Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3698, 10 July 1906, Page 3

Football.

MANAWATU (3) v. FOXTON (o). Besides the chosen fifteen three emergencies turned up at Palmerston North on Saturday last, and with such evidence of enthusiasm perhaps it is no wonder the Foxton representatives made such a bold stand against Mauawatu on Saturday last. The display of football was not of the best, the weather conditions preventing other than a forward display. In this department, the Foxton reps more than held their own, and the honest* concerted forward rushes with ordinary good fortune may have been rewarded with a score. There was a stiff southerly blowing, and Foxton played with the breeze in their favour the first half. The play was mostly in green territory until half-time, and though Foxton got dose on the line several times, nothing materially took place. With ends changed, Mandwatu made a bold dash to score, and though, aided by the wind, they compelled Foxton to force repeatedly it was not till the last few minutes of the game that one of their number scrambled over and scored a try from a loose rush. This was not converted, and the game ended without further score. The Foxton vanguard worked well together, but the leather did not come out of the scrums as well as it may have. It seemed to be obtained by tbe hookers, but would linger too long in the back rows. In loose play, everyone of the reps, excelled at times, Shadbolt, Pete Larkins, Marshall, Newth, Joe, McNae, Jeffries and Desmond all doing their utmost. Dunn was fair at half, and Mack Royal was the best back on the ground. Carroll and Scott were other successes; Davey Tatana got in some good line kicking, though he did not relish going down to the ball in the slippery going ; Richardson may have been much more at home on a dry day, while Cameron was certainly not accustomed to the full-back position. However, it was no weather to judge fully the capabilities of back players. Of the Manawatu forwards, Fenton was the best and will prove a tower of strength to Manawatu this season. Next to him came Brough, Ward, Walsh, Whisker, Williamson and Brum Smith, though the latter is not by far the Smith ot old. Joe Ongley is not in the same form at half as last year, though Stalker is in form. However, he got a bad time from Foxton on Saturday, being watched too closely. Taylor, at three-quarter, was second only to Mack Royal, but we don’t think Smith or Hall are rep. men, Scott may have been better in dry going, while Jack Hughes at full-back was not seriously tested. Mr Ern, Nash refereed.

After the match, the Foxton reps were the guests of the Manawatu Rugby Union at dinner at the Cafe Hotel, after which their President (Mr A. N, Gibbons) said it gave them great pleasure to welcome Sub-Union representatives on such occasions. He believed Manawatu would return the match at Foxtou this season, and he hoped then for as close a contest as they‘had that day witnessed. Personally speaking, he thought the Manawatu selector must find at least four or five of the Sub-Union players good enough to represent Manawatu. Mi Sutherland briefly replied, stating that he was more than pleased with the form displayed by the blue vanguard, while it would be totally unfair to judge the backs under such weather conditions. Time was not opportune to deal with Union matters, but in conclusion he hoped the Manawatu parent body and the Foxton Sub-Union would work perhaps more amicably together than in the past. Mr McMinn (selector of the Manawatu reps) also made a few remarks, eulogising several Foxton reps, on the form displayed. NOTES. Awahou and Sandon juniors meet to-morrow afternoon at the racecourse. Horowhenua reps cannot play Foxton next Saturday, and the first cup fixture in the concluding round will take place here on that date. There is a likelihood of a trophy being awarded the runners-up in the senior competition so that interest may be kept throughout the final round. The following will represenAwahou Juniors in their match tot morrow: —Brown, Rogue, Grammar, Andresou, Broughton, Jillet, F. Proctor, Bales, Riggs, Wilson, B. Spelman, G. Coley, McKay, Prestling, Osboldstone. Emerg., . Bretton, Cunningham, Middleton.

Footballers should keep in form, for there is likely to be the seven-a-side sports to conclude the season. A foil meeting of the Sub-Union will be held at Shadbolt’s Manawatu Hotel at 8 o’clock to-night, when the Hartley case will be con* sidered, fixtures drawn, and other important business conducted. All requested to attend.