FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 162, 7 June 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

- —«. — Hamilton v. Maaiapoto.

On Saturday last the Maniapoto Rugby Union representatives journeyed to Hamilton to meet the players of the Waikato centre. Unfortunately several of the men chosen for the trip were unable to go and some difficulty was experienced in getting a full team. However, the men were cvrntually got together, and proved to be a good combination. The team left Te Kuiti by the II a.m. train and the members were accompanied by quite a number of supporters.

The weather, which was bad in the morning cleared beautifully later on and though the ground was somewhat heavy the day was an ideal one from a football point of view. The game proved to be a kean struggle and right to the finish it was doubtful with whom would rest the victory.

In the first spell Innes Kerr for the visitors scored a neat try. which was converted by J. Hetet, and the King Country players maintained this advantage until nearly the end of the spell, when Castleton. for Hamilton, scored a try, which was unconverted. The spell thus ended: Maniapoto 5 points. Hamilton 3 points. * The second spell saw the Hamilton players making strenuous efforts to score, and after about fifteen minutes play Castleton scored a try which was converted by Nay lor. making the scores Hamilton 8 points,Maniapoto 5 points. Shortly afterwards the local players again crossed the line with a forward rush and added the third try making their total 11 points. The King Coontry players then set op a fierce attack and keeping the local men on the defensive had them sorely pressed on several occasions. On one occasion Black crossed the line.only to be forced back be for- he coold ground the ball. Eventually H. Rothery dashed across with the leather, and scored an unmistakable try, which was not converted. Strenuous efforts were made to further increase the score, an-1 the visitors were pressing the home team, when the whistle went to cease play, the game finishing in favour of Hamilton by 11 points to 8 points.

Too much praise cannot be given to the Maniapoto team for the manner in which the players held their own under difficulties. The team had to be re-or-ganised at the last moment, and the players who came to the rescue at short notice and Ailed the gaps caused by the non-appearance of several of the chosen are entitled to the best thanks of the Union.

The Otorofaanga and Te Kuiti junior teams met at Otorobanga on Saturday last when the visitors scored a decided win by 19 points to 3 points.

The half-mile handicap race in connection with the Te Kuiti Football Club was brought off on the Domain on Thursday afternoon, when eight competitors toed the mark. When the pistol went the pace was made a cracker by the limit men, Pitcon andßoles, and little impression was made on the leaders. Half way through the second lap it was seen that the issue lay with the two leader* and P. Kerr, the remaining contestants having dropped out. Entering the straight for the rod to the winning post Boles and Pitcon were battling for the lead with F.Kerr within a few yarde,and a great race to the tape ensued. Twenty yards from the finish F. Kerr put in a fast run and collaring the leaders won by a clear yard from Pitcon, while Boles, who fell just before reaching the tape was third. Certainly one of the best finishes and hardest fought races ever •sen on tlw ground.