FOOTBALL

Temuka Leader, Issue 2406, 1 October 1892, Page 3

FOOTBALL

TEMUKA V. COLONIALS. This, the deciding match in the Junior [ Flag competition, came off on Thursday ' last, in the presence of about 201) people, on 1 the Caledonian Grounds, Tiinaru. Owing ' to the rains the ground was in a very soft, , sloppy condition, water lying about in many , places, thus rendering fast and open back j play (on which the town team depended) an i impossibility. Nevertheless the spectators were treated to as good and as stubbornlyfought a contest as was ever witnessed between any teams. Findlay, the Temuka captain, was fortunate in the toss, and wisely decided to give his team the advantage of the wind. On the teams lining out it was seen that there was not much to choose from in either team, as they were evenly matched in most things, though Temuka could claim a decided advantage in the forward department. After the customary cheers had been given and responded to, Thompson, the gallant Colonial skipper, kicked off, and the contest began in real earnest. Soon it was evident that both sides were straining every nerve to score and the Colonials from a miskick by one of Temuka backs carried the oval across the line in the mud and water. Then ensued a wild scramble in which at least six or seven of each side had a grab at the ball which was secured by Penrose, thug drawing first blood for the yellow and blacks. Owing to the difficulty of the angle and a strong wind the score was not increased, and the game showed Colonials 2, Temuka nil. Anderson kicked out from the 2i> flag, and play was shifted to the Colonial territory, where it hung for a long time, the black and white being within an ace of scoring. Play was now gradually shifted towards Temuka's quarters by tight scrums and line work. On the ball emerging from the scrum Bilton secured it, and neatly transferred to Boys, who ran well along the lino before being stopped by Brosnahan. Uninteresting scrum and lino work followed until Anderson smartly marked, and the pressure on the country teum was relieved. The play was again worked back by the Colonials, and Rice the Colonial half back, catching Robinson napping, smartly bounced the ball on a player's head, an.l before Temuka could realise it, he was aoross their line with the oval in a pool of water. The kick was again of no avail, and the score was Colonial 4, Temuka nil. This seemed to rally the Temuka men, who determinedly carried the ball to the other end by the agency of J. Broßnahan, McCallum and McKinley, these three being hosts in themselves. From several rushes the town team was quickly forced twice in succession, McCallum and .Henry getting across the line and losing 'the slippery ball. At last Boys, by a good kick, relieved the pressure, and the game centred in mid-field. Not for any length of time, however, as the forwards on both bides were working with great dash and effect. Scrum and rush followed each other in rapid succession, until Teinuka was awarded a free kick for a colonial forward being ofl side. Brosnahan's kick was well charged by a body of Colonial forward*, and soon after McKinley, who was playing the best forward game on the ground, came through a scrum with the ball at his toe, aad got to the full-back, who baulked his career, though he was hurt somewhat in so doing. Colonials were now playing on the defence, and their line was unsuccessfully invaded until half-time was announced. Temuka kicked off, and then ensued a scramble in the water in the Colonials' 25, the Temuka men realising that score they must or the coveted Hag would adorn another's club room. For fully ID minutes they held their own in their opponents' quarters, until Boys oame with a run and a kick, and, evading Brosnahan, was stopped by Russell, who punted back. Scrum followed scrum, until within ten feet of the " yellow and black's " line. Still the country team could not score, and from a hand ball the Colonials relieved. Again the Temuka forwards, who never played so well together, came on in a body, and this time they were rewarded, as Wakeley, ever conspicuous iu a score, crossed the Hue arid touched down. Findlay took out the ball, and after making all allowance for wind, J, Brosnahan landed a beautiful goal, thus putting the " black and white" one point ahead, which they mainte 1 to the end. Tii is score rallied the country team, and their supporters, whose hopea had before sunk to Buro, now became jubilant and urged on the Temuka men to do their utmost. Thompson kicked off for the Colonials, and, aided by his grand. &e|; Qf forwards, menaced Temuka's line. Pere the play hung for gome t4 ra .e, ftnd as there was still a quarter o.f an hour to play the question was, could the Colonials again cross the line, or, could Temuka hold ttieiu back ? The town team now worked like demons, and the play became very fast and furious, but no sooner did a man ge\i t'ue ball than he was down.ed. W.d a "scrum formed. Play got mu*d'and more intense as 1"% minutes went by. and Morton, by a gflpd run and a kick relieved Temuka, and the scene was changed to Colonials defending. Again came the town team, headed by Thompson and and a dangerous rush was very cleverly stopped by McCallum, who was invaluable iu such matters. Boys again came on and e&dQd his run iu the tight embrace o ; f 4ndeywa, who relieved bj a smwt punt into touch. Piny was now rriore open from end to end, and from side to side, but the last hope of the Colonials faded away as Russell, as cool as a cucumber snapped up the ball, and put it beyond danger to his side. There only about three minutes inqro tyj pi|ay, ancl, the Temuka men, hehl |ha s.cr.um, an/1 k'ep>( the game ttghj uhtn'the \yM|&> *■ | sounded"'.' i}Q side," Wjhji& **-' aware of the fact ['&&' fefeC &**'", yellow i \ -

t»ke a bitter t'efeat at the hands of the country team. The enthsiastic supporters of the "black and white" raised both Wakely and Brosnihun shoulder iiig-h. and ; bore them amid, tremendous cheering *' rol » the scene of their victory. Thus ended one of : the best contested and good natured gamt-s I ever seen on these grounds, as each man in I both teams did his very utmost. Breaches i of the rules were indeed few, and the Rev. | Mr Cocks, as rsi'eree, gave great satisfac- ! tion. his ruling being promptly given, and well taken. Mr D. McCaskill and F. Hoop r acted as line umpires for their respective teams. To single out any players for individual comment would be unfair, w'aen every man worked so hard, not a " single passenger " being seen, In the different departments of the play much difference could be seen, the Temuka halves wacthing the passing of their opponents so closely as to render feeding the quarters very difficult, while the Colonial one's came round the scrum with such alacrity as to render themselves liable for off side play. The forwards were a good lot. though Temuka men seemed much better from the line and packed the scrums like •' sardines in a tin." It was in the loose dribbling and passing rushes that the Colonials excelled, and Thursday was not their day out as their backs could not bring their smart passing into effect. The respective full backs played well, taking matters coolly and always punting well into touch. The game was won by the forward departmentand had tbe daybeendry and the ground lirm matters might havebeen reversed. The football season will be most fittingly closed on Tuesday next by a grand social in Temuka, at which most likely the double trophies, the president's cup and junior flag will be handed over to the care of the black and white.