LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15306, 6 August 1923, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

HOSPITAL PATIENTS' DAY. LOWER WAIKATO WIN CUP. Wet disagreeable weather, conditions mitigated against a record attendance at Seddon Park on Saturday when the Hamilton Rugby League combined with the hockey and soccer people in an effort to swell the funds of the Waikato Hospital Patients' Sunshine League. Under the circumstances existing, the attendance was, nevertheless, satisfactory, and" the Sunshine League will, as a result, be considerably aided in their good work of bringing a little happiness into the lives of the hospital patients. Tne main attraction of the afternoon was the meeting between the Lower Waikato and Hamilton League representatives for the Sunshine Challenge Cup, which a short time ago was presented for competition by a publicminded resident of the town. The sloppy condition of the field prevented a good exhibition of the code, the game at times evolving into something in the nature of a mud-scramble. The game, however, was exciting throughout, and keenly-contested right until the call of time when the scores were: Lower Waikato 11, Hamilton nil. Sickness prevented several of the original selection of both teams from taking their places on the field, Hamilton having to find substitutes for Whalen, Hume, Stewart, Vernall, and Payne, while Lower Waikato were without the services of Rayner, Mahuta, Jackson and Morris. After the game the cup was presented to "Tut" Wilson, the captain of the winning team, by Mr A. L. Yule, president of the Sunshine League. In a few well-chosen words Mr Yule congratulated the -winnera on their fine performance, making reference to the fact that the terms of the cup were that it had to bo played for in Hamilton every year. By competing for the trophy the teams were at the same time enjoying their sport, and helping a very deesrving body. Messrs Wilson, Harlock (manager of the team), and Hill '/.president of the Lower Waikato League) suitably responded. A junior match was also played as a curtain-raiser to the big game, Whitiora, winners of the junior competition, taking the field against the rest. The latter team, after a rather disappointing game, which would have been a great deal better on a drier ground ,emerged victorious by eight points "to seven. The soccer and hockey matches also attracted a fair amount of att6ntion from those interested in these games, ; but, Jhe main interest naturally was centred in the representative football match'.

The Hamilton Military Band was in attendance, and under the conductorship of Lieutenant A. Salter, rendered an enjoyable programme of music in the earlier part of the afternoon.

Lower Waikato (11) v. Hamilton (0). Despite the muddy nature of the ground the game opened at a fast pace, with play for the earlier portion confined to midfleld. Lower Waikato appeared to be holdinf the upper hand, and eventually they were able to pierce Hamilton's defence, Holly dribbling through, and touching down. Hall's attempt at goal failed. Lower Waikato 3, Hamilton 0. Lower Waikato continued, to press, but offside play spoilt several good opportunities. Then Dufty made a good breakaway, and after putting in a good run, transferred to Lineham.. Lower Waikato, however, relieved a dangerous position by a free kick. The visitors, taking advantage of the, opportunity, swept down field in a good concerted movement. The ball, however, was knocked out, but from the resultant scrum Davjs dribbled through fast. He was too eager, however, and the leather went into dead-ball territory. The Hamilton team completely changed the venue of play, and the ball was taken to mid-field. Peckham opened up a nice movement, and Neill, following up fast, carried play to the visitors' territory, where the invaders were awarded a free kick. Peckham, however,' wasted too much time over placing the ball, and the referee awarded a scrum. Following this,' Lower Waikato again assumed charge of operations, but Dufty made another breakaway, taking play once more into the visitors' twenty-five. At this stage the Hamilton full-back, Jacques, sustained injury, but after a brief spell was able to resume. The Lower Waikato men, led by Wilson , and Johnson, then took play to the Hamilton end where the first-named lost a good opportunity by offside play. For the latter part of the flrst spell play was of an even nature, and the halftime bell came with no alteration in the scores. The Second Spell. Upon the resumption, Hall opened up a good attack for Lower Waikato, but ho was grounded by Jacques. For the next few minutes the play -'was of an up and down field nature, flrst Hamilton, and then Lower Waikato, attacking strongly. Hamilton had Lower Waikato hemmed in one corner for a term, the visitors eventually having to seek relief in a force. Hamilton then took a turn at defending, but good play by Hamilton, in which Peckham was prominent, drove the countryitcs out, and for a term play hovered in midfleld. Then Hamilton made a determined attack, but Ihe forwards kicked over too far, and Lower Waikato forced. Play veered towards midfleld after this, but good play by the visitors, in which Lornoy and Gicscn were prominent, took the leather into Hamilton's territory. Here Lower Waikato were awarded a free kick, but one of their men got in front of the ball, and the opportunity was lost. Then Hall put in a good run, and kicked over to Johnson, who, however, slipped. The red, white and blues, nevertheless continued to press, and 'eventually a good dribbling rush, in which Holly and Johnson were prominent, resulted in the last-named getting over. Miki made a good attempt at converting, but the ball hit the post, and rebounded. Lower Waikato 6, Hamilton 0. For the next few minutes play was of a desultory nature, and hovered about midficld for a term. During a scramble on the half-way line Peckham had his leg rather badly hurt, and had to be carried off the field. Lower Waikato, having Hamilton's redoubtable captain out of the way, now forced matters strongly, ami driving an attack into the home team's territory, they were rewarded wilh another try, secured by "Tut" Wilson, Miki added the extras. The bell went shortly afterwards with no alterations to the scores. Mr Herrick was referee.