Football.

Manawatu Herald, 25 October 1904, Page 3

Football.

WANDERERS V. FOXTON.

By “ Tbue Sport.”

The above contest at the Racecourse on Saturday last resulted in n very easy victory for Wanderers by 22 to love. Foxton placed rathei' a weak team in the field for what reason is mere conjecture. However, the fact remains that a large number of the picked fifteen failed to put in an appearance. Some of those missing were incapacitated, but others, it is said, refused to don the guernsey for reasons best known to themselves. It is about time this antagonistic feeling among Clubs found rest in a burial ground, and footballers generally throughout the district worked more in unison with one another. Let us hope that in future g'uch will be the case, and football is sure to reach a high degree of efficiency in the Foxton quarter. The refereed duties would be materially lessened if sides were to make it a practice of playing in colours in distinct contrast to one another. On Saturday the colours were very conflicting, and it would be advantageous to remedy this fault. Generally speaking, the. game was fought out in excellent spirit. Certainly, a degree of enmity was prevalent at times, but this “ hot - headedness ” was quickly overcome by contestants, who are beginning to realize that “ football is only football after all.” Wanderers took the field on Saturday with 18 men for most part of the first spell, but this handicap did not prevent them from crossing the coveted line, which fact, no doubt, influenced the “ devil “ and dash of the locals to vanish like the atmosphere of a pricked balloon. Of course, the superiority of the visitors was too great, but had the opposition put better heart and energy into the game, Wanderers would have been compelled to work much harder to put up the undoubted score they registered. There is no excuse for Foxton going to pieces like they done. The game needs little descrip- ■ tion - suffice it to say that the visitors had considerably the beat of the ordeal in every department of the game. There is “good material” in our midst, and it is to be hoped that the ranks of this “ material ” referred to will considerably swell numerically as a result of the exhibition the Wanderers gave. For the winners, Barker (2), M. Winiata (2), Bartholomew and Wallace scored tries, two of which were converted by Smith and King. All of these players worked well for Wanderers, together with Merson, the midget half-back. Winiata captained the winners, and D. Tatana skippered the Foxton reps. Joe, Robinson (2), Coley, Louissofi, Tatana, Jeffries and Curtis were each prominent at stages for the home team. Mr Sutherland refereed, whilst . Messrs J. Frew and N. Hefca held the touch flags THE DINNER.

- After the match, both teams dined together at Laing’s Hotel, His Worship the Mayor (Mr G 4' SinQ P 8 0“) occupying the chair. His Worship ■ heartily welcomed the visiting team to Foxton, and after complimenting the victors on their win, hoped next time the Foxton Reps, met the Wanderers, Foxton would “turn the tables” upon them. He spoke at length on football matters generally, and felt perfectly satisfied the winning team had given an exposition that day which would prove of great benefit to our local exponents. Other speakers were very outspoken in their remarks as to Foxton football and it* management. The ** Powers of ths Press as instanced by the Herald representative brought forth strong comment from the Mayor as to why those Powers were were not utilised more. What threatened to be a stormy combat on Press influence was nipped in the bud by Mr A. Shadbolt, whose quota of eulogy, together with the retaliation of the Herald rep. that he spoke of the Press generally, practically . disposed of the subject. The speakers included:—Mr M, Winiata (Capt. Wanderers Club), hltfl). Tatana (Capt. Foxton Reps.), The Referee, Mr A. Shadbolt (Sec. Fqxton Rugby Union), Mr N. F. Barker (Farmer), and Mr E. G. Sutherland Three cheers for the Mayor, and “ Auld Lang Syne ” terminated the proceedings. THE MUCH-COVETED CUP. A PLEASING FINALE. Immediately after the Dinner, a meeting of the Foxton Rugby Union was held to consider who should be awarded the Presentation Cup donated by His Worship the Mayor i Mr G. A. Simpson). PresentMessrs D. Tatana, M. Winiata, N. ; Beta, L Jillett, F. Robinson, J. Desmond, T. Curtis, J. Frew, the Secretary and President. As President of the Union, the Mayor occupied the chair. He said

he gave the Cup to be won right out, and would be pleased to Lave it inscribed and hand it over to the successful team. But there were three claims for the trophy* and all thought they were entitled to it. It was for the delegates present to decide who should have the Cup. Mr D. Tatana moved, “ That the Cup be given to the Huia Club.” This was seconded by M. Winiata. The mover said he could prove that his team played fair, and that his men were all in the boundary. Several delegates disproved Mr D. Tatana's remarks, and brought facts to show that his team had violated the rules and also that the Huia’s were as bad as the Kiwi’s. The motion was lost. Another motion was moved by F. Robinson, seconded by J. Jillett, “ That the Cup be awarded to the Awahou Club.” This motion was carried on the casting vote of the Chairman, but their seemed a deal of dissatisfaction over the result. When Awahou were defeated in the play-off against Kiwi, Mr Curtis said he could bring proof that Awahou were equally as bad as the rest, and had broken the rules. The Chairman said that there seemed to be no team entitled to the Cup so far as rules were concerned. The Kiwi delegates admitted playing men out of the district, and it was proved Huia were likewise guilty, while Awahou were defeated in the play-off. So, to test the feeling of the meeting, the Chairman moved, “ That the Cup be held over until next season,” when he. hoped the Union would be run on a sound basis. Mr D. Tatana seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Bhadbolt explained that as secretary he had no control over the delegates at the meetings or in the business of the Union. His opinion was that Foxton should be affiliated with some outside Union. A vole of thanks to Mr Laing for the use of the room, and the usual vote to the chair, concluded a good humoured meeting. Moutoa and Motuiti played a drawn game on the racecourse on Thursday last. Mr J. Frew refereed. These teams play a return match for a dinner this week.