Maniapoto 6 v. Rotorua 3.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 290, 31 August 1910, Page 5

Maniapoto 6 v. Rotorua 3.

The above teams met at Rotorua on Saturday last, when a fine game resulted,. The weather in the morning was anything but propitious, rain falling in sheets, and the feelings of both teams and supporters was that it would be lucky to get a game at all. , u . However, about mid-day the sun IJK came out and the rain ceased. The ground proved to be in wonderfully good condition considering the large downfall of rain. Four twenty-minute spells were played. Rotorua kicked off against a strong wind. Symes was responsible for a good dribble. For some time play remained in the centre of the field, from where a free kick to Te Kuiti carried play into the Rotorua 25. The Maniapoto forwards, though lighter than their opponents, were much superior in the loose and kept pegging away at the Rotorua defence. Time and again a try seemed certain, but the local backs defended their line in a splendid manner. When in the Rotorua 25 P. Clarke marked and J. Clarke kicked a good goal. Maniapoto 3—Rotorua nil. The visitors kept up a hot attack but could not get over, and Rotorua were compelled to force. After the kick off the Maniapoto forwards again held Rotorua in a tight corner and compelled them to again force. Brown and P. Clarke were noticeable for good line-kicking, finding the touch-line well in Rotorua 25. The first twenty minutes ended with the score —Maniapoto 3 —Rutorua nil. On changing ends it was expected that Rotorua would, with the assistance of the strong wind, be able to do some attacking, but the Maniapoto forwards were now working in good style and kept the play in the centre of the field for some time. J. Clarke and Feary showed some good line-kicking. The Maniapoto forwards, with Rothery in the lead, dribbled the ball into the Rotorua 25, where Rogers and Vercoe, two local backs, were very conspicuous in defensive play, and repeatedly saved their side when in sore straits. A good kick by Rodgers transferred the scene of action to the visitors' 25, and for a short space of time Rotorua looked like scoring, but Devine, breaking away with ball at toe, relieved the pressure. The Rotorua forwards again attacked, but S. Clark marked and found touch with a good line kick. S. Clark, J. Clarke and P. Turner gained ground with a good passing rush. A free-kick being awarded to Maniapoto in the Rotorua 25, B. Clarke took the kick and placed a good goal. Half-time was called with the score—Maniapoto 6, Rotorua nil. Shortly after the kick off the Rotorua forwards carried play into the visitors' 25. The green forwards relieved the position with a good dribbling rush to half-way. After some scrum work in mid-field the Maniapoto forwards dashed up to the Rotorua line again and again and a try seemed certaii., but the sound defence on the part of the local backs saved the situation repeatedly. Fate seemed 3gainst the Maniapotos obtaining a try as strive as they would they could not get over the line, and Rotorua were compelled to force several times. S. Clark marked in a good position, but no goal resulted. From the kick off Tuheka Hetet received and returned with a lengthy line kick which carried play again to the Rotorua line. Sides were again changed and the last spell commenced. Give-and-take play followed the kick-off, the backs on both sides showing some fine line kicking, P. Turner being particularly noticeable. The Rotorua forwards getting possession of the ball, made a strong bid to cross the visitors' line, but found the defence impenetrable. For a short while the visitors were on the defence and not without a strenuous effort did they once again clear their line. A free kick for obstruction on part of one of the visitors, was awarded to Rotcrua, and Ngaire landed a good goal. Maniapoto 6—Rotorua 3. With play in mid-field the game ended without further change in the score.

.The game throughout was a hard and clean one. Undoubtedly the Maniapoto team had very hard luck in not scoring on m2ny occasions. If a iault could be found with the team's play on the whole, it could but be that they were over keen. When each m-in in the team, both backs and forwards, played a good honest game it is quite unnecessary to individualise any player. The home forwards were a heavier lot than the visitors, but were not so gopd in the loose play. It is certain 'lhat had not the Rotorua backs put up a sound defensive game the Maniapoto score would have been very much bigger. The. players and officials speak in high terms of .praise of the way in Which they were treated whilst at Rotorua. The Coaching Company particularly, through Mr Renny, doing all they possibly could to make the visit an enjoyable one. The following are the results of various representative matches, played on Saturday: —Thames 11 v. Auckland A 0- Auckland B 24 v. Franklin 6; Hawke's Bay 12 v. Wairarapa 10; Wellington A 23 v. Wanganui3; Marlborough 8 v. Wellington B 6; Otago 14 v. South Canterbury 8; Canterbury 24 v. Southland 0. On Saturday, September 10th, it is proposed to hold a match, Married v. Single. A large amount of local interest is being taken in the game and a keen contest is anticipated. The obiect of the match is to augment the funds of the Maniapoto Rugby Union. The follownig teams have been selected:— Married: Full-back, Gardiner - three-quarters, Hikaka, Waikato, Mason: five-eighth, Rothery; half, Holden; forwards, S. and H. Cleaver (wings), W. Bell, Pitcon, D Turner T3oles Rehi, Wallace, T. Anderson; F. Keighley, Geo Kite, Nathan, Whitikau, Barney Anderson, Kati Single: Full-back, Brown; three-quarters, T. Hetet, J. Clarke P. Turner * five-eighth, Feary; half, Kirk* forwards. H. Poutawera, B. Clarke (wings), G. Clarke, Paul TurP Hill Patton, Haki, Symes and p Tare; emergencies, D. GrayHowarth, Tewipa, Tucker, S. Clark, Tnrora. The married team s colours P will be green and white, and the single Sen wiH Pl»y > e ! low , and b The kick-off will take place at 3 " o'clock and Mr G. Elliott will act as referee.