FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 83, 22 May 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

o The opening matches of the season, under the auspices of the Maniapoto Rugby Union, were played last Satur-j da}', Piopio meeting Te Kuiti on the ; local ground, and Nehinehinui journeying to Oparure. The weather was favourable for football, and everything was in order for good play. In the Piopio-Te Kuiti grme the country players produced a fairly representative team, though one or two of last year's prominent players were not included. Notable among the absentees were H. Old, V. Elliott, and the brothers Moir, though the Mahoenui players will probably be available later in the season. The game proved a very even one, the forwards on both sides doing good work. In the first spell each side scored a try, the Te Kuiti score being enhanced by a goal, and the spell ended with Te Kuiti 5 points, and Piopio 3 points. The second half was strenuously contested, the game being mainly confined to the forwards. The local players had rather the best of the deal for the great portion of the spell, the ball being mainly confined to the visitors' half of the ground. However, the Piopio players succeeded in scoring another try, and preventing Te Kuiti from crossing their line, thus winning a hard fought game by 6 points to 5. Mr J. Nicholson acted as referee. The game was a hard one throughout, and at times a little roughness was shown. The Piopio captain, G. Elliott, unfortunately met with an injury, and had to leave the field towards the end of the game. For the winners, Elwood at fullback, Corburn at thi'eequarter, and Elliott at half, played sterling games, Corburn being responsible for a brilliant run, which led to Piopio's second try. For the local team, Graham, F. Kerr and Vause among the backs, . and Cleaver, Cotter, and the brothers Kerr among the forwards played good . games. > Nehinehinui v. Oparure. ] 1 Owing to several of the prominent Oparure players being unable to take . part, the game proved rather a soft thing for the'visitors, who put up a score of 33 points to nil. Tries were obtained by J. Hetet (3), G. Poutawera (2), Hikaka (2), Hira (1), and D. Turner (1), Tohi converted two of the tries, and Hira one. Mr A. Read controlled the game in his usual efficient manner. At Te Awamutu on Saturday last the /local team met Paterangi, the • latter team proving victorious by 8 points to nil. Tries were obtained by , J. Moore (2), one of them being con- < verted by D. Ryburn. j