FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 18 May 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The senior and junior competittions controlled by the Foxton Sub union commenced on Saturday. In the senior competition a team from thC Awahou Club visited Rongotea and succeeded in defeating the home team by nine points to nil. Neither clubs were represented by anything near their full strength. The play, considering it was the first match of the season, was fairly fast. Of the Awahou backs Carter was the best, playing a real good game, whilst the others all played well. The forwards played a good hard game, Andresen being perhaps the best. The Rongotea backs did not play up to senior form, their tackling being poor, and they did not help their forwards in line-kicking, failing in almost all cases to find the line. The forwards all worked hard, although they played without combination, and kicked too hard. Martin (Rongotea) was far and away the best forward on the ground, and if he shows the same form in future matches, should be a cetainty for the “rep 5 team. Tries for Awahou were scored by Carter (2) and Bird.

The colours of the two teams were very confusing, Awahou playing in all black, and Rongotea in black with a small blue shoulder sash, and it was very hard for the referee to distinguish the colours in “ tight” forward play. It has been suggested that the Rongotea players should have a broad white band put on their jerseys, and if this were done, it would be a great help to the referee. Mr C. H. Bowater had charge of the whistle, and gave every satisfaction. After the match, the Awahou players were most hospitably entertained by the home team.

The junior fixture was to have been played on the racecourse, between Awahou and Albion, but at the time appointed for play to commence, only four of the Awahou team had put in an appearance, and the match was therefore won by the Albion on forfeit.