FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 362, 20 May 1911, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

NOTES ON OPENING MATCH. Last Saturday's game as an exposition of football, could hardly be called exciting; as compared with early games of last season, it was decidedly poor —in fact, was mostly a scramble. Of course it undoubtedly had one good ell'ect, in that it provided a "pipe-opener" to the contestants, before the real business of the season commenced. Some promising young players worn brought to light. W. Anderson, lately a Three Kings College boy, will before the end of the season show some attractive form, and only needs a little more experience among the "heavy-weights." His finding of the line from full-back position could have been blessed with better judgment. Another man of promise is Titi Te Au; lie requires a little training and experience to become a first-class forward. It is stated this player intends playing on the three-quarti:r line for his club, but he would undoubtedly give a better account of himself in the scrum ■—outside second row. Advice which the last-mentioned player, in common with the great majority of the forwards playing on Saturday last, could with advantage take to heart is to keep the ball at the toe, and not kick too hard in the forward dashes. At times in this game it almost seemed that the forwards were anxious to see the last of the ball, and were trying to boost it into eternity. Another bad feature generally noticeable: Forwards edeavouring to pick the ball up in forward rushes. Surely if they medicated, they must see how much harder it is to stop two or more forwards with the ball at toe than one man with the ball tucked under his arm; and ninetv-tive times out of a hundred this mistaken action results in a knock-on. Back {'lay, with about four exceptions, was not seen in Saturday's play, and those four efforts were all started by the popular Sam. Clark, who only wants condition to be at the top of his form. Taking the game on the whole, it is very evident all the teams want a lot of organisation and work to bring play to the level of last year. Of course a number of the best men belonging to the various clubs were absent, so it is reasonable to hope for brighter things in the future competitions. MANIAPOTO RUGBY UNION. A meeting of the above Union was held in the "Chronicle" office on Wednesday evening last, a large numbre of delegates and members being present. Mr Falwasser (President) occupied the chair. Mr Worm, Mangapeehi, was elected a Vice-president of the Union. Resolved that in the forthcoming matches a win should count 2 points and a draw 1 point. The application from the Oparure Club to join the Maniapoto Rugby Union was granted, and 32 members were enrolled for this club. Resolved that the team fromHangatiki be accepted, and that the senior club under which they play be decided at the next meeting. Resolved that tha following be elected a committee to revise the Union's by-laws: Messrs Lusk, Cochrane, Howarth, Worthing ton and Rothery. The matter of piayers who had played under certain circumstances with the Northern Union, and wished to return to the Rugby Union was referred to the parent body. it was resolved that the various headmasters and scout masters within the jurisdiction of the Maniapoto Rugby Union be written to by the Secretary stating that it was proposed to arrange a schools competition, to be managed by the Maniapoto Union, and a weight limit to be arranged. When the number of teams which will enter for this competition are known, a draw will be arranged and referees fo the matches will be appointed by the Union. Mr Moorhouse stated that his donation previously promised would take the form of a shield, the winning team's name to be inscribed upon the. shield each year. The following players were registered for Te Kuiti Club: —F. Targuse, J. Farrer and McKay. It was resolved that the money collected at the gate on Saturday hist be handed to the Secretary of the Domain Board. Resolved that the next meeting of the Union be held in the "Chronicle" office on Tuesday, May 23rd, at T.oO p.m. R EFEIiEES' ASS OCI ATI ON. After the meeting of the Union, a meoting was held in connection with the formation of a referees' association. It was resolved that such an association be formed to be called the Maniapoto Referees Association, and that they affiliate with the Auckland Referees Association. The following wero appointed as members of the association : —Messrs Moorhouse, Cochrane, Elliott, Power, Lusk, Rothery, Mora, Dines, R. Gregg, G. P. Finlay, J. Burke, B. Hayson. Mr Moorhouse was elected President, and Mr Cochrane as Secretary. Resolved that at the meetings of the Association four should form a quorum. The subscription to the Association was fixed at 2s Gd. Resolved that the Auckland Referees' Association be asked to send an examiner to the local Association ;y)ien convenient. A meeting of the Association will be held on Saturday, 20th inst., at 8 p.m. The following rei'treep were appointed for next Saturday's matches: Te Kuiti v. Otorobanga, at Otofohanga, J. Burke; Mangapeehi v. Tanehopuwai, at Te Kuiti, P. Mora. Resolved that in the event of any referee appointed by the Association not being able to fulfil the appointment, the Secretary of the Union should have power to appoint a substitute.

MANGAPEEHI CLUB. Our correspondent fowardeJ the names of the players to represent Mangapeehi Club in the match with Tanehopuwai this afternoon, but they were inadvertently overlooked for publication on Wednesday. (The manager of the football column will cordially welcome the names of the players chosen to do battle for the various clubs, for publication in our mid-week issue.) Our correspondent in forms us that football is finding much favour in the district this season. Players and patrons are looking forward to. keen competition in the cup matches. Mangapeehi Club will embrace two small clubs —Tiroa and Parekura- -from which they will draw several players to strengthen up their side. These two small clubs will provide practice matches for the parent club, and such a practice was held on Saturday last, when the combined "little ones" defeated a Mangapeehi team by G —s. For the winners Poutama kicked two goals; Johnson scored and Kingham converted a try for the losers,