FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 469, 29 May 1912, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TE KUITI 11 v. OTOROHANGA 10

The competitions under the auspices of the Maniapoto Rugby Union were continued on Saturday, when Otorohanga met Te Kuiti on the local ground, and Waimiha played Mangapebi at the sawmilling centre. Fine weather prevailed and everything was favourable for fast play. It was confidently expected that the meeting between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti would be an exceeidngly close game, though the bulk of enthusiasts favoured the chances of last year's cup winners. The anticipations concerning the chances of the game were fully realised. After one 'of the fastest and most exciting contests yet seen on

the ground Te Kuiti left the field winners by the narrow margin uf one point.

Shortly after the start Te Kuiti carried the leather with a rush to their opponents' quarter. A kick by Clark to Te Kuiti full-back brought temporary relief, but Cole with a good return sent the ball into touch near the corner. A scrum followed the line out and the local forwards rushed the ball over the line, where Coldstream fell on it and scored fust blood. Dement added the major points—Te EKu iti 5, Otorohanga 0. Play was of a give and take character after the kick oft, an exchange of kicks between Mathews and Clark resulting in the leather being kept in neutral territory. Seymour stopped a Te Kuiti rush cleverly, but the local forwards again broke away past centre where S. Clark obtained a mark.. D. Gray had a shot at goal which went wide, and a force resulted.. The Te Kuiti backs opened up the game and several passing bouts made ground. Coldstream had a good opening but a knock on spoilt a good chance. A succession of rushes by both sides was varied by Matthews kicking past the Otorohanga full-back and Kite following up fast smothered the return. Play centred in Otorohanga territory and from a scrum S. Clark made a nice opening and sent the leather out to Coldstream, who reached the fullback and passed to Dement, the latter scoring in a good position. The shot at goal proved fruitless. Te Kuiti 8., Otorohanga 0. Half-time was called immediately aterwards. The second half opened auspiciously for Te Kuiti, who rushed the ball to their opponents' 25, whera S. Clarke obtained a mark. D. Gray had a shot at the uprights and kicked a fine goal. Te Kuiti 11, Otorohanga 0. The visitors livened up and their forwards showing plenty of dash carried play to Te Kuiti quarter, A mix-up between Matthews and Cole in fielding the ball let the Otorohanga forwards in, an with a sweeping rush the leather was carried over the line, a try resulting. T,. Clark placed a nice goal, making the scores Tj Kuiti 11, Otorohanga 5. An exchange of kicks saw play in the Otorohanga 25, where D. Gray had another attempt at goal no score resulting. Otorohanga rushed play to their opponents' territory and kicked to the line where Cole failed to field the ball. Matthews came across and picked up, but his kick was smothered and Turner falling on the ball scored Otorohanga's second try. T. Clark again added the major points, and the scores stood —Te Kuiti 11, Otorohanga 10. The local pack was feeling the loss of Hornibrook, who had been compelled to retire half way through the spell. The visitors, to whom another score meant hard-won victory, exerted every effort to add to their total and pressed their opponents hard. Play continued in the local 25, but Matthews and Cole stemmed the onslaught of the opposing forwards by good fielding and line kicking. A timely mark by S. Clark near Te Kuiti line gave D. Gray an opportunity. and by a fine kick, over the heads of the opposing backs, he brought much-needed relief. The ball went out at half-way, but an Otorohanga rush sent it across the line again, and Matthews managed to kick it back over the dead ball line. Time was then called with the score: Te Kuiti 11, Otorohanga 10. Mr N. B. Lusk was referee.

NOTES ON THE GAME.

Among the visiting players the forwards were most conspicuous, and with a little more practice and atten*tion to the finer points will make a formidable pack. They have not yet mastered the art of heeling the ball out cleanly, and are more intent upon shoving their opponents than in simply holding the scrum, and getting quick possession of the ball. It should be remembered that shoving the opposing scrum is one of the obsolete methods unless the ball has been secured. The method of hooking and heeling in a well organised pack is worked so smartly that the old push and kick game has no chance with it. It is sufficient to hold your pack up, and allow your front rankers to secure the ball. If it is desired to send the bail out to the backs let it come clean and sharp. If it is advisable to keep the play close let the back "low men keep it while the scrum is manoeuvred to suit the occasion. The Otorohanga pack is quite solid enough to do all this and hold its own. The only chance of giving the backs any opportunity of scoring is by feeding them from the pack. By obtaining possession of the ball in the scrums it is possible to keep the opposing side continually on the defence, and it is an extraordinary side which can successfully stem ail the attacks of their opponents. Noticeable in the general forward work were Holden, Mexted and Clark, while Symes on the wing played a solid game, although inclined to over-eagerness, which placed him offside at times. The visiting backs got no opportunities in attack, but showed sound defence. Tal. Clark at threequarter did some fine kicking and stemmed innumerable rushes in good style. The full back was faulty in fielding the ball at time but otherwise did well.

For the local players Cole at full back was responsible for some fine

work and gave a good exhibition. He missed fielding the ball on two occasions which resulted in tries being scored. Matthews, as, three.quiu'tcr,-, was a host in himself at defence, and undoubtedly saved the game lor his side. Ke had no opportunities in attack,, buc all his work was_ clever and nippy, and the way m which ha got round and saved his other Ikicks r.t times was an object lesson for his side. The other backs defended well and once or twice the ball about in good style, Tive passing was not sharp and clean as it should be, and the inside five eighths tried to beat his man too often instead of getting rid of the ball quickly. Getting the 'eather away is better than being tackled with it, and it is not necessary to beat a man before sending the" 7 ball out. Variation is the cream of the game, and keeps your opponents guessing. Getting rid of the ball quckiy and cleanly is the first essential. There ia then ample oppjrtunity to back up .and assist in carrying the movement on. S. Clark at half "played his usual clever game and did really good work throughout. The forwards held their own very well in the first spell and followed up to advantage. Hornibrook was particularly noticeable for good work, while Kite, by smart following up paved the way for a score. In the scrum the weight was applied by all. D. Gray did excellent work as lock, and kept cool. His knowledge andresource were very ■ useful to his side, and his fine kicking pulled' the game out of the fire.

Everything considered, there was nothing to choose between the teams, and a fine game should result when they meet again.

MANGAPEHI 6 v. WAIMIHA 0

Mangapehi played Waimiha at the former place on Saturday in ideal weather. Waimiha won the toss and elected to defend the northern goal, with the sun at their backs. Mangapehi kicked off and through good following up compelled Waimiha to force. Shortly after the drop out an infringement on the part of Waimiha gave Lowe a chance at goal, which failed. A scrum was formed on the line and Waimiha were again forced. Loose play followed in Waimiha 25 until a free kick relieved the visitors Forward play followed and Waimiha was again forced. The first quarter ended with no score. Loose play followed on turning round and Mangapehi were awarded a free kick, Briggs. From a scrum Briggs secured and transferred to Goodall, Who, sidestepping his opponents, gained a good deal of ground. The Waimiha backs then started a passing rush, ' which broke down. A counter rush by Mangapehi backs broke down on Waimiha goal line through Hayson giving Poutama a pass that was too low. Half time sounded with no score.

On resuming Waimiha forwards rushed the ball down to Mangapehi's line and compelled them to force. From a good forward rush Mangapehi carried the ball to Waimiha 25, where Inia picked up and darted over the line. Goodall's kick, though a good one, failed—Mangapehi 3, Waimiha 0. Shortly afterwards Koroheke scored a second try for Mangapehi through good following up. Darlington's kick failed Mangapehi 6, Waimiha 0. The remainder of the game consisted chiefly of rushes and counter rushes by the backs, Waimiha backs putting in some good runs but invariably spoiled them by passing forward. Time sounded with the scores —■ Mangapehi 6, Waimiha 0.

For Waimiha Sterning, McKay, the half-back, Parks and Wera were especially noticeable, while for Mangapehi Briggs, Goodall, Inia, Lowe, Mooney,. Rid, Koroheke and Ellis played good games.