FOOTBALL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3383, 18 July 1927, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

Iu a recent match Millers Flat turn ed the tables on Roxburgh East; and incidentally put themselves leA'el Avith that club in banner points. Millers Flat, where the Tuapeka seven-a-side tournament is to be held on August 6th, is fortunate in possessing a very fine sports ‘ground of seven acres- It is as flat as the pro verbial pancake and Avell-turfed. They have tAvo fine football fields; a sports track and a hockey ground all in the one enclosure.

Matakanui 7 v Alexandra 3. Inteleot in the meeting of the above two leading teams for the premiership Avas so great that there was a record gate at Alexandra on Saturday, Avhen visitors were present from all parts of the district- Some came {vovn as lav away as Roxburgh’, all Matakamii Avas there (so one of their supporters assured me), while Moa Creek, Poolburn and Lauder were all Avell represented. And the big crowd Avere rewarded by a most, interesting game betAveen two very even teams. Matak. Avon by seA'en to three, but they got their last three points Avhen time Avas up (it Avas quite in order, but could easily have been prevented by finding the line, but the home team took the risk in a last desperate chance to pull the game out <ff the fire) and the. score i —3 Avas a fair indication of the game. Both sides missed chances and if Hannay s hefty boot had been as reliable as usual there might have been another story to tell. That little “if” again. However, the winners deserved their win and they Avere congratulated on all sides. The losers too are to be congratulated on their good showing- They are two fine club teams all right. The game was played in a very good spirit, a fact that Avas very favourably commented on by the spectators. The teams lined out as follows —

Matakanui (Blue) — Full-back, JMoran; J J Alexander, J. Haig, W. Young; •§-, Walker and Frk. Donnelly, T. (Houston ; forAvards, R. Kenning, Winter, P. Moran, J. Donnelly, W. Wilson, W. (Houston, M. Flannery, E. Naylor (wing). Alexandra (Green) Full-back, 11. Campbell ; Frater, Booth, Hannay; 5, W. Campbell, D. Provan; A, Sep. Tohill; forwards, Noble (3), Wragge, S Carline, Anderson, Gardner, A. Marslin (Aving).

The visitors won the toss, the advantage of a light breeze, whil e the home team had the disadvantag® ot the sun in their eyes- The Green 9 were soon in an attacking position* but a free kick to Matakanui brought relief. Tom Clouston gained ground for his side, tut a good rush by the Green’s recovered the lost groundFrom just inside halfwty Hannay had a place kick which fell short, and FDonnelly returned with a great punt past the halfway The next incident of note was a dashing run by Booth. He beat three opponents and punted nicely past the full-back over the line and raced up and dived on the ball. From the press tabic it looked like a try, but a force was awarded as the player did not touch the leather. Boo:h himself says the referees decision was right. It was hard luck as the effort deserved reward. Both full hacks were getting plenty to do, and they were playing like champions Frank Donnelly made his supporters by cooly seizing an opportunity to pot a nice goalMatakanui i, Alexandra 0.

Moran returned the kick out well, and Prater saved splendidly, while Tohill and then Booth gained ground. Clouston sent his backs away on a nice rush, when a bad pass to Haig spoiled a royal chance. Provan got his side out of trouble, and a punt by Hannay gained a lot of ground. Ihe Blue forwards headed by Naylor, Moran and Donnelly, were putting in some great rushes, but the Greens were defending well. Hannay made a good attempt to land a penalty from a long way out, and the spell ended shortly afterwards- On changing ends the pace increased, the Greetis taking full advantage of the light breeze, were phiving to the centre and they attacked spiritedly for some time The defence war sure, however but the visitors had an anxious time. Jim Noble, who followed up well all day, was a nuisance to the opposing backs, collaring more than one of them in possession. The Bines were being frequently penalised and from one of these, Hannay put flip leather between the uprights. Matakanui I, Alexandra 3-

F. Donnelly, Naylor, Clouston and Alexander were conspicuous in some good play by the visitors, and W. Campbell saved. Hanuay was nearly over from a passing rush, when Alexander got him Alexandra’s last chance was when Booth went out of touch in a clash for the line. The Blues were having their share of attack. F. Donnelly was nearly over from a passing rush, and the same player later missed a pot from a handy position. Just on time lorn Clouston made a good [attempt with a penalty- Frater secured, and ran, his pass going astray, W. Cloustpn dived over to score at the corner- Tom Clouston just missed, and the match ended Matakanui 7, Alexandra 3. Hr JU* Tjjowas tv us refers.

Earnscleugh 3, Alexandra 0. As a curtain-raiser to (he big game the B-grade match Earnscleugh v Alexandra was playedMuch interest was taken in the game, and the barracking was great. The win of Earnscleugh was a popular one. The first spell was very even, but the lads from the country had all the best of the second. The only score was a penalty goal, a fine kick by Scott- Mr W. King was referee. VINCENT COUNTY TEAM The following team has been selected to represent Vincent in the Topp Cup match against Tuapcka at Cromwell on Saturday—Full-back, R. Campbell (A.); i, Booth (A ) F. Donnelly (M), Hannay (A) ; five-eights, W. Campbell (A) D Pro van (A); half, Waldron (W) forwards, Jelley (C), Kenning (M), P. Moran (M), A- MarsVin (A), 5. Donnelly (M), D. Campbell (T), Ball (C), E. Naylor (M, wing, capt.l Emergencies, backs, Alexandra (M) Frater (A); forAvards, McElroy (Clyde) Jones (T).