Football.

Manawatu Herald, 23 August 1904, Page 2

Football.

CUP MATCHES. Despite tho unfavourable weather a goodly number of spectators were on the racecourse to witness the football matches on Saturday afternoon. The new ground, around which a fence has been erected, proved a boon both to players and those assisting in controlling tho games, and every praise is due to those who did the work. The first game to start was the'

Huia v. Awahoo

combination, and at times was very exciting, some good play on both sides being shown. Awahou won the toss, and the Huias had to battle against the heavy wind prevailing, and on this account good back play was almost impossible, the ball in many instances being blown forward when passed to another player, The first spell ended in Awahou’s favour, F. Robinson having kicked a goal from a penalty through the -Huia’s full-back holding the ball too long. The second half of the game commenced with every appearance against the Awahous, as they had now to play against the wind. From a loose scrum in Awahou’s 25’s F. Robinson secured the ball, and quickly passing to W, who made a splendid run to the other end of the field, dodging (and passing the Huia backs, and eventually touching down near the corner flag. The'kick at goal was a good one, the Ball, 1 just going a little to one side. From the kick-out Awahou livened up, and the Huias were on the defence fighting hard to stave off defeat, but the Awahou forwards were not to be denied, and after some loose scrums and lineouts J. Lee was carried and pushed over the line in company with the ball, and touching down scored Awahou’s second try. The kick at goal was a failure. The Huias again kicked off, and following up well play? settled down in the centre until a long,kick sent the ball to B. Shadbolt,, who punted out of touch, and the whistle sounding no-sideleft Awahou winners by 9 points to nil.

Kiwi v. Motuiti.

This proved a fax' more interesting game than was anticipated. The Motuiti forwards, who have improved wonderfully, played well and saved their side time after time. The Kiwi team had also altered their tactics, and wefe playing (considering the wind) a splendid back game. G. Dunn, playing at half, kept feeding his backs ' with great regularity, and gave them plenty of work to do. The first spell ended without any score having been recorded against either team. In the second half the Kiwis had the wind in their favour, and from the kick-off quickly assumed the aggressive. After •some innumerable scrums and lineouts a free kick was awarded The ball being centred, P. got possession and transferring to W. Hooker, this player scrambled over the line and touched down. The kick at goal was taken by Broad, who with great judgment succeeded in putting the leather over the bar from a very difficult angle. Later on this same player succeeded in kicking a goal from a penalty kick, the Kiwis thus winning a hard-fought game by 8 points to nil. I Mr ]. Frew acted as referee for both games, his decisions giving general satisfaction.

MEETING OF DELEGATES. A meeting of delegates from the different Clubs was held at Mr Haywood’s Hotel on Saturday last,; Mr A. Shadbolt in the chair. The delegates present were Messrs F. Robinson and J. Jillett (Awahou), Tuna and Pataki (Motuiti), R. Siggs and D. Tatana (Huia), and J. Desmond and T. Curtis (Kiwi). The minutes of the previous meeting being read and confirmed and summary business dealt with, the Huia v. Kiwi protest was gone into. Mr F. Robinson (Awahou) said he had gone into the matter on behalf of the Huia team and the Union, and had collected sufficient evidence proving that the member objected *to was a bona fide resident.

Mr Tatana (Huia) said ing Mr Robinson’s statement;was correct there was no further! need of going into the matter; Mr Desmond (Kiwi) said he could produce evidence that would corro-borate-Mr Robinson’s, statement and on being put to-the meeting the protest was disallowed in favdutftfjf Kiwi. On the motion ot Mr Jillett, a transfer was granted In favour of Alcorae (Motuiti) into the Awahou Club, i

Referees were appointed for Saturday’s games as followsMr Frew to have charge of the Huia v. Motuiti match, and Mr Kiriona the Kiwi v. Awahou match.

Resolved, That a vote of thanks be accorded to Messrs Hickson & Reeve and Mr G. Coley for fencing material and labour done to football ground. Some discussion regarding a concert and dinner to be held at the end of the season was gone into, and a strong committee was drawn up to proceed with the matter at once. Votes of thanks to the chair, and to Mr Haywood for the use of the joom concluded the meeting.

BRITAIN v. AUCKLAND.

This match, played in Auckland on Saturday, resulted in an easy win for the colonials by the good margin of 13 points to nil. By sheer superior play the Britishers were beaten at all points of the game, and much jubiliation was witnessed in the city at the result. There was an enormous attendance, over 20,000 persons assembling. The match was followed with intense interest and frequent excitement. When Auckland, however, had scored 8 points, a quarter of an hour before the call of time, there was a large exodus ot those to whom the struggle no longer held any interest. There was a great demonstration at the end.

DEFEATED AT ROTORUA. The British team played a Maori fifteen at Rotorua yesterday. At half-

time Britain had scored six and the Maoris nil. The final scores Were —Maoris 8, Britain fi. , For Auckland was reserved the hqni our of being the only province 10 clefeat the British touring team ol 1904, with the result that there was “ a not time in the old town at nigh.” The N.Z. 'l imes’ correspondent says ‘' all up and down Queen-street until after midnight there was scattered cheering, and it seemed as if all Auckland was strutting about in its features of victory, asking itself what it thought of itself. Had not Auckland given the Britishers the most complete defeat: they had yet experienced ? Had not Auckland won by thirteen points to nil ? Certainly it had. Well, then, fill ’Cm up again !” Mr Bedoll-Sivrighl, although his team had only won two games out of five, and was beaten by the colony’s representative fifteen, is not overcome with admiration of New Zealand play. On Saturday night after the Auckland match he said he considered our football of only fair standing and—no more. Asked what chances the New Zealand touring team would have in the Old Country, he replied that it would beat many of the club teams, but would be defeated by the representative teams. The loss of the Auckland match he put down to the staleness of bis men. He expressed to the people of the colony his own and the team’s appreciation of the kindness and enthusiastic receptions extended to them everywhere. They had all enjoyed themselves thoroughly,

The following team will represent Old BoyS in their match against the Wanderers on Wednesday afternoon, play to commence at 3 o’clock sharp ‘ ~Pull-back, W.Cook; three-quarters, B. Spelman, F. Whibl'Cy, C. Edwards ; . five-eight, A, Overend ; half, K. Furtie; wings, G. Dunn (captain), B. Shad bolt; forwards, E. Spelman, M. Cook, J. Webb, C. Cummerfiekl, G. Honore, P. Jenks, J. Dunn. Emergencies: C. Wanklyn, A. Imrie and ■ P. Wright. ‘No charge will be made for admission to the ground. MrJ. ' Frew will have charge of the game. , The team to represent the Wan- - derers will be;—Full-back, F. Walls; three-quarters, Wilson, Saveli, ALdorf; nve-eighth, J. Coley; half-back, W, Walker; wings, J. Walker, G. Coley; forwards, Broad, White, Williams, Huse, McDonald, Downy, Easton. Emergencies:—Andresen, Hick- ... son, Evans and E. Walker. The team selected are requested to be on the ground at 2 p.m. sharp. A meeting of the Wanderer Club was held last evening in Mr Perreau’s room. Mr Downy presided, and about 18 members attended. Mr R. Hickson was appointed secretary. A number of rules were adopted, and a Selection Committee was appointed. The Club J decided to join the Union in conjunction with the Old Boys. After supper was indulged in, votes of thanks to _ the chair and to Mr Pen eau for the B use of the room, concluded the meeting.