FOOTBALL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 38, Issue 966, 22 May 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

•■(■■.- « ■•••>-• . . .- ST. BATHANS V MATAKANUI. The St. Bathans ■ football team journeyed to Matakanui on Saturday, 9th April, to play a friendly match with the local team. The game resulted in an easy win for the visitors who won by 17 points to nil. The day being fine a large number of spectators were present, a keen interest being tak*en in the match, and each team seemed confident of success. : •

It was seen when the teams lined out that a hard forward game was imminent, as both were strong in that department. Matakanui won the toss, and taking the advantage of a slight breeze, T. Gallagher kicked;' off for St. .Bathans. Bad fielding by the local backs let the visitors close to their line, but after a series'" of scrums ' only a force resulted. The game then became very willing, "and Matakanui were compelled to force several times. At last the visitors' backs got an opportunity, and from a scrum Sutherland cleverly picked'and then transferred to Enright, on to Pyle, Who scored a well deserved, try. No goal resulted. The Matakanui forwards made the game very willing for a while, but sound defence by the visitors' backs- prevented a score. Half time sounded shortly the scores standing : St Bathans" 5, Matakanui nil.

On the resumption of play a light shower of rain began to fall, but, this did not seem to check the visitors, as their forwards began to play with great dash aiid 1 - the score' began to increase rapidly.. Fuom a scrum, Sutherland, ; ; taking the blind side, transferred to T. Webb, tfho soon forced his -way over their opponents' line, no goal resulting. . Fast interesting play followed xne visitors' forwards swept the ball to the home team's line and only for Sutherland, Matakanui's full back, must have scored. This player picking up almost irom. the visitors' feet ior a close kick just in the uick oi tmvj, out the visu>rs were not to be denied Shortly alterwards from a scram. Sutherland cleverly heading his upponeul, sooreu a magnificent try Again tue aue.npc at, goal failed From cue Kick out W fiaig m,ade a fine run and was within an ace of scoring when he slipped and fell; and Sutherland again by a splendid kick shifted play io half way Soon after from a passing rush the _bail -reached, Pyle, who scored jiis.. second 'try,- arid' taking the kick himself landed a neat goal " Give and take play followed till the visitors were awarded a free kick. T, Webb punted high andT. Gallagher, who followed up fast, scored a well deserved try. Ag*»:.i the attempt at goal failed. Then Matakanui made determined efforts to score but only force resulted. From a line out M. Webb made a fine run, but was cleverly tackled by Sutherland withm ayd of the line. Then the whistle sounded for time, with the scores : St. Bathans 17 ; Matakanui nil. , R. ftaig made an efficient referee and. one of the keenest