SENIOR COMPETITION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13395, 1 June 1914, Page 5

SENIOR COMPETITION.

' V.M.P. (6) V. UNITED (3). ' .-, The liandful of spectators who bra veil the unfavorable weather conditions and attended at the Victoria Domain, on Saturday afternoon were rewarded by witnessing tile best football v match that has been played this season. The' competing teams were V.M.P. and United, and from start to finish the proceedings were: full of vim. Occasional., light showers made the ball slippery and the ground greasy; nevertheless the leather was handled splendidly. Whilst there was nothing of a brilliant nature about the match, 1 the game was full of iiici- ( dent, and real hard play was indulged m. Play was pretty" even, although V.M.P. showed better combination both amongst their backs and forwards. Soon after the ball was set m motion Brown headed a forward rush by V.M.P., and Rukingi marte a good but unsuccessful attempt to drop-kic^ a goal. United penned their opponents m their » own quarter for a time, but good work by McGregor and Wl Friday gave relief. Eventually V.M.P. forced. Some uninteresting play m neutral ground ensued and then "United, headed by Carmine, carried the oval near to Y.M.P.'s line, but the ball went to touch-in-goal. Following up a good kick by Rukingi, Kaipara got possession and transferred to Rukingi, who was grassed by C. Pollock. A mix-up ensued, and Kaipara wriggled m and scored a try far out. Rukingi failed at goal. A likely passing rush between United backs was rendered futile by Allen knocking on. United kept up the pressure, but Kopae transferred to Kaipara, who made a good run down the line, and operations went on m United's territory. Kaipara. made an opening and sent out to Rukingi, who took, a long pass and transferred to Tamati, who was on the field for the first time for three seasons, and made a fast run, but was grounded by G. Pollock. The latter was instrumental m transferring play to the other end of the field. Allen marked m a favorable position, and made a good but unsuccessful attempt at goal. . After some give-and-take play United gradually worked their way near to Y.M.P.'s line. G. Pollock made a weak attempt to pot a goal, and V.M.P. forced, which they did again shortly after.

Soon alter the teams changed over V.M.P. attacked. Kaipara with a good run down the line brought play near to United's line. From a scrum Kaipara instituted a passing bout, tlie ball finally going out to, Tamati, who streaked over, after, outstripping G. Pollock, and scored a good try. Kaipara made a poor attempt to incrca.se the score. Matters became more lively, and lite Maoris kept up the pressure for a. time, some hard play by botli sides being indulged m. Cuited got .dangerously near their op-! pnni'iits' liiu'. and Sloan \v;is nearly over, but the- gojil-post -stopped him. From a scrum that ensued the Maoris cleared their line, and Kuking'i aid Tamati wore nearly away, but a slippery ball spoilt 'their chance. Sonic f:i*l forward rushes up and down this Held followed, and eventually United aUneked. determinedly, but their lack of cornbinni.ion spoilt them several chances. From a line-out Sloan was almost, . over, but a fiw kirk -wn< awarded V.M.P. G, Pollock received. :i iul made an unsuccessful attempt to dropkick a goal, and V.M.P. forced just m time. United renewed, the attack, and •were rewarded. A ' Y'.M.P, player attempted to force, but fell over the oval, and A. Muir, who was following up fast, promptly scored: Allen's Kick at goal was a poor one. A good deal' of excitement followed, and United wei;e almost m again, but good tackling by Rukingi, Kaipara and Pakn saved their side. A force relieved V.M.P., who became the aggressors. A splendid kick by Rukingi saw the leather go out near United's line. V.M.P. were penalised, but. G. Pol lock did not gain any ground from the resultant kick. The V.M.P. backs engaged m a dangerous passing bout; they lost the ball at the critical -moment, and Fnited returned play to mid-field, nuking! effected a splendid catch and attempted to pot; lie mis-kicked, and tho ball went across the field. Tamati streaked up tho line, but the ball was just beyond his T>each, and it. went into touch-in-goal. The excitement now increased, and United forwards swooped down tho field and came dangerously near their opponents' line. V.M.P., however, defended well, and Kaipara* put an end to the struggle by kicking out. Mr Brown was referee. JUNIORS. In the. junior competition Garrison and St. Patrick's played a drawn game, both sides, scoring two tries each. . THIRDS. the third grade competition was commenced on Saturday. High School won by default from St. Patrick's; Kaiti-City beat West End by 22 to nil, and .Garrison and V.M.P. drew with three points each.