Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3543, 6 July 1905, Page 3

Football.

iFOXTON REPP,. C. MANAWATU B

.MANAV'ATU (18) FOXTON (3)

By “True Sport.”

The weather broke dismally wet yesterday morning, but that did not prevent a large following of ciUhusiasts journeying to Palmerston North to witness the above tvent. On anival at the lattej* place, the team indulged in' gyrmirtShtrn practice for an hour, after whiteh the Foxton visitors were cntert.AUied at dinner at the Caff; dc Paris Hotel by the Manawatu Rugby UPaon.—Mr H. Muller (secretary), on behalf of the northern body, extended a hearty welcome to Foxton visitors generally. It was pleasing to know that Foxton football was oh tlTe upgrade, and that Mauawafrt would be sitrengthened by the inclusion of players from the Foxton section. The ■electors would keen-a keen eye on them th?A day. He concluded by hoping an interesting game would tie Witnessed. —Mr Sutherland, seerctaiy ot the Foxton Executive, briefly Teturned thanks for the hearty welcome extended, aud felt sure the selectors would be of the opinion, after witnessing the Foxtoniana play, that there were some amongst them who could worthily represent the district. Foxton «Jvd not expect to win, but he expected •an interesting struggle. TUI-GAMS'. Manawatu put a strong team in the field, especially ot forwards. They must'have been able to give their opponents more than a stone all aroum-k The Foxton picked team all iptft ui an appearance except Hanna, whose place was taken by Desmond. Barker captained, the visitors and Bonn the locals. The game was conspicuous for the splendid passing rushes of Manawatu forwards and backs, the solid stand made by the visiting vanguard in scrum work and tight play, and the brilliant game played by Barker, who was easily the best back on the ground. . His defence was superb,—it was like bumping a stonewall to attempt to beat him. The msuMier in which he threw himself at Iris weightier attackers and brought them to mother earth, and the way he dived into bunches of solidly built oppositionists and alighted with the leather to safely boot it to touch, earned for him many commendable remarks. Manawatu football circles should welcome the Old Boys centre three•quarter as a decided acquisition. His game yesterday must nearly gain him a position in the Manawatu touring team. Hooker was another to shine out. His display was certainly possessed of merit. The first half was of an even nature, Mat Royal gaining a try from a scrambling rush, whilst Manawatu scored just on the minute of half time. With scores even, Manawatu’s condition and general knowledge began to assert itself in (be Second half, . Instead of keeping the game close, at which Foxton held thenown, the greens made the play open, with the result that the ideals fairly outclassed the visiting rearguard by forward passing rushes which it was a treat to witness. The greens were quick at finding the weak- spot in onr backs, the right wing three-quarter and played to it. They scored five tries, none of which were converted, though both Johnston and Ward made •plendid attempts. Manawatu’s trygetters were Lowe (2), R. Monro” Stevens and Bateman (2). For Foxton, Fred Robinson and Reihana made unsuccessful attempts at the goal posts. For the winners, jack Hughes, Kiniett, Boon and Stevens (hacks), and “Infant” McNae, Gordon McMinn, Johnson, and Bateman forwards) were lh« pick. Barker was the outstanding back for Foxton, with Mat Royal next best, jimmy Dunn worked well, whilst Tawhal (who received a bad kick over the eye early In the game), was useful. Of Kereama, the least said the better ; be made no effort to collar, and abso lately refused to go down to a rush —a ®omplete frost. Fred Robinson got in doe or two clever kid s, and thereby relieved his side, but on the whole his exhibition was decidedly weak. Why he was not noticeable at times when Kereama was troubled, is a mystery. Of the forwards, Hooker made (he most solid showing, whilst Bill Robinson on the other wing, worked hard. Spiers, Joe, and Syd. Wright were noticeable in the open, whilst Peter Reihana (lock) held his pack together well. Desmond was showing np in the thick, and he and Jeffries did their share of -hooking, although the ball seemed to hang in the scrum—a fault ■oticealble on both sides. One of the Foxton hookers was penalised a lot yesterday, evidently for infringing—a fault which must be remedied.

Mr Jones refereed, whilst Messrs Frew (Foxton) ami Drew (Manawatu) held the touch flags. A return match will be played later on in Foxton.

NOTES. The Misses Laing are presenting the Awahou Chib with a set of rosettes.

Awahou in the Masonic Hall, and Old Boys in the Public Hall, hold practices to-night. Awahon’s team for Saturday : —Joe, Jeffyies, J. and W. Coley. Jillett. Cook, Williams, Spiers, Carter, W., C., G., and F, Robinson, Williamson, and Prestling. Emergencies ; Broad, Ashmore. Bales, Cunningham. Old Boys will be represented by the following against Awahou : W. Svmons, F. and A. Shadbolt, Barker, Wall ace, J. Dunn, Hooker, Marshall. Lee, Desmond, G. Coley, Curtis, Bert Dunn, S. Wright, and R. Newth. The following have been selected to represent New South Wales against New Zealand to-morrow Full-back, Hadley; three-quarters, M. Smith, B. Smith, Rnthven, Penman: halves, Anzleark, McMahon; forwards. Barnett, Burge. Hirschberg, Lamb, Swanaell, Judd, Burden, O'Donnell. It is to be hoped the local boys will diake good use of the lesson taught them at Palmerston yesterday. A lot of good play should result here as the

outcome of the concerted forward passing rushes indulged in by Manawatn. Another point which must have impressed on Foxtflniians was the mann«r in which the Green** foUoV/ed each other up-.

i In ah lihev ili-nod. AT r Archie Me Minn | will be 'present, at Laing’s dinner on j f-aillrday night to preside at the piano. ' Mr Manning, referee, will also attend, whilst Mr G. A. Simpson, President of the Executive, will preside.

Qne of the best workers with the rep. team yesterday was Nat Gould, who filled the double role of trainer and sub-manager. I understand that the genial Nat has been appointed to fill, those honorary positions for the season-.

The Raitgilikei Rugby Union write staling they will not be able to visit Foxton this season, but are agreeable to play a match at Sandon on the suggested date, Wednesday, July 19th, Foxton and Rangitikei Unions to divide the gate money. The match will accordingly take place on the above date-

HANKINS SHIELD POINTS,

Northern Division.

Team Matches played Won Drawn 1 Lost Poin's f 01 Shield.

In the above table, a forfeit is counted as a loss.

Old Boys 8 7 0 1 14 Feilding 8 fi 0 2 12 Institute 8 5 0 3 10 Palmerston 8 3 1 4 7 Jvia Tea 8 2 0 6 4 Iwiroa 8 0 1 7 1 Foxton Section. Old Boys S 8 1 1 7 Awahou 4 *> 0 1 6 Huia 5 0 ■ 1 4 1.