FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 274, 6 July 1910, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

> Senior. " OTOROHANGA v. MOKAUITI. The above match was played on Saturday last. Mokauiti turned up with only nine men. Otorohanga kicked off the ball going out at half way. A free kick was awarded to for offside play on the of a Mokauiti forward. A mark by Hurley "relieved his men. Otorohanga set up a hot attack which resulted in Paton scoring behind the posts, R. Clarke kicking a goal. From the kick off Otorohanga again attacked. Later a passing run by the Otorohanga backs resulted in B. Clarke being thrown out at the corner flag, shortly after this Mokauiti forced. A lot of scrum work followed from one of which P. Turner got the ball, passed to J. Clarke who scored, the shot at goal failing. With play in mid-field Otorohanga was awarded, a free kick which carried play into the Mokauiti 25, £when Sullivan broke away with the ball at toe and relieved the pressure. When in the Mokauiti 25 Densmore received ball and passed to P. Turner, who scored. B. Clarke made a good but unsuccessful attempt at goal. A forward rush by Mokauiti and a good kick by Karena took play - into the Otorohanga 25, and for a short time Mokauiti attacked until a free kick relieved for Otorohanga. Play was carried into the Mokauiti 25 and • they were compelled to force. From a forward rush Paton again scored, no goal resulting. Shortly after the kick off P. Turner, after a good run, passed to J. Clarke, who scored. Cumpstone A added the major points. Half-time was called'with the score —Otorohanga 19 —Mokauiti nil. On resuming the game the Otorohanga backs getting possession rushed up the field, Mokauiti being compelled to force. A free kick relieved matters. From a forward scramble D. Turner scored and J. Clarke converted. Some good play by Mokauiti carried play into the Otorohanga 25 and Hurley shewed some good work. The Otorohanga three-quarters again got going, the ball passing from P. Turner to J. Clarke to B. Clarke, who scored, the kick at goal not being successful. The Otorohanga forwards carried play into the Mokauiti 25 where Crowther snapped up the ball and scored. The kick again failed. In the Mokauiti 25 J. Clarke got over, no goal resulting. Otorohanga continued to press, but Hurley cleverly cleared his line. P. Turner getting possession cut in and scored, R. Clarke kicking a goal. The visiting forwards carried play into the Otorohanga 25 but B. Clarke getticg the ball carried play into the Mokauiti2s. Just before time was called Andresen scored and D. Turner placed a goal. The final score was — Otorohanga 43, Mokauiti nil. Mr Furber gave every satisfaction as referee.

It ia a most regrettable fact that Mokauiti, who, when a full team is put in the field, are a really gcod team, Ehould so often have to play shorthanded. It seems a pity that men should give their .word that they will tarn up and at the last njoment fail to do so. However, the few who did turn up to play at Otorohanga did yeoman service. Hurley, Sullivan and Reardon shone out conspicuously and were doing good work all the time, in fact the little band of Mokauiti players all worked like Trnjans. It seems unnecessary to specially mention any players in the winning team. A lot of brilliant play was shewn, but as the opposing team was numerically so weak the winners had every chance of shewing their .quality. The visiting team thoroughly appreciated the hospitality extended to them on their short visit to Otorohanga. TE-KUtTI v. TANEHOPUWAI. The above match was played on the local ground on Saturday last and resulted in an easy win for the pakehas. The Tanehopuwai team do not seem to' improve in the manner they should by this time of the season. Included in their side are some very good individual players, notably Waikato, who is one of the best backs playing in the Union, and with a more formidable set of forwards would do credit to any side. The game was. mostly fought out between the forwards of either team, and the Natives made some very good attacks on Te Kuili's goaUline bat wefe soon driven back. The local team were not represented by their full strength, but the substitutes played very good games indeed.

Junior. TE KIJITI v. OTOROHANGA. On Saturday last Otorohanga juniors journeyed to Hangatiki. The game was played in Mr A. S. Board's paddock.* A good deal of water was lying about and there was often more splashing than good play. Hangatiki had the kick off, and soon carried the ball into the Otorohanga. ground. A good deal of line work followed. . Sometimes one side seemed to be'gaining the advantage and sometimes the other. Otorohanga almost scored, Wehi's quick legs saving the situation. Following this the ball was left in Otorohanga's field which culminated in a try for Hangatiki after a great many scrums near the goal line. The try was not converted. Otorohanga played well, and it was plain that they were not discouraged. Through really good play they broke through the Hangatiki forwards and carried the ball past the local backs and calmly placed it between the goal posts. The ball was very wet and the major points were not .added. The whistle blew for half-time. Both sidps were now three points and much excitement prevailed. In the second spell the game was fast and furious. Hangatiki forwards were too heavy for the visitors who always got the worst of a scrum. For a long time the ball was left in the visitors' field. Hangatiki was now playing down hill and secured another try which was not converted. A gpod deal more scattered play took place, bat neither side scored, though several k- force-downs looked dangerous for the P visitors. Otorohanga needs heavier , men in forwards. Their backs were fast and sore, but owing to the weakness of tbe forwards seldom got the

*all. Hangatiki forwardsV whenever they packed well, carried-all before them. Their hacks did not get much chance to play as all the tries were scored by the wild rushes of the forwards rather than from any neat passing and heeling to the backs'

The local men entertained the visi tors at dinner in the evening.