Football.

Manawatu Herald, 19 July 1904, Page 2

Football.

FOXTON V. MOTUITI;

This match took place on the race* course on Saturday, and resulted in rather an easy win for Foxton by 9 points to nil. Neither team was represented by its original team. Shortly before three play menced, Motuiti kicking off, ■ ana Louisson by a fine punt re'urned the ball into Motuiti’s twenty-five, but a free kick to the Natives sent play into the centre. The Foxton then took the aggressive, and after a fine bit of passing between J. Lees, J. Louisson and J. Coley, the last named crossed the line and scored Foxton’s first try. F. Robinson was entrusted with the kick but his attempt was futile. From the kick off Foxton had Motuiti continuously on the defensive, the Natives playing without any combination and fumbling frequently when the advantage was with them. A free kick against the Natives gave Broad a shot at goal, but the effort was a feeble one, the ball striking one of the natives bounced back into the field and they, thinking that it was a qiiarter-way kick, were walking placidly up the field when J. Desmond picked up the ball and made a dash for the line but two natives blocking his papage he passed the ball baokjßeweti* seizins the opportunity, top£ the pass and putting' in k good boundary kick found the line in. the centre of the field. . From the line . oiitj Pppoh (Motuiti) got possession of the ball, and was very conspicuous % a* fine dribbling rush' but letting the ball get too far away from bistoe lost ft good opportunity, of scoring. The play being now in Poston's 25 soma . good play was witnessed, bui 'B. Bhadbolt getting in a beautiful ' kick punted the ball right across the field where after some innumerable loose scrums the whistle sounded for* halftime, and the spell ended Foxton 8, Motuiti nil. On resuming pliy a better game was witnessed,.,, the natives playing with more obtnbination. Prom a line out rush, f in which Jillet and W. Robinson were prominent, play was carried into Motuiti’s 25, the natives being - compelled to force again and again. From a scrum, which ended in a nice bit of passing between Jt Lees, W. Coley and J. Coley, which ended in the last named scoring in the corner. Broad took the kick and made a good attempt, the ball falling just at the side of the post. After the kick off Motuiti brightened up, and Sawyer, who was nob slow to seize an opening, passed to who put in a fine run, and clear of the Foxton three-quarters looked like scoring, but B. Shadbolt made no mistake and grassed .fijaJp mao beautifully, and Motuifci’s oulyy chance of scoring was lost. Play fe again settled down in Motuiti's 25, where after some loose serums dy Desmond got the ball and rollipjpt: over half a dozen opponents scored Foxton’s 3rd try. The shot at goal failed to increase the score. Shortly

afterwards the whistle sounded, thus leaving Foxton victorious by nine points to nil. Mr W. Korioua acted as . referee and his decisions tfero never disputed. It would be hard to name any individual player, but J. Desmond, B. Broad, R. Newth were tfio pick of the forwards, while in the backs J. Coley, J. Lees and Shadbolt were very prominent. For the losers, Heta and Punch in the forwards, and Potaka and Sdawyor in the bach:;, played well. A dinner in the evening was held at Mr I’erreau’s luncheon rooms. At the invitation of the Motuiti team a large number were present, and everything passed oil most pleasantly. Mr Napoleon Beta made an excellent speech in thanking those for their attendance, and Said he was glad to see the friendly rivalry that existed between the teams that had met, and the absence of any bad language by players, and i he hoped to see all the games played j in such a spirit as was shown that day. Several toasts were drunk with musical honours, and altogether an enjoyable time was spent.