FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 386, 12 August 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

MANIAPOTO DEFEAT ROTORUA

The above representative match was played at Rotorua on Wednesday last before a large number of spectators. The game was a willing and fast one, especially so in the last spell, when both sides worke.d hard. The teams lined up as follows: Maniapoto: Johnson, full back; S. Cleaver, W. Clarke and Goodall, threequarters; Potier and Hurley, fiveeighths; Jones, half; Rothery (capt,), wing; Holden, G. Clarke, B. Clarke, Maxted, H. Cleaver, R. Syme and Hayson. . Rotorua: Dr Hay, Abraham, C. Wood, W. Sheriff, Vercoe, Aritaku, Amotawa, Taimai, McLaren, Walker, Douglas, Remana, Petene, Hikatarewa, Tomohou.

Maniapoto kicked off; Sheriff received and returned. The Rotorua forwards dribbled up the field. Potier gathered and found the line. The Maniapoto forwards, with Rothery and Holden in the lead, carried play to the Rotorua line, where a score seemed certain, but the Rotorua defence proved solid; a free kick to Rotorua relieved them. Goodall, with a good line kick again took play into the local men's territory, where they were compelled to force. H. Cleaver getting possession, raced for the line, but lost the ball when all but over. Potier took a free kick, punted high, and the Maniapoto forwards following up well kept the Rotorua men in trouble. There was then some forward work, and an exchange of kicks, which ended in the visitors' favour. When Maniapoto were pressing hard, C. Woods was responsible for some sound defensive work. Holden and W. Clarke each attempted to drop a goal, but failed, Rotorua on each occasion forcing. A passing rush among the local backs relieved them but the Maniapoto men were soon attacking again. A passing run started by Clarke, who sent out to Potier to W. Clarke ended in the latter scoring. Potier failed with his shot at goal.— Maniapoto 3, Rotorua O.—A Rotorua forward rush was well stopped by W. Clarke, who found the line. H. Cleaver and Symes broke away, and with the ball at toe took play to the Rotorua 25. A free kick awarded to Rotorua relieved them. Abraham broke away, and with a good run took play into the Maniapoto 25, where the end of. the first spell was reached. Shortly after the start of the second spell, the Rotorua forwards took play into the Maniapoto 25. Vercoe started a passing run, the ball travelling through many hands. Hay attempted to pot a goal, but failed. B. Clarke was responsible for a goud dribble, the Rotorua forwards responding with a strong rush up field which Hurley pluckily stopped. The Rotorua forwards worked hard, and looked like scoring, but the Maniapoto backs defended their line well. Give and take play followed until the call of halftime, the score still being 3 to nil in favour of Maniapoto.

The Maniapoto backs soon had play in the Rotorua 25, where the forwards strove hard to get ove- but seemed unable to do so. After some tight scrum work, the Rotorua forwards, with Sheriff in the lead, broke away with the ball at toe, and relieved the pressure. Abraham and Vercose were responsible for some good line kicking at the end of the third spell was called with Maniapoto pressing.

The last spell was most strenuous and exciting. The Maniapoto forwards headed by Rothery carried play into Eotorua's 25, where a free kick against Tomohu resulted in B. Clarke kicking a splendid goal.—Maniapoto 6, Kotorua nil.—Some lively play followed. The Rotorua backs indulged in some good passing rushes, but could not penetrate the Maniapoto defence though they frequently looked dangerous. The remainder of the game was chiefly confined to strenuous forward rushes work. No alteration in the score took place, and time was called with the score—Maniaputo 6, Rotorua nil. Mr P. Mackie, of Auckland, gave general satisfaction as referee.

In the evening the teams dined together at the Palace Hotel. After dinner, speeches were made by Messrs Mitchell, Vercoe and Nikora; Messrs Scholes (manager) and Lusk responded on behalf of the visitors. Mr Mackie, the referee, also spoke at length on matters connected with football generally and refereeing in particular Mr Mackie's remarks, which contained much good sound advice, was well received by those present.