FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 171, 8 July 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

—♦ - - ■ I Wftipa ▼. Hamilton. (Te Awamutu Correspondent) The first representative match of the season was played here today. Tha Hamilton team arrived by afternoon train and were met by the Waipa Union officials. After refreshments at the Te Awamutu Hotel the visitors were conveyed to the Domain by Mr Laurie's coach. The day had been marked by heavy showers and high winds, but fortunately the weather cleared somewhat during the afternoon. Notwithstanding the boisterous day a fair number of spectators, among whom were a number of the fairer sex. turned out. Hamilton won the toss and elected to defend the southern goal, favoured with a high wind. Prom the kick off, k tfae play was of a desultory nature, being confined to the centre. For offside play by Waipa ,««*«<«* *•» awarded a free kick. Carried by the high wind the ball went into Waipa's 26w Tl» bmaa followed up smartly, and looked dangerous. A dribbling rush en the part of the blues was smartly stopped by P. Turner who secured and relieved. The b!u#a wcured and a good passing bout minted by Barker took the ball into red's territory, when Clarke intercepted and relieved. Another passing rush was voided by the failure of one of the blues to take the ball. For offside play on the part of the bluet the red* were awarded a free kick, and play centred. Prom a scramble the ball went into touch. From the throw in the blues secured and a pretty piece of passing was spoilt by Smith intercepting" Off tWa pt»y ** Cunningham gnvethe blues a free kick, and Sol Hughes had an attempt at goal, but tbeTangle was too difficult, and just missed. Reds forced. From the kick off Hughes secured and punted. Tewa marking. From centre play was shifted to blues 25, and from some scrum work the reds got away with the leather at their feet. From a scramble that ensued near the line Symes dropped on the ball, registering the first score forWaipa. Cos Maunder failed with the kick. Waipa 3 points, Hamilton nil. From the kick <***•* Turner took the ball neatly and kicked to touch, but without gaining much ground against a strong wind. From the throw in the blues secured, but their attempt at a passing rush was stopped by the reds, and Barker had to kick. Tewa secured and with a beautiful boundary kick gained a lot of ground for red*. Waipa w«ra now

playing with more combination, and jost before half time were playing splendidly. The forwards rushed the ball right down on the blocs line, the leather being overrun in the scramble, and blots forced. The ftrst spell ended Waipa 3 points. Hamilton nil. On resumption of play the game was of an uninteresting nature. The reds bad now the wind at their backs, and everything seemed in their favour, and ! they bad every chance of running up i a big' score. The red forwards rushed ; the ball down the line and just when 1 a score seemed certain Naylor saved. Blues were awarded a free kick for «mre offside play, and the ball was centred. Clifford secured, but kicked too bard, and blues forced. Play then centred and a lot of sesom work was indulged in. Waipa invariably getting the best of their opponents. Several passing rushes by the blues were stopped by Tewa who was playing superbly. Blues were penalise J for offside play, and the reds following up the kick smartly compelled the blues to force. Tewa secured the ball at halfway and put in a good run. but managed to get in a good line kick when collared. From the line out Ellis got the ball and put in a good kick which gained a lot of ground for the blues. The Hamilton team were now slinging the ball about in great style.and were continually dangerous. A good piece of passing in which all the backs were conspicuous, saw Innes aero** the line. From a difficult angle Hughes made a good attempt at goal but missed. Watpa 3 points. Hamilton 3 points. The reds now made strenudoos efforts to score and were continually knocking at the door, but the defence of the blues was sound. Hay then centred for some time, but the reds soon transferred play to the blues* 25. Hughes secured and punted. Maunder marking. Maunder took bis kick.but the ball fell short just going under the bar. Soon after the whistle sounded, the game ending Waipa 3 points. Hamilton 3 points.

Individually Waipa play was good but there was an evident lack of combination, especially during the early part of the game. Of the backs Peter Turner at full was sound, and played a sterling game. Tewa played brill iantty and was continually applauded for hj» clever tackling. Of the forwards Henderson and Patten were the most conspicuous, the latter especially so on line out work. For the visitor* Hughes was the most prominent among the backs, while lnnes and Barker were always there in passing rushes. Rice at full was safe his kicking and collaring being good, but he often omitted to follow op and place bis men on side.