FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 463, 29 June 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL

Brisbane, June 27.

Australia beat the New Zealand footballers (Northern Union rules) by 10 points to 5. The New Zealanders were first to score, but did not convert. Australia from this out were mostly on the attack, though the New Zealanders nearly scored several times.

A penalty goal increased, their total to five points, but the Australians led them when no-side sounded.

A surprise was effected at Wellington on Saturday by the defeat of Poneke, hitherto unbeaten, at the hands of Petone, by 11 to 8. Other senior matches resulted :—Old Boys fa v. St. James 0; Wellington 0; Athletic 7 v. Victoria College 5.

Horowhenua results.—Kia Toa 3, v. Levin Wanderers 0. Hui Mai 3, v. Shannon 0. The senior matches in the Manawatu Union’s competition were postponed, owing to the wet weather.

The Albions will hold a practice in the local Public Hall on Thursday night.

AWAHOU (0) v, EONGOTEA (0),

The above senior fixture was played at Eongotea on Saturday. Eongotea played with several substitutes. Awahou compelled Eongotea to force half-a-dozen times in the first quarter of an hour, but from then to the finish of the first spell the game was very even, and was almost entirely a forward one. Awahou made frequent attempts to set their backs in motion, which always ended in disaster, the opposing side generally gaining possession and transferring play into Awahou territory. The b ame was fast and furious amongst the forwards, considering the greasy state of the ground. Eongotea kept their opponents very busy most of the secoud spell, but the last five or seven minutes Awahou made determined efforts to get over the Rongoleo line, but the defence was too strong, the game ending in a draw, neither side scoring. For Eongotea, Eowe, Anderson, Martin and Arthur Beckman were the most prominent amongst the forwards, Martin being a particularly fine player. Foster is a promising player but shows a disposition to fight shy of the scrum. Alf. Smith on his play in the backs for Eongotea, notwithstanding playing bare-footed, was easily the best back on the ground. Stitchbury was also very safe. The Foxton players who battled for Eongotea in the backs did good work.

The AwahoU forwards who were reponsible for the most good work weres Saveli, Andresen, Hyan and Wanklyn, Saveli and Hyan initiating most of the forward rushes. Robinson and Beihana were always where there was work to be dbne. Amongst the backs Bird and Oabpldstone saved well, Bird being responsible for some good line kicking. Carter at the centre did some good tackling. Fodjursky at lull played a good solid game getting

his side out of -difficulties in good style. The wings, Reid and Marsl never had any scoring opportunities and had very little work all through but what little they had was go through fairly well. Mr Bowatei refereed to the satisfaction of botl sides. It was getting very dark whei the game finished.