Football.

Manawatu Herald, 20 September 1904, Page 3

Football.

AWAHOU V. KIWI. [By “ True Sport.”] “ Brute force and ignorance ” predominated in the contest for supremacy between the above teams at the Racecourse on Saturday last. Of football there was none, nor will there be until players educate themselves in the correct rulings of the game and rid themselves of antagonistic feelings when they enter the football arena. To. the uninterested casual observer, it appeared as if there was a greater desire to “ scrag ” than to give an exhibition of New Zealand’s national ■ game. Evidently the Foxton Union’s affairs are badly managed, otherwise there would not be such “ wrangling ” in football matters under its jurisdiction. I do not for one moment say that players are entirely to blame for the bitter feeling which exists between different clubs, for a visit to the racecourse on Saturday last would convince any impartial person that there were present a section of “ undesirable ” spectators whose actions would not be permitted under good management. The majority of Foxton citizens have a love for pure sport, but should the Foxton Rugby Union not put its foot down firmly and stamp out the “ undesirable ” element, and so keep the sport clean, and have football played as it should be played, it will assuredly find the enthusiastic spectator failing to put in an appearance at future .matches, and the donation of trophies by proihinent citizens become a thing of the past. And without public support, football will once more become a dead letter in our midst. For the benefit of the majority who like to see good sport, it is to be hoped those in authority will act wisely, j Coming to the game, it needs little description. Awahou had decidedly the best of the tussle throughout, though Kiwi pressed hard at times. - There was little science or skill shown, but what there was Awahou were responsible for. It was simply a “ wrangle.” Still, there was good material on both sides, and if the rules were better understood and adhered to, a worthy combination could be got together from this quarter. On neither side was there any effective method of play adopted—the first rudiments of . the game being at a discount. The scrums were packed in a “ ship-shod ” fashion, and the backs worked with little knowledge in attack, though in Bjtdefence merit was noticeable. It may doing good to advise players to discontinue appealing in the manner adopted by them on Saturday. Ro- ' member that you have a referee in charge, whose whistle will inform you of any infringement. The attempts to rival Paddy McMinn, New Zealand’s champion “ hooker,” were decidedly ' fanny, though Fred Charles (Awahou) Showed aptitude, and should he continue to follow Rugby, may catch the pjre of the selector under a larger

Union. The first spell ended with no score registered. Shortly after halftime, however, Robinson (Awahou) was given a shot at goal from a penalty, and succeeded in landing a beautiful goal from a difficult angle, to the tune of loud “ Hurrahs ” from Awahou’s supporters. This was the only score made throughout the game, and left the Blacks winners by three points to nil. Tyrrell (Kiwi) had two or three shots at goal from the field, but failed. For Awahou, Louisson did some good line kicking, whilst the full-back was fairly safe. In the forwards, J, Joe was always on the job, and O’Brien shone at times. Kiwi had some good material in the rearguard, but it was practicaily wasted through their forwards failing to tranfer possession of the leather to more capable hands. Sweeney was the best of the forwards. Mr Frew endeavoured to make an impartial arbitrator, though some of his decisions were decidedly novel, and this writer fails to find many of his rulings concur with the correct reading of the rules. Towards the close of the game, the reteree had occasion to order two players off the field —Robinson (Awahou) and Robinson (Kiwi) —for indulging in bot-headed tactics. Blows were administered, one of which the referee was forced to receive. At a subsequent meeting of the Union on Saturday night, both players were suspended for the remainder of the season. SHANNON V. “ OLD BOYS.” The following will represent “ Old Boys ” against Shannon on the racecourse to-morrow afternoon :—Fullback, K. Furrie ; three-quarters, J. Coley, W. Coley, B. Wilson; fiveeight, W. Cook; half, B, Spelman; wing forwards, A. Shadbolt, J. Coley ; forwards, E. Spelman, A. Cook, J. Webb, F. Whibley, P. Jenks, S. Wright, C. Cummerfield. Emergencies: G. Coley, C. Edwards, A. Imrie, A. Overend.