KEEN FOOTBALL CONTEST AT TE PUKE ON SATURDAY FOR KUSABS' CUP.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7474, 16 August 1920, Page 2

KEEN FOOTBALL CONTEST AT TE PUKE ON SATURDAY FOR KUSABS' CUP.

fauranga ream Win, l V

'Hie Kusahs' r, m the Tauran^^h b^ representative R u^ d r^u ke piayeclat Te Puke on c earns j-e^Heainavictorv^orT^ by nmc points to si\- lf Uran^ Ihcrwas glorious! and?***.' crowd assembled, a h,, Tf ? rec ord oi enthusiasts traveiC^ laiiran.^i. the majo- fr °* the journey by f c ; U) n? Paulkner Bros. , n , H ,y^ssrs Works Departn.e'u h|/^l ic appreciated. The <r v t'f n%h excellent order, an^^ ™* treated to onV?^ 1 taslesl ™* "lost hi^ fttle games that h.-,* ,-. v ,, r k teres^ - Te iW Played R"«byinoxcclsi Sa n U ff l was it inferior. lt"'* tn°l«*e contest, but there w-,s * d semblance of loufpl a v'J leVer a It was sport, pure \ n<l ?■• "^ fin?, manly s:nS c:n;r.?i;; ic t] ;-;/"U: «ettin« cxcirSi"abo h« m match resolved itself imn r • c Pl-es-first thetS 1^ sioned by the brilliant att-rt? work of G. lies and D £ ? next the Te Puke e<n O n?t' Uuick breaking lacticVS^ tive winging by Wj hapi . Ec" the sparkle of attack and ciunte attack by the opposing backand, finally, the desperate effortsof Te Puke, fighting againstti J to wear down the defence. Tan' ranga's success was largely due to the fine combined attacks of D Borrcll :ind G. lies, the latter registering three tries., which j tl each instance were indicative of nigh-class Rugby. The Te P u fr. forwards were a hefty lot, while the backs showed good form, and there was really very little to choose between the two fifteens Towards the close of the first quarter an accident occurred in theTaurano-a 25. R. Pclherbridge a leading Te Puke forward and Bay of Plenty representative, was heading a Te Puke attack, when a Tauranga forward also made a dash for the ball, and the two players' legs crossed, with theresuit that Petherbridge's right leg was broken about three inches above the ankle. Dr Stuart, of Tauranga, who was witnessing the match, promptly attended to the injury. Mr Peiherbridgewas then removed in Mr Cuff's car to theTe Puke hospital,and later was taken to Tauranga hospital, where he will remain for some weeks, The injured player always shows a commendable sporting spirit on the field, and deservedly enjoysa very wkle popularity on 'the Coast. The mishap gave cause for genuine feelings of regret.and the universal wish of Mr Aetherbridge's numerous friends is that he will make a speedy recovery. MrR H Phclan, of Tauranga, controlled the game in a strict and impartial manner, 'while Messrs I. Fallwell and D O'Halloran acted as line umpires for Tauranga and Te Puke, respectively. The Teams.

The teams lined out as follows] * Te Puke, blue and white.— Full back, A Hicks (Ran^itaua), ~; three-quarters, P. Wihapi (Raniji' i uru), K. Kokiri (Rangkirj), Wim V Tapsell (Makctu); five-ei«hths,G, "*- Asher(Rangntaua, capt.), L Tor- i rens (United); half back, N. Bou- v cher (United); rover, G. Gardiner (Rangataua}; forwards, R Pether bridge (United), T. Harnden .j, (United), Tapeia (Rangataua), I i Naera (Rangiuru), K. Tapsell t (Maketu). C. Sergeant (Mdketu} j E. Morton (United). l[ Tauranga, red and white- . i Full-back, A. Hardy (Tauunga), I, three-quarters, J.Tau (MatakunaJ, f1G. lies'Tauranga, captain), J.Don t (Tauranga); five eighths, D. Bor |\ rell (Te Puna), D. Williams(Tau- ; ranga); half back, J. Borrell (Tc Puna); rover, Tv Tangitu (Te t ~ Puna); for.yards, Rua Heke (T? Puna), W. Pearcey CTauranga', H. Howard (Matakana), E ; > Mv nro (Ta ura n ga), A. Sonrensen * (Taurangal, Tuwhakarama {Tc Puna), B- Seyb (Tauranga). ?K The Murray Brothers (MaU 11 !:ana) did not put in an appWT- | ance, while A. lies was unable to play, hence the rearrangement in the Tauranga team. ; - THE PLAY |, The toss of the coin favoured J, Asher, who marshalled his tpen in defence of the northern Hn£- &> Munro kicked off, and Pctbcr- £. bridge, Harnden. Sergeant .ana Morton replied with a dribblta rush, which was steadied' b) 0Hardy, who lined on. the'eastern >.- side near the middle flag. Aft; j the ball was thrown in-it reacbeo Hicks, who sent it spinning J* the Tauranga zone, where V p" Borrell found touch. Asher se- jr cured cleverly from the throW-iy made a luminous dash, and then p passed to Kokiri, with the resj1; |> that Tauranga was placed on t^ p defensive. Don marked. *&,& kicked well up the field, Soi'C^j t j returning to touch in the• neutra' area. ■ , r , Petherbridge, K. Tapsell, W' J ton and Naera burst r thioug g from the line-out, and in at" .^ play was in the reds'2s-Boudj; f secured the oval and after cutUD" - in passed to Torrens. to Ashen» Kokiri, to Wihapi, Who ** (I blocked in the south-caste, angle. Wihapi threw the t $ and running round at 'top »R-j ?§ gained possession and spring | for the south-western corner. j was checked by D. Borrell, *. made a remarkable save » »^

f the oval to touch near the se° 1 mark From hard play on SSeTSc leather was handled i 1 " Borrell, who was pushed by f JI Morton, Sergeant and Petherbridge then burst through «Il shattered the opposition, pefhe bridge toed the ball across bS; Williams was handy and passing movement by Asher, Kokiri, Boucher W. TaoseU, and Torrens enabled the blues to deliver a sharp thrust on SeTauranga citadel, xhen the Te Puke forwards bunched and surged across, Morton grounding theball and scoring the first try nine minutes after the start. Gardiner failed to convert: Te Puke 3 Tauranga 0 Following resumption Boucher "set the blues' rearguard in action and the Tauranga line was again threatened. Then lies intercepted a pass in his own 25, and like a flgsh was away and veered past several opponents. The Tauranga skipper raced on at top speed with the speedy Xc Puke backs in hot pursuit in an attempt to. crowd him on to the eastern touch line. The full-back made a determined but ineffectual attempt to catch lies, and the later wound up one of the finest individual efforts ever seen on the local ground by scoring after a run of fully eighty yards. Needless to say this brilliant piece of play was received with the greatest enthu siasm. The kick at goal failed/* making the scores even : Te Puke 3 Tauranga 3

The game continued to be waged determinedly, those prominent ik the picture at tnis juncture being Kokiri and Wihapi, who both made strong dashes in an effort to pierce the reds' defence. Hard line play followed, Harnden, Morion, and Petherbridge being conspicuous.

Then Sergeant picked up from the loose and carried play to the Tauranga zone. Hardy saving by smart fielding, the ball going to Hicks, who lined in the Tauranga area. A scrum followed the line-out, Boucher securing possession and transferring to Wihapi who .made a smart dish, but was thrown into touch. Kokiri, Tau, Hicks and Don fielded in attractive style. K. Tapsell, Morton, Petherbridge, and Naera were then associated in a surging rush, but D. Borrell' saved with his customary skill. Wihapi- then treated the onlookers to a sparkling dash. He kicked high, followed up, secured, and raced for the south-western corner, but was well tackled by Tau a few yards from the coveted line and thrown into touch. The prospects of Te Puke obtaining a try looked bright, and the forwards and backs linked up close in a determined onslaught on the reds' citadel. Then lies gave another illustration of his quality play by intercepting a pass and feinting through half-a---dozen opponents. He then set out for the Te Puke line, and after a fine run of seventy yards was blocked by Harnden, who managed to get round in the nick of time. The blue vanguard led by Harnden, Petherbridge, and Morton, retaliated with a sweeping rush, which was improved by Boucher, Kokiri, and Wihapi, and the Tauranga 25 was again the storm centre, but Don cleared. Heady work by Munro resulted in a transfer to D. Borrell, who made a strong run in the centre, and then kicked to find touch in Te Puke's 25.

The opposing forwards battled along the western line, and a smart dash by Naera carried play to the Tauranga zone. Tauranga was penalised and Gardiner found touch. The Te Puke forwards, led by Sergeant and Petherbridge, attacked, and then the accident, previously referred to, occurred, Petherbridge sustaining a broken leg. The game was stopped for several minutes, to enable Dr Stuart to attend to the injured player.

The teams changed over, E. May,a United forward, taking Petherbridge's place Morton set the ball going, and Sergeant and Harnden were early associated in a movement which took play to the reds' zone, where the leather went out. For a time line play was the feature, and then D. Borrell cleared by spinning the ball to touch near the middle mark. Don subsequently secured and passed to D. Borrell, who handed on to lies, who was checked when within striking distance of the Te Puke line. Morton, Tapeta Naera, and Tapsell then delivered a shattering attack, and as a result of a Tau ranga back fielding below stand- i ard the blues broke across, and Torrens dived for the ball and scored between the posts. The attempt at conversion failed, and Te Puke was again in the lead : Te Puke 6 Tauranga 3 Shortly after resuming, Morton, K.Tapsell, &ndHamden led an attacking manoeuvre, Tauranga "wasthen penalised, and Gardiner had an unsuccessful shot at goal. A Tauranga back made a faulty return, and the"ball flew out in the reds 1 25- Boucher, Wihapi, and Kokiri combined forces in a sharp thrust, and a scrum was ordered a few yards from Tauranga's line. The ball ■Was heeled to Boucher, who Passed to Gardiner and the burly rover pushed his way over, but lost the ball and a force resulted.

Sorrensen kicked off, and a strong Te Puke rush culminated in Hardy forcing. Loose play followed until D. Borrell intercepted a pass and broke through to be joined by lies, who took , the pass from his colleague and raced across to add toTauranga's scoring account. The kick missed the uprights, making the scores even: !> Te Puke 6 M.v.i^. Tauranga 6

Sorrensen set the leather in motion. A Te Puke forward hesi-

tated in returning and was bowl ed over by Don in the blues' territory. A series of scrums followed, and then Seyb, Sorrensen, Munro and Pearcey swept up the field in an irresistible rush and delivered a sharp attack. A pretty passing bout between Don, D. Borrell and Tau ended in the last mentioned being blocked in the south-eastern angle a yard or two from the line. A scrum fo'Jowed, and the Tauranga forwards took the ball over, but a force was registered.

Seyb, Sorrensen, and M-unro headed a strong attack and the ball went out in the Te Puke 25. Intelligent work by Munro and D. Borrel! resulted in the latter securing from a long line throw and he made a great bid to score but was held up five yards from the uprights. The Tauranga team, backs and forwards, sustained the pressure, and in a twinkling Pearcey picked up and handed the leather to D. Borrell, who transferred to lies. The Tauranga skipper feinted through very cleverly and scored his third try midway between the goal posts and the western corner. Once again the kick failed and the reds were now in the lead : Tauranga 9 Te Puke 6

lies and Naera exchanged kicks, and Munro then toed the ball to centre where Kokiri secured and opened up the play in spectacular fashion. Sergeant joined issue and dribbled the ball across, D. Borrell kicking to touch in the reds' territory and a-verting a score. Te Puke pressed, Munro relieving by sending the ball to Hicks, who returned to Heke. Sergeant and Morton led a Te Puke attack which was checked by lies. Ijeyb, Munro, and Pearcey dribbled to centre, and the concluding stage of the spell was marked by reliable

fielding by W Tapsell, Hardy, Wihapi and Williams, Half time was sounded with the scores standing : Tauranga 9 Te Puke 6

The early part of the third quarter was featured by attractive play by the Te Puke backs, which was neutralised by an interception on the part of D. Borrell, who made a quick dash and passed to Tau, to lies, who was pulled up in the blues' territory. Tapeta secured, swung round, and tried to break away, but was thrown into touch by J. Borrell.

Morton marked, and then J. and D. Borrell, lies and Don participated in a passing bout which went close to materialising. Tapeta, Morton and K. Tapsell worked back to centre, and another thrust by Williams, D. Borrell, lies and Don placed the blues' line in jeopardy. Asher ard Sergeant replied with an effective manoeuvre which was blocked by Borrell. Determined line play ensued and Tapeta broke through, Pearcey checking. The Te Puke forwards attacked in a bunch and Tauranga was called on to exert a stubborn defence until Munro secured and sent the ball to touch. Sparkling play followed in the neutral zone, Wihapi and D, Borrell being prominent figures in the picture. Dashing work by Munro enabled the reds to assume the aggressive but Gardiner extricated Te Puke from a perilous position by a fine kick to Hardy, who lined near the central peg. After the lineout a scrum was formed and by breaking tactics the Te Puke vanguard drove .through to the Tauranga area. Asher, Kokiri and W. Tapsell, by concerted open play, maintained the pressure, which was relieved by J. Borrell marking and sending to touch. Strenuous forward play on the line and in the close to - lowed in the neutral area. Wil Hams availed himself of the opportunity to set the Tauranga backs going, but Boucher steadied the movement. Munro, beyb, and Sorrensen broke through, and D. Borrell and Tau improved until W. Tapsell intercepted and by a quick dash placed the reds on the defence. Te Puke was awarded a free kick and Boucher

found touch in Tauranga's zone on the western side. Nippy work by Boucher enabled Te Puke to sustain the attack until Tuwhakaraina, Tangitu, and Seyb broke through with a dribbling rush, which was steadied by Hicks. K. Tapsell, Morton and Harnden retaliated with similar tactics and Hardy found touch, the whistle sounding the end of the quarter. The teams changed round for the final quarter. Tapsell kicked off, and Sergeant, Harnden and Morton, by fast following up, took play to Tauranga's zone. D. Borrell and lies replied with a nice

passing bout. lies was tackled by' Wihapi and the ball went iuto touch near the centre flag. From the.line out J. Borrell cross-kick-ed to Ms backs but the latter failed to field and the Te Puke vanguard swept through like a flash and for a brief period the battle was waged in Tauranga s territory. Te Puke was penalised and Pearcey kicked to Asher, who lined near the middle mtrk. Tapsell, May, Harnden and Morton broke away, but Hardy checKed progress and lined in his own area. Torrens made an effective dash but Don intercept ed the pass and sent the ball to Hicks, who lined. J. Borrell nil i tiated a passing movement by the Tauranga rearguard, but Torrens choked. Wihapi was conspicuous in a luminous run, and was blocked by Tan in the red?' area. Serjeant and Morton were then responsible for dashing play. Harnden got within striking distance and rushed the ball over, but Hardy saved by forcing. With only ten minutes to go both sides put great vim inlo their work, and the onlookers were

treated to spectacular football. The oval travelled up and down the field at a great rate, and when the.forwards were not batting it from toe to toe, the backs had it spinning in the air. Then Gardiner came spoiling along,but was stopped by Don, who kicked up field to Hicks, and the ball went out near the centre peg. The Tauranga backs furnished an interesting interlude by means of smart passing, but their design was foiled by Torrens, who lined. Then Asher broke away, only to be checked at the critical moment by Harclv.

Clever work by Munro, Sorrensen, Heke, and Seyb carried play to the Te Puke full-back, and Hicks saved skilfully. From the throw-in Tau secured and streaked for the south-eastern angle, but W. Tapsell was too fast and nailed his opponent a few feet from the objective. K. Tapsell broke through from the line, and descended on Tauranga's area, but Hardy again checked. Wihapi was then prominent and made several ineffectual attempts to race through, but found Don a sturdy proposition. Tangitu, Seyb and Heke then cleared with a sweeping move to centre. Smart winging by Wihapi carried the play to Tauranga's .territory. Williams secured and kicked but the ball struck a player and rebounded over the line, Hardy forcing.

A little later Wihapi marked, and then Boucher set his backs in motion, but the ball was lost and kicked across, Hardy again forcing. Clever work by J. Borrell and Heke improved matters for Tauranga, and then followed sparkling fielding by D- Borrell, Hicks, Boucher, and Don The red forwards got away, but their efforts were nullified by Boucher and Wihapi. Both sides attacked in turn and- a score by either team would not have created surprise. They assailed vainly, as the defence was too sound and left no loophole, the whistle sounding with the verdict in Tau ranga's favour by a majority of three points.