LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18137, 30 September 1930, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

DRAFFIN CUP CONTEST.

NGARUAWAHIA DEFEATS HUNTLY. A' strenuous game was provided for League football fans in the Draffln Cup contest at Huntly on Saturday. The game was willing, open, and easily the most spectacular seen on the ground this season. Mr R. T. Hill, president of the South Auckland League Association, was referee. The tackling, especally in the last half, was deadly, and every inch of ground was fought for. Weather conditions were threatening and a high wind prevailed throughout the game. The teams lined out as under: — Huntly.—G. Rayner, P. Miki, Kosoof, Whorskey, Wiri Miki, B. Paki, Jones, Trautretter, Stephenson, Gruby, Wausel, Scott, Timms. Ngaruawahia. —Abbott, Kelly, Hall, Tittleton, Wilson, Hill, E, Abbott, Mason, Menzies,. Payne, Stubbings, Benjamin, Laird. From the moment Mansel opened up the score with a-godd- penalty goal from an mfrngement of Abbott’s, there was not a dull moment. Adopting the Australian methods of handling, in place of kicking, the ball was thrown about with vim, and sparkling football was the result. Merizies' and Tittleton each scored for Ngaruawahia and bothwere converted by George Hail, while Tittleton added a penalty goal to give them victory and the Draffln Cup. Huntly’s score was made up by a penalty goal, Paki 1 try, Jones 1 try (converted). The half-time scores were 10 —5 in favour of the visitors. “Knooks” were frequent, and the ambulance men had to attend minor cases in the second half, but the victims kept going-apd the outstanding feature was that there was no “dirt” in the process. Notes and Comments. To single out players under the circumstances would be hard, and the two forward packs are to be congratulated on their showing. It \yas a battle of giant forwards, and the Huntly pack had nothing on the winners except perhaps in pushing over and nullifying the work of Abbott, who was handicapped with injured whists, but nevertheless played well. The Huntly rear division lacked cohesion, and mishandling was very noticeable. Rayner’s play at full-back was poor and he had a day oil and frequently got his side into trouble .through not parting with the ball. Whorskey was a weak spot, and Pat ,Miki was the pick of the three-quarter line, as was Paki in the five-eighth line. Jones at half was the pick of the backs and started many clever movements without fruitful results. In front Scott was conspicuous, and Stephenson and Timms also caught the eye, but all gave of their best. For the winners Tittleton played a sterling game. Abbott at full-back made no mistakes, and his brother at half was sound. Hail (three-quar-ters) was reliable, and Kelly did not : get'many opportunities to shine but his play was solid. Wilson and Hill (flve-eghihs) worked well together and put in good defensive work, while in front Menzies, the skipper, Stutobings and Payne worthily upheld the .brunt of the attack and the former played one of his best games. Perhaps a drawn game would have been a better criterion .of the run of play, for one goal of the winners was certainly a doubtful one and one lineumpire did not signal it as one.

HUNTLY V. MOUNT ALBERT. Two teams from the Mount Albert Club paid Huntly a visit on Saturday. The senior B team were beaten by 14—6, while the fourth grade team went down by a solo try to nothing. Both games were characterised by sparkling play in the best of spirit. Mr Alf. Rayner controlled the senior game, which was anybody’s at halftime, but on turning round the locals predominated and superior condition told its tale. Pitt was the outstanding player for the winners and his try a good one. W. Smith also put in good work and was in all the attacking movements, while Geo. Smith and Baker were prominent in front, though the latter fumbled the ball badly at times. For the losers, Donald and Wilson (backs), Martin and Whaley (forwards)", were the pick. The junior match was the closest seen here for a long time, and both teams were evenly matched. In winning by 3 to nil the locals had nothing to spare. Skinner, Pope, .Broadfoot, Voss; Martin and Wilson were the pick of the visitors, while Pitt, Morgan, Spiers and Tumai stood out for the winners. - 1 • .