Football

Northland Age, Volume XII, Issue 47, 2 September 1943, Page 1

Football

What could be termed the “Champion of Champions” match between Air Force and Kaitaia was played on Saturday, the latter winning by 16 points to 0. With ideal weather and a good crowd of spectators in attendance there was some of the best football of the season played. In the competition these two teams had drawn on both occasions that they had met. The Aif Force team on Saturday was the same in name only, only four or five players having taken part in previous matches, whereas Kaitaia’s team had remained intact. In fact the side had improved with every game lately„and on Saturday it would have taken a particularly good team

to have defeated it on the day’s play. The opening try, was a brilliant piece of work by Hilton Jameson, the speediest player in the competition. Off the mark in a flash, he beat the opposition to score close in for Hoskin to convert. Several passing rushes were marred by forward passes and it was not until just on half time that Kaitaia improved' their score, Joe Latimer crossing wide out from a misdirected kick by the opposition. It was an easy try. On resuming the home team went further ahead when Hepa Paratene cut through in a thirty yards run to send C. Wright who backed up perfectly, going over by the posts, Hoskin adding the extras. Hawthorn, Air Force’s crack fullback, was injured during the movement and had to retire. The reverse appeared to stimulate the flying boys, and for the next twenty minutes they kept Kaitaia on the defensive. Solid tackling prevented the speedy winger Welsh from scoring on two occasions. Then Hilton Jameson intercepted a pass, and with a spectacular run put his team on the attack for Marsh to score the final try. For the winners both forwards and backs supported one another so it was difficult to individualise. Maugham, Wild and Wright are a trio that played exceptionally well, while Jameson, Werner and Paratene were kept well supplied with the ball by young Joe Wright at half, the Kaitaia pack getting most of the ball from the scrums and line-outs. Though the score indicated an easy win for Kaitaia, there was not that difference in the merits of the two teams. Without the individual brilliance of Jameson, Kaitaia’s captain, there would not have been such a margin. Slow to start, the Air Force forwards played well during the second half, Earl, Paratene, Allen, and Finch continually showing up. Without Andrews hooking, the backs did most of their work on the defensive, though Welsh on the wing when in possession was a danger to be reckoned with, showing a fine turn of speed. Byford played his usual solid game with Hawthorn outstanding at fullback. Mr. Sowter refereed a fine game in his usual impartial manner.