Football.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 July 1915, Page 3

Football.

0— OTAKI UNITED MEATS WERAROA. On Saturday alter noon 'bne, OtaKi United team on the Levin park domain put up eight points against -Weraroa's six points, after a hard game. Otaki team set out at a great pace, it apparently being their intention to smother their opponets with a lew scores of points, and convince them that it was no use their going alter the shield this season. Weraroa butted in to prove the contrary, and in the first ten or fifteen minutes they held. Otaki off. The ruies were easier to break than W eraroa's defence and in their ardour Otaki forgot all about them; the referee did not and penalties against the southern team were frequent in the fiist stage of the game. What they gained in play they lost again through inlringing the rules. \Veraroa was playing well and carried the game into Otaki's territory and put them on tne defensive. A force down was the result Hard play up and down the field followed, Otaki making constant attacks, and it was plain that if Weraroa left the least loop-hole they would break through. Just before half time the opening appeared and Otaki immediately took advantage of it and scored. The try was converted, and half time ended with Otaki live points, Weraroa, nil. Woraroa opened the second half with a strong offensive and it was not long before Otaki had to force down. Again attacking Weraroa came close to scoring, and then Otaki took charge of matters and pressed their opponents but tailed to get over. Later a weak kick by one of the Weraroa backs gave Otaki another chance, and racing down the uncovered wing a fleet southern player secured the ball and got over the line. The kiok at goal failed. Weraroa was not done with yet, howover. They rallied to a vigorous attack and pushed Otaki back to their own twenty-live division. From a scramble here Cole secured the ball

and passed to B uxton who crossed over Huston's kick at goal was a good one and added the two extra pointe. Wera- , roa maintained the offensive, but the final whistle blew a litfle later with the scores: Otaki 8, Weraroa 5. Weraroa played well, especially €ole, Leigh, Buxton, and Webb. Mr J. Smith was referee.