FOOTBALL.

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1231, 22 May 1947, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

, WEEK-END GAMES Results of games played during the week-end are:— Seniors: United defeated Maraetai, 11—5; Tokoroa defeated Mangakino, 12—4. Juniors ; Maraetai defeated (Forest Products, 9—O; Athle'tic defeated Tokoroa, 12—3; United defeated Te Whetu, 16—3. In the representative games played: at Cambridge, the Putaruru juniors lost to Cambridge, 6—B, and the Putaruru seniors lost to Cambridge, 3—14.

UNITED v. MARAETAI The United senior team proved the superior when it met and defeated Maraetai at Karl’s paddock on Sunday. The game was fast throughout with the home team’s forwards slightly the better. There was not much between them up till Half-time, but from then on United had the the visitors on the defensive nearly all the time, A strong cross-wind made accurate passing and kicking very hard. The game resulted in a win for United by 14 points to five. UNITED v. TE WHETU The Putaruru United junior team .defeated Te Whetu fifteen: by 16 points to three in a game, played -during the week-end. In the first spell the play was loose and ragged, but in the second half it improved, and some good football, with the forwards following up fast, and the backs throwing the 'ball about, was witnessed TOKOROA r. ATHLETIC In the junior game between Tokoroa a Ad Athletic, played at Tokoroa •during the week-end, a strong wind blowing down field rather spoiled a good game. Both sets of forwards worked well, but the Tokoroa backs lost many opportunities in the first spell through faulty handling. The Athletic backs, on the other hand, were seen to better advantage, the wingers being given many chances, from which three out of the four tries scored by Athletic were obtained. Graham, who was taken from the forwards to play in the five-eighth position, handled well, and. Haworth, behind the scrum, served his backs cleanly. Athletic won the toss and elected to play against the wind. Tokoroa attacked from the outset and kept AthlOMc in. their twenty-five for seme time, but their backs could not get through Athletic’s defence. Ath-. letic forwards took play to midfield, Woodgate in particular being prominent. Tokoroa, however, soon bad Athletic defending again, and from a penalty awarded Tokoroa in a handy position Hogg goaled. This reverse spurred Athletic and Nicol gained a lot of ground with a fine run. Prom a scrum in Tokorou’s twenty-five Haworth sent his backs away for Burke to go over in the comer. Dunn’s kick failed. Play was returned to midfield where it remained until half-time sounded, with the score: Tokoroa 3, Athletic s. On resumption Athletic settled down quickly and took play to Tokoroa territory, where from a loose Bcrum Haworth picked up smartly to send Bantom away on the blind side, who in turn passed on to iCrickett for the latter to go over. ' Dunn failed with a difficult kick. Athletic continued to press until Tokoroa! took the ball from near their own line to Athletic twenty - five with a dashing' forward rush. .Play was soon returned to Tokoroa territory and Henderson went over but was recalled for a forward pass. Athletic were now dominating play, the forwards repeatedly hooking the jbaH quickly and cleanly from the set scrums, from-one of which Haworth again -sent Ban ton away on the blind side for Crickett to score. Dunn was again unable to add 1 the . extra points. i’*? Prom a lineout on Tokoroa’s -twenty-five the ball was kicked oyer ' Tokoroa’s goal line and fast following up saw Morris and Bayly dive for the ball. The try was awarded ■to Morris. Although making a good attempt Dunn was unable to find the uprights. Tokoroa at this stage set up a spirited attack and kept Athletic in their half for some time and were rather unlucky not to add to their score. However, it was faulty handling on the part of the Tokoroa backs which eventually brought relief for Athletic, the final whistle sounding with Tokoroa defending stubbornly, and the score: Athle'tic 12, Tokoroa 3. Mr. A. Hurst was referee.