LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume XV, 10 October 1930, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

DR AFFIX CUP M ATCH NGARUAWAHIA 3 v HUNTLY' 0. A re-challenge for the Draffin Cup was played on Saturday at the local ground between Ngaruawahia, holdis. and Huntly, challengers, and resulted in a hard 1 ought game from start to finish, the result being in doubt until the final whistle sounded. There were many individual flashes of brilliance by players of both teamsuut the most outstanding player-'On the field was Laird, who was well supported by Kelly, Wilson, E. Abbott and Williams; whilst for the losers. Miki, Scott and Rayner were prominent. The Game. E. Abbott kicked off against a strong wind and Whorskey carried )lay back to Ngaruawahia's 25 where in infringement occurred and from .he free kick that followed Rayner ticked out at * blue’s corner ‘ rom the scr liams broke away iut was r-j rte 4, and Huntly ’.gain c: -id the blues vere co. fter much or ward p. Stephenson started a dri .sh and Timms vas nearly ovt .mg well stopped »' W. Abbott. I* or offside play the •eds were awarded a free kick and layncr had an unsuccessful shot at ?oal. Ngaruawahia now had a turn >t attack, the ball coming out from Abbott to Williams, who short punted and Laird took up the attack and •arried play right to Huntly’s line .vhere Rayner saved, kicking downed past halfway. Abbott secured he ball front the scrum and sent his .acks away, but a knock-on spoilt a ikely movement as Tittleton had a airly clear run. The Huntly forvards, headed by Stephenson, started mother of their dribbling rushes, but -aird relieved the position with a good dek; and from a melee in midfield Menzies dribbled through the pack md kicked past Rayner, who just nanaged to get possession in time, as S. Abbott who had followed up fast vould have scored a certain try. Play icw remained in midfield till the vhistle blew for halftime with no core on either side. Second Half.

From the start of this spell the fluntly forwards began to press, but he defence proved solid, W. Abbott ticking right into Huntly’s 25. From he scrum, G. Hall gained possession md cross-punted for G. Tittleton to un up, take the ball on the full, and •core a well-deserved try. His own :ick at goal which was on a fairly ‘ifficult angle, just fell short in front f the posts. Ngaruawahia were now •oing the forcing, and their forwards leaded by Laird, carried play to Hunty’s line where Rayner was again ailed on to save his side, which he lid just in time as Wilson grassed lim. A fine breakaway by Miki earned play right into blues’ territory, >ut offside play by Timms gave Menies a shot at goal that was unsuccessul; the ball going to Whorskey who vas downed by Williams before he •ould get rid of the leather. What coked like a dangerous passing movenent by Huntly was well stopped by •Villiams who intercepted a pass and ook play to within twenty yards of he reds’ line, where Scott was responible for a good save. The play now lecame a tussle between the two sets >f forwards, and from a ruck the ball ■ame out to Abbott who sent Kelly tway, but this player was pushed out >f play in the reds’ 25. After much ip and down play the final whistle flew leaving Ngaruawahia winners f the Draffin Cup for the 1930 season, if ter a hard and well fought game. Mr. McKevin, of Auckland was eferee.