FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11950, 27 March 1894, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

» EKETAHUNA v. WANGANUJ. Even from a spectator's point of viow, the Wbather on Friday was rather on the sultry side, but notwithstanding the heat the game, for an opening one, was, perhaps, faßt, certainly at times furious. It was witnessed by a considerable number of spectators, and there might possibly have been more had the kick-off not been 'hre^-quarters of nn hour behind the R'vertißed time. doth teams (more especially the Wnnivannis) appeared rather fresh, but as the game proceeded pieces of very fine play were shown on either side. The following are the respective teams ; — Eketahuna— Fnll-back, C. H. Williams; Aree-quartors, T. Priest, T. Pelling, E. Polling; halves, Bodwin, Morris, Boss; forwards; Anderson, Hartrrnves, Dawsett, Kniglit, Greenwood, Griffiths. Priest, and Ballett. Wanganui— Full-back, Pyle; threequarters, Holder, Tilley, Duncan, and ttearoish j halvesj Ferc-uson and Layton ; forwards, Francis, Fcanklyn, McDuff, Mcßeth, Sims, Drummond, Henderson, and H. Woon. Eketahuna won the toss, and elected to defend the northern gaol. Sims kicked off for Wanganui, and after a little give-and-tako play Holder got away, but for aome reason or other the ball was brought back and scrummed about half way. A dangerous rush was well stopptd by Beamißh near to the reds' line, where, after a few tight scrums, the yellows rushed the ball over, where Tilley forced. From the kick the ball was returned into reds' territory, where they were once more forced to touch down. After kicking out again the reds pulled themselves together, and sent the ball to Williams, the yellows' full-back. He returned it well into reds' quarters, and following up well, caught Tilley napping. After a few scrums, the reds took the ball up to the yellows' 25, where Fergußon secured the ball from a scrum and let it out to Holder, who, passing it well to Dnncsn, enabled the latter to score. The kick, which waß an easy one, was unsuccessful, Tilley making the attempt. Tilley returned the kick out to yellows' 25, and line out play ensued. Ferguson Rave Duncan another chance, and he electing to pot just missed the post by a few feet. Good kicking and passing took the play into redß' quarters, but a fine combined tush of the red forwards brought the play back to the centre. The yellows, however, were on their mettle, and with a fine passing rußh took the ball right down to Wanganui's line, whore Morris managed to draw first blood for the visitors. Pelling took the kick, and following up Bmartly nearly got a chance, but Tilley saved his side by kicking out of touch. A little scrimmage work took the ball towards reds line, where they were saved for a time by being allowed a free kick. The yellows, however, came on -with a good rush, and soon had Wanganui ia difficulties again, until the bursting of the ball gave reds a little breathing time. A good passing rush by Pelling (2), Priest, and Bodwin enabled Pelling to reach the reds' line, where from the scrum which ensued, Wanganuis were forced, but as soon as the ball was once moie in play Eketahuna rushed it right back to reds' quarters, where, from a neat paBS, Bodwin got over. The attempt at goal was unsuccessful. Score: Eketahuna, 7; Wanganui, 2, Still the yellows assumed the aggressive, and had not the reds played an excellent defence the points recorded would have been considerably augmented. The Wanganuis were nlaying a man short up till this, and ths appearance of "Digger" Woon had the effect of wakening the reds up, and from this until the half-time was called the yellows had some trouble to keep their lines clear. No score, however, eventuated, and the spell saw the game standing at—Eketahuna, 7 points j Wanganui, 2 points. After the kick-cff, Priest ran to the reds' 25, where a Wansanuite gave yellows a f ccc kick. Scrums enaued.and the play took a zig-zag course in front of reds' goal-line, but by a fine dribbling rush the ball was taken out of danger. Training now told on the reds, and from this to the end of the game thoy were playiug on the defensive. Beamish did good work for his side by his smart kicking. A good rush by the yellows ended in them crossing the Wanganui goal line for the third time, and Pelling succeeded in placing a neat goal. Eketahuna, 12 ; Wanganui, 2. After this the yellows' quarters were invaded, and Wanganui looked like scoring, but from a scrum near the line Boss secured the ball, and passing to Briest, who was beh'nd his gaol line, he _- ran into touch in goal. No further Bcore F was registered by either side, and when time was called play was in neutral territory. The Eketahuna boyß were in much better condition than our local players, and their passintr was, at times, very neat and effective. Little can be said of their opponents, excepting that they have been taught a lesson by attempting to play a football match in no form whatever. For the visitors, T. Pelling played exceedingly well, as did his brother. The forwarde had it all their own way, their weight playing havoc with their light opponents. Beamish was certiinly the pick of the tacks in the Wanganuis, and Duncan and Tilley played well at times. Thanks are due to Mr Downes for his liberal supply of lemons, which were very acceptable to the playerß.