FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 3224, 27 May 1924, Page 6

FOOTBALL

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP HAUTAPU V. LEAMINGTON. A DRAWN GAME. ‘ v : U' i' y i">’- ” *' Miserable,, weather prevailed, on Sat-, urday..for, football. . Ilain h.ad fallen almost every day .of ..the week, making the ground very soft and slippery, and as light rain descended practically all the afternoon* (Conditions were wellnigh. as bad as they could be for Rugby. The interest taken in the meeting of. Hautapu and Leamington—the two senior teams, of the season: — was shown ,by the attendance of. several hundreds of spectators..- Had the wca? ther been fine,.doubtless this number would have, been trebled. All who were present were well repaid for the unpleasantness of the conditions, for the match was an exceptionally; gOo'd one for" Such "a wet,’ muddy day. Much really good football was aeon, the game was never dull, and the result, was In doubt right up to the last moment of phiv/’ Moreover, it was a very clean garilo;” Though stubbornly contested, members showed admirable restraint, and the-’behaviour of players was exeniplary-Aa matter of congratulation to all concerned. • The teams were: Hautapu —T. Bourke, A. Thompson, C. Thompson, L, Boiirke, Kennedy, Buflhf, Anderson, W. Bourke, Hair,. D. .BourJve,..P ; c;it, , Lloyd, Thorpe, Foote, Devine. Leamington— T. Dttgg,- Russo, Free,, Mc.Gpugh. Makgill, Morrow, Kelly, Whyte, Wallis, Tyre, Hall, Robertson, Abbott, Broderson, J. : Dagg. The Play, > . j Hautapu took the- offensive from the kick off, and soon took the ball over their Opponents' line., blit by kicking too hard a force only resulted. Leamington, ’ by dribbling* •' rushes, fooh the ball ri.a’ht down the field, where, a penalty gave Hautapu relief. Immediately after Leamington, by the same tat-ties, attacked desperately, and -again : fhe defenders wore- relieved from •juixliffy"by a" fiOe kick. * Give and take plrjfcVeih's uevlV Then ’Leamin-gton pressed aga'in/a lid Hautapu forced— a narrow escape from a score against them.

The sgcond quarter provided nothing sensational for several minut es, forward rushes being the order of the day. Then Hautapu accepted 'a force down,To save a. dangerous attack. Froth a penalty kink, Leo. Bourke had a long shot, at goal, without’success. By good kicking Hautapu changed defence into attack, Leamington being forced by a. long kick. Leamington forwards then swept the field, and a series'of Scrums were held' within' ft few yards of the coveted line. Hautapu again, forcing when a scon*‘looked- almost certain.

On resinning after tlie interval each sale .•iltornnfVdy held the advantage. TuelcCr'liafT :i shot at goal from a. mark, with Witt result. There was sonic give and take playj with excellent defensive work on both sides, hut Leamington did most, of the attacking. Just before the last, quarter was called, Hautapu got relief from a dangerous attack by forcing; down. In the last quarter Hautapu livened up, and made the pace hot. C. Thompson was 'prominent twice in open rushes and was near tijv sepripg once. Then another .f.prw.ii.ril rush caused Hautapu an i y pen aI tv o mild in g, them to (dear their; line- At this stage the Leamington "J)gcks indulged,. iji ft: capital bit of' back work, Russo iliping;, grassed by A. Thompson ' when \‘}'u fc dangerous position; ' ’The game was. now fast and hotly-contested. During the last five minutes’ play . Leamington

nadc desperate efforts to score, and though within a yard or two on several occasions the game ended, in a draw — ng score on either side. .

On the day’s play, Hautapu was lucky to escape defeat for Leamington had far the best of the play, as a whole. The weather conditions were against Hautapu’s fast open play, and' favoured Leamington, who, wisely, relied more on fast dribbling rushes, in whielv their forwards excelled. Several times Hritita'pn backs put in useful Work'; but the ball was so greasy it was difficult to handle,-and the ground in such an invfill state that dodging was'out Of the question. ■' r Mr. A. R. Thomas gave general, satisfaction as referee.