FOOTBALL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6492, 20 September 1915, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Whakamarama v. Matakana.

There was a large gathering ot residents of the Te Puna district en Saturday on Mr Piummer't? picturesque property at Te Tuna Point when the repre setitatives of the Whakamarama and Matakana Football Clubs met to try conclusions in the Joidan Cup competition. A number of enthusiasts also made the journey j>om town in the launch Sybil and tht weather btirii; fine the outing proved most enjoyable. The Rugby competition this yes-r was confined to the two clubs indicated above. Matakana had already one victory to their credit and a win lor Whakamarama on Saturday would have equalised pesitiens. The Islanders, however, proved superior and won by eight points to nil. "VVhaka mararaa commenced ths game with fourteen men and in the second h--.il' had only thirteen players to battle for them. Further, several of the best men in the Whakamarama Club failed to put in an appearance. Considering their disabilities Whakamarama put up a creditable fight against their doughty opponents, and the latter with a little coaching could be made cne of the most formidable fifteens in the Bay of Plenty. The Matakanas thoroughly deserved their win, which gives them possession of the Cup until next season. Mr J. Crichton controlled tne game in an efficient and impartial manner. Th" following were the teams: — Matakana (maroon and gold)— Fullback, Te Whara; threequarters, Witsns Murray (captain', Turoia, Morehu; five-eighth, G. Rulleston; half, Motntrere; wing forwards, 11. Kuk.a, J. Kuka; forwards, J. Murray, Rehita, Jordan, Walter Murray, Tote, Tane, Hautu.

Whakan&arama (black and gold)—• Fullback, Prendergast; threequarters, T. Trau, D. Pooled T. Tangitu; fiveeighth, R. Sharplin (captain) ; half, J. LJryers; wing foiwards, S. Cleal, B. Morton; forwards. E. Plummer, A. Harper, Bullock, J. iliscox, Castles, P. Orm.Hby, W. Lochhead.

The tiss of the coin favoured Matakana, and Murray decided to defend the western goal, with a very strong wind to assist him. Cleal kicked off and Turoia returned to touch well within Whakamarama'a zone. When the leather came in the maroons' vanguard swept back the opposition and J. \luttay dashed over and scored. Te Whara converted : Matakana v Whakamarama 0 Plummer set the ball in motion, R-.il-leston finding touch within the maroons' territory. Whakamarama's forwards assumed the aggressive and kept the maroons busy defending in the north-wertern .'ingle, where several scrums took place in close proximity to the goal line. Matakana was penalised and Poole had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a difficult angle. A powerful kick by Rolleston gained touch in Whakamarama's area. Cleal, Bryers, and Norton indulged in some clever play along the line and transferred activities to midiield. Motutere and Morehu engaged in a passing bout, the last mentioned being blocked by Prendergast. Te Whara booted the oval to Tangitu, who returned to Te Whara, and the latter sent back to Prendergast, who made touch in tlia maroons' twenty-five. Poole smartly intercepted a pass and beat several opponents, but owing to lack of support a fine opportunity was lost. A scrum was ordered and Hautu heeled to Motutere who kicked across, Prendergast forcing. Cleal, Bullock, and Plummer headed an attack on Matakana'a citadel, but J. Kuka checked and passed to Morehu, who kicked to tcuch in the blacks' ground. The Matakana forwards then delivered a strong attack, Bryers bringing relief with a well-directed kick to the side line in neutral territory. The Matakana forwards continued their aggressive tactics. Tote secured from the line and attempted to pass to Motutere, but Bullock intercepted and kicked up the field. Motutere then eet the Island rearguard going, and a certain score was only averted by Poole intercepting snd finding the touch line near the centre flag. Matakana was penalised for a player loitering offside and when th« ball found touch the whistle sounded for the end of the quarter.

Early in the second quarter Poole trapped the ball and transferred to Trau, who made a bold bid to score, but was collared in the dangerous zont by H Kuka. The Matakana for wards toed the ball back to Whakamarama'a area, but Poole saved and lined near the middle mark. Matakana was penalised, and Cleal kicked the ball to Morehu, who sent to touch. From a scrum the ball was handed to Poole, who made a determined dash and was pushed iuto touch in the maroons' twenty-five. Witana, Te Whara and Kolleston retaliated with a passing manoeuvre, which was effectively nullified by Sharplin. Bryers then kicked high and the ball rolled across, but Rolleston ran for it and forced. Cleal, Plummer, and Hiscox led an attack on Matakana's citadel, but Morehu blocked progress. Norton here retired, owing to an injury to his collar-bone; and J. Faulkner took his

! lace for a brief period. Even i»la> | followed, but Matakana gradually j worked the leather to Tauranga's twenty-five. The maroons' backs were then set in motion by Motutere, who passed to H. Kuka to J. Murray to W. Murray to J. Kuka and back to Motutere, who sprinted across at the r.orth-wealern corner and scored. Morehu failed with the kick: Matakana 8 Whokamaracia 0 A regrettable incident than occurred. Trsu disputed the referee's dcci ion snd was ordered oil the field.

Shortly alter the opening of the third quarter Matakana launch*d sn atta.k, and the forwards surging ever the line, Prendergast was compelled to force. Poole, Plumper, Cleal, and Bullock were associated in an offensive effort, lut the maroonsdefence was too sound and the attack proved ineffective. Mctutere marked in midfield and kicking high the maroons charged do An on Whakamsrarr.a's salient, acd rushed the ball over the line, Prendergast forcing. The Whakamarama forwards rallied and steadily worked the ball to neutral ground, but were unable to get within striking distance of the maroons' line.

The opening stages of the final quarter were responsible for a series of •crun-.e. From one of these J. Murray broke away and toed the leather to Prendergast,who" returned to Motutere, who marked. Te Whara took a shot at goal, .and made an excellent attempt the ball falling short of the crcsa bar by a couple of feet. Shortly afterwards the Matakana backs got going and Te Whara reached the line but lost the ball when attempting to ground it. Harper and Plummer led a forward movement and enabled Whakamarama to take the aggressive. The maroons, however, cleared their area. Poole, Cleal and Bullock returned to the attack, but Rolleaton checked. Witana took a pass from H. Kuka, and after running for some distance attempted to jump over Prendergast who brought him down heavily. Spirited play marked the last ten mirjute3 of the game, each side attacking alternately, but the whistle sounded without any further addition to the scor«e.