FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 88, 26 June 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

* Hamilton v. Waipa. On Saturday last our Rugby representatives, senior and junior,' journeyed to Hamilton to try conclusions with the chosen fifteen of that centre. The day was beautifully fine, and many enthusiasts accompanied the teams. Ihe seniors were victorious, but the juniors suffered defeat.

THE SENIOR MATCH. As was anticipated, this game proved a really hard struggle, and as the teams almost alternately attacked and defended, the spectators were treated to some fine expositions of the game. The Waipa full-back (D. Ryburn) was early incapacitated, owing to an injury to the muscles of the knee, and had to give place to Mutu, the emergency full-back. The Waipa forwards, weighty and dashing, got right off the mark and were very soon found making desperate efforts to crush the defence, which for a while kept them out of forbidden territory. From a scrum in the Hamilton 25, however, the ball came out to Barker, the half-back, who beat several of his opponents, and then transferred beautifully to burly Davy Turner, who grounded the ball over the line. Tukere's attempt to add the major points, though good, was unsuccessful. This score by Waipa set Hamilton on a vigorous attack which ended in a penalty goal being kicked by that indisputably good little three-quarter, " Sol " Hughes. With honours thus even the first spell ended. On resuming the game became " ding dong," and was never slow. The Waipa forwards were showing a loss of vigour, though they still more than held their own. From a strong attack Barker secured, and making a magnificently tricky run got right through the Hamilton defence and scored. Tukere took I the kick and piloted the ball over the bar. The score was, however, nullified by the ball, in its ascent, touching the ringers of a charging opponent. On several occasions Hamilton went near scoring, but the Waipa defence proved sound, and the game ended as indicated above, in favour of Waipa, by 6 points to three. Mr Johnson controlled the game in a very creditable manner.

THE JUNIOR CONTEST.

The Hamilton juniors proved infinitely superior to the Waipa lads, whom they defeated by 31 points to nil. Their play in all departments was a revelation to Waipa, and the passing runs of the backs, almost always ending: in a score, gave great promise of future success of football in Hamilton.