Surprisingly Good Work in Final Rugby Trial

Te Puke Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 48, 28 June 1949, Page 1

Surprisingly Good Work in Final Rugby Trial

Changes Made In Teams MELTON HOOKS BALL CLEANLY The senior rugby -game a.t Jamieson Oval on Saturday was an A and B tidal game from which the sole selector (Mr A. E. Spratt.) made his decision in providing the representative team to play Opotiki in the elimination round for the* To ILurunui Apanui Shield on Saturday next, and a B team to compete for the M oore Shield. As is usual in games of this type, play Was not particularly interesting from a team point of view, but much surprisingly good work was seen. The Blues opened the scoring with a penalty kick and thereafter penned the Reds for some time ,a force relieving for them. A notable feature was that the Blues secured the .ball from the scrum (Te Whiti, Melton and Koru in the front row) twice to every time it was heeled by Willis, Ahomiro and Ogilvie, who comprised the Red front row. The game was mainly tight for the first spell, though there were patches of passing rushes which could not be called impressive. Tackling was very sound by both sides and both sets of forwards Were fast up in spoiling play. For the Reds, Searle opened play ■from a loose ball and went thrbugh a gap to hand on to Denize, who raced away unopposed. Maxwell converted and Red led by 5 points to 3. Shortly after, Pattie, who was playing a spectacular roving game, broke through and made a strong run to score under the posts. Koru missed the kick and the Blues were again im front, 6-5. Sutton missed a pass for Reds and Mortensen was up to secure it and race away for another three points with Koru converting. The half time score was Blue 11, Red 5 In the first spell the Reds lined out as follows: Backs—T. Fugle; M. Denize, D. Searle, G. Sutton; S. Wihapi, L, Rewcti; P. Shepherd. Forwards—D. Wills, W. Ahomiro, J. Ogilvie; J, Jamieson, D. Hughes, M. Cawte, M. Maxwell; K. Cram. There opponents in Blue jerseys were: Backs—J. Anderson; W. Mortensen, J. Kokiri, E. Vercoe; B. Williams, G. Kingi; P. Cram. Forwards —W. Te Whiti, E. Melton, Koru; J. Pattie, D. Dinsdale, W. Morris, A. Ross; D. Falwasser. Many changes were made at half time and for the Reds (now the rep team), Searle went to fullback, Fugle was brought up to the wine, Maxwell placed at centre. The forward changes also made a difference in the run of play, with Morris, Melton and Willis working very cleanly in the front row. Denize scored for the Reds who were now securing the. ball and throwing it about. This made the Blues 11 and Reds 8. In the backs on the field, Denize stood out as a most capable player in his handling, anticipation and determination. This was exemplified at this juncture when Rewcti intercepted a pass and Denize was right up with him to lake a pa s and race over. Maxwell converted and the Reds led 13 points to 11. The Reds scored the final points when Rewcti kicked the ball straight into Mortensen's hands when he should have passed, as he was well supported. Mortensen in turn kicked, but Denize was once again in position to take a clean but difficult catch. He made ground and when tackled made a very decisive transfer to Willis who rushed over, the game concluding: BEDS 16, BLUES 11 Mr R. Turner was the referee.

PUTARURU AND TE PUKE JUNIORS DRAW

VISITING THIRD GRADES SOUNDLY BEATEN

Te Puke Thirds found themselves matched against a different team, judged by last year’s standard, when they met Putaruru on Saturday. The age and weights in Putaruru are higher, and when they lined up they certainly looked formidable. Te Puke were very much at sea after their bus trip (and dinner) and Putaruru were soon over.

In the first half the home team rattled on 18 points against little concerted action from Te Puke. The second half showed the true worth of the third grades. Putaruru did not cross the visitors' line, and Te Puke scored twice. It was a fighting recovery of which they should be proud. Their points came in the later stages of the second half, by which time they had control of the game. From a handy position the ball went along the back line to D. Basham, who could have scored, but passed to Hiini who went over unopposed. Shortly after this, Puata went over to score. Neither kick was successful. The pick, of the Te Puke forwards was Jensen who, with determined following up and tackling, spoiled promising Putaruru movements. Puata .Page and Ronald were never far from the centre of activities. Had the rest of the backs tackled half as well as David Basham, Putaruru might never have crossed the line. Of the rest of the backs, who were never a happy combination, P. Gray and McCausland were the best. Final score: PUTARURU 18, TE PUKE 6 Putaruru fielded a strong junior team against Te Puke on Saturday, but not of such a high standard as that which played here last year. It was an excellent trial for some new blood in the reps. Ngatai at half, in the first spell, served his backs well and set them going at every opportunity. M. Tapsell had a run on the wing where he did very well. Roderick and Dickson, in the forwards, did all that was asked of them. Despite ' the heavy going after a shower of rain earlier, Te Puke went into the attack immediately and opened up play with two passing rushes which went to the wings. Before ten minutes had passed they had scored from a backline movement from a scrum when Stichbury went over. Putaruru retaliated immediately with some vigorous dribbling rushes and scored when a Te Puke clearing kick hit the goalpost and was deflected so that Bocan (Put.) gathered it in to go over. P.ye, full back, kicked an excellent conversion. After 30 minutes’ play, mostly midfield, with vigorous thrusts to either goal, Butler added three points with a nicely kicked penalty. The thrill of N the the game came when Gray intercepted on/ the halfway line to sprint 50 yards to go over untouched. Butler was successful with the kick. The game was quiet until half time with the score: Te Puke 11, Putaruru 5 Early in the second spell, Pye (Put.) kicked a penalty to bring their score to 8. The next movepient saw Gray score but the referee awarded Putaruru a penalty. From this point the home team played a vigorous forward game, and keeping the ball tight, penned Te Puke fairly well on their line. When Putaruru were successful with another penally and the scores were even, the pace of both sides increased, but Te Puke’s defence held, on two occasions penalties relieved the pressure on the red and blacks, but they could not again get into a striking position. For Te Puke, Stichbury and Gray scored and J. Butler converted one and kicked a penalty. For Putaruru Brian scored, Rye converted and kicked two penalties. Gray, at second five, played his usual game and it was not long before the spectators judged his work. Stichbury was very sound in all phases of the game, Cameron found the line on a couple of occasions to save sticky situations. The honour in. the forwards in this game went to Hansen for good allround play, and to Butler, who gained ground from some excellent line kicks. It is very pleasing to note that no serious weakness was revealed in any position on the field cither at Matata or Putaruru and should the majority of these players be available for the trip lu Rotorua on July 9, Te Puke should make a strong bid for the Shalfoon Shield. Final score: PUTARURU 11. TE PUKE 11