UNITED SECTION.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIX, Issue 737, 10 June 1907, Page 5

UNITED SECTION.

The match between Norsewood and Takapau, played at Norsewood on Saturday, proved to be the most exciting and interesting game played this season, the home team just winning in the call of time by three points to nil. Takapau, on account of tlieir defeat of Ormondville last Saturday, took the iield as strong favorites, but from the very commencement of the game the blacks showed that, there were most decidedly two in it, and it would have heen very hard luck for them had they been defeated. In the first spell Norsewood, with the sun behind them, had decidedly the best of the game, and for the most part were on the Takapau side of half-way. Several times they looked like scoring as the result of loose rushes, but hard kicking and a consequent forcedown saved Takapau invariably. It was the second spell that kept the large number of spectators at the highest tension of excitement, as the ball went from end to end, first one side looking like scoring and then the other. With five minutes A p go Gray scored for Norsewood but even then it looked as if Takapau might vet make a draw of it or win, as thoy made a great effort and in the short space of time left twice might have scored with just a little bit of luck. The game was by no means a good exposition of Rubgy, the handling of the ball being very faulty on both sides, and passing in their own twenty-fives and speculative kicks seemed to be the order of the day, but it was a most exciting game, and the best team won on the day. Of the winning backs Hughes stood out by himself, but was ably assisted by Freeman and Gray, who both worked hard, the last named thoroughly deserving his try, but it was the Norsewood forwards who won the match. They are a fast lot, and will givo the other teams a lot -of trouble before the end of the season. Mi rst, especially on the line-out, Dunnage (2), Harwood and Cantwell were most noticeable. For Takapau it was tht backs who performed best. Pa oapa, Sheppard, Rawiri and Ferguson were not afraid to go down to ruslie and saved their side repeatedly. The forwards were, however, outclassed, but McKay and S "fert deserve special mention. Air H. J. Newling was referee, and his decisions met with the satisfaction of both sides, although to one who had not attended + he match it might appear otherwise, as the referee left tlie ground with » black eye. tile result of a collision with one of the players. The following teams have been selected to play at Ormondville nest Saturday with a view to picking the sections' representatives:— A Tsam. Full back, Panapa; three-quarters, Rendle, Hughes, Freeman ; five-eighth Wilson ; half, W. Chadwick ; wings, T. Ellingham and Ayres ; forwards, B. Dunnage, H. Adams, McKay, Howard, Benbow, Cantwell, and J. Cole. B team: Full-back, Rawiri; three-quarters, Shepperd, Ferguson, Buchan; five-eight, W. Little; half, Adsitt ; wings, Gray and R. Dunnage ; forwards, Seifort, A. Dunnage, Hirst, Marsh, Devereaux, W. Cole, and R. Chadwick. Any of the above unable to play are requested to let Mr Fulton, of Norsewood, the secretary, know at once. There is a decided agitation in Norsewood just now to form a Recreation Ground on the Domain Board lease. Up to the present the cricket teams have had to play on the school reserve, and the footballers on a paddock kindly lent by Mr Nordbye. It is quite time a movement was made in that direction.

The following team will represent the Dannevirke Juniors against Aotea on Wednesday next at 3 p.m. : — Brown, Stratford, Coldstream, Scanlon. Ayson, Collett, Setford, Williams, Drummond. Liddle, Coldstream, Pearson. Moiitt, Reynolds, Picard. Emergencies : Mackay and Hies. The following will represent the Excelsior junior team in their match against Woodville on Wednesday: — Edwards, Hawkins, Hill, Bartlett, Drinkwater, McDonald, Donaldson, Hill, Howe, McKerney, Elliott, Patterson. Simmonds. Smith, Mercott ; reserves. Whaler, Thompson. Team leave liy 12.55 train.