FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2579, 1 August 1922, Page 6

FOOTBALL

THE LEAGUE GAME

.FIRST ROUND McLEAN DRAKE

COMPETITION

MATANGI 6 BEATS ATHLETICS 5

On Saturday afternoon, at \ietoria Square, the above two teams .met in the first round of the McLean Drake trophy competition. The weather and ground were ideal for football, but the match was not of the exciting order, neither team putting much vim into their work, although in the play throughout, both teams ■ were evenly matched. The Play Athletics took the field with only 12 men, and shortly after the commencement, T. Hall (Athletics half-back) retired, being replaced by the old veteran, Sid. Ivean. Matangi commenced operations and Hall carried on from a scrum until Cranston sent Athletics back with a powerful kick. Athletics were seen in a nice passing bout, but McMurtree failed to hold, and a moment later Matangi retaliated with a similar movement, the ball travelling from a scrum to Cranston and right out to Shaw, who galloped for the line and was tackled by Stewart right on the line. From the scrum Athletics forced. A series of free kicks saw Matangi force. Stewart and Shaw commenced a kicking duel, Matangi getting the advantage and a second later McMurtree just, beat Shaw for a touch down. Mn-

tcUigi now sot up a pretty passing bout, Pocock to Cranston to Campbell, but this player scllisbly held too long when Shaw was waiting alongside, and a chance was lost. Here Webber (Athletics) swept down the field, Shaw being compelled to kick out to save. Christensen carried through for Maiungi from the scrum, the visitors’ •fJooSior getting a large share from the .scrums. Here Cranston took a flying Shill, kicked by Wilkinson, beautifully. A series of free kicks followed, but goal-kicking was at a premium. Here Jackson was penalised for not playing tin; ball correctly and from .Cranston’s •’unsuccessful attempt, Wilkinson, the .Athletic full-back, who seemed a trifle rattled in his new position, foolishly .kicked across the field from behind his goal line. Campbell was wide awake for -Mntangi, and dashing in, beat Mc--Muirtrec for the" touch-down and scored. ■ Johnston failed to convert. Matangi •>, Athletics 0. Kean and Stewart were responsible, in gaining movements for the blues until Wilkinson again badly Jot' his side down, McDonald (Matangi) carrying the leather up the field, but McMurtree was there again to get his team out of a difficult position, fetcviart was here adopting what appeared a foolish tactic, daslriug into the thick several times, instead of sending out to McMurtree. Kelly had an unsuccessful shot and then half-time sounded.

Kelly kicked off in the second half and immediately Matangi forced. Shortly after, .Stewart commenced a pretty movement with a swerving run, and sending on to Kelly at the right moment, found the Matangi defence pierced, Kelly scoring unopposed under the posts. Stewart had no trouble to convert. Athletics 5, Matangi :i. Play was of an uninteresting nature until Matangi worked into Athletics’ territory and from a scrum Pocock sent it out to Cranston to Campbell who got across with three blues hanging on to him. Cranston just failed to add the ixtra..points, . .Matangi 0, Athletics Webber and then McMurtree were, prominent. for Athletics. Kean secured n nippy mark 'fe.'' ;, At •this;' 'stage' Ath-

Ictics were attacking hard and it looked as though Matangi’s line would be crossed, but the defence held, a big kick by Shaw changing the situation. Matangi took a turn at attack now and Shostrony who should have forced to ease his side, was responsible in almost letting Shaw in. Two blue forces followed in quick succession. Give and take play then ensued until the whistle sounded time, with Matangi 0, defeating Athletics 5. Mr J. Mclvor refereed.

THE RUGBY GAME THE BARBER’S CUP CHALLENGE EOTO-O-EANGI DEFEATS CITY The third annual match between City and Roto-o-rangi for the above-men-tioned trophy was played at Leamington Park on Saturday afternoon, and attracted a fair number of spectators. Unfortunately, City was unable to place a strong team in the field, and was rather easily defeated by IS points to nil.

After the match, players and spectators were entertained at afternoon tea, ami when the good things provided were disposed of, Mr W. Edwards presented the coveted tropliy to the captain of the Roto-o-rangi team. In doing so, he briefly referred to the good sporting spirit which the contest engendered and. expressed a hope that next year’s match would prove more even. Cheers were then given for the

winners. Mr D. Warren, in responding, thanked Mr Edwards for the kindly references to his .Club, and.. then called for cheers for Mr Edwards. The Play City kicked oft' and Roto-o-rangi set up a strong attack. After some strenu-

ens play, Douglas secured and dashed over, but Warren failed with the kick. Upon resuming, City took a hand in the attack, Marshall making a • line dash. Eventually Eoto-o-rnngi . cleared and invaded the City territory. From a scrambling rush A. White secured and touched down, but Douglas failed to convert, in subsequent play Warren was conspicuous for Eoto-o-rangi, but the- spell ended without further score. On changing ends City became aggressive for. a time and seemed likely to score, but faulty play spoiled several chances. Eventually G. Whyte, with a line dash down the line, relieved the pressure. Give and take play ensued for the remainder of the spell. On resuming after half-time Eoto-o-rangi rushed into the City twenty-five and kept up a sustained attack. At length from a scrum near the line, Roberts secured and notched the third try for the blacks, but Everitt-failed to goal. Boon after the kick-off Roberts scored again, but onse more the kick failed. In subsequent play Eoto-o-rangi continued to have the best of it, although City luid bad luck in not scoring at least one try. Towards the end of the quarter, Roberts, who was playing a nippy game for Eoto-o-rangi, broke away and when stopped, passed to Fogarty, who got over. For the fifth lime the kick failed. Boon after, time for the- last spell was called, j Following the kick off City carried • play well into their opponents’ terri|tory, but the blacks eventually cleared. The ball moved rapidly up and down tho field, City trying hard to break through, but the defence was sound. At length- Eoto-o-rangi: worked towards their opponents’ twenty-five and were awarded a free kick, Warren landing a. goal. Soon after this time was called, with the score .R-otd-o-rungi IS, City 0. Mr K. Thomas was referee.

A match was played at To Awamutu on Saturday, between the Cambridge and To Awamutu Methodist Bible Classes. The. game resulted in an easy win for Te Awamutu by 36 points to 3. Cambridge had the disadvantage of having a very light team, being about two stone lighter than their opponents all round. Mr A. Bycroft scored for Cambridge.

THIRD GRADE As a curtain-raiser to the lioto-o-rangi-City match, High School played a combined Leamington and Cadet team. A fast and interesting game resulted in a win for the combined team by 5 points to 3. S. Hustle scored a try for the winners and Wood converted. For High School, Armstrong scored, but the kick at goal failed. Mr C. A. Care was referee.

PUBLIC SCHOOL MATCH Cambridge A defeated Eastern Schools Combined by 9 points to nil. McLoish, J. Vear ami Peglar scored tries for the winners, who showed a better knowledge of the game and played with more dash than their opponents. Cambridge A have now practically won the championship. Mr ft. A. Thomas was referee. WIN FOR ALL BLACKS N.S. WALES DEFEATED A crowd of 10,000 spectators witnessed the Rugby test between New Zealand and New South Wales. New Zealand won by 2(5 points to 19. The score at half-time was 1(5 to 12 in favour of New South Wales. The game was very fast and interesting, the final score fairly reflecting the respective merits of the teams. For New Zealand, H. Nicholls, Beilis, Dickinson and Richardson scored a try each. The whole 13 All Blacks shared in the honours of victory, though Steel at times was entitled to special mention.