FOOTBALL.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 325, 23 June 1914, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

TE AWAMUTU (6) UNITED (3),

The above teams met at Bockett’s paddock on Saturday afternoon, and an even and exciting contest resulted in a victory for Te Awamutu by two tries to one. Several heavy showers fell prior to the match. The teams lined out with Te Awamutu mustering only twelve players to oppose a full team. During the first spell the game was in favour of United. The Te Awamutu team endeavoured to make the game open, but the greasy state of the ball and ground was against that style of play. From the throw in resulting from a good line kick by L. Kay the United forwards broke away, but were stopped owing to an infringement. Ness secured and returned into touch. Greensides and Douglas now came on to play for Te Awamutu. Several passing bouts were started by theTe Awamutu backs, but little ground was gained. The backs were fumbling and Seaward, missing a return by Ness, let his side down. McConkey following up fast scored close to the corner. Maunder took the kick but did not increase the score. From the kick out reds rushed the ball towards the blues’ line, and D. Kay being off-side a free kick was awarded, and Paul kicked out of touch. The reds could not get going, their attempts at passing gaining them very little ground. •On changing over the blues got on a goal rush, but G. Richardson came to the rescue. Hinton secured and was making off for the opponents’ line, but on being tackled threw the ball forward. A free kick being awarded to blues Maunder had a shot at goal, the ball striking the post. Lang marked and sent the ball out at half way. From the line out Spragg broke through, and Seaward kicked out in time. Duncan now came on for Te Awamutu, and made up their full team. Blues gradually worked their way to reds’ territory, but the latter cleared. Paul endeavoured to get the backs going, but the passing was not good. Play continued very even till the whistle sounded half time. Paul set the ball in motion, and Briscoe returned to half way. From the scrum the ball came out and was sent on to Paul. He transferred to G. Richardson, but the latter was collared before" he could get going. a Briscoe shortly after endeavoured to drop a goal, the ball falling a few feet short. The blues were playing a good forward game, and held the reds in check till G. Richardson fielded and found touch near half way. The reds’ forwards came away, W. Teddy and Cunningham being conspicuous. Keeping up the pressure thelatter at last got over, but the score was disallowed. Blue’s being penalised Lang had a kick at goal but failed. The reds had the blues penned in their 25, but they were prevented from getting over.

The last quarter saw the reds attacking hotly. Lang secured and kicked high, Briscoe marking. Some good kicking was indulged in by the backs on both sides. A good piece of play among the reds’ rearguard ended in Seaward being thrown out at the corner. From the throw in the red forwards rushed the ball over the line and Spragg fell on it. No goal resulted. Blues retaliated and for a time kept their opponents busy. It was now getting dusk, and the ball was not easily discernable. Getting the ball about the half way flag, J. Richardson made the best run of the day. Several attempts were made to stop him, but he brushed his opponents aside and touched down between the posts amidst excitement. The kick at goal, although an easy one, was futile. The whistle went shortly after, the scores being Te Awamutu 6, United 3. MrF. Bowden gave every satis- i faction as referee. Among the United backs Ness did some fine defensive work, his handling and kicking being first-class. Kay Brothers also played well. The pack, as a whole, worked well together. For Te Awamutu, Clarke, as usual, played a safe game. The passing of the was not up to the mark, thi* no doubt, being accounted for by the. greasy state of the ball. Ricfhardsonßrothers were the main-stay. They seem inclined to do tdo much on own. J. Richaijdson’s try splendid effort. s . Lang was jrcrv j reliable. There‘S was not j spot in the pack! : The game and j friendly one, and willing from j start to finish. KIHIKIHI (8), v. PIRONGIA (0). j (Own Correspondent.)

On Saturday afternoon the Kihikihi junior team journeyed to Pirongia, where they met the latter team, and succeeded in defeating them by 8 points to nil. The weather conditions were not

favourable, showers falling during the progress of the game. The ball proved very difficult to handle.

Pirongia kicked off. Mixed play followed. Pirongia were being pressed until a timely mark saved them. Continuing to make the pace the visitors at last obtained a mark in front of the goal, but nothing came of it. The Kihikihi hookers were getting the ball, and the team were playing with better combination than their opponents. Pirongia were obliged to force. For an infringement the visitors were penalised, but the kick was not successful, the ball being greasy. Pirongia worked their way to the other end of the field, but Verner proved safe. A spell of exciting' play followed, a number of free kicks being given on both sides. Kihikihi on several occasions missed the goal by inches. Good kicking by Sim followed, and from some loose play the visitors were awarded a free kick, but the shot at goal was a failure. Kihikihi at. last were rewarded, Otene scoring. Allen kicked a splendid goal. From the kickoff the visitors returned to the attack, and a score was- averted by Johnston, the full-back, putting in a fine kick. Half-time was called with the scores, Kihikihi 5, Pirongia nil.

The visitors kicked off and Johnston returned. Kihikihi became aggressive, but Fowler, the local five-eighths, secured and kicked out. Both teams livened up, and Sim, the local half, was doing good work, but was not getting assistance from the threequarters. Nicholls .saved a certain score by forcing. From a free kick the locals looked like scoring, but the ball was very difficult to handle, and Vernon was safe as full-back. Owing to the local backs playing too open, a chance was given to Hurley and he raced across. The try at goal failed. The game ended with the scores, Kihikihi 8, Pirongia nil. 4 Mr L. Macky refereed in an impartial manner.

Pirongia was handicapped by two of their best players failing to put in an appearance.

The Kihikihi team played a good rousing game, the Verners being smart at handling and kicking. By 'practising passing more the team should be able to put up some good games. For Pirongia, Johnston, as fullback, Fowler five-eighth, and Sim half, were doing fine work, while in the forwards, Nicholls, Prince, Beet and Macky were conspicuous. -

Our Kihikihi correspondent says: Owing to sickness amongst the natives at Wairaka the football matches arranged had to be postponed indefinitely.