FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 879, 16 August 1910, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Another scoreless draw was the result of Saturday’s championship fixture between Albion and Awahou. Surely these two teams must have put up a Dominion record for draws in matches. They have met four times this season, and the result on each occasion has been a scoreless draw. Both teams have been altered somewhat from those which represented them in the first match, but without making any difference to the results. Had Awahou not been so unfortunate as to be defeated by Mauawatu by a small margin in the first round, it is doubtful whether the championship would have been decided this season, so evenly matched do the teams appear to be. However, on account of that defeat Albion held the advantage by a margin of two points, and will therefore hold the Austin Banner for a year. From as pectator’s point ot view, Saturday’s match was not as interesting as could be wished for on account of the play being confined a good deal to the forwards. The back play on both sides was not up to the usual standard, Awahou being satisfied to trust to their forwards, and the passing of the Albion backs was very erratic. Taken all through, Awahou had slightly the best of a very evenly contested game, Albion having to save on two occasions by forcing. Dr. Adams refereed, and gave every satisfaction.

The following team has been chosen to represent Foxton against Horowhenua in the match to be played on the Foxton racecourse on Saturday next: —

Wanklyn, P. Robinson, Bishop, Furrie, Rori, K. Perewhiti, Broughton, Reihaua, Reid, S. Burgess, Bowe, Hooker, Haeaua, Royal, Beaton. Emergencies -. Backs, L. Perewhiti, Franklaud ; forwards, Larkins, Millar. In the team selected, the most noticeable weak spot is the full back, Wanklyn, who is a long way away from rep. form. He is alright when he has plenty of time, but has repeatedly let his side down in a tight corner. A full back that ran only use one foot will be tound wanting when opposed by a fast team like Horowhenua. This position would have been better tilled by Cook. Five of the players (three backs and two forwards) selected in the team which played Horowhenua a fortnight back have been dropped on this occasion. In the backs, the missing ones are Osboldstoue, Redgrave and Luke Perewhiti. The play on Saturday of the two first mentioned players certainly would not justify their inclusion in the team, but why the selectors overlooked Perewhiti is a mystery. This player is undoubtedly one of the best backs in the Union, and makes more openings than any other player seen on the local ground this season. His form all through has been such that he was looked upon as a certainty for a place. He also has the advantage of knowing the Horowhenua men's play —being an ex-Horowhenua rep —and this knowledge would have proved very useful to the local team on Saturday. In the forward division Joe and Cook have given place to new blood. Cook, however, was not considered on account of suffering from a poisoned hand, and Joe’s form this season would certainly not justify the selectors in giving him a place. In addition to Wanklyn, the new men in the backs are Robinson and Bishop. The former plays a good game, but he is not in condition and unable to see out a strenuous match. Bishop has only played on the local ground on two occasions, and each time gave a good display. Cook and Joe’s places in the forwards have been filled by Royal and Haeaua. Royal has thoroughly earned a place in the team, but he should have filled the position of wing forward, his play in that position throughout the*season having been well up to rep. form, and far ahead of>that of his opponents. If will play the game and not “ loaf” no complaints against his inclusion will be raised. In the line-out he is one of the best, but he is a terrible dodger when it comes to tight play. A player that certainly has a grievance at not being considered is Albion’s threequarter, Dunn, It will be admitted that he plays at limes “to the gallery,” but he has also played some very good games this season, and his display on Saturday was such that his selection was, to say the least, probable.

The rep. team selected to meet Horowheuua ou Saturday will indulge in a practice on the racecourse to-morrow alternoon, when they will be opposed by the following Cook, Ward, Redgrave, Frankland, Dunn, Perewhiti, Osboldstone, Robinson, Martin, Desmond, Cook, King, Smith, Puti, and Larkins. At Levin, on Saturday, Horowhenua defeated Manawa tu by x i points to S after a very fast game. A match was also played at Palmerston North between the B representatives from these Unions, and was won by the home team by 3x points to 6. The third-class match played on the racecourse ou Saturday between Awahou and Albion resulted in a runaway victory for the blacks by 17 points to nil. The final match in this class will be played on Saturday next. Saturday’s rep. match, Horowbenua v. Foxton, will commence at 3 p.m. sharp. Admission, gents one shilling, ladies free.

The first match for the Ranfurly Shield this season was played at Auckland on Saturday, when Hawke’s Bay were defeated by n points to 6 after a very tame display of Rugby. The following team will represent Horowhenua against Foxlon on Saturday :—Full-back Cordello; three-quarters, Rawiri, N. Winiata, G. Cook ; five-eighths, Coote, M. Winiata (capt.); half-back, R. Smith ; wing-forward, Ropata; forwards, F. Wilson, K. Kakaraia, W, Winiata, Wi Waka, Parata, Close, R. George. What will prove an extremely interesting football match is likely to eventuate in Levin at an early date. The Winiata’s are to try conclusions with the Carroll’s, The game will take the form of a seven-aside tournament. The Winiata family can muster seven very strong players, while the Carrolls have nine to select from. Martin Winiata will captain his family team, while Mick Carroll will be skipper of the Glen Oroua side. This game will be somewhat of a novelty, and it is doubtful if two families in New Zealand could combine and put as strong a fifteen in the field as the two families mentioned. A big gate, which will be given to charity, should result.

AN “ALL, WELCH” TEAM. The Welch family of Wellington and Wairarapa, has selected the following to represent it against a Hutt fifteen, at Lower Hutt, on Saturday, September 20th : Full-back, R. Welch ; three - quarters, Claude Welch, “Mott” Welch (captain), D. Welch; half, R. Welch ; fiveeights, E. Welch, M. Welch ; forwards, Fred Welch, H. Welch, A. Welch, Wm. Welch, L- Welch, R. Welch, C. Welch; wing forward, “Bert” Welch. Emer., H. Welch, Harold Welch, Walter Welch, AWelch; line umpire, Mr J. W. Welch.