FOOTBALL

Western Star, 10 July 1936, Page 2

FOOTBALL

RIVERTON v. OTAUTAU. Not for a long time in Riverton lias a game of football been anticipated with such keen and widespread interest as the forthcoming match between tlie Riverton and Otautau seniors on the local recreation grounds to-morrow. Cvervone with a spark of football interest is talking about it and it is quite safe to predict a record gate. Tlie contest is between the two traditional iivals in the Western District. It is four years since Riverton defeated Otautau. The latter always manage to liekl their strongest team when meeting Riverton. They destroyed the latter team’s chances of the bauner two years ago when Riverton was on top and Otautau at the other end; they are the only team who have defeated Riverton this year —and that by a narrow margin on the Otautau ground. But Saturday will find both teams at the height of their form. The Otautau players have been training solidly , and under the direction of Eon Stewart, the 1924 All Black, have worked up many of the finer points. They are a much stronger team than at the commencement of the season, and concluded the first round by defeating Ohai On the same day Riverton defeated Western Star by 16 points to nil. So the second round of the competition commences with'Riverton on top with IQ points, and Oliai, Otautau and Nightcaps' confidently chasing them up with 3 points each. Buxton, the Western half and skipper, will play behind the Otautau scrum, and spectators will be able to judge for themselves whether lie should give hi? place to Cleaver.

Collie is another Western hack, while Muir, the Sub-Union forward and

Bailey, who is well known in Invercargill for his fast breaking and dribbling rushes will lead a speedy set of forwards. It is also rumoured that Brick, the giant Western forward of last, year will also have a day out. With this material Otautau cannot be blamed for being confident of yet another victory over Riverton. But the Riverton boys are just as confident. No team has ever trained more conscientiously. Thanks to. the enterprise of Mr J. McLaren and the generosity of many donors, the local grounds are fitted with three additional lights and there has been full practice—twice a week, The combination amongst the backs is perhaps the best in the Western District. Jack McKay, the dashing winger, has got the Southland selectors thinking seriously. Archie McKenzie, who is equally .as fast, will, take the other wing. The forwards are a hardworking lot and shine in the loose. They are right out to avenge their succession of defeats at the hands, of Otautau. Mr Lyng will referee and the crowd will be on their toes from the whistle. The team is as follows ; Backs: .R, Lockett, J. McKay, A. McKenzie, D. McKay, A. Saunders, A. McKay and J. Cleaver. , Fowards: McKinnon Smith,' Porter, Lockett, Collis, Molloy, Keeler and Parker RIVERTON v. WESTERN STAR. A team will he picked from the following to represent the Riverton juniors in their match with Western Star at Orawia to-morrow : . Saunders. Fraser, Cleaver, Te Au O’Neil, Webb, Herbison, Carson, Anderson, Bulman, Belsham. H Anderson, C. Anderson, Carmichael, Wixon and Hayes. WESTERN DISTRICT REFEREES. The following referees have been appointed for the Rugby football matches in the Western District competition on Saturday : Seniors : Ohai v Nightcaps, Mr G. .Andrews; Uiverton v Otautau, Mr M. P. Lvng; Waiau v Orepuki, Mr D. Collie; Western Star a bye.

Juniors : Orepuki v Ohai, Mr R. Lee; Western Star v Riverton, Mr Chamtmlain; Nightcaps v Waiau, Mr 0 V. Berry.