Rangitikei A v. Oroua.

Manawatu Herald, 18 March 1899, Page 2

Rangitikei A v. Oroua.

Flay was| commenced at 2.80, Rangitikei A and Oroua facing the umpires, Messrs Williamson and Cooper acting in this capacity. The ground was in the pink of condition, and the form of the two teams was remarkably even,, bat after 10 minutes play J. G. Wilson came out of a rush and scored a goal for Rangitikei. Bangitikei, 1 ; Oroua, 0. On the play resuming A. Strong got on a good rush, and carried the ball well down to the Raagifcikei goal, but he was effectually stopped by Dtih-ymple who returned with a magnificent Btroki\ Bangitikei pro* firing by the advantage, and secured another goal within a few minutes of play starting again. Rangitikei, 2 ; Oroua, 0. Scarcely had the ponies got going again when Dalrymple distinguished himself by scoring another goal for hia side. Bangitikei, 8 ; Oroaa, 0. The next spell was productive of some very exciting play, the repeated charges of Oroua being magnificently stoppid by Noel ■'Wilson',- -who was playing by far the test game on the fi -Id, and half time was called before any furiber score resulted. On re* snming after half time Ringitikei suffered a misfortune in N. Wilson getting thrown, which caused tt dekflL of some minute?, but it did not seeni to uffjct the brilliancy of his pay, for he at once assumed the aggrea- " sive and gave the Oroua team a lob of trouble, every one of hia strokes being clean and sure. From this out the game oscilliated up and down the fi -Id, but Oroua seemed to play with no luck, the ball on several occasions going within a few feet of the goal poetp, but at last the fates f tvoured them, and after a fine rash A. Strang succeeded in making too desired stroke and scored first Wood for his side. . Bangitikei, 8 ; Oroua, 1. This sucoess seemed to put heart into the Oroua men, and as soon as the ball was in motion they bore down upon it and scored another goal before the Kangitikei team had recovered from their surprise. Bangitikei, 8 ; Oroaa, 2. Play now became fast and furious, but Oroua's good fortune stuok to them, and a great shout of applause went up as by a long, sweeping stroke J. Strong seat the ball between the posts, and " three all " was called. Bangitikei, 8 ; Oroua, 8. Oroua had all the best of the first .- part of the next spell, their staying powers seeming to be greater than that of their opponent?, and five minutes' play saw another goal to their credit. Bangitikei, 8 ; Orojia, 4. From the throw-out A. Strang took the Wall into Rangitikei's territory, and within two minntea his tt side bad another point notched to ™ heir credit as the result of some good combined play. Bangitikei, 8 ; Oroua, 5. From this out to the finish Rangi* tikei worked hard to recover their portion, but Oroua's blood wis warm, and they defended their goal desperately as well they might, for Noal Wilson came very hear lowering 'heir record with a beautiful stroke, 4 I hut the batl just missed tfee post and tbe game end^d in a victory for tfroaa by 5 goals to 8, after what was admitted to be the best game ever seen )0 the ground. The gann between Manawatu and Chnstchurch resulted in a win for he litter team after a hard fight by 5 to 4. On Friday afternoon the first round of the Junior Cup was played, the Rangitikei B team meeting Te^rai (Gisborne). A clinking game restHw, but the Te Arai men were beaten by

their opponents' superior ponies. Al the end of time the score stood 4 all and in the play off Keillar, who playec a dashing game, scored for Rangitikei who thus won by 5,..- 4. The next round was between Wellington and Horowhenua. Th« game resulted— Wellington, 5; Horowhenua, 1. Oroua meets Christchurch in the seniors, and Wellington meets Hawke's Bay in the juniors, this afternoon.