LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 2476, 16 September 1924, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON v. MANAWATU,

FIRST REP. MATCH ENDS IN

A DRAW'

The attendance at the racecourse on Saturday to witness this match was a complete answer to the tactics adopted by the Horowhenua Rugby Union in trying to League getting a footing in this district, and also showed that the public are behind the Foxton players in the drastic step they have practically been forced to take through the treatment meted out to them by the Rugby Union. No doubt many went out of curiosity, but the general opinion of those who know anything about football is that the new game is not only much faster, but is also a more scientific and cleaner game. Previous to the big match, a game was qjayed by the W ellington junior representatives with a team from the combined juniors, the latter winning by 14 points to 10. Punctually at a o’clock the Manawatu (yellow and black) walked on the field, followed by the Wellington team (black). The Manawatu team w.as the same as already published, except that H. Fuller took th c place of Puna at half, and Andrews the place of Morgan in the forwards. Manawatu kicked off and immediately became aggressive: the- yellow forwards testing out the Wellington backs. H. Fuller getting the. chance, gave the ball to Reid, who drew the defence and transferred to Westwood who, having too much pace for his opponents scored In a handy position and then converted his try.—Manawatu 5, Wellington 0. Carroll and Kirkland started making matters merry, and Reid, joining the rush, snapped up the bail, passed to Hakaria, to Andrews, who looked like scoring, but Balks, at full-back proved safe and stopped further progress. From a scrum in blacks* twenty-five McMahon g - ot possession, and he,, Elliot, and Pollock went nearly the length of the field. For off-side play Wellington was awarded a freekick, and Balks goaled easily.-—Mana-watu 5, Wellington 2. From mid-field play, O'Reilly transferred to F. Fuller to A. Fuller, who romped over. Westwood failed with tire kick. — Manawatu S, Wellington 2. From the kick-out Wellington attacked and yellows 'were compelled to force. Wellington wore now making desperate efforts to score, and a passing rush to McMahon, Taylor, and Thompson saw the latter within an ace of scoring, Reid grassing him ( right near the line, and A. Fuller with Kirkland and Carroll, removed the danger to neutral ground. A. Fuller received the ball on the full when going at top, kicked high when being blocked, was on the ball again when it landed with the yellow forwards all on-side. Robinson secured, and crossed the line: but lost the ball on being tackled, but Carroll was there and scored. Robinson failed to add the major points.—Manawatu 11, Wellington 2. Craig, McMahon, and Anderson put in some good work, the latter just failing to get over. F. Fuller got i tho ball and got his kick in, but Balks accepted and calmly trotted a beautiful goal from nearly half-vjay, —Manawatu 11, Wellington 4, The whistle for half-time went a few minutes later.

The second half was, if anything, more exciting than the first,, both sides playing beautiful football, the ball going from one player to the other, and seldom out of touch. In some oases half a dozen men would handle the ball in a rush, and would nearly score, and play would swing back in the same fashion to the other end. Wellington’s first! score happened In this way, Craig beating Westwood for the ball by inches. Balks converted. — Wellington 9, Manawatu 11. The game was fast and furious, and it is «afe to say there has not been sunk

football for many a long day; the only player on the ground who did not stand the test was Dooley, who let his side down rather badly. Wellington scored another try in the same way ns the other, McMahon dribbling well through and kicking over the line, where Craig again obtained possession. Balks again goalod.—Wellington 14, Manawatu 11. With only a short time to go the excitement was at fever heat, and both teams were all out. Green, for Wellington got away, but Westwood saved brilliantly, and beating his man for the ball streaked for home and glory with Kirkland In attendance. By a well-placed kick he placed the ball away from Balks, and although brought down himself Kirkland was there, and over a. thirty yards’ sprint was just able to hold his own, being tackled on the line, but. fell over on the ball. Westwood failed with the kick from a difficult angle.—Wellington 14, Manawatu 14. Mr G. Parkinson had contlrol of the game, and his decisions were unquestioned. All the Manawatu backs, with the exception of Dooley, did well, and there was not one slacker in the forwards. Of course, Carroll was always to the fore, and Kirkland seem tireless.

In the evening the Wellington players and officials were entertained at Whyte’s Hotel to a dinner.