Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3536, 20 June 1905, Page 3

Football.

OLD BOYS (8) v. AWAHOU (o). Bv “True Stort.” Tho f the standard of Foxton football is improving goes without saving ; so much so that it, y-as an extreme ■pleasure to be a spectator at the above .match last Saturday afternoon at the Racecourse. General opinion favoured ithe chances of'Awahou, but the unexpected was to happen, and Old Boys ■carried their colours successfully .through, the ordeal, with the result tthat they rattled up eight points against lhair opponents nil. The fact that one of Manawatu’s selector's W9.S to have charge of the whistle brought a fair crowd to witness the event, and these could not have be en disappointed, for the ga>,rte was Certainly a fair exhibition '4I Rugb r y. The struggle was cons P r cnous l;or many tilings, notably the parked improvement in scrum forma lion, the alertness of the winning wing forwards, the splendid open play of ’Hooker and Joe, the perfect line-kick-ing of Barker, and the occasional tricky handling of the oval by Geo. Robin•son. Hall practice evidently worked wonders with the Old Boys team, tor they completely outstayed their opponents. If Awahou expect to claim the Simpson Cup, they certainly better follow the Old Boys’ lead. Len Furrie ((coach) must have been imparting his knowledge very freely to the blues, for the scrums were packed in order, and their line-out play was first-class. They bunched and spread-eagled on the line-out in a manner which may have done credit to much older clubs. Marshall and Hooker played the wing game thoroughly, and completely smothered what attack Awahou offerefo Take note, Awahou, and try and ’ tify this, otherwise you may agn : jn j )(J j n the state of demoralisation y ~/.v ^rp last Saturday. Now that a ums are getting more ship-v,, a j U would be as we I for the ' to deliver the ball qmckr t(t lhe half> This fault a bad one, , the } was es . penally J ith tfae & ld Boyß| and Jimmy /Junn was given absolutely no cnancr, set j sac j. g j n mc fo on _ oy nr ecessar iiy keeping it in the ® c * u 'm, the opposing backs are given _° r o great an opportunity of pouncing on yowr own- rearguard, with the result (that what attacking powers you may possess are nipped in the bud. “ Put ■the ball out quick and clean,” otherwise you may just as well “boost” it, as your backs are given no chance whatever to reap the benefit deriving out of scrum tactics.

Awahou won the toss, and “Joey ” set Jimmy Desmond and his men to work with the sun in their eyes and the wind against them. Awahou made the best of the advantage gained by the spin ot the coin, and commenced pressing Old Boys wit. 3 the vim and vigour of Togo’s rival fleet. They kept blues permed in their own twenty-fives ‘j 0 r folly half-an-hour, during wbfoh time "Fred Robinson made a r * o d, but unsuccessful, shot at the posts, from a free-kick. Another a ‘ to ,mpt by “ Rohby ” ended in a rewound. The blues managed to stave t>ff Awahou’s attack successfully, and half-time sounded without any scores registered. From the re-commence-ment of operations, the blues fought like lions, and the determined rushes of their forwards, backed up by the fine kicking of their backs, kept the Awahot’i backs very busy defending. That defence could not stand the hfyivy strain, and from a loose rush ilarshall scored first blond at a difficult angle. Hooker failed in his attempt to increase the points. Old Boys 3, Awahou nil. Spurred on by success, blues came at black again and after a little exchanging of kicks by the backs of each side, Wallace gave Fred Shadbolt possession, and the latter, after beating two Awahou backs badly, had a clear field before him. He eventually grounded the ball over the line. Hooker landed a pretty goal. Old Boy? 8, Awahou nil. There was no further score.

For the winners, Hooker fully substantiated his claim tor rep honours. Playing on the wing, he made the best of opportunites, and was always in the fore where hard work was necessary. The other winger, Marshall, played a dashing game, and, whilst taking the place of an extra back from opposing kick-offs, took the ball on the full in a manner which earned him much favourable comment. Of the pack, Syd. Wright J. Lee, G. Coley. Bert Dunn and Desmond were conspicuous on the line-ont, whilst all followed up well. In the backs, Bert Shadbolt showed great improvement, but Prank of the same ilk, had a day oft. Barker s Hoe-kicking was a treat, but the opposing backs kept an eager eye on him throughout, so far as open play was concerned. Wallace .and Fred Shadbolt proved they are not yet back numbers, and Jimmy Dunn was reliable. As to Awahou, Jimmy Joe excelled himself, and played a sterling game, whilst Meder, j. Coley, and W. Robinson all grafted like trojans. Geo. Robinson took the ball well, and tricked the blues badly on several occasions, but the rest of the backs were badly beaten. Certainly Fred Robinson and Williamson got in a few fine kicks, but W. Coley was not himself at all. Bales, at full, did some good work. The fact of ths matter was Old Boys felt like business and fairly paralysed the black rearguard, by following up •martly, and allowing Awahou no chance to dispose of the leather. Mr E. Nash refereed satisfactorily, the game being conducted in a most friendly spirit. Messrs Prcw and Sutherland held the touch flags.

NOTES. The sum of £2 15s 3d was taken at the Rates on Saturday last, Mr E. Nash had occasion to reprimand an unruly spectator on Saturday, for hooting, during the progress ot the game. I was pleased to notice the action of the referee received the plaudits of the public i It is pleasing to note that the Foxton spectators are assisting the Executive to keep the lines clear. By standing clear ot the field of play much {jpie is saved. Although excitement

was intense on Saturday last, the tone ot extremists was all permissable, and mainly took tlvj foi= m ofgood-htunorad barrack, Heard tc fait from the lips of ari Awahou player immediately foHo’vlng Old Boys first score on Safo'f.iav last: “By Joves, we’re reed pi l ers. ain’t we!” That sounds somethm s ' like Joe TilfoU’s humour, doesn’t u ?

riuia-Awahou match is sure to Be interesting next Saturday, for the Maori combination have been training hard, ft-!" 5 .:; Awahou say Old Boys tanghl them many points last week. The. Executive will hold a meeting at Laing’s Hotel next Monday evening to consider probable rep. matches. Amongst the teams mentioned as likely to be played are Dannevirke, Horowhenna, Kangitikei, and the Palmerston section second rep. team. Local enthusiasts arc already picking out rep. teams as likely to represent Foxton, and it appears to me the selection committee have no easy task set them.

There is a certain section of mannikins attending the Foxton football matches who evidently think it wise and honourable to rid themselves of undue banter and insult when the Union gatekeeper does his duty by asking them for the necessary sixpence. I would point out to such miscreants that their presence is not desirable, and also that the Executive wish their gate-keeper respected in future. If there is any repetition of the offence, trouble will ensue.

I hp one-eyed Critic is an unwelcome individual. 3lit perhaps the fact that some people w j lo ought to know better are against the Old Boys team p ecat]sc they have soma Kiwi P‘Ayers of last year, takes the biscuit. Ain’t it sickening ! I feel certain I voice the sentiments of every true and unbiassed sport when I hope the best team may win the Simpson Cup—whether it be Awahou, Huia, or Old Bovs.

Old Boys hold hall practise on Wednesday and Friday nights of this week.

I must congratulate Bill Hooker on being selected to represent Manawatu at Wanganui next Saturday. I feel sure the Old Boy forward will play a solid game, and thus retain his green and white guernsey throughout the season. Tkis will be unfortunate for his Foxton club, as should Manawatu gain the fixtures they ask fer, the big fellow will be busily engaged in rep. matches all bar one Saturday.

MANAWATU REPS,

TWO FOXTONITES SELECTED

The following team will represent Manawatu at Wanganui next Saturday :—Full-back, L. Skelly ; threequarters, Stalker, L. Fnrrie, Baker ; five-eight, Kinzett ; half, Hewitt ; wings, Johnston and Arch. McMinn ; forwards, Alex. McMinn (captain), Dilkes, Smith, Whisker, W. Hooker, Taylor, Galloway; reserves, Scott (back), Hepburn (forwards). [Palmerston Old Bovs have six men in ihe team, Institute four, Palmerston and Feilding two each, and Foxton Old Boys one. Iwiroa and Kia Toa (Palmerston) and Awahou and Hnia (Foxton) are unrepresented.] Ongley is omitted from the above toam owing to an injury. Caldwell, Butler, Gord, McMinn, Findlay, Hughes, McNac, Stevens, Armstrong, Adams, and Ward are requested to keep in form for future matches.

HANKINS SHIELD POINTS,

Northern S -a -O - y p ce rj d ci H S & Division. a a j? o « £ 5 o Poin s for Shield. Old Boys 7 6 0 1 12 Institute 7 5 0 2 10 Feilding 7 5 0 2 10 Palmerston 7 2 1 5 5 Kia Toa 7 2 0 5 4 Iwiroa 7 0 1 6 1 o r~i X o Section. Old Boy-J 4 2 1 1 5 Awahou 3 2 0 1 4 Huia 2 0 1 2 1