FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 846, 31 May 1910, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Rotorua, May 28. The New Zealand Maori representatives met and defeated a combined team at Rotorua to-day by 26 points to 8. W. Wiuiata kicked five goals. The Maoris are developing a splendid combination. Wanganui, May 28. Writing to a friend here, A Takarangi, captain of the Maori football team, says that the team will adopt the open style of play in Australia, and are hopeful of success. “If we don’t win,” he adds, “we at all events hope to bring back the good name which other Maori teams have enjoyed iu Australia.”

Saturday’s senior fixture, Awahou v. Albion, was the best contested game witnessed this season and resulted iu a victory for the latter by 15 points (three converted tries) to nil. A stiff northwesterly wind blew across the field during the progress of the game. During the first spell Awahou, with the wind at their backs kept Albions busy and if they had displayed the same capacity for graft in the second spell the margin of points would have been much less. The first spell ended without any score being registered and with play hovering principally in the centre. During the second spell and with the wind in their favour Albions got to work and soon carried the play into the Awahou’s territory. From a loose forward rush Coley failed to avert danger and Whibley and Cook quickly carried the ball over the line the former scoring. Haeana added the major points. After this Awahou fell away badly and Albion put on two more tries Perewhite aud Furrie crossing the line. Haeana was successful in piloting the ball over the bar. The game ended as above stated. Mr Hornblow refereed.

During the progress of the senior match, about the middle ot the first spell, some wrangling took place between Luke Perewhiti (Albion) and Young (Awahou). Both players appeared very excited and the referee intervened and ordered the Albion player to stand down till half-time. Otherwise there was an absence of rough play or ill-feeling.

It is freely stated that a good deal of betting takes place on local matches. If this rumour has foundation in fact there will be a leaning towards unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of barrackers and players. If we can obtain sufficient information that will lead to a conviction of any player in the sub-union taking bets on any match in which he is engaged, we will do our best to have him dealt with according to his desserts. We can never expect clean sport if gambling is tolerated aud every one who has rugby at heart should do his share towards stamping it out and keeping the sport clean.

The junior fixture resulted in a win for Albions by 12 points to nil. The score was a fair criterion of the strength of the two teams, as Albions had the best of the game throughout. Mr E. Dunn refereed.

The secretary of the Awahou Football Club desires to publicly acknowledge receipt of a donation from Mr H. Witchell.

A meeting of the Sub-Union will be held to-night to consider a protest by the Awahou Club in connection with Saturday’s match, to receive reteree’s report re the ordering off of one of the Albion players, aud to draw up fixtures for the second round of the senior competition.

Last Saturday afternoon the Foxton schoolboys, accompanied by the headmaster, journeyed to Himataugi to try conclusions with the Himitangi schoolboys in a game of football. After an interesting game the Foxton boys won by 19 points to nil. Tries were scored by G. Fraser (3), H. McDonnell and V. Robinson. Mr F. Witton, of Himataugi, refereed. After the game, the Himataugi ladies kindly treated the boys to afternoon tea.