FOOTBALL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 62, 28 July 1915, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

Rugby. Championship Final. Tuakau Beats Pukekohe The Pukekohe and Tuakau senior teams met in the final of the championship at Mr Madill's paddock, Tuakau, on Saturday last, both teams had met o*. previous occasions during the sea Eon and there had been very little to choose between either, so increased intereat was attached to Saturday's match. Tbe teams wore constituted as follows, viz. Pukekohe.—l. Lauer, J. Adams, L. Reynolds, J. O'Malley, A. Bilkey, W. Adams, H. Bilkey, (captain), A. Madill, W. Burgesß, B. Smith, O. McLean, I'. Miller, 0. Bilkey and W. Boase. Tuakau.—A. Snieed, B. Lcigbton, W. Dccble, H. lieaton, K. Boyd (captain), B. Maysll, G. Elvidge, J. Geraghty, A. Geraghty, K. 'jlasgow, J. McGuirc, C. Parker, 11. Williams, N. Smeed, M. Lipanovicb. Although it had rained heavily on the night prior to the match tbe ground had dried and was in excellent playing order. Mr A. E. Wetherall, of the Auckland Referee's Association and his decisions gave entire satisfaction. The play was fast and interesting from start to iiniab, and from a spectator's point of view was the best game of tbe season. Fukekohe's representatives held the advantage up to the end of lb? second spell, aad played a dashing game; both forwards and backß alike showing good combination. From then on the Tuakau team made good use of their hookeis, the ball coming clean out of the scrum. This put the Pukekohe backs at a disadvantage. Tbe Tuakau forward; also more than held their own in keeping up the scrum and more often than not pushed their opponnets. Tuakau won the toss and elected to play with the sun at their backs, four spells of 20 minutes each, with a spell at half time were played. The play in the first quarter was of a varied nature, the only importance attached to it being that both sides got acrosß their opponents line, but the ball was forced on each occasion. Both teams showed a keener desire to "get to it'.' in the second quarter and the play livened up considerably. A scrum resulted .in Tuakau's twenty-five, as a result of a Tuakau player "mullir.g" tbe ball from a kick, and H. Bilkey broke away with tbe ball at his toe,'but it waß returned tn halfway, where a scrum was ordered, a I'uakau player having laid on the ball. W. Adams took tbe kick but it fell short. From this on Pukekohe made things lively, but were forced twice in a short period. W. May all, for Tuakau, made a bold attempt to score, and jußt when he looked ilke doing so was overtaken by 0. McLean, who took the ball over the Tuakau line but was again forced. From a rush J. Adams snapped the leather up and after a short run punted to within a few strides of the opposing line, where be again whipped it up and scored. His brother, W. Adams, was entrusted with tbe kick and Bent the ball well within the barsPukekohe 5, Tuskau nil. the end of tho second spell. In the early part of the third qusiter a Pukekohe player was penalised. Lsighton was given the opportunity of improving on several previous attempts, which be did.— Pukekohs 5, Tuakau 3. Tbe fourth and last quarter Baw the leading team on the defensive most of the time. They cleared their line time, and again, but the Tuakau forwards were lasting better and combined well. With only a few imnuteß to go before tbe call of time Tuakau was awarded a free kick, and the ball was sent out near their opponents' goal line, and from the line out the best passing rush of tbe day was witnessed. K. Boyd snapped the ball up and made a splendid opening, and unselfishly he passed to Decble, who in turn sent it on to Lcigbton, the lastnamed crossing the line amidstjmuch cheering, and on being again entrusted with the kick be made another successful attempt. —Tuakau 8, Pukekohe D. The game ended a few minutes later, in Pukekohe teriitory. For tbe winners J. McGuirc, A. Geraghty, Glasgow, Lapanovich and Smced, amongst the forwards, and Leighton, Boyd, Ueeble, Mayall and Elvidge played well; while for Pukekohe T. Lauer, H. Bilkey, J. Adams, W. Adams, and Reynolds were the pick of the backs, and amongst the forwards Boaae, 0. Bilkey, Reynolds and McLean showed up well.