FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 885, 30 August 1910, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The rep. match, Horovvhenua v. Eoxtou, to have been played at Levin on Saturday, had to be abandoned on account of Foxton being unable to muster a team. Of the team originally selected to make the trip, Reid and Reihana notified the secretary that they would be unable to play on account of injuries received the previous Saturday. Hooker also was not available. However it was still hoped that with the help of emergencies a team would be got away, but when the time to leave arrived, it was found that there wesre four forwards missing, and attempts te fill their places at the last minute proving futile, the local executive was reluctantly compelled to abandon the trip. It is most regrettable that this course had to be taken, as the Horowheuua Union had gone to some expense in connection with the match, and all arrangements had been made for entertaining the Foxton players, but there was no other course left open for the local Sub-Union, as it would have been useless to have gone over with half a team. No doubt the weather conditions were responsible for the defaulting players not putting in an appearance, and had the match been played, the result—whichever side won —would not have been satisfactory, as with the ground in the condition It must have been in, especially after the Wellington - Horowheuua junior match had been played on it, would allow of nothing more than a mud scramble. It is to be hoped that another match between the representative teams from these unions will be arranged before the close of the present season.

Mr Armstrong, one of the selectors for the Manawatu Rugby Union, visited Devin on Saturday for the purpose of witnessing the Horowhenua-Foxton match, but had his journey for nothing through Foxton defaulting. It is understood that Mr Armstrong made the trip solely for the purpose of watching the Foxton forwaifls iu action, with a view to the selection of the combined Manawatu-Horowheuua team to meet Wellington on the 7th prox. When word was received from Foxton that their team was unable to make the trip, and as k was desired to see the players before the Wellington match, and also get a trial game, Horowheuua offered to send its team to Palmerston on Wednesday, when it would play Manawatu with a couple of the best Foxton men included. Telegrams were sent to Palmerston to this effect, but it was decided that as the hockey players were needing the ground to get off their competition, and as it would be difficult to gather in the Manawatu reps, for the extra day on such short notice, that the offer must be reluctantly declined. It is most unfortunate that the Manawatu selectors have not had an opportunity of seeing Bowe and Reid play, as on their present form these players should be amongst the first selected to do battle for combined Horowheuua - Manawatu Unions against Wellington. However, Mr Fowler, the Horowheuua selector, has seen their play, and will no doubt urge their inclusion iu the combined team.

On the racecourse on Saturday, a match was played between the Himatangi juniors and a local team for a dinner. The Himatangi boys, who had only recently formed a club, have been in active training tor some weeks past—in fact every minute that could be spared from their daily occupation of tilling the soil and squeezing the lacteal fluid out, was deyoted to football practice and lectures on the finer points of the game. After several severe trials it was thought that the team was fit to make a name lor itself in the Rugby world, and a challenge was sent to the Albion juniors to do battle for a dinner. The challenge was accepted, and the trial of strength was set down for last Saturday afternoon. The Himataugiites rolled up in strong force, frothing for lame, and were kept waiting on the field of battle for a considerable time, whilst the local hoys mustered up a team, which at last they got, including one or two who were certainly not juniors. Senior-Constable Woods had been asked to control the game, and he went on to the field enveloped iu a departmental overcart, with the collar turned up, and the only sign that he was a football referee was the fact that one could occasionally see the whistle sticking out over his turued-up coat collar. The game started, and it was certainly a willing go but with very little science. The first spell was very strenuously contested, all the players apparently being anxious to avoid having to ‘‘part up” for the “feed.” In the second spell, however, the biggest portion of the players appeared exhausted, and well they might be, for it had been said that they had all fasted for several days iu anticipation of the time they were going to have at the dinner table alter the match. The result of the game was a win lor Foxtou by 6 points to 3. Immediately after the match the contestants hastily donned their ordinary every day garments and a beeline was made for the Mauawatu * Hotel, where a good spread had been prepared. It is hardly necessary to siate that here ample justice was done, it being obvious that the most of them were far more capable of satisfying the cravings of the inner man than they were of playing a scientific game of Rugby.

There was a a feast of football at Palmerston on Saturday, and despite the fact that the weather was cold and showery the games were all keenly contested. The first to try conclusions were _ the school representatives of Wellington and Manawatu, In the first spell the green and whites held their own, but on changing ends Wellington took full advantage of the wind and succeeded in scoring two tries, con vet ting one, the final score being 8 to nil. Wellington fourths and Palmerston thirds (Old Bovs), played on number two ground, and after an interesting game the Palmerston boys secured a 6 point to 3 victoryThe best game of the afternoon, however, was fonght out betweau the representatives of the Palmerston and Taranaki High Schools. This game was brimful of interest and exciting play, the way the backs threw the ball about being a treat to witness. It resnlled in an easy victory for the home team by 36 points to 5. The final for the Abraham Cup, Palmerston and Old Boys, was also played. The game was mostly a forward one and at the call of time the score stood three all. According to the rules of this contest, an extra twenty minutes was played with the result that Palmerston succeeded in crossing Old Boys’ line and thus won the cup.