Football.

Manawatu Herald, 26 July 1904, Page 2

Football.

For months past Foxton has been in a state of quietness, with nothing in the way of sport to break the monotony, until a week or two ago the Motuiti and Poroutawhab Affres broke the ice by playing JWjlßfty game of football at Motuiti a few of the pakehas took on with the idea and in due'course issued a challenge to the native teams, winning one against Motuiti, and loosing badly against Poroutawhao, which, however, was no disgrace, as the team put into the field on that occasion by the natives was undoubtedly one of the best ever seen on the Foxton groundt However, the different teams came to the conclusion that they needed a union, and' the first move in that-direc-tion was made by each club nominating two delegates and holding a meeting to draw up rules, fix dates, &c. The Mayor (Mr G. Simpson) hearing of this at once gave his support by offering a valuable cup to the union for the different teams to compete for. The result of the drawing for the first round resulted in the two native teams (Motuiti and Poroutawhao) having to meet first; Awahou and Kiwi to follow on. Punctually at 1,30 the teams took their places in'the procession, which started from Whyte’s Hotel headed by the Foxton Brass Band, and marched to the fibld of battle, followed by the largest crowd seen out since race day. On arrival at the ground the teams surrounded the Mayor and gave him K hearty cheers for his generous offer. The Mayor, in-a short speech, thanked the Union for. electing him their President, and hoped they would play the game in a proper manner, and, no matter how the ..different games ended, they would always act as gentlemen. POROUTAWHAO v. MOTUITI. Poroutawhao and Motuiti then took the field, playing spells of 30 minutes, Poroutawhao kicked off with a slight wind at their backs, the ball being smartly returned by Potaka; George took land ;ran well, down the touch'libeVthfin punting high and by fast following up looked like scoring, but G. Coley was equal to the ocpasiom and ‘takirig ‘ the ball nicely returned it well into touch. From the throw in Poroutawhao rushed the ball down the field, but through hard kicking Motuiti forced. Motuiti kicked off from*their 2s£Tatana returning it well down the touch* line. From the throw in Motuiti were hemmed, in and were in trouble for some time, until Ashton (Poroutawhao) kicked too hard, again forcing Motuiti. Give and take play in Motuiti’s 25 followed, Poroutawhao being over anxious forced them down twice. From the kick Out the ball was returned well down the field by Broughton, and by fast following up he again got possession and streaked over the line. Tua took the kick at goal but failed to increase the score—3 — nil. From this on Motuiti were kept on the defensive, Peter getting in good work occasionally and saving his side. A free kick awarded Poroutawhao was entrusted to Tommy, from which he placed a goal from a difficult angle—6 —nil. Shortly afterwards Motuiti rushed the ball into PorautawtJflft territory and for off-side play Mount? was awarded a free kick, Peter making a good though unsuccessful shot at goal. Play continuing, Motuiti kept Poroutawhao very busy in the latter’s 25, until another free kick awarded the southerners the ball found the touch line, and the whistle sounding half-time the scores stood—6—nil. On resuming play Motuiti kicked off with the breeze in their favour, Tommy returning it to touch;

from the throw in Motuiti got to work in real earnest and soon carried the Ml well up the field, but for oft-side jffay Poroutawhao was awarded a free which Peter got possession and dashing up the line looked like ■scoring but was thrown out close to the goal line. For some time the ball was travelling from one 25 flag to th p other and ended in Motuiti being forced. From the kick out, Tommy again returned it and after a lot of give and take play between the haltway flags Tua got away with the ball, and kicking hard and following up fast was soon through the Motuiti backs and making for the goal line. Moses, however, appeared on the scene and immediately dashed past Tua and forced down. On play resuming Motuiti soon rushed the ball into the southerners’ 25, only to be returned by Tatana, Peter getting possession was again seen to advantage, putting in a good run and carrying the ball into Roroutawhao’s 25. The usual line kicks, scrums, &c. soon found the ball in the centre of the field, and one of the Poroutawhao backs passing well out enabled Tatana to score close to the posts. Tommy’s kick was unsuccessful—9—nil. As soon as the ball was in play again Winera made another attempt to cross Motuiti’s line, but owing to a pass forward a scrum followed from which Motuiti carried the ball well up the field to the halfway flag, and Peter picking it up punted it well into Poroutawhao’s 25. From the throw in Poroutawhao again invaded their opponents 25, a free kick to Motuiti relieved them but only momentarily as the game ended a few minutes afterwards with Poroutawhao invading their territory. The game throughout was played m good spirit. Mr J. Frew made an efficient referee.

AWAHOU v. KIWI. This match, which had been looked forward to with great interest by the public, immediately followed the above contest, and as both teams took the field the most noticeable feature was the difference of physique in the two teams. Onlookers could not but admire the grand looking lot of forwards Kiwi put in the field, but the first ten minutes of the game found out their weak point—condition. The local team are all small and nuggety, and played with far more determination and dash than the Kiwis. , Desmond (Kiwi) kicked off against a slight breeze, the Kiwi forwards following up fast were soon'on the ball ow ing to two of the Awahou backs badly missing it. A little give and take play followed until Louisson relieved by a long kick out of touch into Kiwi’s as; trom the throw in Lees rushed the, ball right up to the goal line which the Kiwi full-back missed but obstructed the player and pre•vented him from scoring. However, who had followed up smartly, ■ ‘ fell "bver the line and scored. F. Robinson was entrusted with the kick but failed to increase the points— 3 nil The ball was soon set going again, and Kiwi were kept busily engaged defending m their 25 until a free kick allowed theni to get to the centre of the field. Forward rushes on the part of Awahou soon got the ball close to the Kiwi goal line, but the ball was rushed over the touch line which prevented a score. From the throw in kiwi rushed the ball down the touch line into their opponents 25, but owing to an infringement of the rules Awahou was al owed a free kick, Louisson returning the ball f well up the line, where a scrum took place From a forward rush, m which Toe (Awahou) was very conspicuous, playing a fine dribbling game on the Sing, carried the ballwell mto Kiwi’s 2 e Shortly afterwards the ball found its way to the centre, the Kiwi forwards working hard to cross Awahou s line. Things were looking gloomy for he home team until J. Coley saved by punting well past the half-way flag. However, Kiwi was not to be denied, as they Soon worked back to Awahou s but a free kick again relieved the blacks. Here a number of kicks were exchanged between Puki and Shadbolt, finally going into touch; from the line out a number of scrums fol- , lowed, play being .somewhat mixed until Kiwi were penalised with a free kick, Louisson sending the ball Afreet £ Kiwi’s full-back, but he mulled badly ; Awahou. bysmart following Should certainly have scored, but forced Kiwi. Desmond kicked the ball o«t from 25 Co ey ouicklv returned; mixed play following until Kiwi were awarded a free kick, the ball being again returned to Kiwi s < 26. and the ball going out of touch the whistle sounded half time. In the second spell Jeffries kicked off for Awahou, after which a lot of line work £ indulged in. Broad finally taking a ■ mark, his kick however was of little . S?as Robinson returned', the line. From a throw in the ball was soon worked to quarters, Herbert, Desmond and Broad now playing a desperate game to avert defeat. From a good pass Puki made a good run, but after being collared held the baU too long, Awahou .I>emg awarded a free kick. Immediately afterwards Awahou were again allowed a free kick owing to off-side play, Louisson making good use o the touch line and getting the ballwell into Kiwi’s 25; g ive as ? d take P lay fol : lowed, Prestling making several neat marks and playing a good game behind the scrums. The game soon worked ts way down to Awahou’s 25. but only to be carried back by loose forward play on the part of the Awahou forwards from whom Puki took the ball and was streaking for Awahou s goal line but J. Coley bumping him out of touch saved what looked like a certain try The ball shortly afterwards was being played in the centre of the field _ until Presling again marked. Hooker a returned the kick. Shadbolt marking • and Hooker again returning it back to - Awahou’s 25- Kiwi now made a Change in the team, bringing Herbert and Broad, who had been practically wasted in the backs, into the forwards. Herbert immediately rushed the ball over the goal line, but as usual the thoughtless spectator was in the way, the ball being made dead owing to it etrikine him. The usual amount of serin work followed the ball finally going into touch, and the whistle

sounding closed one of the hardest fought games that has been seen for years. W. Kiriona had charge of the whistle and controlled the game in an impartial manner. For the local team it would be hard to individualise any single player, as all played a great game, there being not a waster or a loafer among them, but undoubtedly J. Joe, on the wing, played the best game on the ground, and we think, for real hard work, Jeffries and Jillett are also deserving of special mention. The backs all played good games, Shadbolt at full being the makings of a really good man. If this team could only practice together their chance would be second to none for the banner. For the Kiwis—Desmond, Herbert and Hooker were the pick of the for. wards, while among the backs Paki and G. Dunn were the pick. The first named was not given enough chances, as when he did get possession he showed that he was possessed of pace.

OLD §OYS v. WANDERERS. To-morrow afternoon the Old Boys’ Club play the Wanderers on the racecourse, when a good game should re* suit. The losing team Will entertain their opponents in the evening at a dinner at Mr Perreau’s refreshment room. The following have been selected to do battle for the Old Boys : —Full-back, J. Dunn ; three-quarters, B. Shadbolt, W. Cook, F. Whibley; five*eighth, G. Dunn (captain); half, K. Furrie; wings, C. Cummerfield and A, Cook; forwards, W. Spelman, B. Spelman, P. Jenks, J. Webb, A. Overend, A. Imrie and C. Edwards. Emergencies—Backs, G. Walls, G. Collins, Reid; forwards, H, Langley, W. Ashmore and F. Collins. The Old Boys’ team are requested to meet at the firebell corner sharp at 2.15. Mr L. Furrie will act as referee. MEETING OF DELEGATES. A meeting of the delegates representing the different football clubs now taking part in the Cup competition, was held on Saturday night in Messrs Shadbolt and Howan's premises. It was decided that the fixtures for next Saturday should be Kiwi Club to play Huias (Poroutawhao), and Awahou against Moutiti. Messrs Frew and Kiriona were appointed referees for these matches. Resolved, That three rounds be played for the Mayor’s (Mr Simpson) Cup. It was also resolved that all players must reside in the area mentioned in Rule 11. The following Appeal Committee were elected:—Messrs O. Robinson, J, Robinson, J. Symons, W. Cook and G. Stiles. A vote of thanks was passed to the chair, which concluded the meeting.

Messrs Pearson & Co., of Manchester House, intend to hold a huge farewell sale of drapery, commencing on the 4th of next month. Full particulars by advertisement will appear in next issue. We are glad to hear that Mr W. Dudson, who met with a such a distressing accident last Wednesday, is making good progress in Dr. Graham’s hospital. His many friends will be pleased to see him about again.