FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 367, 7 June 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY UNION. The competition for senior championship honours was further advanced on Saturday, and as a result of the matches played, the position of the various Clubs is as under: — Games Champ. Pld. W. L. D. Pts. Mangapeehi 3 2 1 Otorohanga 2 1 Te Kuiti 2 Tanehopuwai 3 Oparure 2 1 1

TANEHOUPWAI v. OPARURE

This match was played on Te Kuiti Domain ground. Tanehopuwai kicked off. From the outset the Oparure forwards asserted themselves, and twice in quick succession they compelled the Tanehopuwai to force. A free kick being awarded to Oparure in their opponent's 25, Wehe was entrusted with the kick and placed a fine goal. Shortly after the kick off, Hira dribbled the ball into the Oparure 25, where the Tanehopuwai men kept their opponents penned for some time. The game throughout was a fairly evpn one, and ended in favour of the Oparure team, the score being Oparure fi—Tanehopuwai 3. Mr Rothery acted as referee.

OTOROHANGA v. MANGAPEEHI

The Otorohanga team journeyed to Mangapeehi, and recorded a win by 9 points to 3. Bert Clarke and Tom Emery scored a try each, and the former kicked a penalty goal for the winners. The game was closely contested throughout. Jim Clarke sustained a sprained ankle, and it is doubtful whether lie will be able to take the field again this season. SATURDAY'S TEAMS. The following team has been selected to represent Te Kuiti in their match against Mangapeehi on Saturday next. The game will be played on Te Kuiti Domain: —-Full, N. cole; threequarters, Hikaka, V. Kirk, Allen; five-eighth, R. Hurley; half, S. Clarke; wings, S. Cleaver, Garth; forwards, Blissett, Rako, Whare Bell, Rehi, Dewar, J. Devine, D. Mitchell; emregencies, backs —Dement, J. Pulford, forwards —W. Devine, T. Hoare. MANIAPOTO RUGBY UNION. A meeting of the above Union was held in the "Chronicle" office last evening. Mr Worthington occupied the chair.

It was resolved that the Adams' Trophy and subsidies be donated to obtaining a trophy for competition among second grade players, the trophy to be contested under challenge conditions, and held by the winning Cluh each year.

A large amount of correspondence was dealt with.

It was decided that the offer of the King Country Rugby Union to play the Maniapoto Union at Te Kuiti on July Ist be accepted, and also that a return match be played at Taumarunui this season.

Arrangements were made in connection with the visit of the examining referee on Saturday next. Resolved that the Oparure second team meet the Otorohanga second team at Otorohanga on Saturday next, play to commence at 12.45 p.m. The next meetine of the Union will be held in Mr Falwasser's office on Saturday evenng. at 6.45 o'clock. THREE KINGS COLLEGE v. KING'S COLLEGE. This match was played last Saturday at Alexandra Park on No. 11 ground. The game was very fast and interesting throughout. Both sides were very even. The first spell ended with both sides having scored 3 points. After a hard game in the second spell, Three Kings managed to secure fi more points. Thus they won by 9—3. For Three Kings, Tamou kicked a penalty, Wirenui scored and kicked another penalty goal. King's College score was a try. NORTHERN UNION.

TE KUITI HUIAS v. TAUMARUNUI The above teams played their first match of the season on the Domain ground on Saturday last. The Kuiti kicked oft, and very soon began to press their opponents. A free kick being awarded to Te Kuiti, Bonner had a shot at goal, but failed by a very small margin. Taumarunui carried play to half way, Tuheka started a passing run among the Huia backs which gained ground. Taumarunui livened up, and had Te Kuiti men on the defence. A free kick awarded to the Huias relieved them. At this stage, S. Hodges received the ball, and with a strong run cleared the Huia backs, and scored; F. Barclay added the major points. Shortly after the resumption of play, G. Barclay getting possession nearly scored. Te Kuiti forwards relieved with a good dribbling rush. Hodges again secured the ball and made another dash for the line, but was well tackled by Coles. From a scrum, Tuheka passed out to Rou Rata, who raced for the Taumarunui line and had hard luck in not, scoring.. Give and take play followed, and with the score Taumarunui s—Huias 0, half time was called.

" Shortly after the kick off, Rou Rata received the ball from J. Hetet, and with a good run carried play into the visitors' 25. The Taumarunui backs with a passing run carried the ball back into the Hulas' quarters. The Huia forwards then raced up the field with the ball at toe, and crossed the visitors' line, Bruce Graham scoring. J- Hetet landed an easy goal. Just on the call of time, from a passing rush, Hodges scored; F. Barclay was again successful with his kick. The game ended with the score, Taumarunui 10a—Te Kuiti Huias 5. Mr T. Searancke controlled the game.

| NOTES. The game was a fast one, and was played in a very friendly spirit. A very large number of free kicks were awarded for minor offences, and though some good attempts were made, no points were added to either team's score from this source. It is early in the season to individualise men for good play, but those in the different teams who caught the eye moat and who seemed to do the most solid work for their respective teams were as follows: For the Huias, Bonner —who was perhaps the most brilliant man on the ground—J. Hetet, Innes Kerr, and Tuheka Hetet showed to the best advantage; for the visiting team, G. and F. Barclay played a dashing game, and did a lot of attacking and defensive work, F. Barclay's kicking being also of a high order;" Hodges played a good game, and is a dangerous man, Du'Val is good both on the attack and defence, and fielded the ball remarkably well throughout the game. Though the game was an even one throughout, it was undoubtedly hard luck on the local men that they suffered defeat. They had the advantage of their opponents during a good portion of the game, and several times went near scoring.