Football.

Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 1649, 28 June 1910, Page 3

Football.

OPUNAKE (9) v. PATEA (8). To allow the Patea team to return and catch the tram for Patea, the game commenced at about 10.45 a m. The Opunake team, with the exception of three players, were all junior men. Boon after the kick-off Patea were penalised for- holding on to the ball, and A. Brennan kicked a goal. From the kick out, play continued > lively, the green forwards being very keen, and followed up smartly, but the wings should have been frequently penalised for off-side play. The second score for Opunake was got by the green forwards dribbling the ball down the field, and after negotiating a couple of scrums, continued to be aggressive, aud D. O’Sollivan carried the ball over the line at the corner, Holmes touching down. No goal. After further good play, Holmes again l scored after a abort, neat run. The kick at goal was again a failure. The spell ended with Opunake in the lead by nine points. It was not long after the second spell opened when the Patea backs . treated the spectators to a very pretty exhibition of passing, which carried play into the greens’ territory. From a scrum the black backs were again set in motion, McKenna opening up play scientifically, the passing going on between all their backs, and a score resulted The aspect and manoeuvring that led up to the score gave the spectators the impression that Patea would repeat the performance, but the backs did not brighten up to the same pitch. The half-back did not get many clear passes oat, and once or twice fumbling interfered with the backs setting up an attack. The game ended with the score - Opunake 9 Patea: 8 Palmer,, who used to play a really good forward game, was the best back on the ground. McKenna also showed some good work. Stewart, at full, played a fine game. Cameron played the best back game for Opuoake, being the deadliest collarer on the ground. This player, in a town team, would soon develop into a slashing back. A. Brennan was of great service to Opunake, as also was Harrison, and the three made a trio of good backs, especially sound in defence. The forwards bad no stars, all being equal in brightness and “dinkum” at collaring. ** The result of the game makes it appear that the selection committee were ignorant of the quality of the young players they had at their command. Mr Stewart Forsyth had charge of the whistle, and made a first rate referee.

The following will represent the Opunake juniors against Waimate, at Opunake :—Joe, Potter, Graham, Brennan, S. Cameron, King, •T. Cameron, Catchpole, Western, Tiger, Buna, Peacock, Parsons, Wilson, Kamo. The following N.Z. programme of matches has been arranged for the American Universities’ team :—Wellington, 16:h July ; Dunedin, 20th ; Christchurch, 23rd : Auckland, 80th. The allocation of the match on 27th . July was held over. The terms for a match at Palmerston or Wanganui are to be ascertained. The team will arrive in Wellington on the 13th July. Clifton seniors defeated Stratford on Thursday by 6 points to 3. This is the first defeat Stratford has received , this season. Accidents are prevalent in the northern division. Bullot (Stratford) who made bis first appearance this season, had his leg broken in the match against Clifton. Waimate seniors defeated Hawera by 16 points to 8. Okaiawa won from Kaponga by 14 points to 6. Kaponga juniors defeated Okaiawa by 15 to 6. All-Blacks defeated N.S.W. by 6 points to nil. Thirty thousand people attended the match, and the critics state it was the finest match yet 4 played. Prior to the big match the Maoris and American Varsity match was played, the Natives winning by 14 points to 11. The Maoris scored all their points in the second spell.