FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 30, 17 May 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Te Kuiti (9) v. Oparure (3)

The first match to be played under the auspices of the Maniapoto Rugby union, eventuated on Saturday last, at Oparure, wlv n the local team met Te Kuiti in the first round. The contest occasioned considerable interest, and quite a number of rugby supporters journeyed across the Mangapu to witness the game. As was to be expected, in the first game of the ■season, the play was at times uneven, and the whistle was brought into requisition a good deal. Mr Power was referee, and controlled the game in his usual efficient style. From the kick, off Te Kuiti rushed the ball down the field, and, showing very fair combination, kept their opponents on the defensive. Oparure seemed to be rather at sea for a start, and had several penalties given against them in succession. After a few minutes play the _Te Kuiti forwards got on a sweeping rush, and threatened their opponents' line, and from a loose scramble, Searancke snapped up the leather, and scoied near the corner flag. No goal resulted. Give and take play followed the kick off for some time, neither side gaining much advantage. From loose play near the home team's 25, J. Hetet fielded a kick, and runningout passed to Taylor. The latter failed to take the pass, and Hetet snapped the ball up again, and making a quick cut, sent the leather to Taylor, who took the pass well, and crossed the line, scoring the second try for Te Kuiti. Searancke failed with the kick at goal. Boles returned the kick off, and an Oparure back punted high in his own 25._ _ A free kick was awarded to Te Kuiti, and_ J. Hetet placed a neat goal for the visitors, making the scores, Te Kuiti 9, Oparure 0. The local team _ now livened up, and came away with a good forward rush, which was well stopped by Boles, and relief was afforded by a free kick to Te Kuiti. The Oparure forwards again came through with a rush from half way, and Wilkinson, picking up smartly from a wild pass by Boles, looked dangerous, but was well tackled by D. Hetet.- A free kick shortly afterwards placed the Te Kuiti goal in danger,, but Wilkinson's kick went wide, and half time was called without further score.

Upon resuming, the play was greatly confined to the forwards, and a number of free kicks were awarded to Oparure in succession, but Wilkinson failed to send the leather between the posts. The Oparure team was now pressing the visitors, but relief was afforded by a passing run between D. Hetet, J. Hetet ana F. Kerr, the latter being thrown into touch near the corner flag. From the throw

in J. Hetet was almost over the line, but a free kick to Oparure resulted, and removed the danger. A good rush by Wharihi and Hikaka. looked dangerous, but an infringement gave Oparure a free kick, and sent the play to the visitors' 25. Pavitt and Keeley next broke away, but a hard kick gave Wilkinson a chance, and he made a good return into touch. The Oparure forwards made matters interesting by a series of rushes, and Wilkinson had another shot at goal, which almost scored. Another rush by the home team brought Te Kuiti's goal into danger, and from a free kick, for off side play, Wilkinson at last sent the ball over the bar, making the scores, Te Kuiti 9, Oparure 3The rest of the game was with the forwards, Oparure having rather the best of matters, but when the whistle went to cease play, no further _ score had been registered. Te Kuiti thus won an interesting game by 9 points to 3 points. After the game the visiting team was entertained at dinner by the rure players. The repast was laid at Mrs Josephs' accommodation house, and was thoroughly appreciated by all. Oparure hospitality is proverbial, but on this occasion the popular hostess excelled herself, and Mrs Josephs is to be congratulated upon the success of the function.

Notes on the Play. As was to be expected in the opening game of the season, breaches were frequent, and penalty kicks were numerous in consequence. The referee is to be commended for his rulings, and the sooner the players come to recognise that breaches mean chances thrown away, and probably penalty goals against them, the sooner shall we see better football. As far as the forwards were concerned, the Te Kuiti side had all the best of the scrum work, and packed in good style. Their heeling out might have been much quicker and cleaner, and some attention should be shown _to this in practice. In the loose Pavitt, Gemming, Wharihi, and Hikaka were prominent at times. The Oparure pack was ragged, and showed no combination in scrum work. However, they are a willing lot, and with practice should improve greatly. In the spell second they showed much greater advantage, and got on some very strong rushes. These, however, were often spoiled by hard kicking, | and the players should learn that, to make the most of rushes, they must keep possession of the ball, by not kicking to the opposing backs. The backs on the winning side were patchy, and did not handle the ball cleanly. The wing three-quarters played too far out from the centre, and did not get in a position to take passes. Quick short passes are the best, the long, slow exchanges giving the opposing backs ample time to cut in and smother the receiver, or intercept the ball. All the backs should practice catching the ball, as, at present, they are sadly deficient in this respect. Among the Oparure backs, Wilkinson and Cleaver showed to most advantage, but with training and coaching the combination should improve materially.

Power, Boles and Vause were appointed a ground committee. It was also resolved to instruct the Club's delegates to the Union, to recommend that Gabs shall not be expected to entert; in visitors after matches. Entries for the 220 yd. i club nee, for Mr Chilcott's iikclwill be received by the Secretary up to May 25th, and the race will be decided on Saturday, June Ist, Messrs Smith and Boles were appointed club selectors for the season.

Piopio Club. A meeting of all those interested in the formation of a Football Club, was held in Mr Hattaway's dining room, on Saturday evening, April 26th. Mr G. Elliott, convener of the meeting, was voted to the chair. It was unanir mously resolved, on the motion of Mr J. Cleaver, seconded by Mr 1. King, that a club be formed to be known as the Piopio Football Club. Colours: Black jersey, with white knickers. Subscription : 3 s 6d, one shilling of which goes towards the Union funds. Delegates to the Union : Messrs G. Elliott and V. S. Hattaway. The following officers were elected: —President, Mr N. I. Hunt; vicepresidents, Messrs R. Bayley, J. Old, E. Moore, Major Lusk, V. Corcoran, R. Fitzpatrick, V. S. Hattaway, A. Williams, E. O. Weir, J. W. Clark, and Murahi; committee, Messrs Old, King, Cleaver, Nicholson, Coburn and Gordon ; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. Elliott; referees, Messrs N. B. Lusk and G. Elliott. Messrs T. King and V. S. Hattaway offered to cart the goal posts to the ground. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Hattaway for the offer of his paddock for the season.

Te KuiH v. Piopio. The following team will represent Piopio in the match with Te Kuiti on Saturday next: — Full-back, Mokena Patapatu ; three quarters, Coburn, Nicholson, Kino; five-eights, Schubert; half-back, V. Elliott; forwards, Elwood, G. Elliott, Cleaver, Waho, H. Old, Moir. Pehi, T. King and Rako. Emergencies, Kihi, Pakira, Eka, Itira, Teko and Wiwini. The following team has been picked to represent Te Kuiti in the match against Piopio on Saturday next : Full-back, Tuheka; three-quarters, J. Taylor, J. Hetet, Moir ; five-eights, Harris ; half-back, H. Vause ; forwards, Boles, Hikaka Hetet, Pavitt, H. Turner, Guilford, Searancke, T. Ngaronga, Keeley, Wharihi. Emergencies, D. Hetet, F. Kerr, F. Gemming, D. Turner.

Otorohanga v. Pirongia. The first match of the season was played at played at Otorohanga on Saturday last, between teams representing the above clubs. Neither side had a strong team, and the play was poor. In the first spell Pirongia had the advantage, attacking most of the time, and their collaring was very deadly. Rarigi Katipa scored a splendid try, his pace being too much for the Otorohanga backs. The kick was converted. Pirongia, 5 > Otorohanga, 0. Towards the end of the spell Otorohanga rallied and kept the ball down, B. Clark getting across the line. An easy kick failed. Pirongia, 5, Otorohanga, 3- In the second spell a change came on the scene. Otorohanga kept the ball in and continually pressed, and narrowly scored on several occasions. From a mark in front of ithe goal by J. Clarke, B. Clarke kicked a goal. Continuing the attack H. Burchell scored, but the kick was a failure, the game ending : Otorohanga, 10; Pirongia, 5. Mr Creighton, of Kihikihi, refereed.

Otorohanga v. Pateraivgi. The following team has been chosen to play for Otorohanga in their match against Paterangi on Saturday: -J. Cl?.rice, T. Cribb, A. Clarke, Te, J, Stewart, E. Cumpstone, B. Olarke, W. Clarke, R. Gregg, L. Law, J. Cowley, M. McGrath, D. Turner, H. Burchell, R. Holden. Mr F. Bowden will act as referee, and the game will be played at Otorohanga.