FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 577, 18 June 1913, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

OTOROHANGA 6, TE KUITI 3. The competitions under the auspices : of the Maniapoto Rubgy Union were cantinued on Saturday, when Otorohanga journeyed to Te Kuiti and met the Te Kuiti team. Special interest was centred on the fixture in consequence of the fact that neither team had suffered defeat during 'the season. It was recognised that the game would bo hard and fast, and the supporters of each team were confident of victory. The last occasion upon which the teams met was in the play-off for the premiership last season, when Te Kuiti won by a narrow margin. There was an excellent attendance of the public, a considerable number of visitors from Otorohanga being present. Otorohanga won the toss and defended the western goal. Te Kuiti kicked off, and !the Otorohanga fullback failed to' field the ball. A three-quarter snapped up the leather, and being off-side a free kick was awarded to Te Kuiti. Healey placed an unmistakeable goal, and the score read -Te Kuiti 3, Otorohanga 0. From the kick-off play was fast and furious. An Otorohanga rush swept the leather down the field to Matthews, who found the touch line. Mears and Dellaney broke away for Te Kuiti, but a breach gave Otorohanga afree kick, which went to McKellar In an effort to find the touch line the latter cross-kicked to Piripi, and Otorohanga's dashing three-quarter streaked for the line and scored near the corner. Lithgow's attempt at goal went wide, and the scores read 3 points all Fast forward work with little advantage to either side was the order of the game for a time, both sides exhibiting sound defence. A loose rush by Otorohanga brought the leather to Te Kuiti's 25, where a free kick was awarded to Otorohanga, and Tal Clark placed a nice goal, making the scores —Otorohanga 6, Te Kuiti 3. The return from the drop out was smotherd by the Te Kuiti forwards, and a scrum ensued. A free kick gained ground for the local 3, and a passing run, in which Boles, Matthews and Cole took part, saw the latter player sent into toucb the corner flag. An Otorohanga rush was stopped by Hurley, who marked smartly, but the visitors kept up the pressure and again broke away. Boles took a clever mark and centred; but the visiting forwards again got possession, and the ball went out to Price, who transferred to Piripi, and the latter made a fine dash for the line. Hot work near the goal line followed till Cole got a mark and found the touch line at centre. Healey broke away from the line-out and kicked to Tal Clark, who cleared the line. Forward rushes up and down the field kept the leather moving till the visitors were awarded a free kick in the local 25. Tal Clark had a shot at goal, and Te Kuiti forced. The whistle sounded half-time shortly after.

Upon resuming the forwards continued to make the pace, and Rothwell showed cleverness in taking two marks in succession from forward rushes. The visiting forwards broke through to Crombic, who relieved by a good kick. ATe Kuiti rush, supplemented by a serviceable kick by Cole, saw the leather out near the Otorohanga line. The ball was sent out to Matthew, who passed to Kite, but the defence was sound. The local backs opened up and flung the ball about, but failed to pierce the defence. Play hung in the Otorohanga quarters for a time, and N. Cole with a dash got acroasjbut a force resulted. Shortly after aTe Kuiti rush, headed by Mears and Kite, looked dangerous, but Piripi save J. _i ■;• forcing. From a scrum near the line Te Kuiti were awarded a free kick, and D. Gray made a good attempt at goal. An ex;:h-ng3 of kicks saw the ball out in Otorohanga's 25, but the visiting forwards broke through and carried play to their opponents' territory. Tal Clark had a shot at goal from a free kick, but the ball was charged down, and Hurley and Cole with a dash carried the leather to the Otorohanga 25. From the line-out D. Gray passed to Boles, who transferred to Matthew s. The latter made ground and passed to McKellar, who drew the defence and cross-kicked in front of the goal posts. Delaney failed to gather the ball and lost a certain try, but the forwards swarmed round and in the ensuing scramble Te Kuiti was awarded a free kick in front of the goal. Boles kicked a poster. The locals kept up the pressure, and Delaney picking up dashed for the line, but was tackled and grounded the ball on the line. From the ensuing scrum a force resutled. The local backs kept up the pressure, and passing run, in which Boles, Matthews, and Cole took part, saw the latter grounded at the corner. A good line kick by Ootorohanga relieved the situation, and for the remainder of the spell plav hung in neutral territory, the game resulting Otorohanga 6, Te Kuiti 3. Mr G, Elliott refereed in his usual efficient manner.

NOTES ON THE GAME. The game was fast and interesting throughout, and though forward play predominated, there were any amount of scoring opportunities. Te Kuiti seemed to bo favoured with Fortune's smiles when a penalty goal was scored within a minute of the kick-off, but thereafter the fickle Goddess bestowed her favours elsewhere, and the wearers of the black and white had certainly the the worst of the luck. It was a line clean game, and was played in the best possible spirit. For the winners Tal Clark at fullback was very sound. With the exception of failing to take the kick which leld to Te Kuiti's goal, he did everything which came his way in finished style. Crombie, in a like position for Te Kuiti, was also sound, and made no mistakes. It is a pity this player is leaving the district. His departure will leave a gap in the Te Kuiti division which will be bard to fill.

The visiting thrse-quarters got little to do in attack, but Piripi made good use of the chances which came his way. It was a very sound line in defence, and the same may bo said of the remainder of the back division. Ferguson got through a great amount of work in good style, and is .showing excellent form this eeaeon. Price at half waa very sound. The local threequarters were kept very busy in the firat spell stemming the forward rushes of their opponent!?, and came out of the ordenUvell. Cole showed fine dash on several occasions, and had hard luck in not scoring. His play "11 round was excellent. Matthews played his usual sterling game, and McKellar, except for the. mistake which gave Piripi his score, showed very fair form. His cross-kick was a heady bit of play, which should have resulted in a score. Hurley and Boles were very stubborn m defence, and the later set the ball going in good style. This player is a host in himself in a team. Rothwell at half wa< clever [in defence, and sent th« ball I out to his backs on every possible | occasion. The contending wingers ! ! each played hard games from start to finish. | Of the forwards little can be said, ! save that every man was doing his I best. For the visitors Holden was frequently prominent. For Te Kuiti Delaney was at his best, and should have scored on two occasions. The following-up was good, and in scrum work every man was a trier. NEHENENUI 12, ONGARUE 3. Ongarue kicked off, and play for some time hovered about midfield. By good forward play Ongarue forced Nehe back to their own goal lino, but hard kicking spoiled the chance. Nippy passing among the Nehe back resulted in T. Anderson scoring three tries in quick succession No goals resulted. Anderson shortly afterwards kicked a good penalty goal. Halftime sounded with the scores —Nehe 12, Ongarue nil. The second spell was a "battle royal" between the forwards, with the odds slightly in favour of Ongarue. Parker scored for the latter from a forward scramble, but the attempt at goal was unsuccessful. Tight close play continued till the end, when the scores were—-Nehe 12, Ongarue 3. The visiting players were entertained to tea at Mr W. 0. Irvine's boardinghouse. Mangapehi met Waimiha and suffered defeat by S points to 3. The following referees have been appointed for Saturdays' matches: — Te Kuiti v. Waimiha, Mr Hayson; Otorohanga v. Nehenehe, Mr Mora; Ongarue v. Mangapehi, Mr Moorhouse.