FOOTBALL.

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 28 July 1919, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Seniors. PATEA (-22) v. WAVERLEY (3) Tho Patca v. Waverlcy football match played on tho local Domain on Saturday proved to be one of the most interesting as well as one of the most exciting played on the ground for some time. The scores, Patca 22 t Waverlcy 3, by no means represent the difference in the play of the teams. The visitors were on the offensive again and again and fought a plucky uphill fight to the last minute, in fact the whistle blew with the Waverlcy team in tho home R>, attacking vigorously. Patca, as usual, played a vigorous game, the forwards especially putting in some good workj whilst >t. was mainly owing to the good defensive work of the baekrfj particularly the full-back and the skipper that the score against them was hot considerably larger.

Patca kicked off and as the result of a high kick well followed up, R. Thompson, tho full-back, got over in a good position, Fitzwater adding tho major points. Waverlcy retaliated, the forwards headed by Gordon Walker bringing play to Patea's 25, but the local men soon transferred play to Waverlcy's territory, where . Patea were awarded a free kick, Fitzwater sending the ball over the bar. Waverlcy were not to be denied and kept up the pressure, Booker and H. McDonald getting over the line, the latter touching down. The kick a,t goal was futile. Half-time was called with the score Patea B—Waverlcyß—Waverlcy 3. On resuming, Patea attacked and Reg. Thompson repeated his previous performance—kicking high and following up well and scoring. The kick at goal went wide. Some exciting play ensued for ;somc time, the ball travelling up and down the field, Waverlcy again and- again being within an ace of scoring. Eventually from a loose scrum, Banford got possession and passed to McKenna who took the ball at racing speed and scored between the posts. Schwass' kick went wide. A few minutes after the kick out Fitzwater secured a mark and sent the ball over the bar. Some good forward work by Ashby, Barford and Bourkc resulted in the former scoring near the corner, Schwass kicking a splendid goal. The whistle shortly afterwards blew with no addition to the score.

Mr. F. McDonald refcrced in a capable manner, being commendably strict with players hanging on to the ball.

ALTON (10) v. OPAKU (3) The Alton v. Opaku match played at Alton resulted in a victory for the home team by 10 points to 3. Mr. H. Hodge refcreed. Juniors. WAITOTAEA (8) v. ALTON (3) Waitotara defeated Alton Juniors at Waitotara by S points to 3. PATEA (15) v. WAVERLEF (0) The Patca Juniors defeated' the Wavcrley Juniors at Waverlcy by 15 points to nil.