FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 467, 22 May 1912, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

OPENING THE SEASON.

The competitions under the auspices of the Maniupoto Rugby Union were inaugurated on Saturday last. Unfortunately the weather which had been fine for a fortnight, broke on Friday evening and rain continued till noon on Saturday. However, the afternoon was fine and though the playing grounds were some\vhat greasy the conditions were reasonably good. The Te Kuiti player.- journeyed to Waimiha to meet the local fifteen, ami Tanehopuwai met Mangapehi at Te Kuiti, while Otorohanga drew a bye.

MANGAPEHI J) v. TANEHOPUWAI 3.

The match between Mangapehi and Tanehopuwai resulted in a win for the Mangapehi team by 9 points to 3. In the first spell the game was chiefly a scramble between the two lots of forwards. The visitors succeeded in crossing the Tanehopuwai line Oil two occasions, tries being scored by Ellis and Charteris. In the second spell play was rather more open, and at times some excellent flashes of play were witnessed. .Early in the spell Hayson made a good run and took the ball to his opponent's 25 where he was tackled. The leather was carried on by Reid, who cut in towards the goal posts and passed well out to Young, the latter having a clear run in. The attempt at goal proved fruitless — Mangapehi 9, Tanehopuwai 0. Tanehopuwai livened up and rushed the ball to their opponents' quarter. A counter rush headed by Reid looked dangerous, but an infringement by a forward resulted in a penalty. TJhe respite was unly brief, a good kick by Goodall, well followed up by the forwards, threatened danger, but Hui brought relief by a lucky speculator into touch. Mangapehi wer« not to be denied, and penned their opponents in the 25. A hard kick over the line resulted in a force down. Shortly after the kick out Mangapehi heeled the ball well out from a scrum and Goodall with a high kick gave his forwards an opening. Offside play gave a free kick to Mangapehi. but Wilson saved the situation, and Tanehopuwai forwards rushed the ball to midfield. Scrambling forward work ensued, and the visitors gradually worked play back to their opponents' line, but a hard kick resulted in Tanehopuwai again forcing. From the kick out loose play resulted near the Tanehopuwai 25. Wilson broke through with the ball and dodging several of the opposing back sent the leather out to Kati who carried it to the full-back where he was tackled. Not to be denied, the Tanehopuwai forwards swept down with the ball at their feet, and crossing the Mangapehi line Kau fell on the leather and scored. The kick at goal went wide. Mangapehi 9, Tanehopuwai 3. During the remaining few minutes of play Tanehopuwai did better, and from a mark obtained by Wilson, Kati had a shot at goal, but no score resulted. The game finished —Mangapehi 9, Tanehopuwai 3. Mr Molloy had charg9 of the whistle. TE KUITI 6 v. WAIMIHA 0. The Te Kuiti team journeyed to Waimiha and played the local fifteen. Thiß is the first occasion on which Waimiha has entered a team in the union competitions and the game was awaited with interest. The result indicated that the Waimiha club possess any amount of good material and should with practice develop into a really strong side. The forwards are a heavy willing lot, and some of the backs give promise of brilliancy. In the concluding rounds of the competition Waimiha will bs a hard nut to crack, providing due attention is paid to practice and combination in the meantime.

In the first half the Te Kuiti players had rather the better of the open play but the backs were inclined to hang to the ball. A try was scored by Williams from a passing rush and Gray had the shot at goal but failed. In the second spell 1.-. Coldstream scored from a scrambling rush and Cole had a fruitless shot at goal. The game finished Te Kuiti fi, Waimiha 0. The To Kuiti players speak highly cf the hospitality of the Waimiha people, and desire to convey a special word of thanks to the ladies for their kindness in providing refreshments.

TE KUITI v. OTOROiIANGA

The Pillowing will represent Te Kuiti against Otorobanga at Te Kuiti on Saturday next: —Full had.-, N. Cole; threequarters, Dement, Williams, Matthews: five-eighths. L. Coldstream, P. Coldstream; half, S. Clark (captain) ; forwards. J. Crowley Martin, Heke, '.I. [tali, P. Gray, O'Sullivan, Mitchell, Hornibrook (vice— captain) ; emergencies, W. Maher, Carr, Kiti, Oldhson. PIO PIO FOOTBALL CLUP. Own Correspondent. A football meeting was held on Saturday last, when it was resolved to once more don the. jerseys. The following officers were elected for the season:— Patron, Mr W. P. IJatmway; presidents, Mr G, Elliott: vicepresidents, Messrs C. K. Wilson, M.P., R. T- Bailey, G. E. Jackson. J. Wall. V. S. Battaway, 11. Fitzpairick. A. Williams. J. R. Daly, C. B. Hobson, R. Boddy ; delegates to union, Messrs Elliott and A. 0. Wallis; ti-:-retary and treasurer, Mr Wallis. It was resolved to apply to the Maninpoto Rugby Union for permission to affiliate with that body with a suggestion that we be allowed to play championship matches between the three existing teams this end, viz., Pio Pio, Aria and Kaeaea, winners to piny nil" with the succesfsul team at Te Kuiti end. Should the union agree to the proposal the travelling of the teams this

ASSOCIATION. A football game new to Te Kuiti will soon be witnessed here, an Association club being formed on Monday o.voiiiiifr. V\'r understand that there are ;mhv ; l prnspeeis fur tho club as several <xpoiienls <>f ".Soccer" reside in nn:i around Te K tiit.i. Tin- f;:liii-.vii)!L will ri'ii-cs'i'iit Manjianebi against. Waimiha at iYI anj^apehi (i;i .Saturday : -Knll-back, Tamahiki; three-quarters, Inia. Dar ling ton ViHini;: I) we-eii'.lit lis. A. (Miedall (captain). Hayson ; h:0 f. ,i. IlriKKs; forwards. Cli.u triis (win):), Koroheke, Lowe. T;:pse!i. .1. O'Neill. J. Keid, Mouaey, Kllis. Mr Martin, o!; Wellington, will referee. A mc;?t,ini: of the. Referee's Asociation under the juris iiction of the Maniapoto Uugby Union i 3 called for Saturday morning in Messrs McDonald and Cochrano's office at 11.30 o'clock. As tho business is important all interested are renuested to attend.