FOOTBALL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 479, 3 July 1912, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OTOROHANGA 6 v. TE KUITI 0,

The above teaips met at Otorohanga on Saturday last, this being the second occasion on which they have met this season. In the first game, played at Te Kuiti. the local men won by the narrow margin of one point. Great interest was, therefore, centred in this match and a large number of supporters travelled with the Te Kuiti team. The day was cold and blustery. The ground was in a very heavy state Snd the ball greasy, and hard to handle.

Otorohanga kicked off and very quickly forced Te Kuiti. Play continued in the visitors 25' and the home forwards rushed over the line in the corner where Holden scored. The shot at goal, from an awkward angle, proved fruitless. The Otorohanga forwards made the pace extremely hot, andthe visiting backs were kept strictly on the defence for some time. Golding marked in a good position, and though the kick was a good one no goal resulted. The Te Kuiti forwards with Hornibrook and D. Gray in the lead, took play to half way. Jim Clark retaliated with a lengthy line lcick, which again took play to the visitors' 25. Otorohanga forwards kept pegging away at the Te Kuiti line, but the defence was sound, Maher, Healy and Dement being paricularly noticeable. Carr broke away with ball at toe, and relieved the pressure. Good work by Hornibrpok and Maher took play to half way. Healy with a line kick took play for the first, time into Utorohanga's 25. The visiting backs were unable to handle the greasy ball, and all attempts to cross the line were unavailing. Otorohanga forwards dashed away with the ball at toe and relieved their line from danger. Half time was called with oat further score —Otorohanga 3, Te Kuiti 0. . . In 1 the spell the ' visitors livened up and madp play interesting. Through kicking too hard when near the Oturohanga line they lost what seemed lo be a good chance of scoring. Williams received the .leather, and found touch with a lengthy kick. A dangerous Otorohanga forward tußh was well stopped by Co]e. A passing run was started among the backs, but the grasy ball proved too much for them. A lot of give and take play followed, the forwards monopolising most of the play. Kite, Mitchell and Heke dribbled the leather in the Otorohanga territory, Peter Turner clearing his line in good style. ' A passing run between Hornibrook, Williams and Dement gained ground. Te Kuiti strove hard to cross the Otorohanga line, but seemed unable to manage the greasy ball.- R. Symes away with ball at toe, and relieved from danger. Mitchell' was noticeable for some good footwork, and P. Turner again showed sound defence. Otorohanga marked outside the 25 line, Turner having an unsucessful shot at goal. Coal received the, kick, hut unfortunately for his side, mulled it. Tal. Clark, by fast following up got possession and scored. The attempt to add the major .points was again unsuccessful. Shortly after this time was called with play in midfield. . Mr Burke made an efficient and impartial referee. . NOTES.' : The greasy state of the ground undoubtedly mprred what would have been a fine gathe, had the weather conditions ' been, more favourable. Both teams found it well nigh impossible to handle or kick the ball with any degree of certainty, but the Otorphanga men undoubtedly were the surer in this respect, Turner was particularly clever in gathering.'the ball, and also very sure with his kicks. Hp proved all through the game, to be a tower of strength to his side. The Clark I brothers and Seymour also played well.' Among the ' forwards Symes was always prominent, but showed too much inclination to offside, play. He also has a bad habit of playing the man instead of the ball, in a player of his calibre it .is a pity to see these faults indulged in. It would be unfair to particularise any member of the Otorohanga - pack when all played well. They are a fine weighty pack and play well together....' •. •. i. / ■ Te Kuiti backs seemed unable to handle the greasy ball; and did not give their' usual display. Cole at times did some good work, Dement iii the first spell showed; some good defensive play; Matthews waß there when called upon; Healy and Maher played sterling games and were a tower of strength to their side. Amodfe the forwards Hornibrook, t>. Gray and Mitchell played solid games;; Heke and.Delaney were often able. Considering that the pack, was outwefghted they did wOrtdetfully^