FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 August 1924, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

TARANAKI BEAT MAXAWATE. EXCITING TUSSLE. WON ON CALL OF TIME. Very considerable interest was taken in the Manawatu fixture at Stratford yesterday, though few expected the thrilling contest that eventuated when the local men, playing very fine football, notched a narrow victory just before time was called. The ground was heavy in parts, and made footing difficult, but considering every condition the game was extraordinai’ily fast and full of interest throughout." Tne teams took the field as follow: MANAWATU (Green and White). Marsh. Law, Mullins, Bailey. McDonald, Cook. Earle. McDonald. Carroll, Boddv, Br yce, Anderson, Staite, Tyree, Galpin. TARANAKI (Amber and Black). Coutts. a Ross, Ennis, McGregor. Johnston, Oliver. Jeffries. O’Rorke. Fry day, Walter, Kivell, Robinson. Paterson, Hunt, Kissick.

Manawatu kicked off from the eastern end, and for a time pi a3’ was very even. Taranaki forwards rushed down, but the visitors returned, and a slip by Coutts enabled them to swarm down on the line. Earle got the ball away to his backs, but the tackling was very effective. Then Taranaki backs got moving, and in a good position Ross missed a pass, and a chance was lost. Manawatu came back, and the backs set up a fine attack, which Coutts repelled in great style. They continued to attack, and Mullins had a shot from a penalty and just afterwards a pot, both of which failed. A great forward rush headed by Kissick relieved the position, but back once more came the Manawatu pack, Staite and Carroll leading them in determined rushes, and Taranaki forced. From the kick-out Johnston secured, and with McGregor put in a pretty passing rush down the line almost to the corner. The greens retaliated, ana Coutts was called on to save, which he did very effectively. Down the field again went the yellows, Kissick and Fryday leading, and the ball coming out Ross and McGregor were associated in a neat passing rush which almost succeeded. Then Mullins and Law by fine play relieved the pressure, and took nlay to the centre where Oliver sent, out to Johnston’, and / after a fine run by the elusive five-eighth lie repassed to Oliver, and a score looked likely, but air infringement gave the visitors welcome relief. ! Just after the backs again secured, \ nd pretty rush took play right to the line, where Johnston just failed to get across. For a free kick was awarded, and Ennis kicked a fine goal. Taranaki 3, Manawatu 0. From the resumption of play the visitors went upheld in a great dash, and Taranaki defence was well tested. A tree kick gave relief, and Jeffries securing set his backs going and removed play to centre. There Mullins cleverly intercepted and raced upheld, and at the right moment passed to Law, who finished a good run by scoring a fine try. Mullins made no mistake. Taranaki 3, Manawatu o. A great rush by the local forwards was well stopped hv Marsh, and for a time play surged un and down, Taranaki forwards being led by Hunt, Kissick, and Kivell. The hall came out to Johnston, and after a great dash he sent it on to McGregor, hut the winger failed to take, and a great chance was lost. Again tlfe backs got right down to the line, and just lost a try Playing with fine dash, Frvday, Hunt and Robinson fed another determined attack, and the pack rushed right up to the line, where with a penalty Law magnificently lined well upfield. Once more Taranaki attacked, and the ball coming out from Kissick to Johnston lie dashed awirv, and with McGregor raced down the fine, only to miss by failure to take a pass hv'fhe latter. Rack came the greens in a. snorting forward rush, Staite and Carroll again leading. Johnston saved, Kissick put in some excellent dribbling work, coming through with the ball at toe. From a penalty just atter Coutts kicked finely well" past half-way. Manawatu came again, and only good defence by Coutts kept them out. Then McGregor took and put in a good kick. The green backs mulling, Taranaki rushed down, and the hacks set up a hot attack, and with Kissick went close to the line. He was collared, but in a loose rush by the forwards Kivell dived over and scored a good try. Ennis failed. Taranaki 6 Manawatu 5. In the second spell Taranaki rushed up from the kick-off, and Johnston and McGregor were associated in a nice dash. From a line-out Kissick broke away, and dribbling magnificently went right through to the threequarter line. Oliver taking from Jeffries, sent on the ball to Ennis, but the pass was mulled, and Manawatu rushed downfield. Taranaki forwards came up in a slashing rush, and the hall coming out to Ross, the speedv winger dashed through and scored 'at the corner. Ennis again failed. Taranaki 9, Manawatu G. Keeping up the pressure, Kissick and Kivell again k;<J an attack, and play was fast and keen. The delenee ol the greens was good, however, and shortly after their' forwards rushed downfield in great style, Coutts sending them hack with a- finely judged kick. Again lie took, anil rushing up sent on the ball to Johnston, who cut in finely but then lost the ball. McGregor, following up, secured and cross-kicked, and Johnston securing sent on to Ross, who was run out near the corner flag. Manawatu relieved with a great dash, and Earle securing kicked to the ’ line. From the line-out Kissick took and sent it out to Ross, and he made another brilliant dash down the line, and Manawatu shortly after were forced. The yellow forwards were running over their opponents, and the latter had to force again. 'They rushed downfield from the kick-out, hut good kicking sent them hade again, and away once more went the local forwards. Staite intercepting made a great dash to the opposing territory, where 'from a free kick for breach by Kissick Mullins placed a fine goal. Taranaki 9, Manawatu 8. For some time after the kick-out long kicking took place between the opposing backs, till McGregor securing made a nice dash, and from a serum Jeffries set hi# hacks going, Oliver running nicely up and passing to Johnston, who cut in and sent it on to Ennis, and he to Ross, the last-named scoring after a brilliant dash. Ennis failed once more. Taranaki 12, Manawatu 8. Manawatu forwards went- away from the kick-out, and a great struggle took place between the packs. At length Cook hack passed cleverly to Mullins, who ran down and. passing to McDonald, the

latter scored a good try. The kick failed. Taranaki 12, Manawatu 11. With great determination Taranaki forwards rushed upfield. and Manawere hard pressed to avert a score. The hacks, playing with great dash, made a fine rush, McGregor just failing to score. Ennis foolishly tried to pot, and the greens forced. Then they rallied, and went down field in fine style, and Mullins following up well had Coutts in trouble. From a free kick Earle had a shot at goal. Near half-way Mullins intercepted again, and racing downfield passed out to McDonald, who scored a fine try. Mullins converted, and the visitors led Infour points. Taranaki 12, Manawatu 16. With thirteen minutes to go Taranaki made the pace hot, Kissick, Walter, and Ennis being associated in a great* dash to the line, where they lost the ball and the greens forced. The kick was taken by Oliver, who

rushed up and sent the ball to Johnston. He feinted and cleverly beat two men, and then sent it on -to Ennis, who after a nice dash passed to Ross, who finished a brilliant run by scoring in the corner. No goal resulted. Taranaki 15, Manawatu 16. Taranaki now had their opponents penned down, and struggled hard to cross the line" Mullins relieved with a fine kick, but back came the opposing pack, Paterson in the van. With only three minutes to go the local forwards rushed

up to the line, and the ball coming out Johnston, cleverly cutting in. sent the ball on to Oliver, who dashed across and scored the winning try.' The kick failed. Taranaki 18, Manawatu 16. Play veered between the backs for the remaining few minutes, and then going out time was called, leaving Taranaki victors after a great struggle by a narrow margin, the game ending: Taranaki 18, Manawat'u'' 16. Mr H. G. Whittington was referee. 1

The following will represent No. 15 Company (Hawera) Cadets against the Technical High School to-morrow, on show grounds, at 2 p.m.: Busing, Richards, Spragg, Stone, Dowdle, Hoddinott, Woolforcl, Robinson, Wills, Carter, Allen, Fletcher, Ballantyne, Hammond, Rowe; emergencies, Hurley, Clark, Wallace. Referee, Mr W. Grant. THE SENIOR FINAL. HAWERA V. TUKAPA. AT ELTHAM TO-MORROW. It was decided at the Rugby Union meeting last night to play the final at Eltham. The clubs concerned wrote agreeing tnat the locale should be decided by tossing, and Mr Casey had a notice of motion suggesting that the union fix the place. Although the decision by toss had been allowed, it was pointed out that the rules made it incumbent on the union to decide. The motion to abide by the rules wa.s carried, and the place fixed at Eltham on Saturday at 2.45 p.m. In view of the possibility of a wet day no cuf/tain will he played. The arrangements were left in the hands of Mr A. O. Casey.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ MATCH. SOUTH BEAT NORTH. Playing as a curtain-raiser yesterday at Stratford, the South schools team beat North by 15 points to 3. It was an interesting display of football, and was much enjoyed by all present. For South, Hughes, Eaves (2), Greenbanks, and 'Gower scored tries, and Mahraj for the North. A very interesting event in school football will he the primary schools tournament at New Plymouth to-mor-row, when there will be matches between North, South, ■ Central and Coastal teams. In the afternoon the finals will be ulayed. The Hawera. Football Club team to play Tukapa will be picked from the following aftC(r practice this evening:— Sinclair, Lay, Thomas, Whittington, McGregor, Cameron, Paterson, Robinson, Malcolm, Hunt, Paterson. Williams, Sprat t> Osborne, Chadwick, Hoclder, Henry, darvie. ASSOCIATION GAME. Team to represent Hawera juniors v. New Plymouth juniors at Stratford on Saturdav: Leach, Moloney (2), Davies (2),' Barker, Frampton, Phillips, Barion, V.ooght, Hunter. Team will meet at Hawera station. THE LEAGUE GAME. NEW ZEALAND TEST TEAM.

DUNEDIN. Aug. 7. The English and New Zealand Rugby League team si . arrived here to-night and were welcomed by the Otago Rugby Football League and a large crowd on the railway station. Following is the New Zealand team : Full-back —0. Dufty (Auckland). Three-quarters —Stewart or Mullins (Canterbury), Brisbane (Auckland), E. Fitzgerald (Canterbury). Five-eighths —Delgrosso and Stewart (Auckland). Half —Poison (Auckland). Forwards —Will be chosen from the following: O’Brien, Lowry, Herring, Te Whata (Auckland), Mouatt (West Coast), McDonald and Avery (Auckland), Petersen (Canterbury). NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER TO SEND TEAM TO ENGLAND. AUCKLAND, Aug. 8.

Tlie council of the New Zealand Rugby League has instructed the secretary to write . to the English Rugby League, making a definite offer to send an All Blacks team to tour England next year.