Football

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 10 July 1914, Page 3

Football

LOWER WAIKATO V. ROTORUA. In order to wrest the coveted Endean Shield from the present holders the Rotorua representatives tried conclusions wkh the holders, the Lower Waikato, at Huntly last Saturday when a fine, free and exciting game took place in excellent weather and before a record attendance of A-jferested spectators. “TWinning the loss the visitors gained an advantage by playing with the sun at their backs, W. Raynor kicking off. Rotorua at once essayed a passing rush which ended with a free kick followed by a scrum, another rush inti tinted by Woodward and Iteke, being foiled by Littlewood. A second free kick was rendered nugatory by a man being in front, and play was quickly removed to the Rotorua 25 where the free kick to Waikato as taken by Littlewood failed to find the way between the posts. A punt by Wilson was returned by Morrison, and the oval was carried, to and remained in mid field until Cooke secured from the scrum and passed to Bookham who nursed the leather long enough for Simpson to block progress. Peckham then secured, and passed to Smith who failed to receive, Cooke smartly gathering up the oval and retaining possession until stopped by Reke. Play was carried to the vicinity of the visitors’ goal line, but by Littlewood failing to pick up, a chance to score was lost, play remaining in the Rotorua 25- Sprague took charge, but Kira accounted for him, the impetus of the tackle causing the former to retire. Punting high, Reke followed up, and gaining considerable ground advanced well into Waikato territory where there took place some loose play in which Tucker and Kravis were conspicuous, a mark by Cooke saving the position by transferring the oval to the Rotorua 25 whence it was carried to midfield by passes from Reke to Simon, to Woodward to Johnston whom Bookham blocked. Woodward was again in possession, but hung on too long. Smith,, receiving, punted high, and Woodward securing passed to Reke whose rush was stopped by the whistle for a knock on. The free kick carried play into Rotorua’s ground, good work by Peckham effectually blockinga most dangerous run. Cooke made a splendid rush after Raynor had made an opening, and Fuller who received the pass sent the leather to Wilson who mulled, Peckham picking up just in time and sending the ball to Wilson, who, in turn, threw to Bookham, the free kick given to Waikato and taken by Littlewood effecting the initial score. Waikato, 2 Rotorua, 0 With Lyall as substitute for ,ue, play was resumed,

,or and Peckham putting in Ifcme solid work which gained considerable ground, Woodward blocking their progress within the Rotorua 25, and passing to Reke who refused. A, Raynor following up, his free kick went nicely between the posts. Waikato, 4 Rotorua 0 From the Waikato 25 Raynor broke away and passed to Fuller to Bookham, who missed and gave Reke a chance to punt, Peckham marked, the kick bringing the game to the centre. Give and take play was succeeded! by successive rushes, those made by the Rotorua hacks, Mason, Woodward, Reke and Simpson affording a good example of neat and clean passing, spoilt by Johnson wh) knocked on. Another rush, foiled by Littlewood, was succeeded by a break away by Peckham and Raynor who were stopped by Simpson, Fuller’s mark being returned by Woodward, the free kick taken by Simon landing short. Rotorua, pressed' again and again, but determination could not not foil the obstinate attack ending in the free kick from which Raynor again scored. Waikato, 6 Rotorua, 0 Short passing rushes with free kicks intervening became the order of the day, the last rush by Bookham, and Cooke terminating with the sounding of the whistle for half time. On resuming, play was taken to the Waikato 25. Cooke broke away. Bookham followed well a smart collar by Simon transferring the ball to Moko, to Walker whose shot at goal did not eventuatethough shortly afterwards the former made good by scoring from the field. Waikato, 6 Rotorua, 2 Alternately pressed and pressing, play continued. close to the centre whence Fuller transferred the leather to the Rotorua 25 and by collaring him Johnston prevented an addition to the score, The ball remained in dangerous proximity to the home goal until Bookham, who got away, threw wildly to Peckham who, eventually, missed, the free kick taken by Raynor being without result. The return was marked try Peckham who transferred to Littlewood, whose pot at goal • was ineffectual. Play hovered between half way and the JF Rotorua 25 whore Reke shone out conspicuously,’hit cession of passing tuus be. of a brilliant character. i him Moko received, and the bad to Johnston who wa ickec Haddon in the kata , lere some exciting p - tool j, a score being re rec • in rible by Patea’s fo Nr so* was the ball in r thar * '4.

Rotorua attacking vigorously carried the game to Waikato’s territory where Molco’s free kick notched two points. Waikato, 6 Rotorua, 4 The game was still anybody’s, and both teams showed stubborn determination both in attack and defence, play becoming faster and faster, and Waikato smothering all the attempts of their opponents to pass. Catching the leather Bookham punted high. Woodman receiving made off. but was collared by Bookham whom Moko intercepted and made a brilliant rush for the line, passing all his opponents but Littlewood who saved further scoring by passing - to Bookham. At halfway he slipped, Cooke taking possession after the free kick was collared by Simon and the scene of play shifted to the opposite side of the field where Patea and Cooke did excellent work that was rendered nugatory by Wilson blocking Johnston’s attempt to pick the ball up. A break away by Cooke was foiled by Moko, Smith’s kick being intercepted by Peckham who by a dashing bit of tactical prowess secured the first try of the day, A. Raynor just failing to add the major points Waikato, 9 Rotorua. 4 Give and take play followed, one side having advantage, and then the other, a rush by Rotorua being smothered in front ol the goal, shortly after which Moko scored from a free kick. Waikato, 9 Rotorua, 6 A return by Reke, a rush by Littlewood, and an aggresive attack led by Simon and Mason was followed by the looose play in which Woodward, Johnston and Littlewood excelled. Two free kicks were successively awarded to Waikato, the second resulting in a beautiful goal by Littlewood. Waikato, II Rotorua, 6 Rotorua made a strenuous effort to equalise, Woodward, Reke and Moko succeding in carrying the ball to the local 25 where play ended. NOTES In the second spell Rotorua played better football than their opponents, their backs handling the ball well and passing in clean and effective style. Combination, which is essential to good football, was lacking on both sides. The game was a fast one. Reke, Woodward and Moko were pillars of strength. The first named was brilliant, his smart collaring and heady tactics being a feature of the day’s play. A. Raynor who never played to* greater advantage, was the pick of the local team, though Peckham, Cooke, Littlewood and Bookham played a sterling game. As referee Mr Calthorpe. of

Auckland, controlled the game in splendidly impartial sty'e. His decisions, quick, clear and to the point, proved his capability fcr the onerous post. The receipts constituted a record, £l4 10 - being taken at the gates. ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the members of the Huntly Association Football Club was held in Mrs Bird’s cafe on the evening of the 2nd inst., Mr. D. Harvey presiding over a record attendance. Office bearers were elected as follow:- Captain, Mr W. Timms; secretary, Mr H. Burt, committee, Messrs D. Close, R. Harvey and E. Marston. The secretary was instructed to arrange with Hamilton or Pulcekohe for an opening match on the 18th. inst. The report showed that the club was in good financial standing, members being adjured to assiduous practice in order that they might retain possession of the Howden Cup which the Huntly club won last season. The colours decided on were blue jersey and white knickers, and the annual subscription was fixed at 2 (>d. The following gentlemen were elected patrons:- Messrs. W. J. Ralph, L. B. Harris, senr., L. B. Harris, junr.W. Wood, J. P. Bailey, J. Fletcher, W. H. Bailey and G. Shaw. THE NGARTTAWAHIA INCIDENT. The inquiry into the fracas that occurred at Ngaruawahia on Saturday, 20t.h June, when the Huntly juniors and the Moehaka native football teams met, was resumed at Huntly on the evening of the 4th inst, Further evidence was heard and the matter discussed in all its bearings, with the result that one member of the Huntly team was disqualified for the remainder of the present season, another Huntly player and two of the Moehaka natives being disqualified until the end of the season 1.915. __________