FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12802, 25 July 1939, Page 5

FOOTBALL

TAURANGA UNION RESUMPTION OF COMPETITION GAMES MATCHES ON SATURDAY The Tan ran ga Rugby Union will resume its senior, junior and third grade competitions on Saturday next. The draw is as follows: Seniors Cadets v. Te Puna, No 1, ground. Referee, Mr Bickers. Matakana v . Rangataua. 'No 2 ground. Referee, Mr Gaulton. The senior games start at 3 p.m. J uniors Omokoroa v. Cadets, No 2 ground. Referee, Mr T. Milne. Judea v. Te Puna, No 3 ground. Referee, Mr Slow. Rangataua v. Wairoa, No. 1 ground. Referee, Mr Haycock. The junior games commence at 1.45. Thirds High School v. Judea, No 2 ground. Referee, Mr Hylton. Rangataua v. Cadets, No 1 ground. Referee, Mr Fisher. The third grade games start at 12.45. BAY OF PLENTY TEAM The Bay of Plenty Rugby team to play against Waikato at Hamilton on Saturday next has been chosen by the selectors, Messrs L. Clarke (Rotorua), A. E. Spratt (Te Puke), and G. Peebles (Whakatane) as follows: H. Payment (T) G. Gregory R. Lees E. Donovan (Ro) (R) (TP) E. Howell (R) captain, M. Lees (R> R. Jones (O) E. Hayward F. Farron P. Tama (W) (O) (R) A. D. Robinson T. Whitely J. Best (Ro) (R) (W) C. Satherly (TP) J. McNeile (T) Emergencies: Forwards, B. Hughes (TP), Nicholsen (R), M. Bell (T), T. Kakau (T); backs, G. Oswald (W), Ahipene (Ro). The players for each sub-union are denoted as follows: Tauranga (T); Te Puke (TP); Whakatane (W); Opotiki (O); Rangitaiki (R); Rotorua (Ro). Mr S. McNamara, of Rotorua, has been'appointed referee. - The team will assemble at Hamilton on Saturday at the Hamilton Hotel at noon, play the match, and be entertained by the Waikato Union on Saturday night, returning on Sun'day. Dundcrdale Cup Rangitaiki avenged their defeat by Whakatane a ,few weeks ago by winning 6 —o at Te Teko on Saturday. ( The game was the first for the Tom Dunderdale Memorial Cup, presented for annual competition between the two unions. Rangitaiki’s two tries were taken by Renata the wing three-quarter, who formerly played for Tauranga. The Sliieldf Match The Te Hurinui Apanui Shield match on Saturday between Tauranga and Te Puke was a triumph for the Tauranga forwards. J. McNeile was the outstanding player of the match and was responsible in a marked degree for the local victory. He was always regarded as a certainty for the Bay of Plenty, team and on his performances this season is entitled to consideration in still more important games. T. Kakau played up to his best form and proved a tower of strength. All the pack worked splendidly,' and the repeated breaking through in the tight by P. Murray and M. Bell was a material factor in success. The whole of the forwards worked in unison and full credit must, be given to the others, W. Clay, R. Rodleston, P. Ririnui and G. Tuwhakaraina for their splendid work. It is likely that the same eight forwards will be in the field when Whakatane comes here on August 5. H. Rayment, as full-back, was heavily taxed and came through the ordeal with flying colours. His fielding and stopping were excellent and his judicious use of the line was perfect and saved his forwards time after time. His selection in the Bay team was fully justified. M. Tangitu, wing three-quarter, played his usual dashing game, and his try was the result of speed and determination. However, on occasions his taking of passes was weak, and he should he able to overcome this shortcoming in the next week or so. He has shown more improvement this season than any back in the Union.

F. Voice played his usual sound game , ’a‘S' , three-quarter, and was very safe in defence.

Very little play came Bartlett’s way in his position as wing threequarter, but he stemmed many a rush.

J. Bidois was sound and penetrative as five-eighths, but many fine openings made by'him were nullified by, B. Bidois, who dropped passes and was caught ‘in possession repeatedly. J. Kuka, as half-back, was called upon to meet forward thrusts time after time and did a lot of stopping: When the forwards heeled he invariably got the ball away to J. Bidois.

W. Castaing came on when Vpice was injured and his defence and line kicking were very serviceable. There is likely to be a change or two in the rearguard before the next Shield game. The Te Puke backs are a formidable combination, with E. Donovan the .shining light. His position in the Bay of Plenty team was well merited.

K. Ball, full-back, a former Thames player, was very safe and his powerful kicking- was of great service to his te.am.

McConnell was very safe while J. Graham too£ a lot of stopping when he got going.

Ahomiro, R. Yalder and Oxenham acquitted themselves creditably. C. Satherly was the most prominent forward and it comes as no surprise to see him included in the Bay of Plenty representative team. All the forwards toiled well, the most prominent besides Satherly being Lennard, Hughes and Barker. Mr McNamara, the referee, was strict and impartial. He' insisted on the forwards packing in proper formation and altogether his control of the game was highly commendable in every respect. His interpretations should prove of marked benefit to all players who wish to improve their Rugby knowledge. .The Tauranga players are to be congratulated on their victory and if they keep on training they should be capable of a good showing against Whakatane on August 5. RANFURLY SHIELD The following Southland team will defend the Ranfurly Shield against Otago next Saturday: Backs. —J. W. Fleming, A. . G. Sutherland, A. W. Wesney, R. G. Mahony, M. P.' Grace, C. K. Saxton, J. W. Purdue. Forwards. —V. L.. George, W. Sherriff, C. George, R. H. Ward, S. E. Purdue, D. B. Herron, G. H. Graham, A. R. Marshall.

FIJIAN TOUR As a result of the strong protest made by the Bay of Plenty Union to the New Zealand Union regarding the cancellation of the Bay of Plenty match with the Fijians, Mr W. S. Henderson, secretary of the Bay of Plenty Union, has received advice that the New Zealand Union has has cabled the Fijian Union, asking for an extra match against the Bay on August 23. V As the-tour,, was originally planned the Bay of Plenty was allotted a game against the Fijians at Rotorua, but .when for one cause and another the tour was shortened the Bay lost its game, though one was arranged .between the Fijians and Waikato at Hamilton. This was strongly criticised at meetings of the Bay subunions. The Whakatane sub-union members pointed out that the Fijian authorities had expressed a wish for their team to. play a large percentage of Maori games, and on this account, if for no other reason, the Bay of Plenty, with its large proportion of Maori players, was a more suitable opponent than Waikato which has very few Maoris in its area. Another point is that the Bay of Plenty was promised a game with the tourists by the annual conference of the New Zealand Union to compensate for the lack of fixtures with other unions. The Bay’s only other representative games are with Poverty Bay and Waikato, both lacking in the interest that comes from meeting fresh opponents. It is not known what the attitude of the Fijians is likely to be to the application for the extra game, but their decision should be to hand before long.