ARATAPU FOOTBALL CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8365, 19 September 1890, Page 6

ARATAPU FOOTBALL CLUB.

TllK Aratapu Football Club after remaining comparatively iiuiet during the wet season for want of a dry ground and opponents to struggle with, has suddenly sprung into active work. All through the winter they had been expecting a visit from a Waipu team in return for one they made to Waipu last season. Waipu, however, are unable to return the visit this season, which our boys much regret as they felt quite able for them. Our club has not been beaten for three years' now. Thev huve this season defeated Maropui, Kopuru, Tatarariki, and a native Wairoa team, and next Saturday they play the return match with Maropui, and on the '27th instant they contemplate a visit to Helensville, where they expect to meet a good team, containing some Auckland reps. Helensville has no local club this year, but Mr. Hugh Poland, who captained Helensville on their visit here last season, has promised to have a team ready to meet them on the date übovenamed. Our boys gladly accepted the invitation, and are determined to make a L)i<r fight, however great the odds may be. On Saturday last a match was played at Mangawharc, Wairoa Natives vermis Aratapu, and a good game resulted in a win for Aratapu by 7 points to nil. P. Ross and J. Lowrie secured the tries, one of which was converted into a goal by A. Smith. Tho other two points were rot by a penalty kick, from which C. Matthews landed a beautiful goal at a difficult angle. The referee in this match was not well versed in the rules, and made some glaring mistakes. The game, however, was fought out in good spirit. The football season here has not been without its accident. While playing a scratch match on our sawdust flat George Nield was thrown and broke his collarbone. Dr. Norton was in town in connection with the Kuncke trial when it happened, but fortunately Dr. Stevens chanced to bo in the neighbourhood on insurance business, and set the fracture, ho that the patient is progressing favourably.—[Own Correspondent.]