FOOTBALL.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 91, 18 July 1918, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Kereone 1 3 v. Matamata 3 Although the Matamata team played what was much its bast game of the season on Saturday against a team of Mcrrinsville and Kereone players on the Matamata Recreation ground yet they were again decisively defeated. The Matamata team was strengthened by the inclusion of the Douglas boys, while Kereone played N. Clifford and Hinton for the Te Aroha soldiers, Timmins and Voysey, who played in the previous match. The soldiers' backs were well tested early in the gmio for, throughout the first quarter the Matamata forwards, led by Holmes, had the best of i matters. Tho hooking was not clean, but behind the pack Donaldson was very nippy, and got the ball out rep3atedly. The backs, however wer6 generally well smothered before they could get going. The Kereone forwards put more vim in the second spell and their team did most of the pressing. J-ust before half time the scores was opened for the green and whites, Clifford scoring a try near the corner flag. Matamata was compelled to force again within a couple of minutes. The third spell produced no further score although the Kereone fiveeights and three-quarters indulged in some pretty passing bouts. Stewart repeatedly saved the black and whites. Early in the final spell, from an opening made by' Mortenson, T. Davis scored within a few yards of the uprights, the major points being gained by R. Johnson. About five minutes later Mclntyre scored, and Johnson again converted, making Kereone 13 to Matamata's nil. The latter players made determined attempts to gain points and having Kereone pinned in their own quarter for some minutes they, were rewarded by the three Douglas's getting over in a heap. For the visitors Johnson, at full was very safe, and made ground repeatedly with his line kicking. Hinton, Mclntyre (2), Baker and Mortenson were also worthy of special mention. For Matamata Stewart, Douglas (3), Les Connell and Holmes were conspicuous for good play. Mr VV. Ruthe controlled the game. School Match, A football team from the Matamata District High school visited Rotorua, and played a match on Saturday with a team from the Rotorua High school. The Matamata boys won by 11 points to 4 after an open, interesting and fast game. Tha first try was scored by Gerald Fitzgerald, from a good opening made by Harold Kneebone. Shortly afterwards another try was scored by Earl «• Johnston, and Arthur Downie added the 2 points with a well directed kick. The first spell ended with the scores Matamata 8, Rotorua nil. In the second spell Harold Kneebone scored a well deserved try. Within the last ten minutes the Rotorua fullback, Lamason, cleverly potted a goal from the field thus making the scores 11 to 4. The Rotorua boys played hard, and were still attacking when the whistle sounded. A pleasant feature of the game was the good feeling that existed between the teams. The Matamata boys, who played one short, were on the average considerably heavier than their opponents, who played a plucky game right up to the call of time. The local becks must learn to make more use of the line, and save their forwards who were very tired at the close of the game. All the boys played well, but besides those who scored, W. Hillcoat at full, saved his side time and again, while D. Shepherd, one of the lightest in the team, played an excellent game among the forwards. s The following} will represent Matamata in a match against Okauia at Matamata, on Saturday:—H. Scott, B. Sims, C. Stewart, F. Connell, G. Kirk, Donaldson,- Fissenden, Holmes, Kilbride, Radford, L. Connell, Bailey, Brunetti, Morrow, M. Scott. Emergencies: Barrett, Mason.