FOOTBALL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XII, Issue 2376, 5 June 1906, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

EXCELSIORS (DANNEVIRKE) v

SWIFTS

The above senior teams met for the first time this season at the local Recreation Ground yesterday afternoon, and an interesting game was the result. There was a good attendance of spectators, who evinced great interest in the contest, although there was a tendency at times, on their part, to encroach on the field of play. In the first spell no score occurred, notwithstanding that the visitors were forced down several times, owing chiefly to the excellent play of the local forwards, who had the advantage in weight, and who figured prominently in the dribbling rushes. Shortly after the second spell opened the visitors’ territory was again invaded, where Williams, getting the ball, made the run of the day. lie dodged the opposing backs, and drew first blood. Johnson took the kick, but failed to add the major points, the ball going under the cross-bar. On the kickout give-and-take play occurred, but the local forwards soon worked the leather into the Excelsiors’ twentyfives, where the latter team were penalised for an infringement of the rules. Douglas took the kick, which was successful. On the resumption of hostilities the Excelsiors rallied, and took the ball down into the Swifts’ twenty-fives, where the hitter were penalisetr. Anderson took the kick, and sent the ball over the cross-bar. Owing to one of the home team illegally charging, however, the referee, who had blown his whistle, ordered the kick-at-goal to be again made, with the same result. It was now a few minutes of time, and the Swifts rushed the ball into the opposing team’s quarters, but the leather was kicked out near the centre flag, and the whistle blew, leaving the home team victorious by six points to three. Beyond the dribbling rushes and excellent following up of the home forwards, the game could not he considered a first-class exposition of Rugby. There was a lack of combination among the Swifts’ backs, and an almost entire absence of passing. The ball was also frequently fumbled by them. It was owing to these deficiencies that the score was not much larger. There was also a disposition on the part of players on both sides to get off-side, and players know how hazardous this is, especially in front of their opponents' goal. "Keep behind the ball” is a motto that forwards should always remember above all things. The visitors are to be commended for the struggle they made to stave off the onslaughts of the opposing vanguard. The match was played in good spirit throughout. ®lr McTavisli proved ati efficient referee. The Swifts are now leading in the senior competitions, and the match with the Dannevirke team, to l»c played here on Wednesday, 13th inst.. is sure to attract a large attendance and excite great interest among lovers of the game. The visiting team had evidently brought a "Bottle Brigade'" with them, which was in great demand—so much so. that some of the spectators. whenever a player got a bump, shouted in chorus: "Where is the whisky bottle?” EXCELSIOR v. MAXGAr.UNOKA. The junior match Excelsior v. Mangataiiioka. played at the latter's ground, yesterday, resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. Mr Snell officiated as referee. WELLINGTON v. WA IRA BAR A. \ RECORD SCORE. The above match, which was placed at Wellington yesterday, resulted in a win for the home team bv G2 points to nine. In the first spell Wellington scored 3-1 points to nil. Tries were secured by Thompson (2). Wallace. Roberts, Ramsden. Gardiner and McGregor. five of which were converted. Spencer kicked a penalty goal. In the second spell tries for Wellington wore scored 1 1 \ Wallace. Ramsden. Rob cits. Thompson. Gardiner, Alexander. five of which were converted. For W'airarnpa H. McKenzie gof a try, and the penalty goals were kicked h\ J. O'Learv and W’riglev.