FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 42, 9 August 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Kiag Country (II) v. Maaiapoto (5)

The return match between the Maniapoto and King Country Union representatives took place at Te Kuiti, on Saturday last. The King Country team arrived from Taumarunui by train on Saturday morning, and were entertained at luncheon by the Maniapoto Rugby Union. A large number of visitors accompanied the players and great interest was manifested in the contest. In order to allow the visitors to return by the express train in the afternoon, the match was started at 1.30 p.m. Mr R. Thom captained the visiting team and Mr T. Wilkinson the home players. The previous game which was played at Manunui between the teams had furnished a very close contest, the King Countryplayers winning by nine points, and the return match was regarded as likely to prove even more exciting. The visitors won the toss, and played with the sun at their backs. The kick-off was returned to the forwards, neither side gaining any advantage. A good rush by the visitors was well stopped by Vause, who passed quickly to Moir and the latter sent the leather out in the black's 25. From the line out the ball was gradually worked back to half-way, and give and take play followed. The first portion of the spell was uninteresting from a spectator's point of view. Neither side could get the backs going, and every time the ball came out the effort resulted in the leather being kicked into touch. About half-way through the spell the home team was penalised for an infringement in their own 25, and Thom, with an excellent kick, placed a goal to the visitors' credit. King Country 3, Maniapoto 0. Play again settled in the centre of the field, but the visitors were having a bit the best of matters. However, Moir and Vause by excellent defence, prevented any concerted attacking movement until nearly the end of the spell. Thom, Simmons and Parker then got going, and Hetet and Harris, making the mistake of waiting for the pass, got badly beaten and a try was scored. Thom placed a nice goal, making the scores : King Country 8, Maniapoto 0. The remainder of the spell was confined to the forwards and no further score was recorded. Upon resuming the Maniapoto forwards played with renewed vigour, and by a succession of rushes, kept their opponents on the defensive. However, they could not cross the line, and were driven back to midfield. From loose play, Moir broke right away and, beating two of the opposing backs, made a fine opening. On being tackled he passed to Cleaver, who sent the leather on to Vause, and the latter was sent into touch near the corner flag. Good line work on the part of the visitors carried play once more to the centre. Moir again broke through and made a fine opening. The forwards swarmed round, and assisted in carrying the ball to near the visitors' line, where Boles snapped it up and streaked over, scoring Maniapoto's only try. Moir placed a fine goal, making the scores: King Country 8 points, Maniapoto 5 points. The visitors soon asserted themselves after- the kick-off, and from a scrum near mid-field, Thom got the leather, and clashing round on the blind side, gave his supports a good chance. Hetet made a weak attempt to tackle, and a soft try was scored, making the scores : King Country 11, Maniapoto 5. From this out, the local team acted on the defensive, and the game closed without further score. Mr N. B. Lusk officiated as referee.