RUGBY SEASON OPENS IN TAURANGA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 7968, 24 April 1922, Page 4

RUGBY SEASON OPENS IN TAURANGA

ROVERS (TE PUKE) DEFEAT TAURANGA CLUE. The- Rugby searou was opened in Tauranga on Saturday last, when the Rovers fifteen, winners of the Te Buko Union’s Championship last season, mot the Tauranga Football Club's team on the High School Resrve, The visitors were the heavier combination and after a good keen game left the field victors by eight points to three. There was a fair attendance of the public, but the gate takings were not as large as they should have been, as a number of onlookers remained outside the fence and viewed the game from the roadway. Mr Ivan Kail well controlled the game in his usual capable manner, while the duties of lino umpires were carried out by Mr 11. Petherbridge (Taurangaj and A. Stewart (Te Puke). The teams lined out as follows:

Rovers (Maroon) - Full-back, 11. Tapsell; threo-puarters, W. Tapsell, J. Grant, W. Coates; fivecigilts, F. Harawera, A. Jamieson; half-back, A, Snodgrass; rover, G. Gardiner (captain); forwards, C. Sergeant, Tiwha, K, Tapsell, E. Bishoprick, J. R. Calderwocd, G. Woods, and T. Farrell.

Tauranga, yellow and black,--Full-back, G. Simmoiuls; threequarters, E. Hammond, C. Haua, J.’Tau; five-eights, H. J. Sutherland, J. Don ; half-back, H. Allely; rover, E. Munro (captain); forwards, 1). Mansel, Id. Bennett, G. Mason, G. Clark, A. Johnson, T. Jordan, and: I). Barclay. The spin of the coin favoured Munro, who elected to defend the eastern goal with a strong wind to assist his side. Gardiner sot the ball in motion, Jordan returning to Coates who found touoh on the southern line near the middle mark, When the ball came in W, Tapsell made a nippy dash and the leather went out in Tauranga’s area. Tauranga was penalised, and Gardiner made a good attempt to goal, missing by a few feet. The Maroons delivered a strong team attack, but Simmouds checked with a long kick to centre, the ball going into touch. Allely tried (o get his backs swinging from the line-out, but Gardiner darted in and spoiled the effort. The burly rover secured the oval and dashed away, but was well checked by Sutherland. The Rovers’ forwards attacked and hunted the leather in rare style, the design to break through being frustrated by Don, Hammond and Barclay. Bishoprick eventually made a splendid opening and after a smart dash transferrer! to Gardiner who handed on to Coates, who made a determined run dashed over and scored. Gardiner failed to kick on the additional points; Rovers ,‘j Tauranga 0 Munro kicked off. H, Tapsell forcing. The speedy W. Tapsell