FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2546, 16 May 1922, Page 5

FOOTBALL

THE RUGBY GAME. LEAMINGTON'S NARROW WIN Great interest centred in the first meeting of Leamington and Hautapu senior teams, and a good crowd journeyed to the Leamington Domain to witness the contest. The teams proved to be very evenly matched and a most strenuous game resulted. However, there was an almost complete absence of bright play of the heady nature that is usually associated with first-class Rugby. The tackling on both sides was hard and sure, and with the ball seldom coming clean from the scrums the backs hardly got a chance on the attack. Hautapu was strengthened by the inclusion of J. Voysey, an ex-Piako xep., while Leamington was weakened by the absence of R. Makgill, who is suffering from an injury to his hand. T. Dagg, a promising junior, filled the vacancy and acquitted himself with credit. Hautapu- kicked off with the sun in their faces, and A. Paterson returned well down the field. Fierce scrambling play followed until Leamington worked towards the red's twenty-five, where Tatton marked, a force resulting. Following the drop-out Hautapu attacked but Kelly checked the onslaught with & smart kick. The reds however came again and a cross kick by Radford was carried over, but Dagg was just able to force. Shortly after Leamington were again compelled to force. Hautapu kept up the pressure and Voysey had a couple of ineffective shots at goal. At this stage the blues were hard pressed -to ward off repeated onslaughts on their line, but finally J. Tucker came «,way and the pressure was relieved. The Leamington forwards, headed by Espiner, carried on the attack. Vincent checked them nicely, but the ball soon came back to the vicinity of the Hautapu twenty-five. Scrums and tight play followed until Leamington was awarded a free kick from which J. Tucker landed a goal. The first quarter was then called with the score

; Leamington 3 i ' Hautapu : 0 . Immediately on resumption of play Hautapu attacked, and then followed a period of scrambling. At length Leamington broke away but the reds returned the attack. Kelly saved cleverly, and by fast following put Hautapu on the defensive. La Trobe relieved temporarily, but Leamington came again. C. Wallis passed to Tatton who with a cork-screw run got over, but the referee ruled that ho had gone into touch. From the throw-in Hautapu forwards broke away but again found Kelly a stumbling block. Shortly after, a smart mark by A. Paterson gained much ground for Leamington and the reds were hard pressed. Vincent marked and temporarily relieved the pressure, i but shortly after Tatton took a mark and safely piloted the ball between the posts. Immediately after half-time wa3 called with the score Leamington 6 Hautapu 0 vOn resuming, play remained in neutral territory for a time, and then Hautapu broke through. A.. Thompson put in! a good dash, but his pass to L. Burke, who had a clear run in, was forward. Hautapu continued to have the best of fierce tight work and Leamington was forced several times. Then Haworth put in a good dash and A. Faterson carried on, but A. Thompson used his pace to advantage and saved. Strenuous forward play ensued with the Teds gaining ground. W. Burke secured and dashed over, but was called back for off-side. Finally Butler snapped up the ball and transferred to Thompson, who sent on to Voysey, and the latter forced his way over. A. Thompson converted, making the score Leamington 6 Hautapu 5

On changing ends for the last spell "both sides made determined efforts to Ibreak away, but the ball seldom got clear. Finally play was stopped owing to L. Burke being attacked by cramp. On resuming give and take play followed, A. Paterson and Kelly, for Leamington, being responsible for smart work. At length the blues broke away with A. Paterson in possession, tout in a tackle his ankle was injured and play ceased for some time. Soon after resuming N. Paterson broke away •and looked dangerous, but was unsupported and Hautapu worked back over -the half-way. Leamington was penalised and Thompson just failed to land .a goal. Immediately after the drop-out time was called, leaving Leamington .victorious by 6 points to 5. Mr W. "Webber was referee. it' ,EOTO-0-EANGI 19 V. CITY 3., This match was played at the showgrounds and proved a rather decisive wictovy for Boto-o-rangi. The match - *as not a very interesting one and both teams played short of men. Three City playeTs and two Eoto-o-rangi were more interested ia the LeamingtonHautapu match than the welfare of their own clubs, and consequently were absent from their own match. The

game up to half-time was fairly even, the score being Roto-o-rangi 8 City 3 The final score was Roto-o-rangi 19, made up of tries by lan Peake (2) and G. Whyto, Edwards and Warren one each. Warren converted two tries. For City Ingpen kicked a penalty goal. Mr T. Wilson refereed quite capably. AMONG THE JUNIORS. LEAMINGTON 9, CADETS 0. Leamington juniors defeated Cadets by 9 points to nil, the score consisting of three tries,by A. Russo. Play was of the scrambling order throughout, the majority of the players showing little knowledge of the finer points of the game. For Leamington A. Russo and L. Mason played dashing games, while J. Haworth and C. Woods did well for Cadets. Mr R. Haworth was referee. CITY 11, HAUTAPU 5. City juniors and Hautapu met at Victoria Square prior to the League contest. In the first half Shannon scored a try which S. Craig converted, and T. Olson scored a try through the Hautapu full-back missing the touch down from a City penalty kick. In the second half S. Craig scored for City, whilst Marshall scored for Hautapu and Kennedy converted. Mr A. Entwisle refereed satisfactorily. UNDER LEAGUE RULES THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A meeting of the management committee of the Cambridge Rugby League was held at the Central Stables last evening, when Mr R. Montgomery, in the absence of Mr W. Wilkinson, presided. Those who attended were Messrs S. W. Kcan and A. Shostrom. (Athletics), J. Mclvor and F. O'Toole, jnr. (Suburbs), J. C. Murdin with R. Montgomery (Matangi), Geo. Foster (City Rovers), E. Hart, treasurer, and E- J« Buttiniore, secretary. ' It was decided, after discussion, to select the policy as laid down by the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Co., Ltd., as the most suitable for League players. The secretary was instructed to write and adopt the scheme.

Messrs Shostrom and Kean were accepted as delegates for Athletics and Messrs Montgomery and Murdin for Matangi. Maroon and blue were chosen as the colours for the Matangi and Athletics Clubs, respectively, the colours to be registered. Referees were instructed to write a report of each match complete with any recommendations to the executive.

Tho action of the president and secretary in employing labour to put the new grounds in order was confirmed. The men will be engaged until Thursday next at mid-day. A working bee was arranged for Thursday afternoon to complete the work. It was decided to open the new field next Saturday with matches between Athletics and City Rovers, and Suburbs and Matangi. Mr Murdin thanked the executive on behalf of Matangi for the use of the League jerseys last Saturday. It was suggested that the executive meet once a month at Matangi and the matter will be further discussed at the next meeting. Transfers were granted as follows: J. French from City Rovers to Suburbs; L. D. Stewart from Athletics to Newton Rangers, Auckland. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr George Drew f c : his presentation of a new collection box. Thursday's issue will contain full and interesting notes on the matches of both codes of football, and this procedure will be adopted throughout the season. It is the desire of the Independent to do all in its power to further the interests of football in this district, and if at times criticisms appear of players and clubs, it is hoped they will be accepted in the good spirit they are written in. Writers thoroughly conversant with the modes of play of both codes will contribute. The new playing field of the Cambridge Rugby League in Clare Street is to be called League Park. The Mayor, Mr S. Lewis, has consented to perform the opening ceremony next Saturday, prior to matches between Athletics and City Rovers and Suburbs and Matangi.