FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 164, 14 June 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Nehe v. Oparure.

The Nehenehenui team journey to Oparure to tackle the local team, and after an exciting game in which the Oparure men showed to most advantage, the visitors succeeded in registering a victory by 10 ponits to 3. A feature of the game was that neither side crossed the opposing goal line, all the points being scored from penalty and field goals, a fact which indicates that considering the ball was a trifle greasy, the kicking was really good. During the early portion of the first spell the Oparure forwards held decidedly the upper hand. With a series of forward rushes in which D. Gray, Rora and Ruanga were prominent, the maroons kept the Nehenehenui men penned in their 25, and had hard luck in not scoring. The Nehe's were compelled to force down repeatedly, and as soon as the ball was kicked off it was rushed back again, but the spell ended without a score.

Upon changing ends the Nehe players showed to more advantage and kept the play even. The first score came as the result of a mark obtanied by Turei in front of the Oparure goal, J. Hetet piloting the ball over the crossbar. After give and take play among the forwards the Nehe players invaded their opponent's territory, and J. Hetet secured a mark from which he placed a second goal, making the scores Nehenehenui 6 points Oparure nil. Still keeping up the attack the visitors had the local men pressed and the ball coming out to Harris, that player had a shot at goal with a drop kick, and added an additional 4 points to the score. The local men got to work in good style and cleared their line by a forward rush. From a return by the Nehenehenui D. Gray obtained a mark near the half way flag, ana taking a shot at the uprights from a difficult angle placed an unmistakeable goal. For the remainder of the spell the play was confined to neutral ground, and the game finished with the score*;, Nehenui 10 points, Oparure 3 points.

Notes. For the winners J. Hetet played an excellent game, as besides placing two goals his all round work was really good. Turei also showed good form, but the remaining backs were unable to handle the ball cleanly. Whare Bell was prominent among the forwards, and Hira on the wing played a good hard game throughout. For the losers D. Gray, Rora, and Ruanga were much in evidence, and it was hard luck that their efforts di 1 not result in a score on more than one occasion. Tete at centre three quarter also showed up well and got through a great amount of work. Mr R. McMic-ken was referee and controlled the game efficiently.

On Saturday next. June 19th, the return match between the Otorohanga and Te Kuiti Football Clubs is to be played when an interesting game is expected. Play will commence at 1 p.m. sharp, and the following players are reuqested to be on the ground to represent the Te Kuiti boys:— T. Atutahi, K. Kerr, N. Cole, J. Connel, A. Lissaman, V. Cole, N. McNaught, C. Hitchcock, J. Cobb, P. Mclntyre, T. Hetet, P. Wi, W. Hetet, Pini Andserson, J. Ford.

Te Kuiti v. Piopio. What was probably the keenest and fastest game of football yet seen on Te Kuiti Domain was played on Saturday last, when the Te Kuiti and Mokauiti teams met, one might almost say in mortal combat. Both sides put their full teams in the field, and a strenuous game resulted. Mokauiti kicked eft, the ball being received by the Te Kuiti three quarters, and'earried into the 2-5. After several rushes on the part of the Mokauiti forwards the game was carried into the Te Kuiti territory, when F. Kerr saved with a good line kick. The Te Kuiti forwards getting the ball at their feet rushed up the field with Blutcher in the lead. Hurley picked up smartly and found touch. The Te Kuiti forwards again got possession, and looked dangerous, but Kahu came to the rescue with a fine line kick. Shortly after this F. Kerr made a fine run, and gained a lot of ground. From a forward rush Black picked up, and passed to Williams. who found touch. From a forward scramble near the Mokauiti line, Black picked up the ball smartly and scored. Spragg failed with his kick. From the kick off some forward rushes up i and down the field took place. From j a rush Pitcon picked up, and passed to Spragg, who gained ground with a ' kick into touch. The game continued to be confined to the forwards, and Rothery for Te Kuiti and Mangu for Mokauiti were constantly prominent. Reardon, who was playing a hard game, pluckily saved a combined rush on the part of the local forwards. The The visiting forwards getting possession raced down the field, but Frank Kerr saved and found After an exchange of kicks on the part of the local backs the Mokauiti forwards again got possession, and were orly prevented from scoring by good work by Howarth, who picked up and found touch. Kahu getting hold of the leather made a strong run, gaining a lot of ground. The local forwards then got possession and looked like scoring, but Burnell cleared finely. The Mokau forwards retaliated with a strong rush in which Smith was prominent. When close to the Te Kuiti line Peehi picked up the ball and dashing over the line scored first try for the visitors. Coburn made a good attempt at goal just failing to register the major points. Shortly after half time was called with the score 3 points each. The first portion of the second spell was confined to the forwards, and good play was shown on both sides. The full backs were repeatedly called upon to clear their 'respective lines, and both responded gamely, Howarth repeatedly saving his side with good line kicking*. From a loose rush in the Mokauiti 25 the ball was passed to Spragg, who dropped a neat gaol. With the score at 7—3 in favour of Te Kuiti the Mokau men began to liven up, and made things very willing. Vause and Black were repeatedly pro-

minent in saving rushes, and Black's tackling was very deadly. The local forwards getting possession rushed up the field. Innes Kerr picked up the ball and scored. Spragg again failed with his kick. Te Kuiti 10, Mopauiti 3. From a forward rush Coburn picked 'up the ball and from nearty half way sailed through the local men and registered a splendid try. The kick at goal failed. With the score at 10 —6 both sides worked like trojans, Te Kuiti to prevent Mckau scoring, and Mokau 'Jto increase their score. During the latter stages of the game the local men were penned upon their own line, and Mokauiti had thard luck in not crossing the line on more than one occasion. At the last moment Frank Kerr, with a fine run from his own 25 into the viistors' 25, relieved the position. Shortly after this in semi-darkness, the whistle blew the scores being: Te Kuiti 10; Mokau-^^^ Mr G. Elliott acted as referee and controlled the game efficiently.

jNotes.

In a game of this kind it would be invidious to particularise any player cr players as being especially brilliant. From the start of the game to the finish every man on either side had to be a toiler, and every man without exception worked to the best of his abiilty, and no man can do more. There were one or two regrettable incidents in connection with this match, one being that on account of the late start, the game was finished almost in darkness. Another regrettable thing was that at times the game was too willing altogether and when a game is too willing it means, that good football is out of the question. Unfortunately one of the Te Kuiti forwards had to be ordered off the field. Possibly he had not done more than others, but it so hap- ._ pened that the referee caught sight of his action, and had no option but to order him f>fr. Another point, which, if the Union could see their way clear to attend to at once, would prevent a lot of rough play, and unpleasantness is, that a fence say ten yards from the touch line should be erected round the ground. At the present time it is utter ly impossible for the touch judge to keep his line clear, and at times players and spectators are jumbled upon the field of play. The remarks made by the spectators are frequently not conducive to clean play If the Union could have this matter attended to they would be doing good service to both players and spectators, and to more than anyone the touch judge. . Maniapolo Rugby Union

A meeting of the Union was held on Saturday evening in Mr Falwasser's office. Mr J. B. Young presided. A report was received from the referee in the Te Kuiti —Mokauiti match to the effect that he had to order one of the Te Kuiti players off the field for rough play. After considerable discussion it was decided to suspend the player in question for one month, from participating in the game and from attending matches. Mr S. Moore undertook to mark out lines each Saturday. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Domain Board and ask for permission to erect a single wire along side lines, as the referee and umpires are unable to keep the lines clear at present.

The Ball committee are making every effort to ensure the forthcoming Union Ball being a success on June 24. They have decided to have it plain, fancy and mask. Some enthusiasts have already arranged about their fancy dresses, and i t is reported that Piopio is making a big bid for the prize. It was decided that a committee of three be appointed to approach the , la lies, and see what can be done locally towards procuring the challenge banner for the Union.