The Game.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 47, 13 September 1907, Page 3

The Game.

The match was started punctually and it was at once seen that Rotorua had the superior team, but the score was not expected to be so great. The Maniapoto team was very weak, and this, combined with a strong wind in Rotorua's favour, was the cause of them having to suffer such a lamentable defeat. Rotorua was represented by a very strong combination, and fairly outclassed the Maniapotos in every department except in securing the ball from the scrum, which Maniapoto were able to do a good many times, but, unfortunately, without much advantage. It did not take Rotorua long, however, to find that they had met a particularly weak team, and on more than one occasion they practically " played " with the visitors. The Rotorua team consisted of the following :—Mitchell (2), Morse, Pura, Tuoro, 1 ango, Niko, Fitzgerald, Rua, Tomohou, Douglas, Iharaira, Petene, Hikatarewa, Scott. Maniapoto were represented by Taylor, Harris, Hetet (2), Coburn, Wilkinson, Vause, Cleaver, O'Neil, Pavitt, Andreson (2), Turner, Poole, Rako. Rotorua won the toss and had the advantage of a very strong wind. Wilkinson kicked off, and Tongo quickly returned it into Maniapoto's 25, where it went out of pla}'. Within five minutes Rotorua scored their first try, which Mitchell converted. Play remained in the centre for a while and Maniapoto made a desperate attempt to work their way down the field, but all to no avail, and Rotorua were soon pressing the visitors very hard and compelled them to force. This, however, did not relieve Maniapoto very much, as only a few minutes elapsed before Rotorua scored again, this time by Tuoro and Mitchell took the kick and landed a beautiful goal, making the score: Rotorua 10, Maniapoto nil. The kick was smartly returned by Rotorua and« Harris saved the position by kicking out of bounds, and for an infringement Maniapoto were awarded a free kick, which brought the play into the centre and some lively movements ensued. A passing rush, headed by Tuoro, started, the ball eventually becoming the possession of Mitchell, who scored a nice try. The kick did not add to the score, which stood: F.otorua 13, Maniapoto nil. This was particularly fine play amongst about six Rotorua: players, and the resistance offered by the Maniapoto's was only about one-third of that required to stop such a combination. Play was afterwards about half-way, and Rotorua gradually worked it up and Morse made a smart dash for the line and scored. Mitchell took the kick, which made Rotorua 18, Maniapoto nil. None of the Maniapoto men had shown up at all till now, and on account of the strong wind were unable to save their position by much line kicking. The play came again at half-way and now Pavitt, O'Neill, and Turner were showing up rather more prominently, while Taylor, at full, saved their position once or twice. Another passing rush by Rotorua saw Petene get over the line for them, Mitchell again kicking a goah Wilkinson made an excellent kick and managed to gain a little ground the ball going out in Rotorua's 25. This was the first time, since the kick-off, that Maniapoto were in Rotorua's 25, but it was not for long, as Rotorua immediately transferred the position, and were in Maniapoto territory. Fitzgerald, Rotorua's wing, unfortunately received a nasty knock, and for a time was disabled. On resuming play Maniapoto were awarded a free kick, but Rotorua returned it too hard and it went behind the line. A little lively play was now indulged in by the local team, and shortly afterwards Pavitt made a nice mark, but no advantage was gained. A loose scrum was formed but Rotorua soon gained possession of the leather, and Pura, taking a beautiful pass,, scored, the kick by Michell making the score : Rotorua 28, Maniapoto nil. Maniapoto brightened up a little, and Wilkinson was able to find the line, and Taylor soon got possession of the leather and made a short run but was soon earthed by Mitchell. Soon, however, the ball was picked up and passed to Iharara, who crossed the line and made another score, Mitchell adding to this, and bringing the first spell to a close, with the score : Roto-. I rua 33 points, Maniapoto nil. ' The. unfortunate part of this spell was that the wind, which had been so strong in Rotorua's favour in the first part, had now almost died away, and Maniapoto received no advantage by the change of positions. From the kick Rotorua started with another rush and almost scored, the position being saved by Cleaver, who kicked out of touch. Wilkinson received the ball from the throw-in and was the means of bringing it into Rotorua's 25, where it remained for some little time. Tuoro was the next to score but the kick fell short. Roto* rua p., Maniapoto yi\. Line play

was then indulged in, and a pass was sent mint cut to Morse who scored. The kick again fell short, and the score stood : Rotorua 39, Maniapoto nil. Taylor was once again seen to advantage n-nd by kicking out of bounds was the means of keeping Rotorua from scoring for a little while. However, they soon broke away .again, Tuoro securing another try, and this time Mitchell landed a capital goal. Rotorua 44, Maniapoto nil. Fitzgerald was the next to score for Rotorua, but the kick was unsuccessful. The only other prominence that was shown by the Maniapoto was a short run by J. Hetet, but he was quickly surrounded on all sides, and unable to cross the line. Shortly afterwards Harris met with an accident, and had to retire. On resuming play the Maniapotos were just about run off their legs, and in quick succession Niko and Mitchell scored try 3, both being converted. The game thus ended : Rotorua 57, Maniapoto nil. Mr Plugge, of Auckland, acted as referee and controlled the game in a very efficient manner.