Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3539, 27 June 1905, Page 2

Football.

MANAWATU v. WANGANUI. By Orn Special Reporter, The Manawatu loam arrived ib Wanganui by the, n'.jo a.m. train, ancl .vere met by Messrs G. Spriggeas; (President) and Hall (Secretary; who welcomed the team on behalf of the Wanganui R.U. The team was taken to the Metropolitan Hotel v.hci'fl lunch ■vas provided, 'the game, which was played in a heavy downpour oa a half flooded ground, was consequently not an interesting one to watch. Manawatu were without the service* of Hooker who injured his knee flue* previous evening while at practice* and Furrie owing to an injured ankle. Hepburn (Old Boys) replaced Hooker* and Scott (Institute) played centre vice Furrie- McGregor replaced Hog?* on the ior Wanganui. The teams :—W'aaW.W't—(Blue and black), full back. Powriru’J : . three quarters, Craig, Takararigiv Jrtu^ » five* eighth, Butler; half, Arvsipw; wings, McGregor and Corbytowards, Thompson, Murray, Jones, JtllHSlie, Green, Dustin, Guscott. Green and white): Fid! back, Skciley ; three-quarters. Baker, Scott,StalkeV; five-eighth. Kinsett; half, Hewitt: wing?, A. McMinn and Johnston ; forwards, P« McMinn, Dilks, Smith, Whisker, Taylor, Galloway, Hepburn'. Wanganui kicked off, Skellcv returning to touch near half wav. "From line efut Anslow secured a mark, placing Matfawatii on the defensive. A free kick to Manawatu and a good kick bv Kinsetf tfave relief. Smith got off-side and a iree kick to Wanganui was returned by Shelley well up the line. Taylor headed H green rush which was stopped Sty numerous- infringements by green# nullifying many good efforts on the part of thcT forwards, but eventually a forward ri!?h headed by Hepburn resulted in Wanganui being forced, Manawatu infringed from kick opt. causing a scrum t& fro packed on 25 line. Another force to __ Wanganui, o-ave them relief, but a fine line kick by Hewitt brought play to the blues Z L A. McMinn headed a forward rush which was getting dangerous until stopped by Pownall who kicked out. Corby headed a blue rush and caught Skelley napping but HeWdkt relieved pressure with a quick mark. After an exchange of kicks between Hewitt and McDonald, Taylor headed ' a forward msh from a line out. After more line out work Paddy McMhua got across but was ruled off-side and a free kick to Wanganui was returned by KinsAt to Takarangi who booted out. Oft-side play gave a Tee kick and long Mac had an ineffectual attempt at goal. The greens seemed to be getting the best of matters at this stage.' After numerous marks, line kicks and mulls bv both sides Kinsett who was using his feet and following up well kicked across diagoh* illy and Stalker racing up fell on the ball drawing first blood for greens. Scott failed with the kick. Forward struggles enlivened by good kicks by Stalker, Scott, Pownall and McDonald kept play going up and down for a dine until a shot at goal by Takara- gi saw Manawatu forced. A forward rush led by Gordon Thompson ki?pt the greens defending until good liil£ kicking by Stalker staved the attack, . half time sounding with the ball ort at half way. Ends were changed without intermission owing to the unpleasant conditions. Takarangi returned the kick to centre flag A b’g rush by the blue forwards ended in th* h ill going out at about two yards from dm line/ P. McMinn wks instrumental in relieving the pressure but Wanganui again came at it until b n aten off bv a good line kick from behind his own line by Skelley. A giod kick by Hewitt was returned by Pownall to Scott who found touch. From the hue out a forward rush headed by Green and McGregor took the ball across Manawatu’s line behind the msts when three Manawatu’s missed 'orcing the result being that Corby scored for Wanganni amidst great enthnsiam, Takarangi converted makt ing the scores 5 to 3 in favour of th* blues. The reverse moved the green.* q to greater efforts and the big forward -' made things unpleasant for the blue, until a counter rush initiated by Gree*-* and Jones was stopped by SkellyJ Johnston getting offside gave Wanganui a free-kick and the opposing backs, missing the slippery ball, were only saved from trouble by the timely intervention of Jack Baker. Whisker 1 next became prominent with a dribbling rush but Craig ended it by kicking out. A mark and high kick by Green resulted in Manawatu being forced.- • Stalker returned kick ,and placed me* ’ onside by running along the line, but Hie referee missed the point and penal-... ised the greens for offside play, Wan- .. ganui preferring a scrum back, Anslow secured the ball from the scrum and passed to Butler who kicked out at the 255. From subsequent play An- ' slow secured a. mark in front of the posts and Takarangi placed a goal () —3. Prom the kick out Stalker got in some good work, but SkelD got his side into trouble by trying to run round the opposing forwards instead of kicking. A free kick to the blues caused Manawatu to force. From a scrum near midfield the bah went from Hewitt to Kinsett to Scott to Baker who was collared by Craig. After more forward work a passing run between Butler, Takarangi and McDonald was ended by Scott collaring the last named near the line. Galloway relieved the tension by fait - following and eventually Wanganui was ,f nlaced on the defensive. A clever mark by Hewitt gave Taylor a chance at goal but the ball was too heavy, Wanganui forcing. After the kick out Skelly was again caught running round men, a fault which counteracted much’ ■' good work done by him. From a scrum near Wanganui’s 25s Guscott' was ordered off for striking at a player. Tiie next incident to claim the attention of the onlooker was a passing rush from the line out started hv Kinsett, who transferred to Taylor, to Scott, to Baker who was collared bv Craig. >: This put the blues on the defensive until they were relieved by Green and"’ Thompson. Manawatu returned to the attack and kept the blues »a the de« '

fcasive. Anslew relieve temporarily by a mark, but Gallr^ way camc back to the attack. Go» y c k s by Takagradually w' jr^ cd p j ay up the line. Manawatu came to the attack and forc^; Wanganui, Johnston showing up nn the attack. Play i or J,' -Awards ended with a. kick by McD t 0 the. half way flag, the s a ',m; ending in a win for Wanganmbygto3. or Wanganui in the hacks the were Pownall. McDonald and /aka rang! who handled the hall well in the mud and slush. Anslow at iialf got some good marks at times but (could not compare with Hewitt for all round work. Butler and Craig were patchy, not being quite so much at home in the mud. In the forwards Green and Thompson wera easily the best although all worked hard to have effect under the conditions than their haavy opponents. Corby on the wing proved a consistent follower and pat in much effective work, tinscott played a hard For Manawatu tha best of the backs were Hewitt, Stalker and Klnsett. J. Baker got very little to do khe play generally being on the opposite side. Scott kicked and collared well but was not at home. Scotty amphibious. Skelly did * n ’ambßr of good things, but his full display was spoilt by two features 'one as pointed out and the other as that he is accustomed to run to tha line too far before kicking. Kinsett’s footwork is worthy of mention, I n the forwards there seemed a want of •combination, the work deme m this department being good individually but individuality will not win matches. Alex McMi’jn played a good game right through and was perhaps the pick of'. t)e forwards. Archie McMinn displaced dash at tim&s but his condition seemed to give out. Johnston, Taylor, Smith Whisker and Hepburn grafted hard all through and Galloway shone out towards the end. Dilks did not seem to be able to keep mp with the game. Mr Bassett gave -general satisfaction as referee, the renditions not adding to the ease of bis billet. Messrs Alf. Gray and J. Skelly discharged tha duties of line unpires under distressing conditions, the line in seme places being submerged.

AWAHOU (14) v. HUIA (3), By “True Sport.” Saturday last was anything but desirable waather for outdoor sports ; nevertheless, jt was decided that the above game was to proceed. Awahou ® us *.Bied strongly, but Hnia started with twelve men, eventually finishing the game out pluckily with still one man short. Considering the greasy state of the leather, Awahou backs showed good form, and handled the oval with fair combination. Jimmy Joe vacated his place on the wing, and mined Jeffries in the front row, and 'these two “ hookers ” are to be complimented on the manner in which they Secured (he leather and despatched it to the half-hack. Old Boys will have a hard nut to crack when they meet Jimmy Joe in his new position, and it will not surprise me to hear of the Awahou skipper joining Paiidy JlcMinn in the rep. ranks shortly. Old Billy Keriona was induced to do battle For Huia, but his play generally was that of one sadly out of form. Kerry refused to go down to a force, and one ridiculous try was scored as a result, la the first spell, Carter and W. Robinion scored for Awahou, neither of which were converted. Shortly after ticiramencement, Keriona landed a from a penalty which made the siore 6—3 in Awahou’s favour. Then, Awahou had matters all their own way, and Jillett and Joe both landed over the touch line with the ball in »ias«ssioa for their team. Fred Robinson converted one of these tries with a fine kick, and there was no further score. For Awahou, Frank Spiers played the best forward game oo the ground. His knowledge of the Same was sound,‘and he helped his acks considerably, initiating passing bouts. Of the others, Joe, Jeffries, Meder and Carter played consistently. Geo. Robinson, at half, did not utilise his backs thoroughly, and made no »o«lings. You have average backs. Why not use them ? Kicking is all fight in defence. C. Robinson has a (it of fool- but his passing on Saturday was very wild. Coley and Fred Robinson showed marked improvement, and Prcstling and Cunningham handled the leather fairly. It was hard to single out any Huia backs for special mention. They did not relish the wet going, and rarely took the greasy ball. Kereama was the best of them. Their forward* were a game let, and worked exceedingly well under •vorwhelming odds. Taylor, Royal, UPd their only winger deserve mention. The whistle was held by Mr Jones, late of the Auckland district, who gave eimplfte satisfaction. Messrs bred Puna and Norman Barker held the touch-flags against the unruly elements.

HANKINS SHIELD POINTS

NOTES. The sum of 13s was taken at the gates on Saturday. Old Boys hold practice at the Public Hall to-morrow night, when all those who wish a game on Saturday thoild attend. Huia are said to be placing a particularly strong t»am in the field next Saturday, when they are pitted against Old Soys. Ifjall accounts be true, the

Porotawhao boys will help their native brethren. The attendants should be large. Mr and Mrs L alug are giving a complimentary dinner to footballers on the night, of next Old Boys—Awahou match, July Bth. Both Awahou and Old Boys are going into solid hall practice, so a first class game should be witnessed on Saturday, July Bth. Awahou have now one point lead for the Cup, and, pro. ruled Old Boy* defeat. Hob next Saturday, the tussle between the two town teams should be worth going a long way to see.

EXECUTIVE MEETING. The Foxton Football Executive met at Laing’s Hotel last evening, there being present—Messrs Frew (in the chair), P. W. Jenks, J. Jillett, F. Robinson, and the secretary. The minutes of the previous ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed.

Correspondence was also read and received.

The Treasurer reported the Executive to be £4 4s in Credit. Considerable discussion took place over the gate receipts being curtailed considerably through the referee expense entailed, and, on the metian of Mr Robinson, it was eventually decided “ That for tjie future local referees be appointed in all Cup matches, unless competing Clubs notify the secretary of the Executive at least' three days before the match that they wish an outside referee, and accompany the said notification with the sum •£ 30s to cover transit expanses.” The Chairman and Secretary were given authority to postpone matches in case of bad weather.

The matter ot rep. matches camejup for discussion, and the secretary was instructed to write and secure the following dates, if possible : Manawatu Second Reps, at Palmerston North, ou Wednesday, July sth; a return match to be asked for later an at Foxton. Rangitikei Reps, at Foxton, on July 19th, a return to be played at Bulls later in the season.

Dannevirke Reps, at Palmerston North, oa Wednesday, and August. Horowhenua, at Foxton, on a date to be arranged. The selectors will meet at the Herald Office immediately after Saturday’s match and choose the team to play Manawatu Seconds. The team will play in Awahou (black) guernseys, and those picked must provide themselves with white pants. This is absolutely necessary, as the team must be well dressed to face the Manawatu Showground audience. All those chosen must attend hall practice next Monday night. The team will be posted up at E. Ball’s on Saturday evening. It was decided that the presentation of medals and cup be made at a concert to be held at the close of the season, and the full Executive wera appointed a committee to engage outside talent and work the affair up successfully. , A .. After the usual vote of thanks to the chair, and to Mr Laiug for the use ef the room, the business closed.

Northern Division. V «? _ n p= 8 -SI 5 5 s -3 S? o h a & Lost Pom's for Shield. Old Bovs 7 6 0 1 12 Institute 7 5 0 2 10 Poilding 7 5 0 2 10 Palmerston 7 2 1 4 5 Jtia Tor 7 2 0 5 4 Iwiroa 7 0 1 6 1 Foxton Section. Awahou 4 8 0 1 6 OH Boys 4 2 1 1 5 Muia 4 0 1 8 1.