FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 31, 24 May 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Te Kuiti (16) v. Piopio (0)

The second match of the season, under the auspices of the Maniapoto Rugby Union, was played at Te Kuiti on Saturday last, and resulted in Te Kuiti defeating Piopio by 16 points. The visiting team included a weighty lot of forwards, and was expected to give the local representatives a good tussle for supremacy. However, they lacked combination, and, favoured with a dry ball, the Te Kuiti backs got off some very nice passing runs and scored three tries, of which two were converted. In the first spell Te Kuiti had the advantage of kicking down hill with the wind. Piopio kicked off, and for a time the ball was kept among the forwards in neutral territory. A good kick by Moir down the field was well taken by Coburn, who essayed a run but was thrown into touch in his own 25. Boles made a long throw in from the touch line, and the ball being well taken by J. Hetet, who was unmarked, he beat the Piopio full back and scored near the goal posts. Hetet converted the try making the score, Te Kuiti 5, Piopio 0. After the kick off the ball was returned to Coburn who again attempted a run and was collared. Loose play resulted, and the leather being kicked over the line Boles raced over and scored the second try for Te Kuiti. J. Hetet added the major points, making the scores, Te Kuiti 10, Piopio 0. The visitors now livened up, and by good forward work, in which Old, Waho, and G. Elliott were conspicuous, kept play in the home team's 25. Good line kicking by Moir and Hetet sent the ball to the Piopio 25, and a neat passing run looked dangerous, but Taylor failed to accept a pass. A strong rush by the Te Kuiti forwards swept the leather over the line, and Wharihi secured the third try. The kick at goal was fruitless. Half time was called shortly afterwards, with the scores Te Kuiti 13, Piopio 0. Upon resuming, Piopio rushed the ball down the field, but relief was afforded by a free kick. The visiting forwards, assisted by Elliott and Moir, again attacked in good style, but failed to open out the play and no score resulted. From half way Ngaronga broke away with a good run and passed to J. Hetet who transferred to F. Kerr, and the latter reached the Piopio full-back and kicked, but the leather was returned safely. Shortly afterwards the visitors were awarded a free kick and Waho had a shot at goal which failed to score. The Piopio forwards continued to press and made some good rushes. However, the home backs were equal to the occasion and defended well, besides taking a hand in attack. Taylor was responsible for a good run which nearly resulted in a score, and shortly afterwards Moir broke through and almost reached the line. Finally the home forwards came away with a good rush, and the ball being kicked hard over the line, Boles outpaced the opposition and 'scored. J. Hetet's kick at goal failed, the ball striking the post. Time was shortly afterwards called with the scores, Te Kuiti 16, Piopio o.

Notes on the Play. The visiting forwards were a weighty lot and worked hard, but lacked the necessary combination to be effective. Old, Moir, Cleaver, and Waho, in the pack, were prominent, while Elliott, on the wing, was at the head of every rush. Among the backs V. Elliott played a hard game, but was not well supported. The Te Kuiti forwards showed improved form, and packed in good style. They still have something to learn in heeling out. All worked hard, and Boles, on the wing, was always to the fore in the open. Among the backs Moir played good football, and made some fine openings. J. Hetet also performed well, but the others are still deficient in taking the ball. At times the passing was excellent, but again good opportunities were lost by the wings being over anxious.

Oparure v. Piopio. The following team has been picked to represent Oparure in their match with Piopio, to be played at Piopio, on Saturday, May 25th.: — Full-back, Tete; three-quarters, Netana, Wilkinson, Tauru; fiveeights, Harris; half-back, Cleaver; forwards, Munro, Nellwell, Rora, Rehi, Huiatahi, Coe, O'Neill, Clea-

ver, Poutawera. Emergencies, Kirikino, Whitilmi, Pepi, Tukuhou. The following team will represent Piopio against Op..rure, next Saturday :

Full-back, Schubert; three-quarters Coburn, Old, W; rtier ; five-eights, A. Moir; h.-'lf-back, V. Elliott; forwards, J. Connell, Kino, H. Old, Rako, Peehi, Waho, Cleaver, Anderson, T. King. Emergency, Rota.

Te Kuiti v. Oparure. The team chosen to play Oparure on June Ist, at Te Kuiti, is as follows : Full-back, I. Kerr ; three-quarters, Taylor, J. Hetet, Hikaka ; five-eights, Moir; half-back, Vause; forwards, E. Kerr, Boles, Pavitt, Turner, Guilford, Keeley, Searancke, Wharihi, Ngaronga. Emergencies: Backs, F. Kerr, D. Hetet, Tuheka ; Wilkinson, Gemming. A and B teams will be picked on the ground, on Saturday afternoon.

Otorohanga v. Paterangi. This match was played at Otorohanga on Saturday last. The play was very even for the first fifteen minutes, but then the locals collapsed before the fine dashes of their opponents, who scored five tries in quick succession. These were made by Macky, J. Burke, F. Ryburn, Jephson and John Burke, and three of them were converted by D. Ryburn. In the second spell the local team played up much better and narrowly escaped scoring several times, and had perhaps the better of the play. The game ended by Paterangi winning by 21 points to nil. Under the circumstances Otorohanga played very well indeed, large as the score was. Several of the previous Saturday's team were incapacitated through injuries received in the previous match, and several men had to be picked up on the field. The passing of the Paterangi backs was a treat to see, and the team that beats them will undoubtedly get the caps.