Football.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 283, 25 May 1897, Page 2

Football.

OKA.IAWA v. OPUNAKE.

The above teams played their first mateh on Saturday at Opuuake for the first round of the Coastal Junior Cup. There was a fair number of spectators on the field, among whom was a fair sprinkling of lady enthusiasts. A. Guy captaiued the local team and O'Dea the visitors. Okaiawa defended the western goal with a slight breez6 in their favor, while Humphries kicked off for Opunake. From a scrum in the midfield Tamo kicked into Opunake's 25, which P. Guy returned to their line, where a scrum took place, but Waki broke through and took the play to half way. Tamo followed up a useful kick of Katani's and took the ball out at the 25 flag. Through some reckless passing by Opunake Johnson got to within a few yards of the line, where it looked as if they were going to score. Langman and Luxton got a rush on and took the play back, and McLeod and Loveridge being close took it to Okaiawa 25. O'Dea gained some distance by running to half way, and on being collared his forwards rushed on to Opunake backs, when Hill smartly picked the ball up and returned to half way. Forsyth stopped a rush, and Langman passing to Hill took the play into Okaiawa Hue, when they were forced. Faulknor returned the kick out, and O'Dea and Puano gaiued ground in passing Loveridge got through a scrum at half-way, and the play was carried to the visitor's line, where they were again forced. Langman started off but was brought down, and A. Guy kicked out at half-way. From the throw out Jonas secured the ball and by good fending and dodging took it across the field to near the 25, when he passe 1 to Greig, and the latter taking it well, continued the run, and eventually drew first blood. Humphries did not increase the score from the kick. After the kick off Guy and Hill did some useful kicking, and Puano kicked back out of touch, when half time wa3 called. Opunake, 3 points; Okaiawa, 0. The visitors commenced the second spell and soon had the local team on the defensive. Katani made off, bub but was stopped by Forsyth, and Savwell kicked along the line. Tamo took the play to Opunake quarters, where a lot of scrummaging took place. From some good play on the part of Jonas and Malcolm play was taken to the centre. Forsyth, A. Guy, and Hill did some passing, after which Tamo and O'Dea invaded the the local line, and thtir forwards rushing the play the ball was taken on to the line. Several players got over the line together near the goal, and they were under the impression that they had scored, but the ball was taken back and a scrum was given. Opunake was awarded a free kick which somewhat relieved their line. Johnson, by some good play, took it back again and Opunake were forced. Greig, Saywell and F. Guy did some useful work to get the ball returned, but a free kick for Okaiawa put the play on the Opunake line, and they were again forced. Opunake had a place near half way, but their opposing forwards smothered it. Tamo and Poi put Opunake on the defensive, and O'Dea making a. short run got to within a. few yards! of the line, where dome hard play took place, until a free kick for Opuuake took the play to the visitors 25. Puano made a run, and being stopped by Guy, O'Dea followed on, when Opunake were forced. Humphries and Malcolm rushed to half way, where Tamo got the ball, and made a splendid run passing nearly all the field by his dodgy running, but was eventually checked when within a few yards of the line out of touch, Greig made a short run, and Johnson stopping him Katani i*eturned the ball to half way. Th local forwards urged to their opponents 25, when time was called. Opunake 3, Okaiawa 0. The game was played in a good spirit, although towards the end of last spell the play was rougher than it should have been, several of the local men being temporially hurt, and Hill had to retire from the game for some time. The forwards of the visitors were much heavier thau their opponents but not quite so fast, but in the end the weight commenced to tell. The local backs are much improved by the addition of the Rahotu players who now form a good back division. The game was chiefly a forward one, and the backs had not much chance of individual play. For Okaiawa Johnson played the best in the forwards, while Tamo, O'Dea and Katani were prominent amo:ig the backs. For Opunake Humphries, Loveridge, and McLeod played well in the forwards, and Jonas (who played a fine game), Greig, and A. Guy among the backs. Mr W. Lambie did his utmost to satify both sides as referee, and Messrs F. Phillips and W. Duffill acted as touch line umpires for Okaiawa and Opunake respectively. The visitors were entertained at Middleton's Hotel during the evening, where a pleasant time was spent. The Tukapas beat the Stars by 10 to 0, in the Senior Cup round. The Stars beat Hawera in the Senior Cup contest on Monday at Hawera by 14 points. Waimate beat Okaiawa (junior cup) by two tries to nothing. In junior matches Tukapa 111 beat Clifton, and Star beat Inglewood.