FIFTY YEARS AGO

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 173, 29 October 1941, Page 5

FIFTY YEARS AGO

RUGBY MATCH AT TAURANGA

The following cxlract from the Bay of Plenty Times of fifty years makes interesting reading. The Tauranga team was really a Bay rep. team, Katikati, Rotorua, Tauranga, Matata, Opotiki and Whakatane having clubs at that time. Joe Warbrick Avas the referee. The match was played in 1891 and the extract reads:— "The following are the teams which played in the Auckland versus Tauranga match last Saturday. Auckland: C. Stitchbury, J. Cole, J. Breen (captain), F. Peace, Tanfield, E. Pearce, F. Brady, C Marshall, J. Poland, Airey, Williamson, Williams, Beamish, Gordon and Leathart. Tauranga: C. Clarke, F. Robertson, W. Robinson, F. Burt, G. Morris, W. Home, H. Tanner (captain), J. Haua, A. Haua, J. Tanner, G. Sutherland, A. Johnston, S. ' Darragh, Rawiri and Swainson. The match was played in two forty-fives and the utmost good feeling prevailed throughout. When the opposing teams walked out from the pavilion they were lustily cheered and after the usual form of welcome commenced play. For breaches of the rules free kicks were awarded to both sides, but Auckland was the greater transgressor, especially in the scrums, where they repeatedly handled the ball. The referee cautioned Breen for allowing his men to do this and imposed the pennltj'", still Auckland did not stop. Right through the match they carreid on this 'finer point' business when there was the least show, but Tauranga forwards were too good for them and had the best of every scrum. "Both teams played exceptionally well. Criss gave Pearce an eyeopener as to how to demolish the tricks of a centre half, while Darragh did as good a work as any player in the team. H. Tanner played a great game. Burt was the cleanest and surest back on the field; he saved his side repeatedly. "The final score to this exciting match was Tauranga 5 and Auckland 4." F. Burt, mentioned in the foregoing report may be readily recognised as Mr F. J. Burt, of Matata, though fifty years has passed, still takes a keen interest in Rugby being an executive member of the Rangitaiki Union and the "father" of the Matata Club. His interest has not only been confined to Rugby and his record as an allround athletic is outstanding.