FOOTBALL.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1241, 11 May 1922, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

LATEST FROM RUGBY CIRCLES. MATCHES FOR SATURDAY. SENIORS. Pirongia v. Tokanui At Albert p ar k Hiiia v. Rovers—At Albert Park. Te Awamutu —A l)ye, JUNIORS. Rovers v. Wairaka —At Albert Park at 1.45 p.m. Pirongia v. Tokanui —At Albert Park at 1.45 p.m. - w ... Te Awamutu v. Methodists —At Albert Park, 3 p.m. THIRD GRADE. High School v. Rovers- —At Albert Park (No. 3 ground), 1.45 p.m. The Te Awamutu-Pirongia match has been postponed owing to no ground being available.

Of the two matches played at Albert Park on Saturday last, it can be said that the 'Tokanui-Huia match provided the better display of Rugby. The teams were more equally balanced than the score indicated, though Tokonui was badly handicapped through losing Collins, who received a nasty smack on the ribs, compelling his retirement just after the opening of the third quarter. The victors were superior in the forward work, this undoubtedly bringing about their triumph. Their backs have the makings of a good side when their combination is improved. Huias, as on the previous Saturday, were strong in the pack,- and when they did get going accomplished good work, their passing rushes being the best seen on the field that day. However, the Tokanui forwards were ever alert, and prevented the Huias gaining much advantage by their superiority in this depart-

ment.

ROVERS-TE AWAMUTU. In this match, the display of football was disappointing. It was obvious soon after the commencement that players on both sides were keyed up in anticipation of what the other team could do, with the regrettable result that there was far too much playing, the man, instead of the game. This condition accounted for the allround poor display given. The handling and .combination were at fault on both sides, while the scrums degenerated into a disgraceful scramble. It looked more like a fight for position than a carefully planned method of scrum formation. That is not true football; it is only an unseemly exhibition of brute strength. Science was altogther a neglected art. Both teams have a long way to go if they expect to attain a high standard of play. Better combination, more efficient scrum work, and generally the playing of the game in its broadest sense, is desirable if the sport is to go ahead and prosper. We don’t look forward to many more matches like this —one in a season is quite enough.

ROUGH PLAY. Throughout both games that most undesirable state of affairs known as “rough play” was manifest. As one referee reported, it was not confined to any one side; it seemed the common fault of all the teams engaged. * . Many more such exhibtions, with their resultant casualties, and the sport would soon be dragged through the mud. The Union has had early in ithe season occasion to issue a warning that this sort of thing must cease, and it is its bounden duty not to waver in its determination to enforce that decree. After this, no cautions should be issued; any offender should be stood down. That is the only punishment which will act as a deterrent. In dealing .with such offen ces the Union must act as a body, not as individual club delegates, and, for the sake of the sport, drastic punishment must be meted out to the next offender, whoever he might be. That is the only manner in which the game can be kept clean; freed from the insidious canker of rough play with its accompanying broken noses, knocked out teeth, strained muscles, lacerations, and bruises.

NEXT SATURDAY’S MATCHES. As indicating the popularity of the national game, it is noteworthy that fourteen teams, making 210 players, will be participating in next Saturday’s matches, while one team, the Te Awamutu seniors, will be standing down on account of having drawn a bye. Saturday will witness the inauguration of both the junior and the third grade competitions, and the zest and enthusiasm being displayed in connection therewith augurs well for the future of these competitions. It is particularly gratifying to note the success attending the introduction of the latter competition, as there is nothing like getting the players young if they are to develop into real topnotchers and attain representative rank. THE METHODIST TEAM. The Methodist Club have nominated a team for the junior competition, and this entry is particularly welcome, as it will do away with the necessity for one club standing down each Saturday. It has been arranged that this club will play the team which secured the bye at the original drawing. REFEREES’ REPORTS. The Union should insist upon referees submitting full reports on each, match played under their control. This is desirable in cases where the Union has to deal with breaches of the rules and other offences, such as rough play, which should be dealt with promptly and effectually. If a concise report is* sent in the Union would always have something definite to go upon, and there would then be no excuse for delay in arriving at decisions, the postponement of which might conceivably pet fc the detriment of clubs. i

THE ROVER CLUB. The Rover teams for Saturday’s matches are as- follow: Seniors (against Huia): H. Flay, H. Teddy. S. Paterson, H. Holmes, E. Holmes, J. Holmes, Prince, C. Grotty, H. Greig, W. Surgenor, R. Lang, R. Johnston, D.. Grotty, Bayly, C. Langmuir, Scott, Cdnder. Juniors (against Wairaka): G. Tickelpenny, P. Short, T. Hinton, W. Holmes, 0. Finch, H. Giles, T. Finch, J. Lang, D. Auld, R. Harris, F. Scott, A. Loomb, D. Main, H. Hunt, C. Adams. Emergencies: A. Pinch, T. Martin, H. Woolley, C. Coggins, N. Flay. Third Grade (aganist Te Awamutu High School): A, Wood, A. Paterson, A. Brownhill, A. Ford, C. Bridge, A. Moon, F. Clark, C. Flay, R. Grigg, L. McDonald, 0, Leitham, F. Ford, E. Gregory, W. Gregory, L. Neild, K. G. Bowden, S. Grotty, B. Finlay. THE TOKANUI TEAM. /The following teams will represent Tokanui- on Saturday next: Seniors (against Pirongia): Andrews, Kite (2), Barton, Briscoe (2), Wilson, Prenderville, Gallagher, Kerr (2), Maunder, O’Reilly, Anderson, Rennie. Juniors (against Pirongia): Nathan, Barton, Emery, Ngamo (3), Hill, O’Reilly (2) , Heta, Tongariro, Old, Rennie, Kay, Hansen, McGechie, Christie, and Paringa.

A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. A touching tribute of respect to the date Mr Joseph Turner was paid on the Te Awamutu football fields on Saturday last. The deceased had been a prominent member of the Pirongia Football Club-and an enthusiastic supporter of Rugby, and to mark their respect for his memory all footballers stood in silence for two minutes. It was a simple but nevertheless impressive act to one who had departed to that bourne from whpnce no traveller returns.

POSITION OF SENIOR TEAMS. Gms W L D Pts Te Aw a mu t a 2 1 I 0 2 Rovers .... 1 1 0 0 2 Tokanui .... 2 1 1 0 2 Hm’a 2_ 1 1 0 2 Pirongia 1 0 1 0 0 TOKANUI-HUIA MATCH.