FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11134, 8 June 1933, Page 2

FOOTBALL

TAURAXGA CUP COMPETITION'S

The Tauranga Rugby Union's Cup competitions will be continued on Saturday next. As a Maori team Is visiting Matamata there will be one senior game between Athletics and Cadets Old Boys and 11 both muster at full numerical strength the game should be interesting. Four junior games are scheduled. Teams will be chosen from the following players: Athletics Seniors.—Rayment. Tassell. MacPherson. Meadows, Cairns, Davoren, Pemberton. Cameron (2), Wilkins, Faulkner, Klitscher, Hartnett, Mitchell, Stacey, McLeod. Tanner. Athletics Juniors. —Castaing, McLaughlan, Castles. W. Curtis, M. Curtis. Kempster, Milne, Wray, Harrison, Robins, James. Isherwood, Kensington, Lees, Swinburne (2), Kaimai.

Country Juniors.—Roy Pemberton, A. Thrupp, W. Merriman. F. Lauder. E. Ake. N. Cunningham. Ron Pemberton, R, Dean, P. Merriman, B. Merrick, J. Rowe, A. Wood, W. Kennedy. D. Kennedy, L. Phelps, H. Kennedy. A. Cullen, K. Tarawa. C. Cunningham.

NOTES. (By "Old Boy.”) The game last Saturday presented no great difficulties to either side. The first outing of the season usually presents the .weaknesses of the teams, but a true indication in this respect was marred by the weather and the state of the ball. I could find no great weakness in the Tauranga side, with but one ex-ception-faulty kicking. The backs must realise that to do any good they must kick to an opening in the field. Clarkin. the Hamilton full-back, demonstrated very forcibly the advantage that may be gained In this direction. His exhibition was faultless and a credit to him. The handling of the backs In both teams was fair considering the conditions. However, the display given by Chitty the Hamilton first five-eighths, was an object lesson, although he gained very little ground in the execution of the movements.

It would have been interesting to have watched the game on a fine day, and with the colours of the teams more distinct than those worn. The forwards on both sides played a lively game, with the weight of the Tauranga pack in the ascendancy. It would be unwise to single out any man for special honours, although for sheer grit Fitzpatrick’s efforts were superb. In Cameron, Tauranga possesses the finest loose forward in the Bay.

Mac Dell, the visitors’ half-back, played a solid game and handled well. Giliing again demonstrated his ability to open up the game, while Welch, the centre three-quar-ter, lost few opportunities to snap up loose passes by the Tauranga backs. Voyce and Paterson played sound games, although the latter spoilt several opportunities by injudicious kicking.

The Tauranga backs played good sound football. Wilson at full-back was not brilliant, but did not make many mistakes. His line kicking could be improved. ’ Tassell on the wing played a fair game. His defence was good but his attack lacks sting. He would improve if he ran at his man and then attempted to beat him. Gardiner, of the opposite wing, is a hard man to pull down, but he must remember that he is not the only man on the paddock. Renata, at centre, has two bad faults. Why wrestle with your opponent when a good clean pass is all that is required? He would do well to learn the art of straight running. In this respect both Bob Grey and J. Bidois are fine examples. I am satisfied this combination will go a long way in giving the Tauranga backs ample opportunities for solid atacking movements. Both played well on Saturday. Grey is perhaps the most Improved back in the Bay. Parkinson, at half, is game, but must learn to handle the ball better. I would not condemn him on Saturday’s exhibition. Several of the forwards could reasonably take a course in slimming, but otherwise I can find very little fault in their make-up. It behoves the team to keep in training for the next representative match. Keenness should be the watchword.