FOOTBALL

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 95, 15 August 1918, Page 3

FOOTBALL

Mfttamata 12 v. Ohauia 8. Both teams were short of regular men when Matamata and Okauia met at Matamata on Saturday to try conclusions for the third time this season. When they lined up it looked any odds on the “springs” boys winning but once again the uncertainty of sport was exemplified. The Matamata men got busy early, and were, in the first few minutes, rewarded with three points from a penalty goal. At half time they had increased the score by three tries without having their own line penetrated. In the second half the Okauia men commenced to play an open game, and, as a result, scored two tries, one of which was converted." Had they followed this game from the commencement they would probably have won, for several of the Matamata men were “resurrected,” and could not have stood the running about. Matamata’s tries were obtained by Situs, Burke, and Brindle, and the penalty was kicked by F. Connell. Okauia’s points were scored by Jack Douglas and C. Baxendine —(tries) —one of which was converted by Joe Douglas. 1 i ■ Hotor»ua 111 v. Matamata 8 Prior to the senior match on Saturday, the Rotorua High school representatives played a return match with the lads from the Matainata school. The latter who won at Rotorua were not at full strength, wnereas Rotorua included a couple of natives who were a great acquisition to the team. Like the seniors in many methods the Matamata boys showed themselves as being too fond of individual efforts, were slow in ' following up, and failed to pack round. The game was a fast one, and the score seemed a fair indication of the merits of the two teams. Before play had been going ten minutes each side had scored five points, and Rotorua added a further three before half time. Matamata again evened up in the second half, Downie getting over for a try from a scrum near the lin-e. From a series of line outs in the Matamata quarter Goodson, for Rotorua, scored the winning points (a try). Matamata’s first points were a try scored by Kneebone, converted by C. Downie. For the winners —a light team —Eretara, H. Clark and C. Goodson played brilliant games. Hilcoat was the hardest worked hoy on the Matamata side, and saved probable scores repeatedly. Kneebone was starved on the three-quarter lirie. Johnston and 'Fitzgerald were among the most prominent"in the team. The boys mentioned gave distinct promise of becoming good players.