FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2546, 16 May 1922, Page 6

FOOTBALL

LEAGUE SEASON OPENS TEAMS PLAY DEAWN GAME. A bright game, full of interest from commencement to finish, marked the opening of the Cambridge Bugby League's season at Victoria Square, on Saturday, when a fairly large number of spectators witnessed the game between teams representing the City Rovers and Suburbs Clubs. Both clubs had organised strong thirteens and were sanguine of victory. The result, a drawn game, 17 points each, was a fitting conclusion to really bright, spectacular \football, considerably above the standard expected of an opening match, and one in which both teams were very evenly matched. The arrangements made by the energetic secretary, Mr E. J. Buttimore, were excellent, the extra conveniences

of seating accommodation for many, together with a separate table and seating for the Press were much appreciated. Punctually to time the teams filed on to the field, accompanied by the League's president, Mr W. Wilkinson, v.ho at the sound of the boll, with a lusty kick in good football style, set the ball in motion and, incidentally, the Cambridge Rugby League's 1922 season. _ The teams were: — Suburbs.—G. M'clvor, H. Mclvor, P. Hill, D. Cde, Touti, Hopkinson, Keddell, Cleasby, Dirran, T. Collett and Ward City Eovers. —J. Parkinson, J. Kaweroa, Henry Matakoe, J. M. Kearney, T. Appleby, Mitchell, D. McMillan, L. Cubis, L. Young, A. Cornaga, C. McMillan, E. Pau and J. Campbell. From the kick-out, the ball went out of play in the centre of the field. The fcrum saw E. Pau flash across the field and then Harry Mclvor came through i'or the greens by an opening made by Collett. The next incident of interest was provided by the two Mclvors in a pretty passing movement which was brought to a standstill, City Eovers transfering play to the centre of the field, where Cornaga and Pau were seen in a nice snappy movement. Eovers were pressing the greens here and Cooper was almost over? Suburbs ultimately cleared from the south-cast corner with smart passing work of their backs, but Collett was too late getting the ball away, and an opportunity was j lost. Mechan, the Suburbs hooker, was very successful in getting the ball from the scrums, and Dan Coe was making full use of it behind his pack. The three-quarter Kne was too eager, however, and several good movements were pulled up by forward or late passes. The game was now fast and in a flash from a scrum Eovers had the ball, Matakoe sent it to McMillan, who got clear away, bciDg brought up on Suburbs' line, where, from a scrum, they were forced. From the kick-out a scrum was formed; Suburbs got the ball, and prettily it travelled through several players' hands, but Collett again held too long and spoiled a fine effort. A second later Suburbs were again on the attack, and Harry Mclvor snapped up and made a nice opening, beating his opposition and with only the full-back to beat sent on to Meehan, who dashed over. J. G. Mclvor converted with a nice kick. Suburbs 5 City Hovers 0 Re-coimneneing, play travelled up and down the field twice in almost as many minutes, finally settling in Rovers' territory in the north-west corner.

Here a scrum was formed and in the loose Mclvor secured and passed to Dan Coe, who pushed across. Mclvor again converted. Suburbs 10 City Bovers 0 The greens were now penalised for holding an opponent with the ball and Parkinson had an unsuccessful attempt to goal. Parkinson was now responsible shifting play to the green's citadel where from a scrum and loose play he crossed, but a knock-on spoiled a certain try. A scrum in which the greens infringed the rules gave Eovers a penalty kick and Parkinson this time made no mistake. City Hovers 2 Suburbs 10 The bell then sounded half-time with play at mid-field. From the kick-out play settled in the centre of the field where G-. Mclvor secured a smart mark, and then the vet-, eran, Dan Coe, got away smartly but was pulled down a few yards from the line. Here Eovers were penalised, Mclvor kicked his third goal. Suburbs 12 City Eovers 2 The ball travelled straight to Suburbs' line from the. commencement, and ! a penalty against them saw McMillan have an unsuccessful shot at goal. Eovers were having.the advantage at this where Pau delighted the spectators with his swerving runs. The ball wont out in Suburbs' territory and a scrum was formed. Young, the Eovers' half, got tho ball smartly out to McMillan, to Matakoe, who sent on to Pau and with his characterisinc swerving run this heady player ran across and right round to score an excellent try under the goal posts. McMillan- easily converted. City Eovers 7 Suburbs 12 Eovers wero spurred on by this success, but G. Mclvor dashed up the line for the greens beating two opponents and kicked to the 25. Here in a flash tho whole scene changed. The ball crossed tho field and Pau picked up and with a beautiful swerving run, which scorned to paralise his opponents, passed on to McMillan at the right moment, enabling him to score under the posts. He made no mistake in converting his try. City Eovers 12 Suburbs 12 Both' teams now battled strenuously for victory. Rovers were hold up right on tho greens' line. A player heeling back the ball gave Suburbs a penalty, which relieved the pressure, but Eovers , came again and Cornaga almost, pushed, across. Cooper brought the ball from tho scrum and looked dangerous, but a mark by Coe saved the situation. Percy Hill gave the greens further relief, but Rovers were determined and Pau in a dodging run made an opening and Cornaga, who always seemed handy, received the leather and dashed across. Parkinson was once more successful. City Eovers 17 Suburbs 12 With a few minutes to go the spectators wore treated to exciting play. Cubis got away but was pulled up for a knock-on and then from the resulting serum Coe got away to the blacks' terj ritory, where a further scrum was formed. Here Coe secured and as if by 1 magic the Eovers' forwards seemed to {open out allowing Coe to dodge through J and score under the posts. Mclvor {kicked his fourth goal. Tho game endued a few seconds later with the scores {Suburbs 17 City Eovers 17

Mr B. Wells gave every satisfaction with the whistle. The line umpires were Messrs J. Mclvor and 11. Montgomery, f