FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 1219, 3 June 1919, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

OTOROBANGA v. TE KUITI

This match was played on Te Koiti Duoiain on Saturday under ideal condition*, and resulted in a win for Otorohanga by 11 to 3 three tries oce of which was con* verted, to • try.

Taking into consideration the fact that it wa» the first match of the season and the absence of several of tba older players, the game coold be considered a satisfactory one, especially after the first quarter. Otorohanga were assisted by several old friends who were well-known in pre-war days, and it was largely doe to tbe old heads that Otorohanga bad a comfortable win. Tbe visitors' backs are qoick. evidently well coached, and worked well together, and having a heavier pack, outgenerallcd the local team. Of Otorohanga'• backs. Barton and Bailey are the makings of first-class players. Another pleasing feature was tbe fact that tbe visitors had evidently given some attention to training, and were a far better conditioned team than the local boys. The Te Koiti team will require several changes and will have to give attention to training. More weight and experience are required in front and lack of weight was very noticeable behind Of tbe backs. Arkle was tbe best, but would probably be more use behind tbe pack. Vercoe. at full, gave a good exhibition daring the first quarter. He Wen injured his arm, but ploektfy kept on. when probably be would have been wiser to retire.

Of the other backs, lack of combination was tbe outstanding feature. Heise. on the wing, did everything that was possible Of the forwards. Williams was aaaily the beat, and Dr Will played a good bard game, and when in condition will be a tower of strength. Of the younger forwards, C. Matthew should develop into a first-class player. If r G. Elliott controlled the game. HANGATIKI v PIO PIO. This game wa* played at Pio Pio on Saturday. the ground being excellent. The match was fast and open, and resulted in a win for Pio Pio by 22 points to nil. Pio Pio backs outclassed the visitors all tbrooah, and have a gotkJ combination, but the forwards will probably Sod they wilt want strengthening very considerably when tbey meet Otorohenga or Tc Koiti. If they can manage this they will have a good chance of holding their own with any team in the Onion. Apparently. Hangatiki were not at full strength, but a number of players show great promise, and no doubt in future matches will •bow great improvement. The line kicking of the Hangatiki backs was exceptionally good. Boto, Tomer, Sftagee and Harper all plajed well and one will see this -team showing 09 well before the end of tbe season.

For Pio Pio. Felk, Coborn aid Kito were, perhaps, the pick of a very even lot of backs Mr M. Wilson, of Te Koiti. was tbe referes. NEHENEBE v. MANGAPEBI. This match was played at Mangspehi, and resulted in a win fir Nehenebe by 13 points to 3. A CONTRETEMPS. It is unfortunate that tbe first match should have been marred by a breakdown in transit. The motor bus conveying the Hangatiki team left Te Koiti at 12 o'clock, and did not reach Pto Pio until 4 o'clock, tbe men having to walk op all tbe bills. On tbe return jooney. it again broke down a few miles out of Pio Pio Pio Pio players endtavouved to make arrangements to get tbe team back. Mr McNas offering the use of the Pio Pio Dairy Company's lorry, but a difference of opinion arose with a driver consequently soma players did not reach Te Koiti in time for tbe 10 o'clock train on Monday morning. As it was necessary for some of tbe players to be borne on Saturday night, this might seriously interfere with Hangatikt getting men to travel in future.