FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 995, 23 May 1911, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. SENIORS. Huia Mai 16 v. Foxton 3 Levin-W’derers 4 v. Shannon o JUNIORS. Weraroa 17 v. Foxton 0 Koputaroa 6 v. Hui Mai 5 College 9 v. Tainui 6 The Foxton Club’s senior and junior teams played their first championship matches on Saturday afternoon and suffered defeat in both games. The seniors travelled to Levin where they played Hui Mai {Manakau) last year’s championship winners. I he margin of Hui Mais win is fairly large, but Foxton put up a really good game and the score at the call of time, 16 to 3 is certainly no indication of the strength of the two teams. On account of the Foxton team arriving late the game was not started until half past three. Manakau won the toss and played with the sun at their backs. They pressed Foxton from the jump and a likely score within three minutes after the kick-off was averted by a piece of good play by Dunn. Foxton commenced with only twelve men but two of the other players came on very shortly afterwards and they played with fourteen men until the arrival of Matthew about halfway through the spell. Hui Mai kept the play in Foxton’s twentyfives, and drew first blood within ten minutes of the commencement of the game. Cook scoring. Martin failed with the kick. From the kick-out Foxton started a forward rush, but it was spoiled by off-side play. Hui Mai had a shot at goal with the tree kick, but the ball went wide and Foxton forced. The blacks still continued to press, and George, securing possession, passed to Bevan. who in turn sent the ball on to Cook, the latter racing over the line. Bevan added the major points. From this on Foxton rallied and the forwards got in some very fine dribbling rushes. The blacks, however, were delending well, particularly the full-back, Taylor, who repeatedly got his side out of trouble. Another dribble by the forwards was spoiled by Haeaua kicking too hard, the ball going over the line, and Hui Mai forced. For some time play hovered near the centre of the field, until, just before the end of the spell, Rore got the ball aud, beating several opponents, passed to Furrie, who almost got over, but was grasied right on the line. An infringement here gave Foxton a free kick, but Haeaua’s attempt was a poor one. The score at the end of the first spell was : Hui Mai, 8 ; Foxton, o. The blacks had far the best of this half of the game. From the commencement of the second spell Foxton were on the attack aud penned Hui Mai on the goal line. On several occasions they looked like scoring, but the Hui Mai backs were playing a good defensive game. With about fifteen minutes gone, Cook got the ball from a line-out aud forced his way over. Haeaua failed with the kick at goal. This success put new life into the Foxtonians, aud they commenced to press their opponents. A free kick temporarily relieved Hui Mai, but the Foxton players were not to be denied. One of Hui Mai backs made a miskick, aud Clarbutt, instead of forcing his way over the line, claimed a mark. This was right under the goal posts, and it seemed certain that Rore would put the ball over, but the Hui Mai forwards smothered the kick and rushed play to the centre of the field, where Martin gathered the ball up and ran in unopposed. Bevan kicked a goal. From this out Foxton’s condition gave out, and a tew minutes later Marlin again scored, running almost from half-way. Sevan’s attempt at goal failed. With only a few minutes to go Hui Mai continued to attack, and Foxton was on the defensive when the whistle went, leaving Hui Mai victorious by 16 points to 3. Mr W. R. Burge relereed in a satisfactory manner. LKVIN-W. v. SHANNON. This match was played at Shannon on Saturday. The home team put a particularly strong fifteen in the field, whilst the Levin Club was not represented by its full strength, three ot the selected players failing to make the trip. The game throughout was very even. The Shannon forwards were superior to the opposing pack, but the Levin backs had a better knowledge of the game aud played with more combination than the home backs. The first spell ended without any score being registered aud it looked as if the game would end in a draw until well on to the end of the second spell, when Nepia Wiuiata got possession of the ball somewhere about the centre of the field and potted a goal, and Levin thus won by four points to nil. Mr J. Smith refereed. WERAROA v. FOXTON. This game, which was played on the local ground, was a decidedly poor exhibition. Half oi the selected Foxton players failed to turn up aud the vacancies had to be filled from the line. The game was well contested in the first spell, there being no score, but in the second half Foxton went to pieces, aud the Weraroa boys ran all over them, putting on no less than five tries, one of which was converted. COLLEGE v. TAINUI. The match College v. Tainui, played at Otaki on Saturday, was not a brilliant exposition of Rugby, the bad play of Tainui and the

weak-hearted tactics of the College being most predominant. The first half was all in favour of Tainui, who, with a strong wind behind them, scored two tries — Sam Bevan and Mahima being the scorers. In the second half Elijah for the College “ dropped” a fine goal, aud later scored a try Tukn.'a fleet-footed Native, also scored after securing the ball at half-way. Although both tries were behind the goal, neither were converted. The Natives also scored another try, but for some unexplained reason it was not allowed. Mr W. Thomas was releree. KOPUTAROA v. HUI MAI. Koputaroa journeyed to Manakau and were extended right out by the Hui Mai fifteen. A fast and even game took place, probably the best junior game to watch yet played in the district. The final result was a win for the visiting team by the narrow margin of one point—two tries to one converted try. George and Pettmau scored the tries obtained by Koputaroa. Mr Eggleton refereed. The following will represent Foxton Seniors against LevinWanderers, on the Racecourse, on Saturday : Osbold stone Furrie Rore Dunn Redgrave Broughton Royal Haeaua Joe Cook Bowe Rehana Martin Cantwell Emergencies : Forward, F'. Hooker ; back, W. Cook. The Foxton Junior team to play Hui Mai at Levin, on Saturday, will be as follows : B. Hooker Withers F. Robinson R. Robinson Currie Wilson C. Price F. Hooker Rimmer Curly Smith P. Coley Davey L. Smith R. Bowe Chas. Peri Although Foxton seniors and juuiors both suffered defeat by fairly substantial margins on Saturday, the reverses are not by any means discouraging them, but are having the effect of stimulating their interest in the game. The players recognise that they must get Into form if they expect to put up a good light and are consequently going into active training. A practice will be held to-night, and it is hoped that all players—both senior and junior—will make a point of being present. The players will meet at Mr Ball’s billiard room at 7.30 o’clock. Next Saturday all players must take the field in the Club’s registered colours —blue and white jerseys aud white knickers. The jerseys will be obtainable from Mr G. H. Stiles within the next day or so. Another thing that members should take note of is that their subs, are now due, and, according to the Horovvbenua Union’s rules, must be paid by the end of the current month. The secretary will be pleased to receive same as early as possible. Luke Perewhiti had the bad luck to meet with an accident in the Hui-Mai —Foxton match on Saturday. In some tight play he received a nasty kick which splintered the shin bone, and he had to leave the field. His place for the remainder of the game was taken by W. (Motor) Bevan. It will be some weeks bet ore Perewhiti will again be able to assist his team. Mr Rore Pitihera has been elected captain of the Foxton seniors for the present season. Rore is deservedly popular, has a thorough knowledge of the fine points of the game, aud should make a most successful general. The experience he gained with the Native team in Australia should stand him in good stead.