FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 361, 17 May 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

MANIAPOTO RUGBY UNION. OPENING OF THE SEASON. The opening of the football season under the Maniapoto Rugby Union took place on Te Kuiti Recreation ground on Saturday last. A charge was made at the gates, the proceeds being donated by the Union to the funds of the Domain Board. The match was between a combined team chosen from Te Kuiti and Tanehopuwai Clubs versus a combined team from Otorohanga and Mangapeehi Clubs. The by former won by 14 points to S. Early in the first spell, Kiti Te An, by smart following up, scored a try for the locals (Te KuitiTane.), and Dement converted. No further score resulted during this half. In the second spell, matters from a scoring point of view livened up considerably. After ten minutes' p?ay, from a free kick Clarke placed a nice goal for the visitors. A very few minutes later, from a loose rush, Mitchell fell over the line near the goal posts, but Hira failed with the kick. From the kick off the visitors rushed the ball up field, and from a scramble Crib carried the ball over the line, and Putaki, of Mangapeehi, scored; Clarke converted Score —S all. After some very scratchy play, Cole kicked well down field and Hughes mulling allowed Mitchell to a again cross the line. The ball was, however, brought back for a knock-on, and from the scrum Sam. Clarke sent out to Hira, who scrambled over and scored; unconverted. Just before time, Johnstun scored again for locals, Cole failing with the kick. The game ended, 14 —'S. Mr Moorhouse refereed. The following team has been selected to represent Te Kuiti against Otorohanga on Saturday next: —Fullback, N. Cole; three-quarters, V. Kirk, R. Hurley, Hikaka; fiveeighth, Dement; half, Clarke; wings, J. Devine, S. Cleaver; forwards, F. Targuse, W. Bell, T. Hoare, Rehi Rako, Garth, D. Mitchell. Emergencies: Blissett, C. Boles, J. Pratt, Tewipa. The team will leave by the 11 o'clock on Saturday morning.