BENEFIT FOOTBALL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 3374, 6 October 1931, Page 5

BENEFIT FOOTBALL

BANKS AND LAW v. STOCK FIRMS. A DRAWN GAME. On Saturday last the annual match for the Banks and Law and Auctioneers’ Shield was played on the Domain at Te Kuiti. The funds from the effort are to be devoted to the Maniapoto Silver Band and the Civic League. The match resulted in a draw—6 all, Auctioneers (holders), therefore, retaining the shield. Notwithstanding the fact that much of the material which took the field was considerably “out of training” the game proved interesting from start to finish, while there were several patches of bright play. The evenness of the teams is indicated by the scores.“

Before the commencement of the game, the Band marched to the Domain and played selections, a number of items being rendered also during the match. Ideal weather prevailed for the occasion and the field was in good order. There was only a fair attendance of spectators.

The teams were as follows: — Banks and Law. —Higgins, Podevin, Tilley, Baker, McCarthy, Irvine, Ormsby, Cameron, Willis, Blackman, Ingpen, Dick, Churcher, Hansen, J. Hine. Stock Firms. Browne, Coates, Delaney, Harrison, Evans, K. Cameron (Oto.), Bennett, Chitty, Voyce, Hislop, Olney, Lambie, Alexander, Kent-John-son, Liddy (Oto.) The first ten minutes of play Was fairly even, Auctioneers playing with a fair wind and the sun in their favour. Banks and Law instituted several good passing rushes, but the opposition forwards’ defence held. Following a bright forward rush by Banks and Law an opening was made by McCarthy, who handed out to Churcher, to Baker, back to McCarthy, to Tilley, who snapped up and got over to draw first blood for Banks and Law. Tilley attempted conversion, but the ball struck the cross-bar and rebounded.

Banks and Law 3; Auctioneers 0. Banks and Law were now having the best of the game, play being held in Auctioneers’ ground. The latter, headed by Chitty, Voyce, Hislop, and Olney, forced down field, and from near the combined team’s goal Voyce had a pot at goal, but did not put enough ginger into the kick. Browne relieved the position for stock firms with a good kick to line. The first score for Auctioneers eventuated when the ball passed out to K. Cameron, who made a great sti’eak for it. Tilley and Higgins were hot on Cameron’s heels, but failed to catch him, and he placed the ball over. Evans’ shot at goal went wide. Banks and Law 3; Auctioneers 3. With the scores even, the auctioneers forced the face, their forwards at this stage, following up well. The latter forced to the Bank and Law line, and Coates got away, but was stopped within a yard of the line. The combined team returned the sally, and were pressing the opposition hard, but Cameron relieved with a timely kick, a good return by higgins keeping the ball in Auctioneers’ ground. The latter again attacked, and from near the line Cameron snapped up and went over to score his second try. Evans missed with the kick, half-time sounding with the scores: — Auctioneers 6; Banks and Law 3. After resumption Banks and Law in turn had the wind and sun in their favour. In several Bank rushes at this stage Podevin, McCarthy, Tilley ana Baker figured prominently. Banks retained a further temporary territorial advantage. From near mid-field the ball passed out to Tilley, who made a good run for it, dodged the opposition fullback, and got over. Tilley’s kick at goal fell short.

Banks and Law 6; Auctioneers 6

The game now livened up, play being willing. Chitty was putting in some hard work for Auctioneers at this stage, while Voyce, Hislop and Alexander were also heard of. Alexander was tackling well. Cameron was playing a brilliant game. Time was called without further score, the game ending with Banks and Law in Auctioneers’ ground. Mr. Jack Hetet controlled the game.

For Stock Firms the outstanding man was Cameron (Oto.), at .fiveeighths, who played brilliantly throughout. The forwards all worked well.

On the Banks and Law side Tilley and McCarthy in the backs, the seasoned players, were, of course, the strength of the side. PodeVin, at half, played a great game, and fed out well. Baker also played a good game. Hine was the pick of the forwards.

Smoke Concept.

A smoke concert was held in Barraud and Abraham’s Hall in the evening, Mr. E. M. Mackersey being in the chair. “The King,” and ( the following toasts were honoured: “The Banking and Legal Fraternities,” Mr. H. D. Cooper, responded to by Messrs. H. T. Morton and P. H. Passau; “Banks and Law,” Mr. Hislop, response by Mr. N. Ingpen; “Mercantile Firms,” Mr. Mackersey, response by Mr. M. C. Stranger, “Auctioneers,” Mr. J. Hine, response by Mr. D. Kennedy; “The Ladies,” Mr. Stranger, response by Mr. W. Reid. During the evening the chairman called on Mr. Rothery to formally return the shield to the captain of the Auctioneers’ team, Mr. E. Hislop. Items were given by Messrs. Constant, Shakes, Kent-Johnson, D. Kennedy. A special feature of the programme was a singing competition between the combined Banks and Law and Stock Firms, Messrs S. Craig and H. Rothery being the judges, the contest resulting in a “draw.”

A Dedication.

Composed by Mr. Kent Johnson and rendered at the smoko, the following lines are “dedicated to the Old Bucks of the Banks, Law and Stock Firms, Te Kuiti, September, 1931.”

The Old Buffers’ match of the season • Is one we should all try to see. And the match of this year was a coi’ker, Though the play was seen only by me.

Yes! I saw that a Stranger was leading The Stock Firms against the combine Of the flower of the Law Sharks and Bankers, Who were led by the goal-kicking Hine.

You could see that the Aymes of the players Was to score in a couple of Shakes, For a Tapp for a keg was the object That loomed up so large in the stakes.

Then McLeod from the Highlands of Scotland, With the chief of the Mackersey clan, Made a dash with o‘Loughlen from Dublin, And they gathered the ball as they ran.

Then the Archer shot out from the forwards, But he tripped on a Somerset Reed, And he measured his length in the grasses, And he scratched all his Hyde with their seed.

And then Archibald baldly bull headed, Sent a terrible Pass-au so slow, That it fell at the Broadfoot of Cooper, And it laid him exceedingly Low.

Then I woke, and in waking remembered, That the Banks had acknowledged defeat. They defaulted! Their team had contracted A cold that attacked but their feet!

It’s a pity to cancel this fixture, And we trust, and we hope not in vain, That the next time, the Old Buffers’ conflict Will appear on the programme again.

Now a win by default is obnoxious, So the Stock Firm Old Buffers I hope, Will now offer to beat them at marbles, As a game being more in their scope.