Football.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 7 August 1894, Page 3

Football.

OPUNAKE y. OTAKEHO. The Opunake juniors played the Otakeho Club on Saturday last at Otakeho. The day was all that could be desired, and a number of visitors, including a fair sprinking of the fair sex, assembled to witness the contest. Opunake won the toss, and elected to defend the southern goal. As the teams took their places, it was apparent that there was not much difference in weight, Otakeho having a slight advantage in this respect. At 2.80 W. Glenn set the ball rolling for Otakeho by kicking into Opunake’s 25’s, and from the return a series of line-outs and scrums ensued in the home team’s 25’s. Brewer ultimately got possession of the leather, and made a splendid shot at goal, the ball passing over the post. On the game being renewed, a lot of loose play followed in the home team’s territory, until Doran started a rush for Otakeho, the ball going out at the centre flag. On being thrown in, the visiting forwards were not long in taking it back, and a score was only averted by an Opunake forward kicking into the hands of the opposing full-back, who saved his side by a long kick. Otakeho now assumed the aggressive, and a rush, headed by Blair, Carroll, and Glenn, took the ball to within a few yards of the visitors’ goal line, where it was stopped by Callender and Hohaia. The outcome of the inevitable serum was a long kick nr

the field, and immediately after half time was called, the ball being in “ neutral territory.” Opunake set the ball in motion once more, and a lot of give and take play (during which Pita, for Opunake, missed at least two chances to score) Otakeho made the visitors’ line the scene of action. The ball was carried over the line, but it was ordered back and scrummed five yards out, the result being that the visitors forced. From this out to the end of the game, both teams made strenuous efiotts to score, but without avail. Within the last ten minutes, Doran, for Otakeho, crossed the line, but the ball was ordered back. A few minutes later the same player made an apparently successful shot at goal, but the leather was ruled “ dead” before be kicked it. Just previous to the call of time, the Opunake forwards rushed the ball well down the field, and when “no side ” sounded play was in Otakeho territory. The game thus ended in a draw, neither side scoring. Mr A. Good officiated as referee, and gave every satisfaction. Contrary to general expectation, the game was a very evenly contested one. For Otakeho, Blair, Glenn, Doran, and Carroll were the pick of the backs, while the forwards played well together. Brewer, Callender, and Carter shone out prominently in the back division, though all did their work well. F. Carter was the shining light of the forwards, and was well backed up by the remainder of the “ hard grafters.” After the match the teams proceeded to the hotel, where the visitors were entertained at a tea and smoke concert.