SENIORS DRAW.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4410, 27 June 1933, Page 5

SENIORS DRAW.

OTOROHANGA RETAINS CUP. The first representative match for the Carlson Cup was played on the Island at Otorohanga on Saturday. Ideal football conditions prevailed, and a hard spectacular game full of incident resulted, for Otorohanga repulsed effectively the Maniapoto challenge. The teams taking the field were as follows: Maniapoto (Green and White). — McLeod; Rata, Gilbert, Weo Wetere; Evans, Barlow; Riley; Power, Hartwell, Gault, Armstrong, Meredith, Trust, Kawe, Koroheke, Riddle. Otorohanga (Black and White). — Liddy; Kino te Whare, Hughes, Finlay; Telfer, Cameron; McVay; Little, Love Wilson, Gault, Stewart, Newton, Bremner, Kempthorne. Both sets of forwards were called upon for strenuous work, but the Otorohanga pack to a man played magnificently, and it is due to their great display that a drawn game resulted.

Maniapoto backs were superior, but fast following up, excellent anticipation and deadly collaring nullified many movements. Nevertheless they were instrumental in opening up the game and were seen in many pretty movements. The Otorohanga backs were much weaker and were ineffective in penetration, although at times flashes of brilliant play were seen. McVay, Cameron, and Telfer were the best, and of the Te Kuiti sets the honours were with Riley, Barlow, Evans, Gilbert and Rata. Both full-backs were called upon repeatedly and Liddy who gave a polished display on the day's play, equalled McLeod who was too often caught in possession.

The Game.

Otorohanga kicked off and was soon on attack, but were repulsed, McLeod sending them back by a beautiful kick. Offside play by Otorohanga saw the game reach the Whites' territory where a period of tight play resulted. Maintaining their advantage, the Greens secured and sent out to Rata who in-passed to Gilbert who touched down. McLeod's kick failed.

Maniapoto 3; Otorohanga 0.

From the resultant kick mid-field play predominated until Kawe secured and leading the Green forwards transferred play into the Whites' territory- Relief came through Kino lining. As a result of securing from the line-out Riley sent his backs away and play hung in Oto's 25. By offside play on the part of Green, the Whites returned, and Cameron securing, brought play back to midfield. With a rush of enthusiasm the White forwards swept down-field, but were driven back, Telfer effecting a brilliant save from a precarious position. McVay now securing kicked high, and McLeod was caught in possession. This enabled the White pack to form a scrum from which McVay sent the backs away, and Hughes failing to gather his pass enabled McLeod to force. The Greens were soon on the attack, but a brilliant defence by the Whites held until Little securing went through, supported ably by his confederates, and play was transferred to Green's territory, where from an infringement Kino had an unsuccessful attempt. Hard work by bustling forwards saw play swing with lightning rapidity from end to end. Eagerness was responsible for penalties and both McLeod and Kino were unsuccessful. From a scrummage Riley secured, and in a spectacular movement all the backs participated, but off side play nullified the effort. Much tight, hard play predominated, and the fullbacks were also called upon to retrieve several positions, and did so with srreat credit. Excitement gained in intensity and urged by their supporters players gave their best. From an infringement in Greens' 25 McVay had the honour of raising the umpire's flag. Maniapoto 3; Otorohanga 3. Playing with great pace, brilliant forward play was in evidence, but good defensive work held up the various onslaughts, even although the backs tried repeatedly to penetrate. Half time was called with the scores Maniapoto 3, Otorohanga 3. After the resumption the Greens in a series of desperate attacks had Otorohanga hard pressed, and Liddy saved by forcing. Maintaining the pressure, prospects for the Whites were not rosy and a line-out infringement gave McLeod a good opportunity of taking the lead, but it was not accepted. Midfield play of an enterprising nature was seen and the Greens securing sent their backs in motion, but Finlay by a beautiful collar swung his man out and a 25 resulted. The Whites retaliated, and McLeod being caught in possession held too long and was penalised. Taking a fair catch McLeod kicked high and Finlay, failing to gather, necessitated a scrummage. The Green forwards obtaining possession went through, Hughes eventually forcing. Keen midfield play saw Otorohanga and their pack shine in the loose and their spoiling tactics riled the opposing backs. Securing possession, Cameron broke through, but the ball found touch just over the half way line. From the line out tight forward play was seen until holding the ball gave Oto a penalty from which Greens relieved. Up and down field the play now swung, and McLeod by a cross kick put the Greens on the offensive, which was maintained, and Hartwell following through fast sent Gilbert and Rata away, the latter player being enabled to add three points. The kick failed. Maniapoto 6; Otorohanga 3. Stung by this adverse score, Otorohanga attacked strenuously, but a penalty to the Greens relieved and play reverted to the Whites' 25, where Wetere had a poor attempt at goal. The Whites returned to the attack and securing more of theball from the scrum gained much territory but the defence held good. Securing from a scrum McVay sent Cameron away in a spectacular run and he, instead of passing out to Telfer, short punted to enable the safe hands and sure boot of McLeod to relieve. A 1 tremendous pace was now maintained

and the Whites' forwards came through, but Wetere held a .fair catch and sent them back. From a resultant scrummage the Whites pressed and an infringement saw McVay make an unsuccessful attempt. Hard play by both sides frayed tempers, and the Whites gained a territorial advantage which was maintained to the end. Pressing hard, the defence all but failed. Nevertheless play returned to the Greens' 25 where an infringement saw McVay by a beautiful goal level the scores. Maniapoto 6; Otorohanga 6. Great enthusiasm now reigned and both sides exerted themselves to sesure the prize victory, but the defence was excellent. Play reverted to the Greens' 25 until the Green forwards swept downfield where an infringement saw Wetere try to kick the ball unnecessarily out of the field of play. Time was lost therebv, and a scrummage was called. Securing, Otorohanga sought to attack, but' a casualty hung up the game. Upon resuming Cameron secured and lined with the whistle blowing, enabling Otorohanga to retain the much coveted Carlson Cup. Mr. H. Miller ably refereed. During the evening Otorohanga entertained the visitors to dinner at the Commercial Hotel, where complimentary speeches were given by Messrs. H. E. Walters, Copsey, Boles, Law, Riley and Telfer. A splendid spirit -revailed and much was done by the Union officials and players to cement the bond between Maniapoto and Otorohanga.