FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Times, Issue 7226, 23 September 1919, Page 2

FOOTBALL

Tauranga v. Te P u k e

The return match between t Puke and fauranga was ni at Te Puke on SaCurda? iflT fore a larjje gathering of ™i siasts. Tauranga being ' »' sented by a fair number^ journeyed out to see the fin 1 match of the season between ti two teams The ground^ perfect order for a good, S f ln game and players took advanfoL of this fact, and at times so f good football was witnessed T Puke was responsible for most nf the open play, the ball sometime; passing through a number hands, le Puke won the tow Sorrensen kicked off for Taura nga and after an exchange nf kicks the latter team we ?e penalised, but Gardiner's kick it goal failed A good run by Gardiner and Kokiri was spoiled by Hardy, he latter also forcing from a hard kick by McGeehan From a penalty kick Borell landed a nice goal from an aMe Shortly after changing ends' Rogers made a determined attempt to score, but his pass was cleverly intercepted by Hardy who found the line and saved the visitors when being pressed very hard. A very pretty piece of play immediately took place between the home hacks, of which Rogers, Kokiri and McGeehan were most conspicuous, Hardy again saving. A long kick by Witana found the line, and Trail securing took play to Te Puke's 25, but this was only a signal for Te Puke to make a greater effort, and a fine passing rush by Kokiri, McGeehan and Rogers ended in the latter scoring. On resuming Te Puke had a slight advantage and securing from the scrum another passing rush by Te Puke ended in McEwan scoring. McGeehan failed at goal. On half-time sounding the scores were Te Puke 6, Tauranga 3.

From the kick off Te Pake settled down and made the pace very warm, and McEwan scored at the corner, but the attempt at goal failed. Shortly after Tapeta secured from a line-out and scored an easy try near the line. The effort to add the extra points again miscarried. Sergeant scored an easy try from a forward rush but no goal resulted. Te Puke's concerted rushes seemed to fairly nonplus the Tauranga players, On changing over Tauranga livened up Fallwell (who went on at half-time) getting in .some good work, and Te Puke were compelled to force. Te Puke continued to make strong attacks and Tauranga had to force on several occasions, but Te Puke were not to be denied and with one of iheirstrong rushes initiated by Asher, who sent out to Rogers, to Kokiri, to Boucher, to McGeehan, who scored amidst great applause. The latter's attempt at goal also failed. Tauranga brightened out slightly and carried play to Te Puke's territory, where Witana had hard luck in not scoring as he took play right to the home team's line, but Sergeant secured and took play up field. From a loose rush headed by Seyb the ball was taken over, but Te Puke forced. A final effort by Te Puke resulted ina try right on time, which was me only one converted, the nnai scores being : Te Puke 29, lau" ranga 3. Mr E. Montgomery acted as referee and Messrs W O'Halloran (Te Puke) and Morehu (Tauranga) were .line umpires.