FOOTBALL.

Te Puke Times, 2 September 1919, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

TEPUKEB,PAENGAROA6.

The above teanis met'on'No. 2 ground on Saturday, and after a splendid match Te Puke won by the narrow margin of two points. When the teams took the field it looked a hopeless task for. the local team to win, and the general opinion; ruled that Paengaroa would turn the tables on Te Puke and win easily, But the unexpected happened, and with good dashing play by McGeehan, Austin, Bannatyneand Morton, defeat was turned to victory. ! From the kick-off Paengaroa made things warm and a few minutes after play commenced scored near the corner. Shortly after, by a succession of passing bouts, they again scored in the corner. Both kicks failed to add the extra points. Te Puke, who were only playing thirteen men, rallied, and pushing the visiting forwards down the field, strenu, ously endeavoured to score. From some loose play McGeehan broke away and, dribbling the ball'outpaced his opponents and;scored near the posts, Austin added the major points.. Half-time was called with theßcores |V; ;; ; l Paengaroa !...;..•..7... ..,■ 6 TePuke ..v........,...5 The second half was a fa3t and willing go, and despite the fine passing by the visiting back?, and the heroic effort) of Joh sstone Komo Tapaell and Rogers to score, Te Puke held thmn with sheer doggeduess. iVlcGe hit. and Austin made the game fast and furious and fairly ran the Paengaroa team off its legs, getting away time and again in fast loose play. Following up one ot these dashes the ball was kicked to touch. A scrum followed, and Austin securing, passed to McGeehan'on the "blind," who crossed the line and scored between the posts. The kick failed, Paengaroa made troj an efforts to score, but could not over-come the defence. The game ended TePuke..;.;;.....;..;..!,.^

Paengar0a.......... .■"...■.;.. 6 Mr Van Asch was in charge of the game,

The match between the Rangiuru and Rangatawa Clubs, also played on Saturday, proved' a close and strenuous game. The play was fairly open in the first half, but in the second, it developed into a struggle between the forwards, and the backs hardly got a chance. The only score throughout was a try gained by Rangiuru, the : major points not being added by the kick at goal. MrCooney had charge of the game, which was fought out in the best of spirits.

The following representative team has been selected to play against Rotorua at Te Puke on Saturday next :- Austin Wihapi, R, Rogers, McGeehan. McEwen Asher, Kokiri, K. Rogers, A. Gray, Tapeta, Gardiner, Iraia. P. Tamihana, M. Gray, Morton.

■ Emergencies: T. Nairi (back), J. Nairi (forward).

Tlw above match is causing a good deal, of excitement among football enthusiasts throughout the district, and the gate on Saturday should be a record one, Although the Te Puke Union had a big margin to spare in the Kusabs Cup match against Rotorua, the game was very fast and even. The visiting team has been (rainiog.hard, and though there is little doub\ locally, of the result, still a real good exhibition of Rugby may be looked forward to;