Football

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 26 June 1914, Page 3

Football

HUNTLY V. TAUPIRI. The above match was played at Huntly on Saturday before a fair attendance of spectators who braved the unpropitious weather in the anticipation of a fast and exciting game. A greasy ball and adverse atmospheric conditions, however, robbed the game of its expected brilliancy, the result being a decided win for the visitors by 10 points to 3. The scoring can not be reckoned as a criterion of the difference in the two teams; and, though Taupiri is certainly the better team of the two, they had the luck which entreily deserted the home players. That the visitors rightly took advantage of it goes without saying. Winning the toss Huntly kicked off, and Taupiri at once commenced the attack which was continued until A. Peckham marked. Shortly afterwards Taupiri claimed a mark, the ball from Littlewood’s kick going between the posts. Taupiri, 2 Huntly, 0 Play remained at half way for some time, H. Peckham's forceful tactics being very conspicuous. After a scrum the ball, as the result of an exchange of kicks between the two hales, Peckham and Smith, oscillated between the twenty-fives, until a free kick brought the oval into closer proximity to the Huntly goal line where Dunn and Peckham effectually smothered the Visiting backs. Asserting themselves, the lea f her was passed to Doyle who transferred action back again to half way. Peckham secured from the scrum, his ! kick being intercepted by Little- ' wood whose rush was rendered ’ useless by Gleeson’s smart collar work. Wilson assuming possession punted high, and capital 1 following up brought the Taupiri goal within the danger zone, a force relieving the pressure. Mahuta, who was playing well, sent up a long kick which Littlewood ! marked, his punt transferring play to the Taupiri 25, whence, after a desperate rush by Taupiri, the oval was carried into Huntly territory where Bookliam securing made for the goal, but falling as he attempted to jump over his opponent, his run was stalled off, play continuing dangerously near the Huntly goal line where a free kick by Littlewood doubled the visitors’ score. Taupiri 4 Huntly * 0 From the return kick Tumate seized the leather and passed to J. Dunn who dribbled for some . distance and passed to Raynor whose kick gave his side no ad- ( vantage. Play was eventually ] carried to the visitors’ territory where the Taupiri full back was ; beaten, and the try that seemed j inevitable was lost through the over anxiety of the Huntly for- | wards who over-rail, and spoilt their chance. Play was carried , to and remained in midfield , where the free kick awarded to ( Huntly and taken by Mahuta . failed. From Littlewood Tumate | got the ball, and sent it on to Peckham, to Dunn, who, failing , to receive, 10-t another chance of , scoring. Almost on the line Mttlewood marked, the succeed- | even play ending with a free j , kick to Huntly, Mahuta adding j another failure to the list. A . mark by Littlewood was the sig- ' nal for a desperate rush which j caused the visitors to force. A free kick to Huntly was followed , by a scrum from which A. Peckham got the oval, and gained ground before he was intercepted. ' Cooke, the Taupiri back, then m 0 - ff, but, after a brilliant, if m, lie was collared by wi .ou who passed to Burt, whose pot at goal was unsuccessful. From Raynor Bookliam se- , cured and passed to Littlewood, his kick gaining considerable ground, and bringing play to the local 25 whence F. Dunn made a dashing rush, that, fouled by Bookliam, resulted in another free but ineffective shot at goal by Raynor. Smith returned with a long kick that sent the leather to the Huntly 25, whence passing rush by Smith, and Littlewood saved the tion. Mahuta’s punt took ball to the Taupiri 25 Bookham and Littlewood saveM| again, and transferred play to 1 mid-field. Here the Huntly forwards asserted themselves and obliged their opponent to force. Play centred at half way for a j time, the whistle sounding half time immediately after Tumate had returned the ball to midfield. On resuming, Huntly became ■ aggressive and looked dan W gerous, Porsen spoiling a strout rush. From the scrum Taupir secured, and led by Littlewoot much needed relief was obtained Hill once more taking the play to half way. A period of give and take play ensued, the ball eventually being sent to the middle of the field where A. Peckham initiated a rush which was rendered futile by a throw on. Booxham now secured, but the greasy ball, as passed by Bookham, proved very elusive, a mull by Cook giving A. Peckham a chance by means which the venue was changed to the Taupiri 25 where a free kick, taken by Burt, failed once more. Again at half way, a series of kicks were interchanged, Littlewood at last securing and passing to Bookham, who scored, the former failing to increase the points. Taupiri 7 Huntly 0 The loose play following the was succeeded by a determined rush to the visito l ' goal line. Taupiri overcame

pressure, Smith’s lucky kick proving the start of a rush that brought the leather to the local 25, whence a third rush, headed by Burt and Dunn, carried the oval to the opposite end of the field, a force by Taupiri obviating a score. Another force followed Gleeson’s plucky attempt to cross. Play remained in the visitors’ territory until Tumate securing the ball from a scrum in front of the posts passed to Mahuta who dived across, the former’s essay at goal being unsuccessful. Taupiri 7 Huntly 3 A neat bit of collaring by Rayno- 1 , and a brilliant run by Smith merited the applause awarded. Huntly now played their best, but every effort to penetrate the stubborn defence and equalise boints was vain. A lucky mark by Taupiri was followed by another by Tumate, who, gaining considerable ground, and keeping on the ball secured once more, this time venturing a shot at goal which went wide. After play had been confined to mid-field for a time, Burt, Dunn and Raynor got going, but Taupiri retaliated with a vigorous onslaught which Peckham temporarily checked, but which was resumed by Smith who plunged over the line and scored the thoroughly well deserved try which Wilson failed to convert. Taupiri 10 Huntly 3 A good run by Peckham, followed by a brilliant passing rush from Cook to Smith, to Bookham, to Littlewood, which was blocked by Tumeke was succeeded by the loose play proceeding when the whistle sounded no game, the score standing as above. Mr McKercher officiated as referee.