PATEA NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11279, 28 May 1891, Page 3

PATEA NOTES.

(From our Own Correspondent.) Patea, May 27. A football match was played here on Monday, between the Patea and Hawera Clubs, and resulted, contraiy to all expectations, in a win for Patea by I—o. A. good number of visitors came down from Hawera, and the match caused great excitement. !Iu the first spell Patea had the best of it, and should have scored more than once, but their half, backs, though they collared and ran very well, were not versed in the science of the game, and did not pass out to their , three-quarters when near their opponent' ' • goal line. Towards the enjd of the' spell, when the play was within a few yards of Hawera's goal line, Pedrer, on a throw out from touch, secured the ball and was over the line "quicker than no time.'' Wray took the kick, which went very near being a goal, though the angle was a difficult one. From this till the end of the sptall the ball was in neutral ground, but at the beginning of the second spell Hawera played desperately, hoping, no doubt, to "puff" the local men. For 20 minutes the Patea goal was in jeopardy, but at last their forwards, by a grand rush, took the ball right up into their opponents' 25's, and should have scored, but the half backs again were not smart enough to pass out, and the chance was lost. The game was a ding dong. ' one from .this till the end of the spell, • the ball going quickly from one end of the field to the other, and both teams playing, their very hardest. However, no score -was made, and irfien time was called Patea was still ahead, with one point to nil, and they, may well be proud of their win, as, with . two or three exceptions, they are quite new to the game. For Haweia, Babbage, Hobbs (2), Smith, Gunthorpe, and Matheson played ,well, and for Patea, Ball, Edson, O'Hawken, Kells, O'Connor, Pearce, and Wray were conspicuous. O'Ha wken, especially, played a grand game, and it is to be hoped the Patea forwards will take a lesson from him. . The visitors were treated to a tea .by the local team, after which all adjourned to a room where host Derrett had kindly placed a piano, and a couple of hours were spent very pleasantly, members of each team favouring the company ; with songs, recitations, &c. At 8 o'clock the visitors left for the train, hearty cheers being given on both sides, and a most pleasant meeting brought to a close. On Monday evening the .Wangauui Druids' Dramatic Society gave a performance in the Hall, before a very large audience, and they were well received and appreciated, the various -characters acting with life-like spirit and showing signs of careful rehearsal. Many would have preferred something other than comedy and farce,' but these will have an opportunity for this next Monday, when the Dobson-Kennedy Company visit us with '' The Shaughraun," and should receive a warm welcome and a full house. The Misses Hamerton have started a dancing class and are receiving fair encouragement. Many of our town and country folks visited your race»meSting and much enjoyed it. -