FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 172, 12 July 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

«. NcfccadM&tri v. Te Koili.

The match between Te Koiti and Nehenekenai teams on Saturday was looked forward to during Is»»t week with a considerable degree of interest. The teams had met twice previously. Nehenehenui winning the first contest, while the Te Koiti players triumphed oo the second occasion. It was generally held that upon Saturday's game lb* result of the season's cbampionabip depended, as the rival teams were level for the leading position with Mokao-iti two points behind in second place. The result of the game is to ptace Nehenehenui in the leading position with Te Koiti and Mokau-iti miming level for second place. After • keenly fought contest Nehenehenui won by 11 points to 6. When play began Te Kuiti for a time had considerably the best of matters, their forwards showing to advantage. Shortly after the start Te Koiti was awarded a free kick and Sprague with a drop kick tanded a neat goal, making the score 3--0. Give and take play followed, the ball being kept among the forwards until a hard kick sent the father to F. Kerr, who dashed over tti% Itne and scored a try. Tbe attempt at goal proved fruitless. the ball falling under the bar. Immediately afterwards a mark was ebtaineo in a favourable position by Sprague, who made another good attempt at goat with a drop kick, the ball striking the upright. Relief was brought to Nehenehenui by a free kick. and with a strong rush the forward* invaded Te Kotti territory. Strenuous loos? play followed, and the ball was rushed over the Te Kuiti line, but a timely force down saved the situation. The Nehenehenui players were not to be denied and kept op the pressure. Good passing between Tubeka. Turei. and Hikaka saw the latter almost evoas the tine. A forward rush cleared Te Haiti's tine, and the ball was taken to the other end of the field. The Kobe's showed good defence, and a nwrk by Grey brought timely relief. The whistle btew with the score 6---0. Upon resuming the Nehe forwards did good work and threatened their opponent's line on several occasions. but good defensive work by Howarth ■aved the situation. A loose rush took the leather ctose to the Te Kuiti goal. Howarth picked up smartly and kicked across the field to Roo Rata who, taking the ball on the run dashed across the tine near the corner (lag and scored. Searancke's attempt at goat fell short. From the kickoff the Nehe's returned to the attack, and Hikaka looked like scoring, but was grassed by Howarth in good style. A hard kick by Hira sent the leather over the tine and a force resulted. Loose play followed the kick off and Hikaka picking op the leather broke away through the three quarter line, and dodging Howarth scored a try ctose to the goal poets. Searancke converted making the scores Nehenehenui 8 points. Te Koiti * points. The game now became open though the wet ball was • difficult to handte. A high kick and follow op by Hikaka looked dangerous. hot Howarth took the leather on the ran and saved well. A dangerous rush immediately afterwards wat welt ■topped by the same player. The Nehe forwards however kept op the pressure and rushed th»,> ball across the line hot were brought back for an infringement. The Koiti relieved by a loose rash which transferred play to their opponent's territory. Hot work near the tine ensued, and Black dashed over with the bail, but was brought back. A free kick brought relief, and a Nehe rush took the leather down the field. In a scramble on the Te Kuiti line Griffiths felt on the ball and scored. Searancke's shot at goat bit the bar and the score stood Nehenehenui II points, Te Kuiti 6 points. The whistle went shortly afterwards.

Notes. The state of thr ground rendered Open ptay almost impossible, and the gam* was often tittle more titan a scramble. The forwards on both 9 id** worked hard and there was Uttte to choose between the two teams. The Te Kotti had ait the best of the first ■pell, and should have scored on several occasions. On the other hand the Nehenehenui bad much the best of the second spelt. A pteasinir feature was the manner in which the forwards packed the scrums, and with a tittle more practice in this direction they will give a good showing. Brown at fott back for the winners played a stubborn game, and saved bis •ide frequently. Me should not teave bis place to take part in a forward scramble. The other backs gave a good showing, Grey and Turei being particularly solid in defence, white Hihaka and Rou Rata both showed dasb in scoring their tries. Howarth at full back for Te Kuiti bad plenty to do and did mocb of it well, bis taking of the bait and rush stopping on several occasions getting bis side oat of difficulties. Of the other backs Black and Sprague showed to most advantage, white Rothery on the wing played bis usual good game. Sir G. Elliott acted as referee.

Hie Otorohanga andTe Awamutu tenters were to have met at Tc Awamotoon Saturday, The Otorohanga team journeyed toTeAwamntu but the local men ware unable to raise a team to meet the visitors. The Otorohanga juniors defeated the l'e Awaomto juniors by 13 points to nil.

Maaiapoto Rugby Union. A meeting of the Man iapoto Rugby Union was hetd in Messrs Falwasser and Thorp's office on Saturday evening. Delegates from the various clubs were present, and Mr J. B. Young, President of the Union, occupied the cehair. The motion regarding the term of residence which a player should put in before playing in Unkm Stores, notice of which was given oy Mr Cotter, at last meeting, was discussed and it was decided to malte the term two No further report having been reeerved from the referte concerning the offence for which Kora wa» ordered off the field it was decided to suspend the ntaverfer one month from the date of tfcV offence. Attention was drawn to the fact that players whobad beensuapiMted, had been on the groond at After some discuseianit waa decided to suspend the offendera ■■til tfco aad of neat season.