FOOTBALL

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 339, 11 August 1914, Page 5

FOOTBALL

Pakuranga v. Te awamutu.

On Saturday last the Pakuranga football team visited Te Awamutu and played a match with representatives of the Te Awamutu seniors. A charge was made for admission to the grounds, and the proceeds are to be devoted to the funds of the technical school. The afternoon was fine, but there was a cold wind blowing across the ground. Prior to starting the game both teams joined in singing the National Anthem.

Pakuranga kicked . off and Lang returned the ball to Sampson, who found the line at halfway. From the throw-out a scrum was formed, and the ball came out to Lang, who sent it on to Paul, tb Kay, to J. Richardson? who was thrown out at the corner. Paul again secured, but was collared before he could pass. The Pakuranga forwards broke through the'scrum, and Seaward relieved with a kick into touch. An exchange of kicks between the full-backs, and Te Awamutu were pressing their opponents. Offside by the visitors gave Te Awamutu a free kick, and the ball was placed for Lang, whose kick went wide. After some kicking between the backs the home team endeavoured to open up the game. Kay sent a pass to Paul, and he in turn passed to G, Richardson, but an infringement gave the opponents a free kick. Seaward fielded the ball, and made a dash for the line, and when blocked endeavoured to centre. The ball, however, went over the line and Pakuranga forced. The latter were kept busy defending, the home team indulging in some good passing. Lang secured from the scrum, and after beating two or three men he passed to Kay, who touched down under the posts. Lang added the major points. Pakuranga at once became aggressive, and were soon in Te Awamutu's 25, where they were awarded a free kick. Although the angle was a difficult one, De Audrey made a splendid attempt, the ball being carried by the wind just outside the post. Several times the home team were penalised for infringements. Te Awamutu were pressing when the first quarter ended. The second quarter opened with the home team attacking. Both teams were handling the ball badlv. Ihe ball at last came to Kay, and dodging the opposing backs, he again touched down under the po§ts. The kick, an easy one, was again entrusted to Lang, but it was a failure. The home forwards attacking, and Cunningham was almost over. He passed to Alexander, who in turn gave to G. Richardson, but a free kick brought Pakuranga relief. Andrew and De Audrey were instrumental in shifting play to Te Awamutu's 25. Seaward was safe and found the line. Pakuranga were holding their own, and just before half-time Embling received the oval and looked like scoring, but lost the ball at a critical stage

bhortly after starting the second half, Te Awamutu lost the services of. Cunningham, who was obliged to retire, owing to a knock on the knee. Pakuranga got to the home team's 25, and J. Richardson holding on to the ball too long, a free kick was awarded. De Audrey managed to break away, but failed to pass, and lost a chance. Hendersonand.Clarke were conspicuous in a rush, but were stopped,. Seaward relieving. The visitors were playing together better, but did not put sufficient life into their work, and were slow to take advantage of any openings which presented themselves. The absence of Cunningham from the Te Awamutu pack resulted in the latter becoming disorganised. The last quarter was started by Pakuranga forwards taking, play into the home team's 25. A free kick to the latter,' and a scrum was formed in the centre of the field. Paul secured and kicked to Pakuranga's full-back, who misfielded the ball, and G. Richardson outpacing his opponent fell on me ball as it went over the line. The kick at goal failed. Te Awamutu continued to have matters their own way. The backs were inclined to hold oh to the ball too long before passing, and little*headway was made. The game ended in favour of Te Awamutu by II points to nil. Mr F. Bowden was referee.

The game was played in a most friendly spirit. The visitors lacked dash, and were slow to seize opportunities. Waiting for the ball to bounce in preference to taking it on the full was a noticeable feature. Being unable to secure the ball from the scrum they were not in a position to do much passing. The forwards played a good game.

The home team held the upper hand throughout, and brought off some good passing bouts.

The visiting team were enter-

tained at the Empire Cafe during the evening by the members of the local club, and a very pleasant time was spent. Fully sixty people sat down to an excellent repast supplied by Host Heerdegen.

The Chair was occupied by Mr H. Worthington. The loyal toast having been drunk with musical honours, the chairman proposed the health of " The Visitors." The captain of the Pakaranga club,-Mr Glasgow, in responding, thanked the members of the Te Awamutu club for the cordial way his team had been treated. They had enjoyed the game played that day, and he hoped they would have the pleasure of playing again on' future occasions. He congratulated the club on its success in the past, and hoped that they would continue to be successful in the future.

Mr Bertram, manager of the visiting team, who had been a resident in Te Awamutu some years ago, said it gave him very great pleasure to again visit the town and renew old acquaintances. The Pakuranga team would be pleased to see the Te Awamutu players next season, and they would receive a hearty welcome.

The toast of "Rugby Football" was duly honoured, coupled with the names of Messrs West, Dwen and Brownhill.

Mr West, in responding, referred to Rugby football as one of the finest outdoor games. He referred to the good fellowship which existed between the two teams, and this spirit was an important factor in popularising the sport. He would like to see the Te Awamutu players return the visit.

Mr Dwen said he had never witnessed a more sportsmanlike game than that played that day, and he congratulated both teams. He dwelt upon the early history of the local club. Mr Brownhill said that the game / of Rugby was in a large measure in the hands of the referee. It depended a great deal on him as to its popularity. The speaker referred to the great strides the game had taken, despite the introduction of other sport.

In proposing the toast of the "Te Awamutu team" Mr Bertram congratulated them on winning the senior championship. Mr J. Edwards in replying, referred to the success of the team in former years. Players had shown a keen interest in the sport, and he felt sure that in the near future they would have a team which would compare favourably with teams of past™ seasons.

Messrs Laurie, Cunningham, West and T. Reid also spoke. Other toasts honoured during the evening were: " The British Navy," "The Empire,"."Host and Hostess," and " The Press."

The announcement made during the evening that the German . fleet had suffered a defeat was greeted with an outburst of en- » thusiastic cheering, and patriotic songs were sung.

. Musical items were contributed by the following:—Messrs Fredric, Flannagan, Stitt, Wallen, Bathurst, Owen, and Rule. Recitations were given by Messrs O'Hara and Glasgow. Mr Fredric presided at the piano, and greatly added to the enjoyment of the evening.