MATAWAI NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16186, 24 July 1923, Page 9

MATAWAI NEWS.

BUSH HOCKEY

Fine weather was experienced on Saturday at Matawai for the first hockey match between Matawai and Mdtu Valley. The teams were composed of ladies, men, and boys, and bush sticks only were allowed, some of which wove very ingenious. The teams were as follows : Matawai.—Mesdames Christensen, Mcßae, MeLellatid, Messrs. Christensen, (captain), T. Lynch, deLautour, K. Powell, Bell, D. Clark, Tweedale, N. Thomas. Motu Valley : Mesdames •Jacobs, A. J. Gibson (captain), Misses R. Fleming, T. Lynch, N. Lynch, Messrs. Mcßae, P. Kenny, Barrudell, P. Hansen. T. I'obb, A. E. Gibson.

From the bully-off Matawai set up a determined attack, and the centre-for-ward, N. deLautour, sent the ball into the net, but the relcrco ruled that the ball bad been hit from outside the circle, which at that, stage of the game had not been marked. In the first half, Motu Valley played their ladies forward, and their men back. The players, on both sides, soon settled into their individual positions, but it took quite a while to master the intricacies of off-side, obstruction, and sticks. Play was very even throughout the first half, and some good form was shown. Several of the players were making their debut on the hockey field, and promise to develop into good players. N. ' deLautour secured a monopoly oil' the bullys-off, and proved a thorn to tho defence. Macßae, for tho other side, also attacked strongly, and it was only good defence on both sides that kept their goals intact. There was no score at half-time. In the second half, Matawai attacked strongly, and Motu Valley had a strenuous 20 minutes defending their goal. Tweedale, deLautour, Christensen, and Bell had several shots at goal, but good defensive work by the goalie, P. Hansen, combined with over-eagerness on tho part of tho attackers, saved the situation. Towards the end of tho spell the standard of play improved considerably, and some pretty passing was indulged in. Although Matawai had much the better of the play during the second half, they were not ablo to scoro. Some of the rushes of the men forwards were splendidly stopped by Alotu Valley lady backs. The game ended in a draw. As a result of the good form shown in this match, was decided to call a meeting for Thursday evening for the purpose of forming a hockey Club in Matawai. LIBRARY - DANCE. A very enjoyable dance was held in the Matawai Hall last Friday evening, when, despite the threatening nature ot the weather, and tho bad state of tho roads, rpiite a fair number of residents did homage to the terpsichorean muse. The music was supplied by Walker's orchestra, from Motuhora, and dancing was continued until the wee sma' hours. Messrs. Christensen and Scholium made efficient M's.C, while Mr. N. L. deLautour, president of the Library Committee, made an excellent host, and kept an energetic committee at full pressure. A dainty supper was provided by the ladies, and was in charge of Mesdames MeLelland and Christensen, who were assisted by a willing • band of workers. There were two competitions ; estimating the weight of a cake, which was won by Mr. E. Powell; and selecting the name of the mysterious person, which was won by* Mr. D. Surrey. The success of tho dance was largely due to tho efficiency of the secretary, Mr. T. Christensen. As a result of the dance, the library building fund will benefit by over £6. FOOTBALL. A sequence of wintry Saturdays has seriously interfered with the northern division's Caulton Cup fixtures, and has robbed this competition of a considerable amount of interest. Tho matches played on the 7th inst. took place in a blinding snow storm. It was bitterly cold, and the players were soon numbed with the cold. Tho Matawai-Weka match, played at. Matawai, was abandoned after 2Q minutes' play, both sides having scored three points. For Wckas, E. Hope dropped a goal from a mark, while E. Powell scored a try for Matawai. The Motu-Motuhora match was also a mud scramble, which was won by' the latter by nine points to three. Considering that tho North Union has its matches nearly finished, with the greater part, of the season to go, it is difficult to understand why these matches were played. On tho following Saturday heavy rain set in in the morning, and continued all day, and both travelling teams forfeited. I Neither of these teams had a chance of winning tho cup, however; still tho personal element should be absent from the union, and the game should not suffer for the sake of a trophy. In connection with the MotuMotuhora match, played in the snow, the Waikohu sub-Union upheld a protest by the Motu Club, and ordered the match to be re-played. REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. A Rugby Referees' Association has been formed with headquarters at Matawai, which has been acknowledged as a sub-association by the Poverty Bay Referees 'Association. The association comprises: Messrs. T. Trengrovq, A. Walker, McLean, W. J. Rcid, T. Meagher, J. Johnston, T. Christensen, J. Mcßae, A. Cruickshank, C. Fielder, King, McDonald, and Gibson.

GLEE CLUB. One of the latest clubs to be formed in Matawai, and one that deserves to bo well patronised, is the Glee Club. Mr. N. L. deLautour has been elected president, and Mr. A. W. Roberts secretary, and with two such energetic officers at (he head of affairs, the Gleo Club should be very successful. The Rev. E. C. R. Beale has consented to wield the baton.