FOOTBALL.

NZ Truth, Issue 65, 15 September 1906, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

(By "Pakeha.")

The match between the Waipuua (Blenhiem) and Athletic senior teams was played on the Athletic Park, which was m a very sloppy condition pools of water covering a large portion of the play ins; area. The teams were very evenly matched, Waipuna being perhaps a little stroncer forward, while Athletic backs had the advantage m combination.

The local team opened the scoring with a try obtained by Wilson after a forward rush, which Hales failed to convert. Shortly afterwards O'Meara secured the ball m his own twenty-five and after running some distance passed to S. Wilson, who, with McLennan m attendance, raced for the line. When tackled he feinted to pass to his wintt. but seeing him blocked he returned to O'Meara, who. on reaching the full back passed to McLennan, who scored. The kick at goal failed.

Waipuna now took a hand m the scoring; and Clouston obtained a try near the touch line after a nice piece of dribbling. Shortly after the second spell opened Hales, for Athletic, kicked a goal from a mark. The same was now very fast and open, first one side and tiven the other havinc the advantage. From a forward rush F. Sowman scored for Wainuna, but the kick at goal failed to add the extra points.

From a kick across the field an Athletic back took the ball and instead of kickinc attempted to run buU ;was held and o 'Sullivan obtaining possession scored near the posts. O'Brien made no mistake this time, and put the ball fairly between the uprights, making the score Waipuna 11, Athletic 9.

From this till the end Athletic attacked strongly and narrowly missed scoring on three, occasions, Cunningham dropping the ball when he had a clear run m. O'Brien, who represented the Coast acainst the last Australian team played a good game at full for the visitors.

The three-quarters played well individually, but made no attempt at combined action. Manning, an erst Poneke player and Canterbury rep., played centre, but he appears to have lost all his dash.

The wingmen, Egglund and E. Sowman, gave a- fair exhibition, the former provinr himself a match for the local O.Sullivan.,. F. Sowman, Best, Clouston and O' Sullivan were perhaps the pick of a very even set of forwards.

O'Meara and S. Wilson were the best of the local backs. Cunningham handled the ball well m the first spell, but m the second, when it was put almost into his hands, dropped' it and lost his side three tries. Lile, Wilson, Baker and Bell were most conspicuous among the blue forwards.