FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 266, 8 June 1910, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Otorohanga (6) v. Nehe Nehe (0) The above match was played at Te Kuiti on Saturday in dull weather. There was a fair attendance, a big percentage of Natives being present. Otorohanga sent a very strong combination to uphold the honour of the greens. But the Nehe Nehe do not appear to be quite as strong as last year. Otorohanga elected to defend the eastern goal, and the kick off was returned by Raureti. The greens from the start made strenuous efforts to cross the Nehe's line and play dwelt in the local quarter for the most part of the first spell and the yellows were obliged to force repeatedly. The forwards on either side were doing all the attacking while the backs seemed content to save individually. Several ] line-outs and scrums took place in the vicinity of Nehe's 25 and from one of these Tiwa King secured, but there was no support from his five-eighth, who appeared to stand a little wide, until James Clarke found the line well at the corner. From the throw-in a forward rush was initiated by Patton, and Burke scored. The attempt at goal was a failure. Otorohanga 3 Nehe Nehe 0. Otorohanga still pressed, relief coming to the Nehe's owing to a green player being offside, and play was tranferred to the half-way line.. The advantage was annulled through Poutawera hanging on to the ball, play returning to Nehe Nehes' territory, and they were compelled to force again. In fact the first spell was noticeable for the number of free-kicks awarded to either side and the number of force downs that resulted. From a scramble Raureti beat the whole of the green forwards, but was grassed by Bert Clarke, who secured the ball and returned to halfway, where after several of the yellow players attempted to hold the leather, a rush was initiated and Otorohanga were called upon to defend their chalkline for some time, and were compelled to force. Several attempts were made by Otorohanga in the firnt spell to convert from free kicks, but, although several were in the region of the uprights, none were piloted over the coveted cross-bar. Play dwelt at half-way for some time until a freekick to Nehe forced the green forwards back, but the advantage was only momentary, as Bert Clark returned D. Gray's kick, finding the line near the 25. T. T. Hetet and Browney were playing a very sound defensive game, and were called on repeatedly to clear their line, which they succeeded in doing in a very creditable manner. Rehe, the two Bells and Menzies were also doing good work in the forwards and the former was seen at the head of nearly every rush, and at times was near to scoring, but the defence was too sound. From a mark on their line play was returned to the Nehe Nehe territory, and an ineffectual attempt at goal by Tal. Clarke, saw half-time sound with the score--Otorohanga 3 —Nehe Nehe 0. The second spell saw a considerable change in the aspect of affairs, for Nehe Nehe did all the attacking for a considerable time, and D. Gray made a splendid attempt at goal and Otorohanga forced. Nehe Nehe still maintained the attack and force down after force down wa< registered against the greens. The light was-now beginning to fail, and a close watch of the game was impossible, but it was noticed that the strength of the yellows was beginning to wane and Otorohanga drove them back to their own territory, where they were kept at bay for the greater part of tke remaining time, until Bert. Clarke secured a good kick and ran well out and cut in and notched another try for the visitors, which was not converted. The game ended shortly afterwards with no alteration to the score, and Otorohanga still attacking. Otorohanga 6 Nehe Nehe 0.

Mr Lusk refereed very impartially, giving general satisfaction. The game was one full of incident, and was ' not won till the whistle sounded no-side, as it was within the bounds of possibility that the score could easily have been equalled on several occasions. There is no doubt that the better side won, and should have added several more points to their score by penalty goals, but their kicking was very off. The same remark applies to D. Gray's attempts. He should have, if any way near his previous form at "boosting", piloted several goals from marks or penalties. It cannot be said that the display of football on either side was very finished, as there was a very palpable absence of combination amongst the backs. The forwards were very dashing, and were always on the ball, but too much individual play was indulged in. Bert, an 3 Tal. Clarke, for Otorohanga played very sterling games amongst the backs, and Browney and 'j\ T- Hetet for the Nehe Nehe rearguard shone out by themselves for consistency. At full-t)ack, W. Clarke did not seem anywhere near as sure as he was last year, and Burchell was not called upon to do a great ijoal, but acquitted himself creditably, James Clarke anil Tiwa King did not seem to be at home at half and fiveeighths respectively, and made nb tolutely no openings for their threequarters. Campstone atid Burke (wing forwards) played very clean football and were always on tho ball, and were supported by the ever-green Turner, who always seems to do the right thing at the right time, and repeatedly broke away from the line out and scrums with the ball either at h's toe or gathered in his arms. Patton is a forward of the tight stamp, and Prime showed up occasionally. Otorohanga if they could form a simple chain of combination amongst their backs would be hard to beat in any part of the King Country or Waikato, as they are game as pebbles, are not lacking in weight;, can take well, kick well, and are possessed of a great amount of pace. ' Among the Nehe Nehe forwards Rehe 1 was the shining light, and was always on ihe ball. He was well supported by the two Bella and 1). Gray, who used his weight to advantage at times, and followed up well. The backs were not at all at homo, and had it not been for T. IJetct and Browney, the scores would have been much larger, the latter in particular using the line to considerable advantage. Poutavvera seemed to be having a lot of ipn on the wing, and would

do much better for his side if he watched the ball inoro closely as he hag any amount of dash and pluck. Judging by the displays of the two last Saturdays, the team that indulges in any sort of combined back play . should win the banner this year, aa that class of tactics would absolutely nonplus the opposition. There seemed no attempt on the part of either side to beat an opponent before passing, and they simply ran to, and not past, their vis-a-vis, is particularly bad policy on the of a back. There is one point which the referee should watch in future matches in particular, and that is the act of a certain player collaring an opponent, by the jersey. This breach of rugby rules is a very serious offence, more especially when that opponent is in t possessed of the ball. Another point worth watching is the tactics of tl.e wing players, who seem to think that all they have to do ig to hustle the opposing wing player and place him hors-de-combat. A pleasing feature about Saturday's match was the very neat appearance of the Otorohanga team, as they with one or two exceptions were regaled in the green jersey of the club and dark trousers. Nehe Nehe, too, were all attired in their yellow and black jerseys, and were easy to watch as the game progressed. The .spectators, too, were more and kept off the line admirably, thereby giving everyone present an equal chance of witnessing the game.

The NAtive Team in Australia. The first-match of the tour of the Maori team in Australia was played in Sydney on Monday, the visitors being defeated by 11 points to nil. There was an attendance of about 10,000. The first spell was marked by even play, a strong defence being put forth by Winiata, Takarangi, Martin, Kaipara and Dansey. Shortly before the end of the first half Sellars had to retire with a broken rib. Immediately afterwards the first score appeared, the spell ending with New South Wales three points to nil. In the second half the Maoris tired perceptibly towards the end of the spell, and the game ended —New South Wales 11, Maoris nil.

The English Northern Union team in Australia suffered its second defeat in its second match against Australia at Sydney on Monday, the linal scores being—New South Wales 27, England 20. There was an attendance of 40,000.

Maniapoto Rugby Union. A meeting of the above Union was held in Mr Falwasser's office last evening. All clubs were represented with the exception of the Tanehopuwai Club. Mr Worthington was voted to the chair. The application from the Hangatiki Club, to enter a junior {cam only, was considered, and on the mition of Messrs Matthew and Poutawera it was resolved that the application be granted provided they become juniors to the Te Kuiti Club. Resolved that the home of the To Kuiti juniors be Hangatiki, and that home matches be played there.

Proposed by Messrs Eveloigh and Burke that tho Maninpoto R.U. afllliate with the South Auckland R.U. —■ Carried. The secretary was instructed to write to the South Auckland 11. U, asking what representation the Maniapoto R.U. would have at their meetings. Resolved that the affiliation feo bo forwarded to the South Auckland Union. The following referees were appointed for next Saturday's matches: —Te Kuiti v. Otorohanga, at Otorohanga, Mr Burke; Neheiiehe v. Tanehopuwai, at Te Kuiti, Mr E. A. Power. It was resolved that the junior matches should start at 1.15 p.m. It was resolved that any club wishing to play a former senior as a junior must see that his reinstatement is confirmed by the Union. The secretary was instructed to pur-; chase a match ball. The following notices of motion were handed in by Mr Eveleigh:—(l) "That a junior be allowed to play in two senior matches in ono season without losing his status as a junior" ; (2) "that a player be qualified ;u follows: —The club interested must furnish to the secretary of the Union all players for registration. No member shall be eligible for playing until he be resident in the district under the jurisdiction of the Union for 11 dyas, and hifi name confirmed by the Union." The next meeting of the Union will be held in Mr Falwasser'a office on Tuesday evening, 14th inst., at 7.15 o'clock. The meeting terminated with q vote of thanks tq the chqir. The following is tl}e result of vari- ; ous matches in other parts of tho Dominion on Saturday Auckland Ponsonby beat 'Varsity by 16 to nil and City (i, beat Mariat Bros. Wellington, —Hutt (i Melrose (i; Poneke 23 beat Southern nil; Oriental 22 beat Wellington;?; Athletic 1(5 beat Old Boys 5; Petone IS beat Victoria College 5. Hamilton--City heat No. 1 by (5 to nil, Cambridge—Kihikihi 12 beat Maungatautari nil. Uuntly— Ngaruawahia (> beat Iluntly nil. Tau-marunui—-Manunui (> beat lvakahi 3. The following are the fixtures for Saturday in the Maniapoto Union: — Te Kuiti v. Otorohanga, at Otorohijnga; Nehe Neho v. 'Tanehopuwai, at To Kuiti. Te Kuiti will be represented by tho following next Saturday :■ -Full-back, Stan. Cleaver; three-quarters, V. Kirk, Feary, F. Kerr; live-eighth, Tarrant; half, Jones; forwards, 11. Cleaver, C. Boles (wings), Fitzmaurice, P. Hill, (». Pratt, Daue, Poole, Pitcon and 1. Kerr; emergencies, Devine, Mahoney, Pu|ford, McLcod, Demon};.