FOOTBALL

Patea Mail, Volume XLVIII, 1 June 1925, Page 3

FOOTBALL

PATEA v. OKAIAWA THIRD GRADE These teams played a curtain-raiser, before the senior match, the homo team winning by Id points to 8. The scoring for Patca was done by Fraser (2), Corbett and Smith, and Adams converted once. For Okaiawa, Hooper and Telfer scored, and Linn goalcd. SENIORS PATEA (Blue) v. OKAIAWA (Red) ) Those teams met for the first time this season, and after a strenuous game the visitors were victorious, a very fine dropped goal by Purvis deciding the issue. On the day’s play, the wonder is that the homo team did not have a greater score recorded against them, as ihc visitors ’ backs, threw the ball about and showed decidedly better form than their opponents. The play could not bo termed spectacular, and resolved itself more often into forward scrambles, and it was mainly due to the persistency in following up of the home forwards that saved the Blues from being run down time after time. The home backs seldom got the ball i away from the scrum, whilst the visitors threw the leather about in fine style, Aitkcn, at half, showing good form. Thomson, the home full-back, took no chances, and saved his side repeatedly. Murphy, Wills and Hunt worked hard in the van, but the visiting forwards wore a weighty proposition. THE GAME Patca kicked off and had the advantage of a stiff breeze, and from the offset it was evident that the forwards were evenly matched. For the early part of the game, play was confined to the centre of the field, Avith loose -rushes' by the forwards. The Red backs got off with’ a passing rush, but were, field up by Thomson. Shortly afterwards, Aitkcn failed to goal from a mark. Wilis got off from the loose and cleared to Rods’ twenty-five, and after a strenuous struggle an attempt at goal by the same player failed. Play continued even, with some smart stunts by the Red backs, which were smothered. A forward movement by the Blues saw play in Reds’ twenty-five for a time. The visitors, however, were good on defence, and succeeded in clearing to half-way, Cameron got off with a clear field, but was overtaken, and he transferred to Crawford, who crossed to the line, where, after some close punted to half-way. Reds again attacked and kept play in Blues’ twenty-five, a forward movement by the home forwards resulting in McKenna clearing to halfway. Wills led a forward movement over Reds’ line, but the ball was kicked dead, and the whistle sounded half-time with no score.

With the wind in their favour, the Reds had the upper, hand in the secondspell, and the Blues were compelled to force down several times. Owing to a home player mulling, the Reds cleared well down-field, but over-kicking resulted in Blues’ forcing. Hunt led an attack and for a time play was confined to Reels’ twenty-five. Johnston and Crawford put in a smart sprint, and after exchanging passes, a certain score was saved by the ball being forced out. Shortly afterwards a penalty at goal by Johnston failed. Play then continued in the centre, neither team securing the lead, but the Reds were more aggressive, and, having the advantage of the wind, kept the home team extremely busy. In fringements were numerous, and two attempts at goal by Reds narrowly missed going over the bar. During the last ten minutes it looked as if neither side would score, till Purvis secured outside Blues’ twenty-five, near the side-line, and with the wind in lino, dropped a neat goal. This gave Reds a lead of 4 points to nil, and although the home team played hard to even up, no additional score was registered, and the game ended: — Ohaiawa 4 Patea 0 Mr St. George refereed. RESULTS AT A GLANCE SENIORS The results of the senior matches are as follows: Tukapa 4 v Inglewood 0. Okaiawa 4 v Patea 0. Hawora 6 v Clifton 0. Old Boys 12 v Star 9. Eltham 11 v Athletic 0. Stratford 17 v Opunakc U.