Rugby Football

Te Puke Times, Volume 25, Issue 51, 26 June 1936, Page 3

Rugby Football

Morrinsville Defeats Te Puke

The representative match between Morrinsville and Te Puke, played at Morrinsville on Saturday last provided some keen and interesting football, and although Te Puke were defeated, they put up a vary creditable performance The day was fine although the ground was heavy, and there was a fair attendance. Mr Mcxcuin, of Morrinsville, controlled the game.

Colours : Morrinsvilie biur&od blt.ck ; Tg Fake red and black. Te Puke won tho toss, and Morrinsville kicked off, play be ing carried back to B:ua 25 Prom a scrum the Blues cleared and took play to the Red 25, where from a scrum F. Kelly and Thompson essayed a passing rush, but were held up, Oorbatt (Te Puke) eventually clearing with a good kick to the centre. From a loose sorum F. Kelly secured land sent tbe leather into Te Puke’s 25, but a free k ck relieved, the ball goiDg out near Morrinsville’s 25, A good chance at goal, taken by Davis, just missed, and play was removed to the centre. The Blue’s line wa« in daDger when Richmond, following up a long kick by Lilias, was stopped near the line, Clark in clearing. A great forward rush by the Blues transferred play, but Richmond stemmed the rush. A free kick to the Blue’s failed. Give and tike play resulted until Kelly (Te Puke) made a dash up the line and kicked well up, Lilias just failir g to reach the tall to sco:e. The Reds attacked strongly and kept play in their opponents territory, where an infringement gave Morkel a chance, and he made no mistake. Te Puke 3 Morrinsville ' 0 Short, sharp forward rushes was the order for some time, both sides having a turn, although slightly in favour of Morrinsville. A fine back movement by the Blues just failed through faulty handling, Te Puke clearing from a scrum ; but a free kick to the B ues, netted a goal (Leece), and half time was called with the scores. * Morrinsville 3 “ Te Puke 3 From the whistle Morrinsville attacked strongly, with forward rushes and back movements.' and from one of the latter Faulkner raced over to score the first try for Blues. The kick failed. Morrinsville 6 Te Puke 3 Blue’s continued to attack, and kept play in Te Puke’s 25, until a penalty kick relieved. From the oentre F. Kelly makes a deter- j mined run to the red line, but lost the ball. Bell, however, snapped up, and ran over unopposed* The kick failed. Morrinsville 9 Te Puke 3 Morrinsville kept up the attack and gave the Reds little rest. Tbe baok movements of the Blues were beginning to tell, and it was only stubborn defence that prevented several scores. Lilias cleared from a mark, and immediately after Davies cut in and transferred to Kelly who went well up the line to the Blue 25, but was held up. Play went back to the Red 25 in a series of rushes, where from a line-out F, Kelly went over, tbe major points being added by Wilton. Morrinsville 14 Te Puke 3 Again a minute later, a baok movement by tbe Blues gave Birch an opening, and with a beautiful swerving run he streaked over the line. The kiek again failed, , Morrinsville 17 Te Puke 3 Mixing things a little the Blues made it very willing, and hammered at the Red line, missing scores on several occasions by the narrowest of margins. They were having things all their own way when the whistle sounded with the final scores— Morrinsville 17 Te Puke 3 Visitors Entertained The Te Puke Rugby Union representatives were enter ained at dinner at the Nottingham Castle , Hotel by the Morrinsville Rugby i Union. Mr M. Davieß (captain ■ of the Te Puke team) complii mented the referee (Mr Moxcum) i on the manner in which he had > controlled the game, and he was ■ sure h'.rt team bad enjoyed the i [vpruUcg «nd friendly spirit that * hid been e 1 *’ lent throughout Mr i 0. Montgomery (manager) in pro- ? nosing the toast of “The Host” - (Mr R, H dges) said members of f the team had er joyed themselves, i and would carry away with them 3 happy memories (although defeat--3 ed) of a very fine match, and excellent entertainment, Thojj

would endeavour lo reciprocate likewise when Morrinsville; played tbe return match. Mr Hodges, replying to tho toast, said it had been a pleasure for him to be host to the Te Puke team. He was an old Te Pu koite bimst-lf, and was still interested ia its welfare. He wished tho team a safe journey home. After the toast of "The King” had been proposed and duly honuered, the team left for home at 7.15 p m.