FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 460, 1 June 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS,

Albion snr. (12) v. Rongotea (3) Albion jnr. (21) v. Awahou (o)

The senior match was played on the Rongotea ground before a fair number of spectators. Owing to the Albion’s lieing late in arriving at Rongotea, play did not commence until almost 4 o’clock, and consequently short spells had to be played. On the teams taking the field the most noticeable featqre was the difference in the sizes of the players of the two teams, Rongotea had a very heavy pack of forwards, and their backs were well up to the average weight. Albions on the other hand are very light, and must have, on Saturday, averaged almost two stone each less than their opponents. Rongotea won the toss and played with the wind in their favour for the first spell. The spell throughout was slightly in the black’s favour, although at half time the scores were even. Albion’s backs defended well, Dunn being the most prominent. After about a quarter of an hour’s play Rongotea with a forward rush got over. The shot at goal, though a fairly easy one, missed the mark. About ten minutes before the end of the spell the Albion backs got. possession and after some good passing Walker scored at the corner. No goal resulted from the kick.

The second spell with the wind in their favour, Albions had all the best of it and scored three tries, none of which were converted.

Mr C. H. Bowater gave every satisfaction with the whistle. After the match the visitors were most hospitably entertained by the home team.

The junior match played on the racecourse resulted in a runaway victory for Albions by 21 points to nil. Neither side were able to muster a full team, and the exhibition of football was far below junior form. Mr J. Desmond refereed in a satisfactory manner. Saturday’s match completed the first round of the senior competition, and the positions of the teams are :

Played Won Lost Points Awahou 2214 Albion 21 1 2 Rongotea 2 o 2 o “Sammy” George, who played for Sandon in 1907, was playing “full” for Rongotea on Saturday. Mack Royal, who was to have donned the green and white this season, has changed his mind, and has joined the Hui Mai Club (Horowhenua) and played a rattling good game for them on Saturday. Local enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Momo is coming back to Foxton. On last season’s form Momo was far and away the best back playing in the Foxton competition, and as he is going to again play in the green and white colours, he will make a great difference to the strength of the Albions.

J. C. Burns, the well-known Horowhenua back, has only scored one try during the last ten years.

Awahou has entered both senior and junior teams and Albion a senior team in the seven-aside competitions to be played under the auspices of the Manawatu Union at Palmerston, on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday. The following are the fixtures for the second round :

June 5. —Awahou v. Rongotea at Foxton. Referee, Dr Adams. June 12. —Awahou v. Albion, at Foxton. Referee, Dr Adams. June 19. —Albion v. Rongotea, at Foxton. Referee, Dr Adams.