FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 28, 3 May 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

• ♦ Te Kuiti v. Carpenters. The rugby game has now been fairly started for the season and although the regular Union matches do not begin until May nth, there is still considerable interest taken in the preliminary games. The initial game of the season is always regarded as a pipe-opener, rather than a serious contest, and the first match was of the ragged order. On Saturday last, however, the form displayed was of a somewhat higher grade, and, but for the greasy state of the ground and ball, there would have been flashes of decent play. The backs found the leather difficult to handle, and the forwards kicked too hard. In the first spell the Carpenters, kicking down hill, placed 8 points to their credit. The Te Kuiti team, who were playing three men short, did all the attacking in the second spell, and placed i t points to their credit, thus winning a well contested game by 3 points. It is early yet to criticise the form of the of the different players, as there havebeen no opportunities for practice. However, a noticeable feature of the game may be touched on. The forwards on both sides did not endeavour to combine, and heeling out was hardly attempted. There were also continual breaches by them, such as over-running the ball, and waiting off side for it to come to them. Moreover the scrum was never packed properly, and each player seemed too anxious to just have a kick at the ball,without endeavouring to combine, and either come away with a concerted rush, or send the leather out to the backs. There is just as much science in the forward game as in hack play, only it requires coolness and combination, together with unselfishness.

The following will represent Oparure against Piopio on Saturday ne.xt: —Tete Atutahi, Morrow, Wilkinson, Tauru, Harris, Clinch, Cleaver (2), Tukuhou, Kirikino, Munro, Rora, Coe, McCardle, Pepi. Emergencies : Netana, Keletahi, Huiatahi, Rukuruku. The match will be played at Piopio. The Te Kuiti team will play a practice match between A and B teams, play to start at 3 p.m. sharp. A meeting of players will be held on the ground to arrange some detail matters in connection with the Club.