FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LII, Issue 4794, 11 August 1932, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

OTAKI SENIORS DEFEAT

FOXTON

Otaki had no difficulty in securing' an easy win over Foxton at Otaki on Saturday, having the best of the game practically throughout. Foxton had an off-day, being more of a dry-day team than a combination for a heavy ground. The day was far from favourable for football, and the shelter of the grandstand was sought by all spectators. The weather was decidedly bleak, rain and even flakes of snow falling at intervals. The ball was greasy, and consequently was badly handled, although Otaki put up a better showing than their opponents. The local forwards frequently broke away while the backs indulged in good passing bouts. The teams lined out as follows: Otaki: Barrett, Enoka, Johnson, D’Ath, Merwood, Marino,, Parata, Ropata, Hakaraia, Fafeita. (2), Gray (2), McDonald, Merwood. Foxton: Cootes, Read, Huff, Thompson,. Westwood, Era, Hiring Barber, Payne, Fuller, Tohi, Carter, Moses, Hindu, McGregor. Otaki opened against the elements, and from the kick off Parata and Marino were seen in action, then Merwpod and Johnson joined issue but a forward pass stopped play. Merwood sent Mita away, who in turn passed to D’Ath who ran in to score near the posts within two minutes of the opening. Barrett converted. Otaki 5, Foxton' nil. The attack was maintained till Hindu and Payne headed a rush, after which Hirini put in smart play. Fafeita retaliated, after which Marino sold the dummy to several players,' passed to Mita, who missed a difficult pass. Parata sent the ball to Merwood, who missed, but Ropata. was handy and he made a good run to the Foxton line. Merwood made a bold bid for honours, but the line was missed by inches, then Barber dribbled up Held, backed up by Moses. Hirini then sent Era away, after which Westwood and Thompson were prominent. Otaki were pressed till Parata sent Enoka away. G. Merwood was next in evidence, after which Marino, by a fine kick pressed Foxton. Ropata was again prominent, and Enoka, Marino and Mita dashed up field, |but Payne /stopped the onslaught. Mita was set going by Marino, after which D’Ath ran to the Foxton line. Merwood, Mita, and Enoka were seen in quick action, and then • Parata was prominent. A forward scramble on Foxton line saw F. Fafeita score a good try. Barrett’s kick hit the post, B—o.8 —0. Tohi headed the next Foxton rush, then Parata was the means of sending D’Ath away. Read saved and kicked to Barrett. Eru was next- prominent, then G. Merwood broke away with the ball at his toe. He had his field beaten but in an endeavour to pick up the ball 'knocked on. Marino nearly went over, then Westwood sent play into Otaki territory. F. Fafeita headed a dribbling rush and scored another good try, Unit Barrett missed the bar, 11—0. Parata next dodged his way through but the ball went over the dead-ball line. Westwood was again in evidence with bright play but R. Merwood broke away. At this stage the Grays, Hakaraia and McDonald were seen in tight piav, working hard. Read retaliated by a nice run, then Carter beat his opponents. The spell ended: Otaki 11, Foxton nil.

The second half was fought out in showery weather and early in the half Foxtcn were obliged to accept a force. Shortly after the visiting backs were prominent and Thornsin was seen in smart play. Read then went over for a good try after five minutes play, and Hirini converted with a nice kick, 11—5. The Otaki forwards still continued to play well, and getting the advantage of the scrums frequently set their backs in action. In a fast run Fafeitn grounded the ball near the corner 'flag, but Mita’s kick dropped short, 14 —5. The Otaki ■forwards still worked hard ana pressed their opponents. From a loose rush G. Merwood went over the line at the corner. Mita failed to convert. At this stage there was a dispute and Payne was ordered oil the field, Otaki were still aggressive and G. Merwood again scored, but Barrett missed the uprights, 20 —5. Enoka later evaded the opposing backs to touch down under the bar, and Barrett converted, 25 —5. Al few minutes later G. Merwood scored a further try, which Barrett converted, 30—5. Before the final whistle went G. Gray scored a line try, but Mita missed, 33 —5. The game ended with no further scores.

Mi-. Rangi Broughton refereed

The Maori touring team was defeated by .King Country at Te Kuiti yesterday (by 16 points to 12.

At Otaki yesterday a representative Rugby football match between Manawatu) and Horowhenuai resulted in a draw, 19 all. It was a good open game, with splendid play on both sides.

Dannevirke, at Rugby, successfully defended the third Bebbington Shield challenge game, defeating Bush in a game mostly confined to the forwards by 9 points to 3 yesterday.