STRONG TEAM CHOSEN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 14074, 31 May 1946, Page 5

STRONG TEAM CHOSEN

RUGBY ENCOUNTER WITH WAIHI

First Representative Games Of Season

Junior Side Well Balanced

(By ‘‘Touchdown”) On Monthly, tlio Tauranga senior and junior representatives will he called cn to play their first fixtures of the season and it will he of interest to see how they fare against Waihi before their approaching matches for the Te Huiinui Apanui Shield and the Shalfoon Shield, respectively.

It will be remembered that last year when the Waihi senior representatives visited Tauranga, the visiting tea.m won the day, its lighter and younger players running circles round ths more seasoned and heavier Tauranga, players, some of whom participated in representative Rugby years ago. This must have taught the selectors a lessen and the result of that game has often been.the subject of comment and is still quoted. At a glance, the selection of the senior representatives to play cn Monday appears quite'a good one and it is interesting tp note that it contains several young players. For instance, there is Nelson Smith, a junior of last year and a member of the High School Old Roys club, who has been selected to fill the position of full-back. His inclusion in the team was justified and in his. games this year he has earned the honour of wearing senior representative colcurs. He has a good parr of hands, .2nd Jiis lino kicking is well up to standard.

' Then, there is Bill Dashwood, of the Cadet club, picked to play on one wing,. He lias plenty of football speed. B. Kahotea (Rangatana) has been chosen as centre three-quarter. Whi’o serving with the forces in tho Mediterranean, Kahctea was chosen for the Rugby trials to pick the 2nd. N.Z.E.F. team which toured England, so his Rugby credentials should need no examination.

Form No) Maintained

Barney To Kami (Rangataua) r,elected to play second five-dighth, has, in past years, given some bright performances and, if in form, he should go well. At one time, Te

Kani gave promise of being a really outstanding five-eighth, but lie’.bag not maintained the form he displayed two seasons ago.

The football ability of J. Gardiner (Matakana) chosen to play first fiveeighth on Monday, needs no introduction, his displays so far this sear <3on having brought him into the ' public eye. In some quarters, the appointment of Rclleston (Matakana) as halfback must have created a surprise, because in that position he has not really proved himself as up to representative standard. On paper, the pack appears a gcod one, there being included such stalwarts as Peri Murray (Matakana)) Te Kakau (Rangatana) and Vincent (Cadets). All are, topnotch players in their respective tea m s. Senior Representatives The senior representative team is as follows: Full-back: N. Smith (Old Boys). Three-quarters: . W. D.ashwood (Cadets), B. Kahotea (Rangataun), and A. Tata (Judca). Five-eights: B. Te Kani (Rangatana' and J. Gardiner (Matakana). Half-back: Rol'eston (II at alcana). Back row: T. Kakau (Ra:igataua). Li iridic row: H. Lennox (Old Boys), '?. Murray (Matakana). P. Murray (Matakana) and Heard (Old Boys). Front row: C. Togo (Judea). T. Ririnr.i (Rangataua) and Vincent (Cadets). Emergencies.— Packs: J. Faulkner and IX Nicholas (Rangataua) and R. Turner (Cadets). Fcrws:fs: D. Maltkews (.Tudea), Phillips (Rangataua) and B. Tukaki (Mai alcana). Tho five junior trams in 'he sabnrion's competitions*..have all a fair share of representation in the side to play V/.aihi juniors on Monday and there appears, from recent games, tha': thove is some good blood in the team. It also has to bo cb ; served tent there is a greater choice this yea.'.'. The Cad.at junior team put up an improved ncr/arm rn.ee en Saturday when they beat College in (he deciding match for the Creeu -Cup 'and, being .undefeated, wins tha ccinpetition. It was apparent that the Cadet rearguard, ably led by R. Emmett, was not going to give T. Rcweti and J. Nicholls, second fiveeighth and centre three-quarter,

respectively, for College, any chance. These' two College boys are a dangerous pair on the football Held as has be: :i illustrated on ' past occasions, bul they wore effectively bottled up on Saturday. A Great Worker On (ho day, E. Denby, the Cadet hooker, wo-- the greatest worker and hi': inclusion in the representative team i■■, well justified. His try on [Mturday was certainly a jusi reward for his efforts. Tlic.ro is no doubt that Smith, the Old Boys full-back, excelled in the game against Matnkana. Each ball we: taken cleanly and his line kicking waa a treat, this young player being a tewer of strength to his side which had great odds in tho heavier opposing pack. Ken. Cram was a hard-woikiiv- forward for Old Boys and deserves consideration by the selectors. Peri Murray, following

on previous successes, .again came to light with two tries for Matakana. and in the tight other Matakana players were prominent. The Matakana backs' were well marked tend poor handling and passing resulted in many a golden opportunity being missed. Another Old Boys player who excelled on defensive tactics was Jim Raymond, a winger, who did more than his shave of this work.

Ran gat an a seniors had Jmlaal troubled when they met on the Wh.xrepai ground and though the latter loam has wen the first competition, it appears that in future games, this side will be hard put to it in an endeavour to uphold the reputation built up in -past years. The draw for to-morrow is as fellows: — Sanson Coinpct ifion O d Boys v. Rangatann, No. 1> ground, 2.4 5 p.m. Matakana v. Cadets, No. 2'ground, 2.45 p.m. .Turkm fierier.

Ran gat an a v Ccl'cs?, 1.20 p.m. Nc. 1 ground. Judea v. Old Boys, Na. 2 ground, 1.20 p.m.

Tliird Grade

Carets v. Cclloa-o, 12.15 p.m. No l prbuad. .

Jan lor Tie present" 1 i

Tin junior rorvosenlativo team is an fellows:—-

Full-back: R. Emmett (Cadets)

Three-quarters: Walker (Ranga-taua),-J. Nicliolls (College) and Tala (Judea).

Five-eighths: T. Rewoti (College)

and P Hnrawirn. (Rang:.! tana). Half-back: W. Brcmncr (Old Crys).

Earn: row: Alack (Judea). Middle 'row: G. Clarice (Old C-y.'O, Granby (Cadets), B. Walker (Rangataua) and R. Wells-. (College ).

Front row: E. Den by (Cadets), J. Weis (Old Boys) and P. Rivinui (Rangataua).

Emergencies: O. Mackay, Robinson, F. Rahiri, Bennett and C. Kakau. >