FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 883, 25 August 1910, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

By deteatiug Horowhenua on Saturday, Foxton, in cricket parlance, “broke their duck,’’ it being their first win in a representative fixture since the formation of the sub-union. They have however, played some very close games, once suffering defeat at the bands of Manawatu by the narrow margin of three points, and also getting within three points of Horowhenua’s score in a later match. Naturally Saturday’s win has stimulated the players’ interest in the game and they ate on the look-out for other worlds to conquer. In all probability one match —possibly two —will be arranged with Manawatu before the end of the present season. Saturday’s win was almost entirely due to the dash displayed by Foxton’s vanguard. They all worked like trogans and got all over their opponents in all departments of forward play. In its report of the match the Horowhenua Chronicle says; “The Foxton pack infused a dash into their play which is rarely seen in these days. They kept the ball well on their toes and when they did kick too hard did not forget to follow up smartly.” Although all the local forwards played well special mention is due to Bowe and Reid who shone out head and shoulders above any of the other players on the ground. They were always on the ball and gave the best display yet seen locally- Bowe’s dribbling rush in the first spell was a fine piece of work, taking the ball as he did from half way, and beating practically the whole of the visiting team. Mr J. S. Fowler, sole selector for the Horowhenua Union expressed surprise that Reid and Bowe had not been selected in the Manawatu rep. team. Their inclusion, he said, would greatly strengthen Manawatu’s vanguard. The local backs, although not brilliant, were very safe on Saturday and made few mistakes. Their tackling was first-rate and they saved their forwards a lot of hard work by good line kicking. Of a good safe lot Robinson and Broughton were perhaps the best. The former never failed to take his man and at times he showed a good turn of speed- Broughton, behind the scrum, was capital in defence, going down to it in great style. His tackling too was good, but his kicking was on the short side.

Horowhenua has a very fine back team but they did not get a chance to get going on Saturday on account of their forwards being badly beaten by the blacks. Another thing they appear to rely rather too much on Martin Winlata, expecting him to do about three men’s work. This player is a very fine exponent of the art, but he does not get the opportunities that another player would get, being too closely watched. When a team is to play Horowhenua the instructions generally given to the players are : “ Watch Martin Winiata,” and consequently he does not get the same chances that another player not so well - know would get. With all the watching he got however, he played a really good game. Rawiri is another fine player, he getting his side out of hot water on several occasions on Saturday. He is remarkably fast too and takes a lot of collaring. Cook on the other wing is a good man on the attack having a good turn of speed, but he runs too much on the line. One is not impressed however with his defensive play, he being repeatedly out of his place. Taking the match all though the final scores about indicate the strength ot the cwo teams on the day.

The Otaki Mail of Monday has the following balderdash on Saturday’s rep. fixture, Horowhenua v. Foxton: “The return match between these Unions took place on Saturday at Foxton. Horowhenua was without the services of J. Ropata, Parata and K,ehu. Foxton had a strong team, and the match would have been a very interesting one, had it not been for the fact that the referee (Dr. Adams) spoilt the play by the use of too much whistle. It was obvious too that he did not know the game well. Foxton forwards were a good lot, but Horowhenua backs were superior, only that they could not get going. Time after time, when the visiting backs got going they were pulled up for a breach. The game ended in a win for Foxton by 14 points (four tries, one converted) to 12 (potted goal by Close, try by Nepia Winiata, converted by Tahiwi, and unconverted try by F. Wilson). Horowhenua men contend that two of Foxton’s scores were not tries, one being forced down by a Horowhenua man, and the other going into touch-iu-goal.’’ [We wonder where the Mail got its information. There was no representative of that paper present at the match and it looks very much as if someone is having a little joke at the expense of the Mail and doing some “legpulllng.j

At the meeting of the Management Committee ot the Manawatu Rugby Union, held at Palmerston North on Monday night, a letter was read from the Foxton Subunion asking that the Manawatu reps visit Foxton for the purpose of playing the Foxton reps. It had previously been suggested that Foxton should play the Manawatu B team, but in consequence of the good game put up against Horowhenua on Saturday, Foxton considered they were entitled to a match with the A team instead of the B, There was some discussion on the point, surprise being expressed

at Foxton having defeated so strong a team as Horowhenua after its showing here last year and at Levin recently. It was stated that there are some first rate men at Foxton and the desire was expiessed that they have been seen so as to be available for selection in the rep. team, but it was considered impossible to get to Foxton on the present state of the fixtures till later ; though if Foxton would travel to Palmerston an effort would be made to arrange a match to be returned later in the season.

A match for a dinner will be played on the racecourse on Saturday between the Albion and Himatangi junior teams. Play will commence at 2.30 p.m. The following are the teams :—Himatangi : Puki, Moses, Richardson (2), Boyle, Davey (2), Emra, Hehir, Coley, Campbell, Robinson, Matthews, Mason, Robertson. Emer., Albrey, Walker. Albion: Collins, Withers, Currie, Kerry, Hennessy, Robinson, Rimmer (2), Walker, Hooker, Smith, Klein, Perry (2), Bowe (2).

Another match between the Foxton and Horowhenua representative teams has been arranged to be played at Levin on Saturday next. The selectors have chosen the following team to represent the local sub-union : Wanklyu Mason, L. Perewhili, Robinson, K. Perewhiti, Rore, Broughton, Royal Reid, Burgess, Hooker, Reihana, Haeana, Beaton Bowe. Emergencies: Backs, Bishop, Matthews ; forwards, Foster, Cook. The drag will leave the Post Office at 1 o’clock sharp. Any player unable to make the trip must immediately advise the secretary. Mr J. Freeman will referee Saturday’s match.