FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 13 July 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

AWAHOU (6) v. ALBION (o).

The above senior fixture Was played on the racecourse on Saturday afternoon and was the most interesting game yet played this season, and ended in a win for Awahou by 6 points (a try and a penalty goal) to nil. The result of this match gave Awahou the honour of holding the Austin - Banner for this season. The Banner'has to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals. In rgos it was won by Sandon ; 1907, by Awahou; and last year by Albions. If Awahou annex it next year it becomes their absolute property. The game had been anticipated with a good deal of interest, and much disappointment was expressed because the match was postponed, owing to the inclementweather, last Saturday week. Awahous were out to win, and they saw that every player turned up—one having come from Wanganui. They played with their full strength. Albions, however, did not evince the same enthusiasm, with the result that four of their chosen men, namely, Hunt, Gummie, F. Witton (forwards) and Witton (full back), were absent. The following substitutes were played: Jimmy, S. Dudson, Martin (forwards), Joe (fullback). Dudson had not previously played here, and Joe had not played for two years. Awafiou were favour g ites, and it was anticipated by their followers that they would win by an ample margin. We understand there was a good deal of betting on the match, which is to be deprecated, as it creates a feeling which is not conducive to true sportsmanship. A stiff easterly wind blew during the game, and Albions winning the toss, Dunn elected to play with “rude Boreas’’ at his back and the glare of the sun in his team’s eyes. As the teams lined out it was noticeable that the Awahous possessed a prepondtrous of weight. Shortly after the kick off, the Awahou backs threw the leather about and quickly invaded Albion’s territory. A free kick relieved Albion. Infringements were fast and furious, and every few seconds the whistle would sound, just as things were getting interesting. From a penalty Robinson, for Awahou, had a shot at goal, which proved futile. After more penalties Albions invaded Awahou territory, and Larkins had two shots at goal from penalties. Give and take play and penalty kicks succeeded. Albions, assisted by the breeze, kept up the attack, and Awahou accepted a force. Awahou beat their opponents for the ball in the scrum, but very little brilliant play resulted, owing to infringements. Haeana, Tuohy, Bird and Osboldstone were kept busy defending, and Awahou were again forced. Nepia saved a dangerous Awahou forward rush, and George Dunn cleverly transferred play to centre. Again Awahou swept down, but Dunn and Jones put up a gocd defence. Bird, Osboldstone, Marsh and Tuohy started a passing rush, but the ball was lost. Halftime arrived without either side registering a score. The second half spell gave Awahou the benefit of the wind, without the glare of the sun. It was anticipated that under the circumstances they would pile up a score, but the plucky defence of the Albions, and their own overanxious attempts and mulling prevented it. The referee’s whistle was kept going for picking out of the, scrum, knocks-on, pass forwards, etc., etc., until the business grew monotonous. From a loose forward rush, Tuohy dropped on the ball, registering the first score for Awahou. Robinson took the kick from a difficult angle, but failed to add the major points. Awahou kept up the attack, and on several occasions Albions accepted a force. Awahou had one or two shots at goal from penalties, and were within an ace of scoring on several occasions. Carter (Awahou) and Jones (Albion) raced for the ball, which was kicked over Albion’s line. Just as f Jones was dropping bn it, Carter pushed him, giving him a nasty shaking up, which called forth a round of hooting. Carter was warned by the referee. Albion had all their work cut out defending their line. Jimmy eased the pressure by a mark, but Awahous rushed back, and Dunn again saved by finding the line. Tuohy mulled a pass, which’ should have resulted in a certain score for Awahou. Shortly after, Awahou were awarded a free kick for offside play near Albion’s goal, and Haeana piloted it safely over the bar—thus giving Awahou a lead of six points. Although Awaliou from this out made renewed efforts to increase their lead, they.yrefe unsuccessful, and the game ended as above stated.

Dr Adams gave every satisfaction as referee.

THE REP. TEAM.

The following team has. been chosen to represent Foxton against Mauawatu at ' Palmerston on Saturday: Full-back, Nepia (Albion) ; three-quarters, Bird (Awahou), Jones (?) (Albion), Tuohy (Awahou); five-eights, Rori (Awahou); . half, G. Dunn (Albion); wings, Reihana (Awahou), Smith forwards, Joe, Jeffries, . Read, Hooker, Haeana (Awahou), Martin (Rongotea), "Cook (Albion). Enter., — backs, Duke (Rongotea), Marsh (Awahou), J, Dunn (Albion); forwards, Anderson (Rongotea), Cummerfield, Larkins, (Albion).

The selectors have decided to I play two wings asid one five-eights* J

but the reason of t|ils is hard to understand, as i n practically /all ( the matches played here, this season only one wing has been played. It is a general rule now for almost all teams, to play, the two five-eights, btit apparently the selectors have decided that the Foxton team shall be “ the exception that proves the rule.” Whether the selectors have acted wisely or hot in this matter remains to be seen, but we think that it would have been far better to have played two five-eights and one wing. Much dissatisfaction has been . expressed at the action of the selectors in including two Te Ante players (Rori and Haeana) in; - the team, on the ground that these - players are only visitors to the district and are only here, at the, most, for a few weeks, alter which . they return to the college and play in the Waipawa Sub-Union’s competition. It is contended that local players who are playing here all the season, though they might not show quite the same form, should be chosen in preference to the visitors. Saturday’s . match was the only one Roii has played in here this season and the selectors are certainly taking a risk’ in including him in the. team on that day’s play. He is a real good kick, but did not take.the ball at all cleanly ahd again ; he did J not have on opportunity to show what he was like on the defence. Of the backs, Jones, Dunn and Napier have shown good form all the season and were certainties for the “reps.” The. other two, Bird and Tuohy have not shown up at all well in attacking, being far too anxious to get rid of the ball, although in defending they have always been very conspicuous. Taken all round, it would be hard to improve on the backs selected, although it would’ no doubt have been better to play two five-eights*

In the forward division no fault can be found with Cook, Martin and Reibqua. They are all well worth their places. Of the others, Smith has not played in any matches played locally, and Read has been playing all the season in the three-quarter line, and it is doubtful whether a back can be turned into a forward at a moment’s nbtice. Joe and Jeffries owe their selection to their hooking abilities, but outside their skill in that department of the game it is doubtful if they are worth their places, as they are not in anything like condition to stand a hard game. Haeana has been playing a fairly good game, being particularly conspicuous on the line out, but has a tendency to dodge the tight play. The otherforward, Hooker, has been playing a fairly good game, and as he is playing “lock” he should, with his weight, keep the scrum well together. His only trouble will be want of condition.