FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 276, 13 July 1910, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

Maniapoto (12) v. Hamilton (6).

. The above match was played at Hamilton on Saturday under ideal football conditions, the day being cool with neither sun or wind to favour either team. Contrary to expectations the visitors outclassed the home side in every department of the game, although in the back division the Hamilton men were cleaner and smarter in their passing. The new rule relating to four spells was inaugurated and proved to be a splendid idea, as the spells went much quicker and play appeared to be faster and less monotonous to the onlookers, and there was a large attendance of the public, peculiar to say amongst which Maniapoto were very much in favour, having barrackers from all over the Waikato and surrounding districts. From" the start of the game it was seen that the visitors were going to make it a forward one, and outclassed- their opponents in the line-out, scrums, and open work. O'Sullivan and Crowther were unable to accompany the Maniapoto team, their places being filled by Symes and Feary, the selectors deciding to play two five-eighths instead of two wing forwards, which worked exceptionally well, more especially as the home combination were weak in their vanguard division. The following were the teams: — MANIAPOTO (Green and White). Tal. Clarke T. Hefcst J. Clarke V. Kirk Feary Hurley Sam. Clark H. Cleaver, I. Kerr Paton, Boles, Devine Holden, Symes

Rothery (wing) HAMILTON (Blue and Black). McDwyer (wing) McKinnon, A. Harwood W. Harwood, D. Hill, Moore McGarrigle, Bastabls Rice Colthurst Hughes Keeling, Les. Smith, Coe Bettley THE PLAY. Hamilton won the toss and Paton kicked off, the bail being returned by Smith to the visitors' quarter, where S. Clarke mulled, and Hetet came to the rescue and found the line at halfway. From the throw-in a scrum followed, and Hamilton secured and initiated a passing rush which was nipped in the bud by Rothery who intercepted and headed a for.ward rush to the home quarter, where for offside play Hamilton were awarded a free-kick, which was returned by Kirk, the ball going out at half-way. The visitors were very aggressive and from the throw-in Symes carried play to the home line, which was cleared nicely by Hughes. For off-side tactics Hamilton were awarded a free-kick andplay was tranferred to the Greens' quarter, where another free-kick was awarded the home side, the shot at goal falling short, and Feary ran and kicked to half-way. Several scrums and line outs followed, from one ot the latter Symes broke away and the scene of operations dwelt on the home line for a short space. The defence, however, was sound and the score that seemed inevitable was prevented by a free-kick to Hamilton, and the visitors were driven back to half-way. The ball being thrown out crooked, a scrum followed from which Rice secured and found the line at quarterway. The advantage was only momentary, for Rothery, Devine and Cleaver started a forward rush and play went back to the home line, where Cleaver crossed but was brought back to within five yards and Paton crossed and lost the ball. Hamilton off-side and Clarke made a splendid attempt, to goal, the kick falling short, to be returned by Batley, the latter player's kick being in turn sent back by Sam. Clark, and Coe returned to half-way. Throw-in and a free-kick to Maniapoto was returned by Batley to the visitors' territory, and from a scrum McKinnon saved by finding the line at quarterway. From the line-out Rothery and Boles broke away and carried piay

right into the Blues' 25, where a freekick to the visitors was awarded, and from a very difficult angle Clarke placed a beautiful goal. Maniapotp .... ' 3 Hamilton ..... 0 The first spell then ended, and on turning round, the kick-off was returned by Hurley, only to find the Hamilton men determined to wipe off the deficit, and they made strenuous attempts to break through the visitors' defence but were driven back to their own quarter, where, when things were looking very dismal for the home team a mark was made and relief came to them. Feary returned and Hughes found the line. Breaking away from the throw-in Maniapoto were soon attacking again and when a score seemed imminent, the advantage was lost by off-side play, the Qreens being driven back to half-way where play dwelt for some time. Not to be denied Rothery started a forward rush and V free-kick to the Blues returned by Kirk, and I. Kerr broke away with the ball

at foot from a scrum and carried play to the home line, where another freekick was very opportune for-the home team, and Hamilton agpin took a hand in attacking, a bad kick by the Greens saw their line in danger. From a scrum the ball came put with lightning pace at the side and Bastabje snapped up ?ipc[ applause crossed the coveted chalk-line. Hughe3' kick failed to find the cross-bar. Hamilton ... 3 " Maniapoto .... 3 With the score-board reading equal, pressure was at high tension for the next few minutes, but it was apparent that the visitors w ere a to ° solid combination to be'denied and the seene of activities wa? sopn dwelling again in the- home ground. A shot at goal was taken by Clark and although going close failed to give Maniapoto the lead again. Play went across the field agajp and Hetet kicked and Coe returned to fhe line, where Rothery came away splendidly and went right down the field to the Hamilton quarter, the ball being helped on its way by well-judgpd short kicks. The advantage was npt long-lived for a passing rush was indulged ip by the Blue bapks and Feary qame to the rescue §nd secured- the pvs|lj snd t£e

line was found at half-way. Several exchanges took place and half-time sounded with the play amid-field and the score — Maniapoto • ••• 3 Hamilton •••• 3 On resuming Maniapoto became very aggressive, and the ball was carried out at the home 25. For very glaring off-side play, the Greens were given a free-kick, and Clarke's bad luck still pursued him, and despite a splendid attempt from a difficult angle, the ball fell a shade too short, and Smith returned to half-way. From the throwin Feary, who had been shifted from outside to inside five-eighths, broke away and passed to Rothery to Hetet, who was thrown out at the corner. In play again a free-kick relieved the home side considerably. Not to be denied the Greens still maintained the pressure, and play returned to the home quarter. From a melee Hamilton secured and kicked S. Clarke returning to practically the same ground, and a knock-on resulted. Coming away from the scrum Bastable and McGarrigle transferred play to halfway, where Symes secured and ran, but lacking pace was grassed near the corner flag. From the throw-in play dwelt in front of the goal posts just outside the quarter-line for some time, and S. Clarke nipped .up and passed the ball over several of the opposing team's heads to Feary, who ran straight and passed out to Hetet, who made a lightning dash for the line and Spored. Clarke made another splendid kick, but the ball fell just under the cross-bar. Maniapoto .... 6 Hamilton .... 3 Victory was now seen to rest with the visitors and they continually attacked, and Hamilton's hitherto strong defence was seen to be waning, and their attacking was but spamodic. One of their attempts was very nearly ending up in a score. From a scrum about half-way Rice secured, and the ball went through nearly all the local backs' hands, and was in possession, of Hughes, when Hetet crossed right from own side to that of his other wing three-quarter, and grassed Hughes near the line. was soon turned into attack and a forward rush ended up with the ball going out at the home 25. L. Smith secured and punted well down the field to Kirk, who, from within his own half, ran right along the side-line, beating about four of the opposing backs and scored one of the most briilinat tries ever seen on the Hamilton ground. Although making another splendid attempt, Clarke's ill-luck still haunted him, and the ball fell under the posts. Maniapoto .... 9 Hamilton The third spell ended shortly after

with the Greens still attacking. The last quarter was very exciting, and both sides were straining every muscle to increase their respective scores. From a scrum at half-way the visiting forwards broke clean away, and Rothery fell on the ball with several of his own side nearly on top of him. The major points were not added. Maniapoto .... 12 Hamilton .... 3 Still determined to lessen the deficit, Hamilton stuck to their unequal task, and attacked solidly, and from behind a scrum L. Smith gained possesion and ran right round the opposing backs scoring underneath the posts. The kick at goal was abortive. Hamilton .... 6 Maniapoto .... 12 The whistle went shortly afterwards with Maniapoto attacking and victorious by 12 points to 6. Mr Johnson gave absolute satisfaction as referee, and Messrs Moorhouse and Coates acted as line-umpires. For the winning team every member played a sterling game, and to particularise would be superfluous, except to mention that the shifting of Feary from outside to inside five-eighths resulted in opening up the play considerably. Hurley is a splendid defensive player but is not so brilliant in his attacking proclivities. The other emergency (Symes) proved that his inclusion in future teams would be well merited, but there is no doubt that Maniapoto have no first-class "hookers," which is to be regretted. With a weighty pack like the one we have got, should he cultivated without a great amount of difficulty. Most of the team remained in Hamilton over Sunday and were driven to Cambridge at the invitation of an official of the Maniapoto Union, and enjoyed a very pleasant day, returning by the 2 a.m. train on Monday,

The Ilangatiki juniors defeated Nehe Nehe at Hangatiki last Saturday, by 14 points to 3. A full report will appear in our next issue. We understand Nehe Nehe have lodged a protest against the win on the grounds that Hangatiki played a member of the Tanehopuwai Club.