Football

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 131, 3 May 1892, Page 2

Football

• Tho scratch match arranged between Feildiug and Awahuri came off last Saturday, and ended very satisfactorily for the visitors. The ground was iv good order, and no sun to speak of made play yery enjoyable. Of course everybody took matters easy, it being, I may say, the whole of the team's first game, no preliminary practice having been indulged in, the play could not he expected to be very fast. I was very much pleased indeed to see the excellent passing our boys did all through the game, a feature they were sadly deficient in all through last season. That old style of holding on to the ball has gone out of date now entirely, and good smart passing and dribbling takeu its place. I think I can safely say a team that are are not good in these two points would find themselves, out-classed if they met a team that could pass and dribble well. It is not the actual amount of ground gained that you haye to look at, but this : A man may save himself many a naaty fall if he, with a judicious pass, transfers the ball to someone clear of the bulk of players. Suppose, for instance, a player gets the ball and runs with it, say ten or twenty yards and is collared and thrown heavily and is perhaps hurt by someone falling on him or otherwise, that man is only half a man the rest of the game, whereas if he would pass the ball just before he is collared he would saye himself all that knocking about. Of course some say tbat is only one man, but if two or three get hurt from the same cause the team, is very considerably weakened. However, to proceed with a short description of the game I may say the Awahuri's were simply at a loss how to contend against the passing of their opponents, which no doubt accounts for the large score made by our boys. The rules of scoring are now altered thus: A goal from a try counts 5, a pot 4, a goal from a penalty 3, and a try 2 points. Mr Lloyd acted as referee and Messrs Bishop and Hyams umpired for Awahuri and Feilding respectively. Of course, in justice to Awahuri, it must be said our team was not exclusively a junior team some four or flye being senior players. Awahuri kicked off and the ball was smartly returned by Baillie. On being in play some smart passing of Feilding's backs brought play in Awahurrs 25, who, by loose forward play, carried it to half way. Here Baillie securing made a short useful' run to touch, and the play resuming it was carred to touch the opposite side of the field. From the throw-out Smith secured the ball and smartly passed to Fanthorpe who transfered to Baillie, who potted a neat goal. The ball being brought to halfway and set rolling was soon again in Awahuri's 25. Here Feilding backs did some useful passing and A. Parr was close to scoring, and Awahuri was forced down. Very soon after the kick off a mark was made by Udy, which A. Parr transferred to a goal. This seemed to wake Awahuri up a bit but from a forward rush Udy got possession and transferred to Pair, who was collared, but the forwards being handy carried it along and R. Parr, from a nice dribble, scored at the comer flag. No further score resulted, the kick being a difficult one. Here halftime was called to the relief of everyone. Score— Feildmg, 10 ; Awahuri, 0. After the usual lemon and five minutes spell, Feilding set the play going and Awahuri seemed to hold their opponents in check for a while, but Feilding's better knowledge of the garae soon prevailed and another good rush enabled R. Parr to again score. No goal resnlted. Awahuri were soon again on the defensive, and from a forward rush Terry got possession of the ball and passed to Fanthorpe, who scored almost under the bar. A. Parr took the kick and placed a goal. After this tries were obtained by R. Parr and Murdoch in quick succession, but the kicks at goal failed to add the major point. At call of time play was in Awahuri's territory. Scores — Feilding 19, Awahuri nil. I shall not individualise any player for smart play as the ganae was the first of the season, but I would like A Parr to try and get out of that old style of holding on to the ball so much, a hint which might be taken by several of the forwards as well. I think the club have useful meu in the Murdoch brothers and Smith. I hope no one will take offence at any remarke which may be made with regard to football as they are intended to improve everyone's play as much as possible. All juniors must not forget the cup match next Saturday, and if anyone would like to practise no doubt the ball will be out every evening, and the team will be posted up in Donnelly's when picked. Knock On.