FOOTBALL.

Western Star, 8 May 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

KIVE-R/TON V OREPUKI The first, match of .the season tween the above took place on 'Wednesday at Orepuki for, the Western District Banner and Cuo> thej latter beiniff a new addition for the premiers of the Western District, being presented by Mr H, H,. Wilson, the genial president of the O.F.C, The day was a perfect on© for. football, and when the teams took the field it was apparent that .Orepuki had the heavier siet of forwards.. The teams, however, wsrft not up to the standard of lajst year, both sides having losteev oral old player®.; Riverton kicked off, and shortly after Some long kicking by the backs play centred in Riverton territory. By a free kick,however the pressure Was relieved, and play shifted to the Red’s quarter, where likely score was spoilt by, off-Bido play. Some open play then resulted. Orepuki being superior in the scrums and line out, while in the open Rjiver ton more than held their own. 'From a good passing rush the ball was again taken to the Riverton 2'5, and from a good run by J. L- Printz the ball was passed to Johnstone, who crossed the line. The kick at goal failed. In the second spell, after a lot of open play, Fallow secured the leather and after .traversingthree parts of the field was glassed within a few feet of the red line.j Shortly after, from a mark, Printz from ft penalty kick, placed a splendid goal for his aide. The greens then livened up, and play was taken to the home territory, Robertson eventually scoring. The kick at goal failed, y Slmrtly.. after ..the- whistle -sounded,/Orepuki 6 Riverton 3. Mr, .0, Wilson artod as referee. OTARTAU v NIGjHTC APS The above teams met at Otautau on Wednesday to try conclusions for the first time this season. The day Was beautifully line, and, as a consequence, there was a fair attendance of the public, who had gathered to see (as they had confidently expected) the home team come ofi viotoriious. In this they were disappointed, however, as the greens (Nightcaps) scored 11 points to their opponents 6. The ground was in excellent condition', and although the game was at times fast, both teams scemeq to be playing- '“on their own.” With one lor two exceptions neither team played the passing game, and had they done so, we consider the score would have been different. Otautau started play by kicking off, and for a time the visitors were on the defensive. Eventually MdAfe© scored for the home team. Coulter took the kick but did not improve matters. Some give and take play followed, and play was carried to Otautau icjritory, where the home team were com polled to force. Scrum after scrum followed, and from a pass O’Ccnnor got possession, crossing over and scored.- for his side. Nightcaps 3 O’, au tan 8. Fraser scored another try shortly afterwards, but the alien pt at goal, although a good one, did not enhance the score. In the second spell Clapp scored for the visitors, and Webb, taking the kick, added a nice goal. No further scores were registered. Nightcaps thus winning by lift points to 6. Per the home team C. Evans, O’Brien, Scatter, Fraser, and Coulter showed rujst form while ■Grinin, Clapp, Webb, Flynn, and Welsh were the most conspicuous on the visitors’ side. Mr Fordo acted as eferee.