FOOTBALL.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9111, 4 July 1898, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

.{Thames, one goal; Waihi, niL) The Thames team journeyed to Waihi on Saturday to play the local men. They left Shortland at 8 a.m., and reached Waihi at 1.30 p.m., leaving Waihi again at 9 p.m., and reaching home at 2.30 a.m. after a most enjoyable trip. MrHawkes supplied an excellent team of horses, which bore the double journey well, making the return trip in splendid time. The game was commenced shortly after 3 o'clock, the Waihi Olub having the use oi the Eugby ground A good number of spectators were present to watch the match. Henderson having WO n the toss for Waihi elected to play with the wind. It was soon seen that the teams were pretty evenly matched. At first Thames pressed the Waihi men hard, but the excellent defence of Henderson and Garter prevented any { scoring. Several times Waihi men got I in close proximity to the Thames goal, I but too hard kicking enabled O'Keefe % and Oarmichael to prevent any shooting. Hughes got an oppor unity to ioore from a good centre by Myer, but / well up the field gave Smart a splendid ' chance. The latter got the ball past the Waihi backs but centred badly, and so cost an almost certain score, as both Moresby and Cantley could easily have put the ball through. Prom the kick off Hutchison got the ball, and by pretty play dribbled the ball up the field, centred to Cantley just at the right time, hut the fetter's shot went past the postß. The Thames were not tobe denied, and* again and again got past the Waihi defence, but the high wind blowing prevented accurate shooting. Once'or twice the Waini men tool the play right in front of the Thames goal, aad although Hughes and Myer made several good attempts to score, Gordon saved every time! Half time was called*, no score havirig been made by either side. During the second spell, with the wind in their favour; Thames had much the best of the game, and Cantley made shot after shot at goal,|the wind carrying the ball wide every time. At last from a scrimmage in front of the goal Hutchison put the ball nght at CantWs feet and he shot it, through, Thames 1, Waihi nil. Waihi now worked hard to Bcore, Hushes, Nyerand Croucher several timSs taking the ball well up the field, only to find O'Keeffe and Oarmichael stumbling blocks. From a good com bined dribble by the Thames forwards Smart got the ball centred to Warburton who passed on to Cantley and the latter shot, but the Wuihi goalbeeper was top good and cleaved. Hutehison,who was playing splendidly, unia Rave the Thames forwards a ■gXe to score but the ball went behind. Shortly afterwards the whistle blew, the gamo ending Thames 1, Waihi nil. Of the Waihi men Henderson and rwer at full-back made no mistakes, goghes and Nyer again and again 2o?ped the Thames dribbles and fed ttSHOTwaras judiciously. Croucher -aras the best Waihi forward and his half backs and other forwards quite neirlected him. S the Thames men allplayed well, Hutchison was perhaps the most bnlManTo'Keeffe proved a tower of length to bis side and auite nonthe Waihi men. Oarmichael g!Tbis u»»l excellent game and gjktf in aoal made ne mistakes.