FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 3102, 25 June 1929, Page 6

FOOTBALL

HAUTAPTJ AND LEAMINGTON WIN UNITED DEFEATED BY GOAL-. ;/'■;.■' '■'■•' ;,-KlcklNQ.^:-v :; But one slight •shower, the weather was favourable on Saturday for the continuation of the local Eugby Union 's club competitions. There was a very good attendance at yictoria Square, where the two senior gamos were playod. The match between Hautapu and United was keenly contested. In this game it was a case 'o£.thVtoai£ playing the better football boing -defeated through goal-kicking. Hautapu's 10 points were registered" through goalkicking, while United crossed Hautapu's lino on two occasions. In the first half the play was very disappointing, but it brightened up considerably in the Second half, and provided tho spectators with several thrills. The game betw'ccn Leamington and Tauwhare Maoris was a ve/y poor ex- . Jiibition, and although Leamington played with 13 men, they had an easy : "Win. ' ■, i. . ,\..-. .'..:... In. the senior competition the championship points now are: Leamington 11, Hautapu IQ, United 7, and Tauwhare Maoris 0. Two matches in the j&nal round have yet to be played.

■I BESTTLTS AT A GLANCE. >! Seniors. VHautapu 10 v. TJnited 6. Leamington 14 v. Tauwhare Maoris 0. Tauwnara; 6. v. Hautapu 3. Leamington 13 v. Matangi 3. Kaipaki 15 v. United 13. Third Grade. Leamington 9 v. United 3. Kaipaki 9 v.JKatangi 3. ■ THE SENIORS. LEAMINGTON 14 v. MAORIS 0. Leamington: Thomas; Eusso, McFarlane, Williams; Shaw; Kelly; Warren; Crawshaw, Hall, McDonnell, J. Dagg, Hicks. ••.•.'• ";'•,

Maoris: Ta'waewae; Arcirjete, Kapea, Wotana; Kennedy, Tui; Winara; Te Kata; Eeihana, Tamati, Eakatau, Tchikaka, Waikato,' Moehurori, Erepa. . Shortly after the commencement the Maoris were busily defending, and were forced! on-one occasion. Not long after 'this, from a scrum, Warren,got possession and dived over. Thomas kicked a fine goal. Leamington 5, Maoris 0.

; aiHl had Lcam- j ingtpn hard pressed for a considerable time, but the '•Maoris' back attack was very poor and hard kicking spoiled ehanees to score. Now Kennedy made a grcfrt run down the line, beating all" bttjt Thomas. The Maoris were awarded kick, but Kennedy's effort failed. A well-judged kick by Kelly enabled Leamington to return to Tauwhare's territory. Upon the ball com-; ing froni; the- ruck J. Bagg got possession and'erossed at the comer. Thomas' Mek failed. Leamington 8, Maoris 0. Shortly after this Russo followed up* a kick and pushed Kennqfly out close; to Tauwhar&'s line. From the line-out B Hall secured and fell over. Thomas' kick failed. Half-time came with the scores:: Leamington 11, Maoris 0. The Second Half. The "Maoris forced the play on resuming and were awarded a free kick, but Kennedy's effort fell short. The play for the rest'-of the ; spell was very poor, being confined todoose rushes and kicking.' ■ y .'■'.-. '"" • In the final. spell ;Rus3o picked up well along cast;line-and sent it in to "Warren, who! rani half -the length of the field to score; An easy shot at goal was missed by Warren. The final whistle gave Leamington a win by li points to. ,nil. ..;.. : . «•': Mr. R. Burke referccd.' HAUTAPU 10 v. UNITED 6. . . Hautapu: Better; C. Thompson, A. Thompson,, Rv Newcombe; J. Miller; R. Hpilifir; , A. Miller. M'lib/yd,IST. Thompson, Reid, W. Bourke, : I). .Boul'ke, J. Morris. "United: Morrice; Gardiner, Baker, Moore; Byrne, Mclvor; Walske; McLcish; C. Robinsori7 A. Harris, Wilson, Frear, Abel> J. Harris, E._ Robertson,

Review of the Game. United defended the northern goal, and in the early stages Hautapu set tip a forward rush, but an infringement pulled it up. Following some centre play, Robertson broke through, with Gardner in support, who kicked, and Hautapu were in trouble. There was a race for the ball over the line, and Thompson just beat Walshe for the touch down. Seconds later tho United backs got on tho move; Walshe, Mclvor and Byrne handled to Hautapu's southwest corner, whore United went within an aco of scoring. A series of long kicks now followed, tho advantago remaining with United. Hautapu gained the advantage of lino-outs in the west, and finally, when pressed, Morrice kicked to dead-ball area. The quarter ended without score. It was easily in favour of United. The Second Session.

Early in this spell United .were penalised for offside play in front of their goal. W. Bourke made no.mistake. Hautapu 3, United 0. The play continued hard, but it was not good football. Hautapu were spoiling their game by offside play, and United's back movements were breaking down through faulty handling. The Second Half. Early in the opening of this spell Hautapu went through in the loose, M. Lloyd being prominent, but again obstruction by another red player spoiled the advantago. Seconds later, in the face of a red rush, Baker marked well. Hautapu were now penalised twice in quick succession. United now applied the pressure. The ball was kicked to Moore, who cross-kicked with Hautapu out" of positiorf. Byrne secured and made a dodgy run, but ho hung on too long, with Baker waiting and a certain try was thrown away. Now Hautapu, with long kicks, came back to United's in-goal area, where S. Miller was well offside. Eobinson kicked into A. Thompson's hands, and he coolly dropkicked a goal. Hautapu 7, United 0. Baker's Two Tries. Resuming, play centred in a scrum in the centre. Now Eobinson came away nicely and sent on to Baker, who took it splendidly in his stride. He shortkicked and raced for it. The bounce beat Hollicr and A. Thompson, and Baker fell on it, to score a merited try. Byrne failed with the kick. United 3, Hautapu 7; '■ . l

Immediately on resuming United | went to the attack. Baker, -who was playing a great game, kicked it through and followed, to secure again. He kicked, it on and rushed it over the line/to again score." AbcFs good attempt just fell short. United 6, Hautapu 7. At this stage United had Hautapu on the run, the blue and blacks playing good open-football. .The Last Session. Early in the last spell C. Eobinson <r o t a nasty kick on the head and had to retire. From a line-out in the west Eobcrtson jcame through for United and took; play to Hautapu's 25. Across to the east went the.p]ay. Byrne, Baker and Moore handled well. A tight melee ■ensued, and then from a scrum a red player was penalised, the kick going out in the corner. From the line-out the ball was rushed over reds' line, and Better forced. Now came a sensation. In the loose Eobcrtson kicked through and Hollicr had to kick to dead-ball. Following on, Better kicked through with a clear field, but the ball bounced badly and then Moore obstructed. W. Bourke's kick at goal failed. Hautapu how pressed, and McNamara nearly pushed his way. over.. Again Hautapu got on. the move, McNamara making- a good run, but he threw a forward pass to W: Bourke with a great scoring chance in sight. The play was held up at this stage with, minor injuries to throe players. Hautapu were now attacking in the south-west corner when a United player foolishly picked, it out of the scrum, and W. Bourke made no mistake with the kick. Hautapu 10, United 6. Tho game ended shortly after. Mr. W. Webber refcreed. , THE JUNIOR COMPETITION. TAUWHAEE 6 v. HAUTAPU 3. ■ This match was played at the High ' School ground, and, as the scores indi-

cate, was a closely-contested game, there boing very little between the two teams on the run of the play. For the winners H. Shaw scored a try and Jcffcries kicked a penalty goal. For Hautapu, N. Holmes kicked a penalty goal. Mr. D. Walker rcfereed.

LEAMINGTON 13 v. MATANGI 3. On taking the field the two teams wero fairly evenly matched and each showed every indication of giving a good account of themselves. However, during the first spell the Matangi boys were handling the ball well and looked very dangerous time and again. The blue and whites were fumbling the leather badly at times, although the backs instituted some pretty movements, but the Matangi defence was too strong. Both teams were kicking wildly at times, and to little advantage. Leamington were now caught offside near their own posts, and Francis' kick found the uprights. Half-time was sounded soon after.

The third quarter opened with loose play and found Matangi's defence waning slightly, but still the blues could not penetrate. At this stage the Leamington forwards were putting some vim into their play, Wilson, MeFarlanc and Coper outstanding. Until the third quarter opened the play was very even, but after the change over the blues set to work, and before long three tries were registered, by Wiseman, Martin and Hjorth respectively, and two were converted, one by McFarlane and one by Cooler. After this Matangi rallied again, but the blues were too strong, and the game ended with no change in the score, 13 —3. Mr. Thomas was referee.

KAIPAKI 15 v. UNITED 13. This game proved a surprise, especially for United supporters, and for Kaipaki, too, for the blue and blacks fielded a very considerably changed team than has otherwise taken the field. The game was very even throughout and was full of good football. It was the best display that United have given so far, and it is to be hoped that they will carry on the good work. Minutes after the start a goal from, a penalty put the blacks three points ahead, but Kaipaki opened with a nice try by Webb after a good deal of even play. The kick failed. Smith,, at five-eighths, was playing well for the blacks, and at this period saved several times with his kicking. . .'.., After the change over Kaipaki were awarded a.try for obstruction when in a handy position. Even play again ensued, with both sets of forwards playing well. After a pretty passing bout Keyte found behind-the posts. The kick was unsuccessful., On resuming play after half-time Keyte again secured, and after a good run from halfway scored. Again the shot at goal was unsuccessful. Soon > after the United backs handled nicely and Morris went over to secure a good try; Smith found the extra points. Smith's attempt at the posts failed when United were awarded a free for. offside play by the reds. However, Kaipaki were soon on the" move again, and another try was' registered for the reds. After the kickoff Morris again went over to score, but the kick again failed. The game soon ended with tho scores unchanged, 15—13. Mr. Thomas controlled the whistle.

THE THIRD GRADE. LEAMINGTON 9 v. UNITED 3. Keen interest was displayed by the boys in this match, Leamington being the leaders in the competition with an undefeated record, and' United two points'behind. United had the best of the first half and were leading three to nil .when the spell game, Kelly scoring a try through good work by McCathic. The tables were reversed in the second half, when: Kingdon kicked a penalty goal for-Leamington and S. Holmes and Clow scored tries. Mr. W. Tucker rcfereed.

KAIPAKI 9 v. MATANGI 3. This match was played at Kaipaki, and a well-fought game resulted in a win for Kaipaki'by 9 points to 3. Mr. W. Harris refcreed.