FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 84, 29 May 1908, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Te Kuiti (6) v. Nehenehinui (5). The meeting of the Te Kuiti had been looked forward to for some lime, and opinions were fairly well divided as to the merits of the two combinations. Unfortunately, the Native learn was without the services of J. llctet, who met with an injury early in the week. However, the state of the ground and the greasy bail did not permit of much back play, and passing the ball was found to be a failure upon the few occasions when that style of play was adopte'd. iY Kuiti won the toss, and elected to defend the northern goal. Play from tin :!,11 < was confined mainly to the !'a waid\, the backs on both sides beiii;cMitent with line kicking. For the iii t ten minutes the Nehenehinui team made matters warm for their opponents, but good fielding and ki<-kin!', by the fullback saved the siina(ion. By a succession of loose i n Ins the Te Kuiti forwards made y round, and eventually from a scramble near their opponents' line the ball was carried over by H. Cleaver, who scored. The attempt at goal proved fruitless. Following the kick-off, the game became faster, and several good rallies took place. However, no further score was registered until close on the call of half-time, win n !\ ("otter, in fielding a long kick near his own line, fumbled the ball, and was charged down. A scramble ensued, and the Maori forwards. l ushing the leather over the line, scored a try. Harris kicked a fine goal, making the scores—Nehenehinui 5, Te Kuiti 3. Half-time was called shortly afterwards. Upon resuming, the game became slower, both sides showing signs of tiring. Little incident occurred during the spell, the Maori forwards prevailing in the scrums, while their opponents were rather better in the loose. Near the end of the game the Te Kuiti forwards, headed by Silcock, got on a good rush near their opponents' line, Tuheka fielded the ball, and kicked, but the leather went across the field, and Graham, snapping it up, crossed j the line and scored Te Kuiti's second try. No goal resulted from the kick, and the score stood Te Kuiti 6, | Nehenehinui 5. The remainder ci the spell saw the game chiefly in midfield, and no further score resulted.