FOOTBALL.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 96, 22 August 1918, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

fVlatamata v. SVlorrinsviNe. (By the Orphan) The above match was played last Saturday under good weather conditions, before a fair crowd of spectators. Baker kicked off for Morrinsville. Fred Connell returned to 25 peg where give and take play eventuated for some time. Donaldson marked and Stewart had a shot at goal but the kick went wide. Morrinsville forced. From the kick out Morrinsville rushed up and spoilt the return, and a nice passing rush between Mclntyre, Howarth and and O’Brien was spoilt by throwing forward. Matamata was having the best of this quarter owing to a nice breeze. On changing over Harding kicked off but Morrice sent the ball well down the touch line. From the throw in Matamata was hard pressed and had a hard time to keep the visitors from scoring. Donaldson eventually got the ball and sent on to Partridge to kick who was pushed out at centre peg. From the throw in Morrinsville secured, but a hard kick allowed Matamata to force. On the ball being brought into play off side by Sutherland gave O’Brien a chance at the goal but the ball went wide and the locals forced, during the last few minutes of this spell Matamata was busy defending. Off side gave the visitors another chance, and Johnson taking the kick made no mistake, the whistle sounding leaving the visitors with a three point lead.

From the kick off Stewart returned well down field but Morrinsville took a turn at passing, the ball going through half a dozen hands only to be mulled by Warner and play came back to the centre. From a scrum Donaldson whipped the ball out to Partridge to kick who ran through to the full back but was tripped and lost the ballMorrinsville forcing. From the kick out the visitors gave some good passing, between Mclntyre, Howarth, Hinton and O’Brien but was spoilt by a faulty pass, the Whistle sounding for the last quarter. Harding kicked off but the ball was well returned by O’Brien. Here the local forwards took a hand in the game and gave the visitors a lively five minutes defending, but Johnson securing sent the ball well below half way and after several kick outs a scrum was ordered on >-the local line. McIntyre, securing, whipped round the blind side and scored the only try. Johnson took the kick and landed a Morrinsville 8, Matamata mil. From this to end, the game was of an even nature. The local forwards tried hard to score, but Johnson getting the ball kicked high and the wind carried it well down. The game ended in the locals 25, the visitors winning by 8 points to nil. ' For the winners, Johnson at full was very safe. The threequarters had very little to do, but were solid in defence. Howarth and Hinton at five-eighths played good games, also J. Mclntyre at half. The best forwards were Baker, Bennett, C. Mclntyre and Davis. For the losers, Stewart is in his right place at full as he kicks well. The three-quarter line, Simms and Sutherland, fitted well. J. Connell did not play up to his usual form. Partridge and Kirk were two good men on the five-eighths line and did a lot of work. Donaldson at half was very quick. In the forwards Douglas Bros, are a tower of strength, always on the ball. Of the other forwards D. Harding and Brunette were good. Morrow was collaring and bringing his man down every time. The following teams will take part in the fancy dress football match to be held on Saturday:— (A.) C. Stewart, R. Burk, Brunette, B. Simms, J. Wallace, A. Downie, Brown, W. Dary, Cartwright Fissendon, Heaps, N. Datson, L. Connell, S. Brindle, J Mason. (B.) F. Connell, J. Morrow, E. Kilbride, H. Sutherland Brown, E. Blennerhassett, Donaldson, A. Yardley, Baxley, Riley J. Downie, W. Morrison, W Clarke, W. Barrett, M. McDeri mot. Players are requested to in- | form Mr Smales if unable to play,