RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 135, 30 July 1941, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

COMPETITION FINALS SATURDAY'S MATCHES The finals in the senior and junior competitions are scheduled for Satn urday and both matches arc to be played at Te Teko. At 1.30 p.mi. Western Drain and Otakiri juniors meet, while at 3 p.m. Edgecumbc and Te Teko will try conclusions.

LOSS TO SPORT

PROMINENT RUGBY PLAYER Sergeant Eddie Hoaa t cll avlioso death in the Middl Eas't AA T as recently announced Avent overseas Avith the Second Echelon. He was 1 Avell knoAvn throughout the Bay of Plenty as a fine sportsman and had a remarkable record as regards tennis and football. He held the Maori Single Tennis Championship for a number of years and with his brother Phil, the Doubles Title, Avhile Avith 'the late Rosie Karcpe the Mixed Doubles also came his way. In 1930 Eddie Avas a member of the Combined East CoastBay of Plenty team against the Englishmen at Gisborne. In that season lie represented Poverty Bay and in one' game against Hawke's Bay scored two brilliant tries —one from the half-way mark. The following year Eddie represented HaAA'ke's Bay, playing besida the redoubtable Bert Cooke. On returning to Matata he captained the Rangitaiki team Avhich from 1933 to 1939 played 73 matches without losing a single game, and which lield almost a mortgage on the Hurunu.i Apanui Shield. He also captained the Maori All Black touring team to Fiji and was skipper of the Maori Battalion team that played Papakura-Hopo Hopu at Eden Park last season. In England he was a member of the Maori Battalion team and played for NeAV Zealand against a Welsh combination, scoring a brilliant try. His death is mourned not only by a Avide circle of football enthusiasts but also by his, many friends throughout New Zealand and particularly in Matata AA'here his inspiring leadership on the fields of snort and his engaging personality will be sadly missed.