FOOTBALL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 2789, 28 May 1921, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

BY HALF-BACK.

A feature of last Saturday’s play in thy senior championships was the stand made by Konini against tho Toki division. This year Konini has been consderably weakened by several of their players joining other clubs and for the past few Saturday’s have been hard pushed to find a team. To their credit, they have always toed the mark and were ready to give all-comers a run for their money, a fact which reflects the spirit of the club. The team which took tho field last Saturday was composed mostly of youngsters and it was naturally thought that Toki, aho headed tlie list on points, would he able to account for thoir less experienced foes. Tho old saying “you never know until the numbers go up.” was never more true than in this case. With a confidence that was disconcerting, I am sure, to Toki, the Konini jumped into the fray and led them in play all the way. Tho game was without '.any spectacular iVieidents and was of a hard and gruelling nature, in which Toki were conspicuous by the many muddles they made. Konini were unlucky not to score more than the one try they did. Had. it not boon for the fine

“saves” by Tait, at full back, Toki might have had to record their first defeat of the season. Whether they bad stage fright or not it is hard to say, but it was certainly a deplorable exhibition. The veteran Toki player, Bert Harvey, ereated a bit of a record and also a lot of talk by shooting his first goal in 25 years and saving his side from complete disaster. We should recommend another try out for him for “one never knows what an old dog can do until he is put to it.” Had tbe rule, forcing a player to take their own mark kick, not been in vogue Harvoj would never have taken the kick ami a probably more experienced band at kicking would not have met with tho same suceess.

Ha mu a look to have the best team in tlie competition this year. They 1 have brought together one of tho strongest, if not the strongest pack of forwards in the competition both for weight in the serum and speed ill the loovso. The back division should also take a lot of knocking back. Jn Rat and Aliko Galvin they have two of tlie fastest and nippiest players in the Bush and a power of strength to any side. Hanuia are leading with. Toki in tlie competition with six points each. The former have a match to go. Konini comes next with lour championship points. “Halfbaek” has not seen Ngaturi or Hukanui in action yet but favourable reports have been received as to their capabilities. Ngaturi were last year’s juniors and their initial .appearance under the senior banner has been a most creditable one. Mannia defeated them by 16 to 3 last Saturday but in previous games they have proved hard nuts to crack. Hnkamii is said to have the goods, but lacks experience, but according to reports have been, so far, sailing under an unlucky cloud and should have won on a- few occasions. Something should bo heard of them before long. Great things) were exported from Eketalmna, who brought to light a. fine pack of forwards on their first appearance. Their 4 backs were a bit weak but it was anticipated they would improve with each match. So far the expectations have not been justified. Alfred ton scored their first win on Saturday against Eketalmna. This club always experiences great difficulty in getting a fully representative team to travel any distance from home. In cases where teams have to travel such a distance, as from Pahiatua, Ngaturi, Ha mu a or Konini to ’Alfred ton and vice versa it would bo more satisfactory to everybody concerned and help to keep the clubs’ team together if a. ha’f-way ground was arranged for the contest. [t is a matter which the Rugby Union should seriously consider.

A representative match between two teams from the Bush was played on the Show Grounds on Wednesday last and resulted in a victory for the North against tlie South by 3 points, the final score ending 12—9. Only two tries were scored during the game—one to each side*—and a

feature of the match was the two successful efforts at goal by Sonny Smith. It was a fast and interesting contest and a good “rep” team, should be selected from amongst the players. The team to play Dannevirke on .Tune 22nd will be published on Afondav.

Next Friday (King’s Birthday) the annual seven-a-side tournament will be hold. The nominations close with the president (Air J. R. Cook) tonight and it is hoped that the secretaries have not failed to nominate ns many teams as possible. If the weather is fine there should be a record attendance of the public, and to keep fehem conversant with the various stages of the tournament T would suggest that a blackbooixl he placed in a conspicuous position and the winners of the} several events written down. This would entail very little extra trouble and would bo thoroughly appreciated by ‘the majority of the CBOWtI.

The tournament will commence at noon, so that a good afternoons sport should be witnessed. The juniors have a very handsome and artistic •up (presented by Air E. O’Sullivan) to play for. Tlie conditions are that the cup has to be won five times, not necessary at intervals, before going

to any club. In the senior competition the Dooley Cup will be competed for.

“Half-bairk” wishes to congratulate the Alanagement Committee and especially the chairman (Mr J. R. Cook) on the business-like way they have ali tackled the problems that face local rugby. One of the movements in tlie right direction was tlie establishment of an insurance scheme. The committee* is alive this year and tlie chairman fertile in ideas and untiring in liis efforts for the good of the game. Both i>layers. and spectators will have good cause to thank Air Cook for the sacrifice of his time for the efficient administration of football in the Bush. He has every detail at his finger tips.