Football

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 12 June 1914, Page 3

Football

MOEHAKA NATIVES V. HUNTLY JUNIORS, The junior match. Moehaka natives v. the Huntly juniors, was played at Huntly on Saturday under League rules in splendid football weather, and before a fair attendance of spectators. Winning the toss, Huntly kicked off, and shortly after a free kick brought play to the vicinity of the local team’s goal, Whittle twice saving a score. Gaining possession of the leather, Carmody, Molvor and Wentworth broke away with a fine rush, and carried the ball well up tlie field, Whittle making a fine, though unsuccessful shot at goal. A throw on by Huntly was followed by a scrum, a bit of strenuous play succeeding until Ruston relieved by a mark at half way. Carmody broke away, and, after a neat and effective bit of passing work, Whittle securing, crossed the line, and converted the try, thus obtaining first blood for Huntly. Huntly, 5 Moehaka, 0 From the kick off, the Huntly forwards pressed the attack, and bearing down on the line were prevented from scoring by a force on the part of the natives. Shortly afterwards W. Mitchell took charge of the ball. He looked dangerous, but held on too long, any chance of scoring being defeated by his failure to pass to his mates who were eagerly following,up. Sissons made a capital run, but losing the oval, the Maoris carried the play to the Huntly 25, where Whittle saved, and sent the ball to half way. Mitchell secured, and again stuck io the leather instead of joassing to Sissons who was ready for the. pass ha failed to receive. Hard and vigorous play continued until Burrell gained possession. Running through his opponents, he scored a try which was not converted, the score reading: — Huntly, 5 Natives, 3 ' Flushed with success, tlie natives gradually worked the ball to the local 25. where a free kick was awarded. Burrell’s kick, though a good one, failed to place the ball between the posts. Loose play was followed by a fine passing rush in which Whittle, Ruston, Mitchell and Wentworth were conspicuous, tho Maoris being ooliged to save the situation by a force. Greenweil marked, bat, Whittle failing to score, tlie natives took the oval to the local 25, whence from the scrum the field of play was transferred to the opposite 25. The natives worked hard, a determined rush being pluckily stopped by Mclvor. J. Mitchell soon afterwards made for the line, but fails 1 to cross, a free kick being awarded to the natives. Huntly made another attack, and Ruston getting away, scored ill the corner, Mitchell just failing to add the extra point's. Tlia whistle sounded half time, leaving the game Huntly, 8 Natives, 5 The Maoris opened the second half with a vigorous attack, but their opponents held their own with ease, and stemmed the rush from which W. Mitchell secured, but from which by faulty play ho gained nothing, as the ball was quickly transferred" to tho local 25, where Parker saved the situation by feeding Wentworth, who dribbled the oval to the. opposite end of the field whence J. Mitchell, who was playing a solid gams, crossed the line, Whittle failing in his kick at goal. Huntly, 11 Natives, 3 The kick off was followed by a strenuous rush which the whistle rendered nugatory, a free kick to Huntly bringing the play to mid field. Thence, in spite of a vigorous defence, the ball was kept in dangerous proximity to the line. Sissons kicked- to. Ruston, who fell over the boundary! Mitchell, converting a well deserved try. ‘ , Huntly, 16 Maoris, 3 Play remained at half way for some time, several scrums following each other in rapid suceesion. A good kick by W. Michell eased things, and that player, following up, collared bis man in good style, a period of strenuous work, followed by the rush of tlie Huntly forwards, in which Birt, Wentworth and -Carmody were again copspU:uq.us, ending m the fry secured by Birt, Michell failed to convert. Huntly, 19 Natives, 3 The Huntly forwards pursued aggresivo tactics, the play becoming rough and somewhat loose. From the rush W. Ruston secured and scored, the game thus standing— Huntly, 22 Natives, 3 The natives did not relkjh things, and several showed their disgust by leaving tlie field, but, coining back again, played on to the finish. The game degenerated into a mere farce, and from the semblance of football Sissons s >cured and crossed, Mitchell failing to add the major points, the welcome sound of the whistle leaving tho game— Huntly, 25 Maoris, 3 For 1 luntly J. Mitchell, Went* worth, W. Birt, and Carmody forwards), and Parker, Whittle id Mclvor (hacks) playocl'a lod gamo, while among their

opponents J. Burrell shone to most advantage. The game was rough, and towards the end, proved to be a poor exhibition of football, the referee, Mr Blincoe, losing control of the game, and giving decisions that proved unsatisfactory and led to active dissatisfaction.