2.3. Tho defeuce, however," was very sound, and eventually the tension was relieved by Kiwi forcing. Witana Murray and Kuka opened the final quarter with a telling dash. Gear then picked up and sent the leather out to Morehu. who made the finest run of the day and scored. The extra points were cot added ; Eaugataua # Matakana f>l Mid field was the eccno of activities fur some minutes, and just before the c ill of time Matakana worked play to the blacks' ground, where Tapeta marked and brought relief. The whistle immediately afterward? soundoi with the verdict in Eangatauu's favour by a majority of two point. 13.