OKAIAWA (6) v. WAIMATE (0).

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 21 May 1923, Page 8

OKAIAWA (6) v. WAIMATE (0).

This match was p ]ayed on the Manaia ground, and created a good deal of interest, there being a large attendance. The ground and ball were greasy, and this was against a first-class display of football, but, allowing for these disadvantages, the piay was not up to the standard expected. Okaiawa did not play nearly so well_ as on the previous Saturday, the main fault among the backs being the faulty passing, the passes being generally too high to bo taken. The first spell resolved itself into a straggle between the two sets of forwards, and Waimate, aided by the \ wind, held the advantage practically throughout. The blue backs were also handling the ball well, and Okaiawa had a busy time defending their line. I). Johnston saved the situation with a clever mark,-and Okaiawa shifted play up the field, where Waimate were penalised, and R. .Roberts had a shot at goal, but the ball struck a blue forward and went out. From the throwin Okaiawa pressed, but a .knock on 1 spoiled a good onening. Play veered [up and down the field, a succession of high kicks ending in B. Roberts marking, but no advantage was gained, the ball going into touch. Then ensued a fine forward rash by the Waimate forwards, Tuki saving with a good line ■kick. Back came Waimate, and Tuki again saved in the nick of time by kicking straight out into touch. From the thrown-in Hughes marked and had a shot at goal, but failed to find the bar. From a scrum on the 25 line Waimate got off-side, and Atkins gained ground with a line kick. From the thrcw-in Waimate rushed down to Okaiawa's line, and, D. Johnston slipping, things looked dangerous for Okaiawa, but" Waimate again got offside, and Okaiawa found relief from the ensuing penalty. The Okaiawa forwards now took a turn at attack, and with Linn in the lead carried play, right up the field. The advantage was only temporary, however, Waimate almost immediately reversing the position. Tuki, the Okaiawa full, in evading an opponent, ran back over his own line, where he slipped and fell, a five-yard scrum being ordered. Okaiawa managed to clear, and the spell ended without any score having been registered. From the kick-off Okaiawa was penalised, and Hughes narrowly missed kicking a goal, the ball falling jusE alongside the bar. From the kick-out R. Roberts centred, Waimate marking and working back to midfield. From a scrum Okaiawa heeled out, Atkins sending the ball out to B. Roberts, who transferred to R. Roberts, who got over but lost the ball, and Waimate torced. Okaiawa were now forcing the pace, and thrice in quick succession th« ball went over Waimate's line, one* going mto touch-in-goal, and Waimate forcing twice. Okaiawa backs got going, a good passing rush ending in Guy being well taken by McLeod right on the line. Attack, after attack on the blue citadel was only frustrated by the deadly tackling by Waimate, but the latter were again compelled to find relief by forcing. Okaiawa still attacked, and attempts to pot were made by R. Roberts and Atkins, neither being sueC? Ssfllr]i" From some loose forward Play T. Harris picked up, and, after a good dash, sent the ball out to Guy, who raced over near the corner. R. Roberts made a good attempt to conJu rt\ • ? kaiawa ?, Waimate 0. From H* /Vi, ? ut J aimat« canied nlay up the held, but Okaiawa swept back Waimiite forcing. Waimate 'kicked out, Okaiawa re turning, the ball goin^ into touch-ui-goal. Shortly after resuming Waimate were penalised, and R. Roberts kicked a fine goal. Okaiawa 6, Waimate 0. Almost immediately upon resuming R. Roberts had another shot from a penalty, but failed, the ball going into touch-in-goal. Waimate kicked out and took play up the field, where time was called with the ball in Okaiawa's territory. Mr. A. Neilson controlled the game.