Tauranga v. Te Puke.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6486, 13 September 1915, Page 4

Tauranga v. Te Puke.

Victory for Home Team.

The first match of the current season between the representatives of the Tauranga and Te Puke Rugby Unions was played at Te Puke on Saturday afternoon under most unfavourable weather conditions. Rain fell for some hours prior to the match and continued for about a quarter of the period of the playing operations. The ground, consequently, was very sloppy and in several parts was under water, thus militating against a good exposition of Rugby. The contest was mainly confined to the forwards, interspersed with a few passing runs by the backs. The visiting vanguard were superior to their opponents, especially in the scrum work. Te Puke excelled in the rear division and in spite of the wet ball succeeded in accomplishing several passing bouts, one of which resulted in the only score of the match, and placed victory with the home fifteen. Mr J. Crichton, of Tauranga, controlled the game in an efficient manner. The following wen- the. teama as they lined out: —

Tauranga (blue and gold) —Fullback, P. Prendergast; threequarters, Te Whara, G. Slane (captain), Morehu; five-eighths, G. Kolleston, J. Meharry; half, Moturer* 5; wing forward, J. Sharplin,- forwards, E. Plummer, S. Cleal, Witana Murray, Bullock, Hilditch, Darby, J. Hiscox. Te Puke (red and black)— Fullback. Abraham; threequarters. S. McEwen, J. Marara, K. Kokiri; five-eighths, K. Williams, Timoti; half, Harawera; wing forward, B. Phillips (captain) ; forwards, W. Webster, P. Gray, Tiwha, Philip, T. Paul, Rosewarno, Whare.

Phillips won the toss and elected to defend the northern goal. Following the kick-off Tauranga attacked, until McEwen picked up the ball and sent to I Prendergaat, wh« returned to neutral ground. Cteal, Sharplin, Hilditch, and Plummei' led an offensive effort by the blues which was accelerated by Morehu, who made a strong dash and was thrown into touch in Te Puke's twenty-five. Determined line and scrum play followed, until one of the Tauranga backs picked the leather out of the scrum and Te Puke was awarded a free kick, Phillips booting the ball to touch at the centre mark. A scrum followed tb« lintjout, and the ball was heeled to Motutere, but Phillips intercepted the pass and kicked high. I Slane, surrounded by opponents, fiaided in fine style and with a magnificent kick sent the b?ll to touch in tha reds' twenty-five. Tauranga assumed the aggressive. Motutere secured from a scrum, and set the blues' backs going, but a clumsy pass brought a halt in Te Puke's ground. Cleal was next conspicuous and dribbled the ball right through to Abraham, who checked progress. Tauranga kept up the pressure on the reds' citadel. A combined effort by Motutere, Meharry, Rolleston and Slane ended in the last-men-tioned kicking across the line, but the I speedy McEwen sprinted and forced down. The Te Puke forwards swept up the field in a surging rush, but Slane checked and kicked to McEwen, who found touch near centre. Play hung at mid-field for some time until Murray, Cleal and Rolleston broke away and toed the ball to the reds' area, the leather going out in the north-western corner. Te Puke rallied and delivered a counter-attack, which kept the blues' detendei-3 very busy. Cleal, Bullock and Hiscox dribbled through, but McEwen marked cleverly and Phillips found touch in Tauranga's twenty-five just as the quarter ended. The visiting forwards attacked with considerable vim in the opening stages of the second quarter, but the reds' backs proved equal to all demands and repeatedly cleared their zone. Bullock and Meharry marked in quick succession, the touch line being aimed for and found on each occasion. Murray, Plummer and deal then led an assault on the Te Puke salient, and the reds were penalised. Cleal had a shot at goal, but the soddened ball failed to riae. McEwen speculated the kick and booted to Slane, who found touch near centre. Smart fielding by Abraham, Webster and Kokiri placed Tauranga on the defensive until Cleal marked and relieved the pressure, Marara returning to Prendergaat, who kicked to touch. Te Puke attacked, but Bullock picked up from the feet of the forwards and sent the ball out well up the field. Towards the end of this spell the rain cleared off and the backs on either side took a hand in the game, fielding in very creditable style.

Harawera set the Te Puke backs going early in the third quarter. A powerful kick by McEwen was missed in the south-western corner by one of the visiting backs and Tauranga's line was immediately in jeopardy. The Te Pake forwards vigorously attacked, while the reds' rearguard lined into position across the field. Harawera secured the bull and in a twinkling the backs were in rapid motion. With the greatest precision, the ball passed through the hands of Kokiri, Marara and back again to Kokiri, who raced across at the south-eastern corner and scored a brilliant try. Phillips failed to add the extra points: Te Puke 3 Tauranga 0

Upon resuming Te Puke attacked, but were blocked by Slane, who found touch at centre. The blues were

awarded a free kick. Cleal and Marara and Darby and Philip exchanged kicks. Rosenwarne and Whare were associated in an attacking manoeuvre, but offside play by a Te Puke man nullified the effort. Marara dashed through and enabled the reds to resume the offensive in the south-eastern angle. A line out and several scrum? followed, the visiting vanguard eventually breaking through while Meharry further improved with a kick to centre. A little later Marara made a bold bid to scor^, but was thrown out near the south-eastern corner. From the line-out Te Puke carried the ball across, tut Slane was bandy and forced. Towards the end of the spell Harawera markedfin a good position and Abraham had an unsuccessful s-hoc at goal.

The early part of the final quarter was marked by determined aggression by the Te Puke forwards, who were checked several time 9by Slane making good use of the touch line. Morsbu cut in and made an opening, but was not supported, and Abraham cleared his area. Webster intercepted a pass from Motutere, an d kicked to Prendergast, who marked. Kokiri returned and kicked across, Prendergast forcing-. Te Puke launched another attack, but were beaten bick by Darby and Meharry, the Jatttr finding touch near centre. The reds replied with an irresistible rush, the ball going into toucn in the Tauranga zone. Time was then sounded, with the score standing:

Te Puke 3, Tauranga 0

The returu match is to be played on the 25th inst., at Tauranga, and if fine weather prevails should furnish a very interesting game.