FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 34, 14 June 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Piopio (S) v. Te Kuiti (3)

The competitions under the_ auspices of the Maniapoto Rugby Union wIK continued last Saturday, when the Te K nili t- mjourneyed to Piopio and nici die Piopio Club on its ground. The day was beautifully fine, and with a fast ground and dry ball, there was every opportunity for good 'open play. The teams were well matched, and after a strenuous game the Piopio representatives left the field victorious by 9 points to 3 points. Mr N. B. Lusk was refeiee and controlled the game in his usual efficient manner. Piopio won the toss and kicked down hill in the first spell. Te Kuiti kicked off and I. Kerr failing to take the return well, gave the Piopio forwards an opening. A sharp rush was stemmed by J. Hetet, who made a good kick into touch. Shortly afterwards the blacks broke a way, and Moir picking up passed to Coburn who made ground but failed to pass when collared. Another passing run by the Piopio backs saw T. King make an opening and pass to Connell, who dashed over the line near the corner. However, the score was disallowed for a throw on and a scrum was ordered. The Piopio forwards heeled out well and Elliott, Moir and King again handled the ball well, but good tackling by Taylor averted the danger. A rush by the Te Kuiti forwards brought relief and the ball went into touch at half-way. The Piopio backs were making the game fast and open, and Elliott, Moir, King and Connell, by concerted play, again threatened the Te Kuiti line. Taylor and J. Hetet tackled well, and a short rush by the forwards drove the blacks back to neutral territory. From open play G. Elliott made a fine line-kick, and the home team following up the advantage struggled hard to cross the visitors' line. A clash bj r G. Elliott, and a pass to T. King saw the latter nearly over. Moir next endeavoured to break through, and Coburn receiving the leather from a long pass was brought to earth just before the line was reached. _ The pressure was relieved by a timely kick by J. Hetet,_ and immediately afterwards King failing to taKe a pass, Taylor secured the ball and with a good kick removed the play_ to the Piopio 25. The visitors sustained the attack, and Rata broke away with a good run but lost the ball. Elliott secured the ball at half-way and centred, giving Connell an opportunity, but the lattes over-ran the ball and missed a certain score. J. Hetet with a neat run made an opening, and passed to Taylor who sent the leather out in the home 25. An exchange of kicks followed and F. Kerr with a smart run, broke through and kicked to the home full-back, who failed to take the ball cleanly. Wilkinson and Rata following up smartly had the home team in difficulties, and a free kick for off-side play gave the visitors a chance at goal. Searancke took the kick but failed to score. A Piopio rush followed, and T. King picking up passed to Coburn, who was sent out near the corner flag. From a throw-in a scramble ensued and Rako falling over the line with the ball, scored for Piopio._ The kick _at goal went wide. Piopio 3, Te Kuiti 0. The home team responded to the kick off with a rush headed by G. Elliott, and after loose play _ near the line Cleaver dashed over with the ball and scored again for Piopio. Old made a good attempt .to convert but the ball went outside the posts. Piopio 6, Te Kuiti 0. The remainder of the spell saw the home team attacking strongly but they failed to add to the points before half-time was called.

Upon resuming", the visitors, by means of forward rushes, kept the ball well in the home 25 for a time, but Elliott Brothers and Moir trans-

ferred operations to neutral terrirory by good line kicking. The visiting forwards made the game close in the second spell, and by means of rushes kept the home team busy defending, but opportunities of scoring were often missed through hard kicking. For Te Kuiti F. Kerr scored a try after a good run, and Piopio added another try to their score, both kicks at goal being fruitless. The game ended: Piopio 9 points, Te Kuiti 3 points.