LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume XV, 22 May 1931, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NGARUAWAHIA 11 v HUNTLY 8.

The above game, played at Ngaruawahia on Saturday created quite an interest amongst foil were of the code and a fair attendance resulted. The , in the opening stages of the , same was very close; but in the seecixi spell both sides endeavoured to open up the game and play became more interesting and exciting. The Game, , The teams lined out as follows Ngaruawahia—W. Abbott, K< j Hil h Wilson, Tittleton, Hall, E. , hott, Laird, Chapman, Mcßnr ’ Menzies, Mason, Payne. t Huntly Davies, J. Whors Scott, Smith, Pitt, D. Whor: Knight, Jones, Geary, Timms, T vetter, R. Stephneson, Stephenso , Jones set the ball rolling for H t who immediately rushed play t Ngaruawahia 25 where an inf ment was awarded and Abbott found the line near halfway. From the ensuing scrum Ngaruawahia carried ■ P’ay to the visitors’ quarter. After an exchange of kicks between the fullbacks Mason marked and with a good kick had Huntly worried. From an ; infringement Jones cleared to halfway. After a spell of midfield play Geary intercepted a pass and set his hacks going the ball passing along the chain to J. Whorskey who failed to hold the ball and lost a certain try. Ngaruawahia clearing. The home backs started a passing bout in their opponents’ 25 ending in Kelly being downed in possession near the line; Huntly forcing. A long kick by Huntly was misfield by W. Abbott, but E. Abbott coming up fast made a good save and Scott gathering in the ball carried play to the local territory. The local forwards headed a rush downfield to the Huntly quarter where Mcßurney made a good effort hut sent on a wild pass and Huntly shifted play to halfway. Ngaruawahia were soon back and hard play followed on the Huntly line, the latter forcing. Territorally, Ngaruawahia were having the advantage, but could not press it home. Huntly were awarded a free, but Geary missed with a shot at goal, and Huntly stormed the local line until Ngaruawahia were awarded a penalty from which play was transferred to the opposite end of the field. A hard period of play followed in the Huntly 25 where Kelly secured, beat several men, kicked, and followed up fast with Mcßurney handy, the latter scoring in a handy position. E. Abbott failed with the kick. From the kick off the local backs got going the ball going out to Wilson who kicked to Davies, the latter’s kick going out on the full. Keeping up the pressure, Wilson again secured and made a spirited run to score well out. Abbott's kick missed. Halftime came soon after with the scores: Ngaruawahia 6, Huntly 0. Second Spell, On resuming, Smith intercepted and made a dodgy run before passing to Stephenson whose pass was missed. Ngaruawahia were in difficulties until Hill won a race for the ball and forced. Hard play in the local 25 followed for some time. They were awarded a penalty but the kick was disallowed and from a scrum Stephenson forced his way over to score. Geary converted. Ngaruawahia attacked and carried play to the visitors’ 25. Both sides were trying to open up the game, but the tackling was deadly. Huntly were making desperate efforts to score and Smith and Pitt were conspicuous in some fine solo runs. The visitors started a passing movement, the ball going out to J. Whorskey who raced for the line being stopped ir. the nick of of time. Huntly continued to be aggressive and had the local men penned in their 25, Ngaruawahia eventually clearing to halfway. A good line kick by Davies found touch near the local line and things looked bad for Ngaruawahia until E. Abbott shifted play to safer quarters. From hard play in midfield E. Abbott secured and zig-zagged his way through the opposition to score a brilliant solo try under the posts. G. Hall goaled. The visitors were soon on the attack and a passing rush in the local 25 looked like being successful. Knight had an unsuccessful shot from a penalty. Huntly were persistent and charged downfield when Smith secured and worked his way to score. Geary failed with the kick. Ngaruawahia now attacked and made a great effort in front of the visitors’ goal, where the local were awarded a penalty, but failed to increase the score. The game ended soon after with the scores:— Ngaruawahia 11, Huntly 8. Mr, McGuire was referee.