FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 475, 19 June 1912, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TE KUITI 11 v. MANGAPEHI 3. On Saturday last Te Kuiti and Mangapehi tried conclusions on the Te Kuiti ground. Mangapehi won the toss and Te Kuiti kicked off shortly after 2 o'clock. The game had not been long in progress when Te Kuiti were awarded a free kick for off side play on the part of one of the Mangapehi forwards. Dan Gray made a good attempt at goal the ball going just outside of the post. Tha kick from the 25 yards line was well received and returned by Maher. The local forwards followed up well and carried play to the visitors' line. Good all relieved with a line kick. Hornibrook getting possession in the loose passed to Williams who shot out the ball to Coldstream and the latter, when all but over the line was pushed into touch. The Mangapehi forwards took play to half way, where it retained for some time. The visiting forwards broke awaj with the ball at toe and a dangeruu3 rush was pluckily saved by Matthews, who gathered the ball and found the line. Shortly after a try was scored by Matthews after a dodgy run. D, Gray was unsuccessful with his kick. Goodall was responsible for a fine run which took play into Te Kuiti 25. The local forwards after some solid work gained ground. Maher, getting possession, passed to Dement, who scored. The kick at goal again went wide. Cole was called upon to defend his line from a Mangapehi rush and was not found wanting. Te Kuiti being awarded a free kick Dan Gray had another shot at goal and piloted the ball between the posts. Goodall and Brumby were noticeable for some fine defensive work. The Mangapehi forwards got going, and with Hityson in the leatJ, raced up the field. Maher gathered and found the line. A paEsing rush by Te Kuiti backs took play to the visitors' line. Mangapehi forwards with a determined rush cleared their line, Dement and Matthews stopping the rush. Play hung at halfway for a time but the visitors were not to be denied and again swept down the field with ball at toe. Maher saved by sending the ball into tuuch near the line, but the respite as only momentary. The opposing vanguard came again and Charteris forcing his way over the line scored near the corner. The kick proved fruitless. Te Kuiti 11, Mangapehi 3. Halftime sounded without further score.

Upon resuming play centred for a time. The ball came out of the loose to Mathews and he broke away together with Heke and Mitchell and the ball went out at Mangapehi 25. Immediately afterwards anpthep rush was well stopped by Tamahlki who fielded cleverly ana sent the leather into touch. Give and take play ensued in the centre of the field the forwards on both sides working hard. Fast following up by Williams prevented a Mangapehi return and the Mangapehi line was in danger. The forwards came to the rescue and the ball was picked to Matthews who made a short dash and was tackled. Loose play followed a scrum and Maher dropped at goal, the ball going close to the uprights. Shortly aftewards Hayson smartly intercepted a long pass from a Te Kuiti back and set sail down the field but was forced into touch at Te Kuiti's 25. following up the advantage the visitors made a determined onslaught on the Te Kuiti line. A dangerous rush was nipped in the bud by Matthews screw kicking into touch. The tide was turned by a long kick from Cole which was followed well by Hornibrook who smothered the return. A Te Kuiti rush was stemmed by Tamahiki and from the scrum tha visitors secured the ball and set up a passing run but a forward pass spoilt the chance. A Mangapehi rush saw the ball kicked past the full back, but it was overrun and a counter rush, headed by D. Gray, relieved the situation. Immediately afterwards Maher broke away with the ball and reached the full back who tackled well. A sweeping forward rush by the Mangapehi forwards brought the leather "langerously close to the home line and a mark being obtained in a good position a good chance for a goal was made. The attempt proved futile and Heke, Hornibrook and Mitchell carried the leather to Mangapehi's quarters. Rush and counter rush succeeded each other for a tun* until a hard kick over the Te Kuiti jine ended in a force. Shortly after the kick out a kick by Mangapehi saw Hayson following up well and taking the ball on the bounce he made a fine opening. The Mangapehi forwards swarmed round and a score seemed certain but Matthews broke away and dribbled the bpll out of danger. Give and take play ensued until Hornibrook, Matthews and Will'ams broke away with a passing run the latter being collared. Te Kuiti rushed the ball to the Mangppehi line and a force resulted. Soon after the kick off Williams secured the leather and made an opening. He transferred to Matthews who was tackled on the goal line and a scrum was ordered. The visitors carried the Bcrum and Williams marked, a shot at goal being taken by D. Gray No score resulted and the whistle sounded time shortly after with the scores—Te Kuiti 11, Mangapehi 3. NOTES ON THE GAME. The game was hard fought throughout and was won by Te Kuiti by the little extra combination among the backs. At full back for Mangapehi, Tamahiki, did some clpver stopping and should develop into a good man in that position. The threequarters were sound in defence but lacked the combination necessary to take full advantage of openings. Goodall played his usual solid game and made good use of his kicking powers, while Brumby did an immense amount of good work. With quicker and cleaner openings from the scrum the backs would have a much better chance of combined play. The forwards all worked tiarrt

superior to the local oack especially on the line out, Charteris, cn the wing, played a good game and deserved h'"s try. Reed, Tansall anri Mooney were frequently prominent and Hayson shone in fast lollowing up, setting a gcod example to the rest of the forwards. For the winners Cole, at full back, got in his returns well, but was inclined to play too to the scrum. Several times he had to run back for the bail, and on more than one occasion got into trouble in consequence. He will require to conquer this hahit before he can show his best form. The threequarters were not well fed and in having to make their own openings were at a disadvantage Mat thews and Williams were responsible for good work, the former particularly so. At five-eighth Maher played a very useful game. He put up a sound defence and made good use of the ball when it came his way. Dement defended well. Coldstream, at half, played a nippy game, but was tackled with the ball too often. He defended really well and should be seen to gcod advantage in future games. There is ample material in the forwards for a good pack, but more practice will have to be indulged in before the necessary combination is secured. D. Gray played his usual sound game, and of the others Hornibrook was most prominent. Heke'a showing was an improvement on previous games, while the others worked hard. Mr P. Mora controlled the game in his usual efficient manner. OTOROHANGA 49 v. TANEHOPUWAI 0.

The match between Tanehopuwai and Otorohanga was played at Otcrohanga on Saturday. There was a fair attendance, although the weather was dull and threatening, but luckily the rain held off. On the result of tha toss Tanehopuwai decided to defend the western goal The game was very interesting at stages, but was without dash, Otorohanga proving too strong for their opponents, winning by 4 9to nil. For the visitors Killip ai threequarters and Anderson (captain) played right up to their usual form. Otorohanga showed out in good form with passing rushes very noticeable between Kavena at half and James Clarke, who both played very dashing games for the backs. In the forwards N. and D. Turner and C. Seymour played their usual dashing game. Mr Furby had control of the whistle.