FOOTBALL SEASON ENDS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13141, 16 September 1940, Page 3

FOOTBALL SEASON ENDS

DECISIVE MARGINS IN TROPHY MATCHES

TWO FAST GAMES Weather conditions for the end-of-season trophy matches were a pleasant contrast to those ruling a week ago, when torrential rain necessitated in the postponement of the' senior game after the Cadet and Rangataua juniors had played a no-point draw for the Green Cup. Sudden alterations to the arrangements made by the Tauranga Rugby Union made it possible for both junior and senior trophy matches to be played on the Domain on Saturday afternoon. Following the closely contested junior game last weekend, speculation as to the final result ran high amongst club supporters and spectators. Cadets were further strengthened by the inclusion of Thompson and Stevens, while the position was reversed with Ranga- # taua, who were without their stalwart, Kahotea. At the line-out the teams were:

Cadets. —Stevens, E. Tanner, N. Tanner, E.’ Faulkner, C. Guinness, W. McMaster, J. Thompson, A. Downey,- W. Winter, A. Bougen, 'R. Sutherland, A. Sutherland, Andrews, Marshall, Lloyd.

Rangataua.—Poroa, Tr Faulkner, M. Ririnui, B'. Ririnui, V. Dixon, S. McLeod, C. Rewiti, T. Walker, M. Williams, J. Ririnui, J. Harawera, K. Phillips, December, McPhee and J. Paki. Referee, Mr J. Wilson.

Following up the kick-off. Cadets were quickly on the attack, forcing Rangataua to infringe within the first two minutes, of the game. Thompson’s kick at goal, although ideally directed from well out, failed to open Cadets scoring account. From this early attack, determined forward play by Rangataua edged the ball into Cadet territory, when Cadets repeated the Rangataua offence, and, infringed under pressure. The kick at goal by J. Harawera failed to find the mark. Keeping up the attack, Rangataua displayed a bustling style. Cadets being hard pressed, but successful backing blocked the Rangataua attacks until Stevens relieved with a good centre kick. Play was particularly robust, Andrews receiving a hard knock on the head and had to leave the field. His place was taken by R. Smith. , v An excellent movement was initiated by E. Faulkner for Cadets, coming sharply round the blind side of the scrum, but he vyas sent into touch near the corner "flag.

Cadets were now’ playing Rangataua at their own bustling gaine and pressed hard on the Maoris line, Poroa knocking on in front of the posts for a scrum down. In their eagerness to open the scoring Cadets infringed for pressure to :be relieved through Poroa’s kick. Pressure was not relieved for long, and Cadets were quickly back on the Rangataua twenty.-five line, the back line treating the spectators to some excellent short passing movements. Handling off the ground by Cadets spoiled a further opportunity of making a score. Their efforts were finally rewarded when McMasters intercepted a Rangataua pass and went over. The kick by N. Tanner, as the whistle blew for half-time, converted.

Half-time score: Cadets, 5; Rangataua, 0. ’ During the majority of the first half, Cadets had kept the play well down in Rangataua territory, the Maoris, after their opening burst, appearing to have lost their usual dash.

On the resumption of play Cadets continued their first half tactics of bustling forward play, paving the way for the back line to combine well through E. and N. Tanner. This attack was foiled by the excellent positional play and kicking of Poroa, but Cadets were quickly back for E. t Tanner to increase the Cadets slender lead with a touch down under the posts. The kick by N. Tanner converted. Cadets, 10; Rangataua, 0.

Following this reverse, Rangataua 'revealed some of their usual form and bustled through loose forward play well into the Cadet half. Excitement, both on the field and touch line, ran high as Rangataua made several good attempts to breajk through the Cadet defence, but the line remained intact for Stevens to relieve with a good kick, finding touch just over the half-way line. Following up this advantage, both Winter and N. Tanner were prominent for Cadets with good solo efforts, Poroa positioned well in each case to save what appeared to be certain scores. The Rangataua back line now came into action, following up a relieving kick by Poroa, M. Ririnui and V.. Dixon combining well in an excellent opening movement for J. Ririnui to continue and open Rangataua’s scoring account. The kick by T, Faulkner failed to convert. Cadets, 10; Rangataua, 3. From this stage of the game Cadets were all'over Rangataua, C. Guinness breaking through to send E, Tanner over again. N. Tanner converted with a well-placed kick. Cadets, 15; Rangataua, 3.

The score was further advanced a few minutes later following a good passing movement between Winter, Thompson and Faulkner, finally sending N. Tanner over by the corner flag. In placing the ball for N. Tanner to take the goal kick, his brother, Eric, touched the ball twice and the kick was rescinded, leaving the score at Cadets, IS, 1 Rangataua, 3. Hardly had play been resumed, when Cadets launched another attack on the Rangataua line, Downey scrambling over to put Cadets in an invincible position. The kick at goal by N. Tanner failed'. Final score, Cadets, 21; Rangataua, 3.

Played throughout in a .keen .competitive spirit the' game could hardly

be described as a fitting climax to previous games between these two junior teams, who have been responsible for some of the best football during the whole of the season. This latter point, and the sporting spirit of both fifteens. was v referred to by Mr W. J. Stevens, President of the' Tauranga Rugby Union, when he presented the Green Cup to J. Thompson, Cadets skipper. In congratulating both teams on their fine display, Mr Stevens referred to the excitement which had been afforded spectators during the season through these two clubs. Gilbey Cup

Following the defeat of their junior fifteen, Rangataua seniors made certain of the Gilbey Cup by defeating Judea, 16 points to 3, after Judea had been leading three points to nil at the end of the first spell. Throughout, the game was played in a fast bustling style, a feature being the keen tackling by both sides. At the line-out the teams were: Rangataua.—McMillan, T. Faulkner, J. Faulkner, S. McLeod, B. Kani, T. Kakau, V. Dixon, D. Kani, P. Ririnui, J. Heke, J. Taikato, N. Ngatai, T. Moiri, S. Ririnui, H. Honiana. Judea.—G. Mikaere, Bab, Tata, Foster, Stewart, F. Barnes, Heke, Kohu, C. Matthews, J. Kohu, S. Kohu, A. Kohu, C. Kohu, T. Pearson, Matthetvs. Referee, Mr R. Haycock. From the kick-off by Judea, play centred mid-field with a series of short attacking movements as each side tested the strength of the otner. Rangataua were the first ' off the mam with a bustling forward attack initiated by Ngatai. Play did not remain for long in the Judea half, Mikaere clearing with an . excellent line kick. Fluctuating quickly from one end of the field to the other, Rangataua made a bold bid to open the scoring through Kakau and B. Kani, who combined well until a knock-on spoiled what appeared to be a certain score. Rangataua , were not having all their own way, and Judea attacked through the forwards, S. Kohu being particularly outstanding with a solo dribbling movement which was spoiled when the ball ran out into touch . close the Rangataua corner flag. Judea continued to press hard, the Rangataua backs having to pack with all their weight to keep the heavy Judea forwards from making a score. Tata, Barnes and Foster were prominent with a sound passing. movement for Tata to finally open up the scoring with a well earned try close to the corner flag. The kick by C. Matthews from wide out only narrowly failed. Play on both sides until half-time continued fast and vigorous as Judea tried hard to increase their slender advantage and Rangataua similarly attempted to open their scoring account. . 1 Half-time: Judea, 3; Rangataua, 0. After the first spell, when there had been little to choose between either team, the advantage, made it appear that Rangataua were faced with a hard struggle if the Gilbey Cup were not to go to Judea. From the resumption of play Rangataua displayed something like their usual form, with Kakau, B. Kani and P. Ririnui being particularly prominent throughout the whole of the second spell. Play was quickly down to the Judea line through Kani and T. Faulkner for Moiri to open the scoring for Rangataua. The kick by Kani failed to find the mark. Heartened by the score, Rangataua persisted in their efforts on the Judea line and again attacked strongly through Kakau, who finally went over the line with four Judea defenders clinging to his back. The kick by T. Faulkner from an awkward angle converted. Rangataua, 8; Judea, 3.

Following this sudden • „reverse, Judea displayed some of their first half form and attacked strongly, making repeated raids on the Rangataua line. Although not playing with-his costomary strength, McMillan was sound in defence and relieved under pressure on three or four occasions. McMillan’s kicking was finally rewarded when J. Faulkner and Taikato followed up to transfer play down to the Judea line for Taikato to score through a ragged defence. The goal kick by Kakau converted. For the remainder of the second spell, Rangataua were all over Judea, and it was somewhat surprising, that only one try was scored during these strong attacks. The scoring was made through T. Faulkner, playing his second game of the afternoon, following a long run from the half-way line. The kick at goal by Kakau a few minutes before the final whistle, failed to convert. Final score: Rangataua, 16;,Judea, 3. Trophy Presentation In presenting the Gilbey Cup and the Jordan Championship Cup to Kakau, Rangataua’s skipper, it was pointed out by Mr Stevens, that when the Jordan Cup had been presented for the senior champions in 1930, it had been won first of all by Rangataua. They had been joint holders with Cadets two years ago and were now coming up again .as trophy winners. Mr Stevens congratulated them on the fine spirit which had been displayed throughout the whole of the season, ' and making them opponents of the highest standard for any Rugby team. He also congratulated Judea on their fine sporting spirit and the excellent way in which they had progressed during the latter half of the season. The opportunity was also taken by Mr Stevens to present the Third Grade trophy to Mack Ririnui, captain of the Rangataua thirds, winners of that grade for this season.