Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3688, 19 June 1906, Page 2

Football.

THE SANDONITES DE-

FEATED.

HUIA (6) v. SANDON (3).

The Austin Banner competition match at the racecourse on Saturday afternoon last attracted a large crowd of spectators who roared themselves hoarse barracking for the popular Huia combination. Whether it was this fact that aided the native team to victory or not, we cannot say, but it must, in a measure, be attributed to the eventual success which Davey Tatana and his men credited themselves with. The Huias deserve all credit for defeating the unbeaten Sandon representatives. They were the better team on the day, and big Tiny McNae admitted the fact unhesitatingly at the conclusion of the struggle. When the teams lined out, it was generally thought a walk-over for Sandon, while Huia were weakened by the absence of Desmond, Puti, and others. However, the unexpected happened, and ere the game had been in progress long, it was seen Sandon were fighting against great odds —a strong sun and wind. This exhausted much of their dash, a fact Huia were not slow to notice. Just oil the call of half-time, Davey Tatana potted a lovely goal —almost from half-way —from a mark. This gave Huia a three points lead, and the spectators showed their delight by going frantically mad for the moment. Following re-commence-ment of operations, Tiny McNae and his men made vigorous onslaughts on the black line, but each attack was repulsed by a surprising impregnable defence. Time came when Huias kicking powers took the leather down to the Blue 25. From a loose scrum in that quarter, the leather was booted to Marshall, who transferred to Tatana. The latter beat a couple of men, and sent the oval on to Tua Napier, who dashed over the Hue and put the finishing touch on one of the prettiest tries ever scored in Foxton. Th® public were not slow to appreciate this splendid piece of football, and phiy had to be temporarily suspended while loud cheering denied even the referee’s whistle a hearing. The kick at goal went wide, and Huia had a six points lead. Then Tiny McNae and fellows took charge of the game for a while, but all to no effect, for when a score seemed imminent some foolish infringement on the part of blue’s over-eager members gave black a chance to get out of difficulties. However, blue eventually marked, and the leather was placed neatly over the bar by a good kick. Sandon 3, Huia 6. There were only a few minutes now to elapse, and Tiny McNae put some of his surplus energy into the proceedings, buHt was no use, for he was well watched and Huia struggled hard and successfully defended their goal-line and their three points lead. It was touch and go at times, but they managed to rpel all attacks, and when the whistle called time, a delighted crowd cheered the visitors to the echo.

It was certainly a creditable win, and honours of the match rest with the fine kicking powers of the black backs, together with the alertness of their wing-forwards and the dash of Marshall, Bowe and Tatana in the forwards. Davey Tatana started off feebly, but as the game wore on his play became perfect, his line kicking being a marked feature of; the match. Jimmy Dunn was tried ut half, and'should make a success. He is not selfish and threw it about a lot on Saturday. Tua Napier and the full-back also played well. The wing-forwards, Newth and Terry Royal, played up to their best form, and gave their opponents a lot of trouble, whilst Marshall and Tatana worked solidly throughout. McKeown is a hard grafter, but wilj have to knock off that off-side habit of his. Several free-kicks were given against him on Saturday.

For the losers, Tiny McNae was perhaps the best worker, though he was well matched and considerably hampered by his opponents who gave him few chances. In the forwards, Richardson and Sanson were Others worthy of mention, but Williams spoils much of his hard toil by a desire to handle the ball when he should not. Their hookers got the ball more often than not, but once through the scrum the good play stopped, for Thompson was the weak spot in the team. He always did the wrong thing, and several times when he could have given his backs good chances to score, he displayed that frequent desire of playing the opposing .team "on his own.” As a result, he bumped up against brick walls in his endeavour to gain notoriety. Why on earth Scott

was shifted from the position of half-back after his creditable dismay three weeks previous, is TOest known to the Sandon selectors. *» If Scott had been playing behind the scrum, the scores may have been reversed. As it was, he was a good man wasted, for he got little to do where he was. Carroll and A’Court were other prominent backs, but it would not be right to criticise the blue back division at length, for they were not given many chances they should have got. Mr Sutherland refereed, whilst J. Jillett and G. Bales held the touch flags. MEETING OF SUB-UNION. Immediately following the game the management committee met at Gray’s Hotel, there being present .—Messrs H. Austin (chairman), J. Cameron, J. Jillett (by proxy), J. Williams, R. Newth, and the secretary. Messrs J. A’Court and P. O’Dea were also in the room. On the motion of J. Cameron, seconded by J. Jillett, it was decided “That no transfers, except in exceptional cases, be granted in any season after the rst of June.” It was decided to commence all Sandon Junior matches at Foxton at 1.45 sharp, so as to meet train arrangements. Mr Ern. Nash was appointed to control next Saturday’s senior game, Awahou-Sandon, on motic u of J. Jillett, seconded by R. Newth. Votes of thanks to the chair and to Mr Gray for the use of room concluded the meeting. NOTES. It was pleasing to note the good feeling which existed between Sandon and Huia players after their match. To a man, Sandon admitted they were defeated fairly and squarely, and interchange of Cheers for the two clubs and their popular captains, Tiny McNae and Davey Tatana, were heartily indulged in after tea prior to the Sandon team embarking for home. It would be well lor other teams we know of to take their defeats ’ in a like manner. Huia Juniors play Sandon at Sandon to-morrow. The tram leaves Foxton at 1.15. Awahou and Albions meet at the racecourse to-morrow afternoon. The Awahou-Sandon game on Saturday next should attract a great crowd to the racecourse. On Saturday afternoon next, Sandon and Foxton schoolboys ?lay a match on the racecourse, 'he Sandon boys, who recently defeated Bulls by 25 points to nil, are:—A’Court (captain), Read, McHardie, Lawrence, Bowater, Ross, Healey, Young, Hill,. Carroll, McGregor, Clark, Fisher, McDonnell, Smith. Mr J. Jillett will probably referee. Len. Furrie is not playing up to his best form up Taranaki way, and his chances of a rep cap are not too rosy. Norm. Barker is looking on this year from the line. He wished to be remembered to all Foxton toe-ballers. It is Norm’s opinion that Taranaki will take a lot of beating this year. He says Mynott is a beauty, but he cannot understand how 4bbott got into the All Blacks for Home. Paddy McMinn will be in town to-night coachingAwahou. Following represent Albions in their match against Awahou tomorrow :—'Full, Overeud ; threequarters, Edwards, Williams, Read ; five-eighth, Walker ; half, Imrie; forwards, Rimmer and Cummer field (wings), Broad, Cook, Howan, Webb, Klien, Whibley, Flint. Emergencies: Walker, Evans, Cole, Charles. Practise to-night. Position in Championsips. Senior.

1 H Matches Played Won t/1 o fa* a * d o Points Sandon 5 4 I 0 8 Awahou 5 3 I I 7 Hula 5 2 2 I 5 Huimai 5 0 5 0 0 Junior. Sandon 3 2 0 I 5 Huia 3 2 0 I 5 AlMbns 3 I 2 0 2 Awahou 3 O 3 o O