FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1013, 4 July 1911, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIOR. Foxton 13 v. Hui Mai 3. Levin-Wanderers 9v. Tainui 0. A great deal of interest was taken in Saturday’s senior matches as the four teams taking part were all in the running for the championship. Saturday’s win for Levin-Wanderers over Tainui gives that Club a lead of four points from Hui Mai, Tainui and Foxton, Hui Mai however, have played one game less than the other teams.

FOXTON v. HUI MAI. The Hui Mai team arrived in Foxton well up to time and the game was started a very few minutes after three o’clock. Hui Mai were without the services of four of their usual players and had to fill up vith juniors. The Foxton team were also minus two of their selected men. The game was chiefly confined to the forwards and in this department the local men were superior to their opponents. In the scrums Hui Mai invariably hooked the ball but the blue pack usually pushed them over it before their halt-back could get possession. The visitors’ backs were a better combination than the locals, but Foxton forwards gave them very few chances.

From the commencement of the game Hui Mai pressed, but only temporarily, as good play by the local pack gradually worked play to the centre ot the held. An infringement by one of the Foxton forwards gave the visitors a free kick, the ball going out well into Foxton’s 25’s. Here there was a series of scrums and although the Foxtou hookers were being beaten for the ball, the blacks did not get any advantage as they were pushed over the ball before it got out of the scrum. With a loose rush the blue forwards carried play into the visitors territory where one or the backs saved with a good kick. The ball, however, did not go out, and Shamrock, getting possession kicked high, but too hard and the ball went over the line, and Hui Mai forced. Give and take play followed, and Hui Mai afterwards starting a passing rush about the centre of the field, Dunn intercepted and made a good run, but was overhauled by one of the visiting backs. Play was now in blacks *s's. From a scrum near the line Foxton was awarded a free kick on account of one of the visiting forwards “rabbiting.” Haeana kicked a goal. Foxton 3, Hui Mai o. This reverse livened Hui Mai up and from the kick-off the backs got to work and took play into Foxton’s 25s’s, where Cook kicked the ball into touch in goal. From the drop-out, play was transferred into Hui Mai’s 25’s, where an infringement gave Foxtou a free kick. Haeaua kicked a beautiful goal from a very difficult angle. Foxton 6, Hui Mai o. Foxton was shortly afterwards awarded another penalty, but Haeana’s kick was not successful. By judicious line kicking play was transferred to Foxton’s 25’s, where a passing rush was started by the Hni Mai backs. Cobbler got possession and had a lot of way on with only the the full back to beat. Osboldstone, however, went low and prevented an almost score. In doing so he had the misfortune to break his collar-bone. His place.at fullback was taken by W. Cook. Within the last minute of the spell Hui Mai hooked the ball from the scrum and Hukiki getting possession, beat his man and passed to Jacob Haputa who made a fine dodgy run and touched down behind the posts. The attempt at goal was smothered by Dunn and the whistle sounded half-time with the score Foxton 6, Hui Mai 3. From the kick-off play hovered for some time near the centre of the field, the visitors subsequently working into the blues 25’s where a passing rush was started, but was stopped by Cook taking his man out at the corner. From the line out a free kick relieved Foxton, the ball finding the line near thd centre. Hui Mai returned to the attack but this time Shamrock saved with a mark. Rore’s fine line kicking was saving his forwards a great deal and as a result play was taken well into Hui Mai territory where a forward rush was started which ended in Haeana getting over the line. The kick at goal did not improve the score. Foxton 9, Hui Mai 3. A series of scrums in Hui Mai’s 25’s followed, and it was here that Cobbler (Hui Mai) was ordered off the field. The Foxton backs got the ball and a passing bout was started, the ball eventually reaching Dunn, who cut in field and potted a fine goal. Foxton 13, Hui Mai 3. A lew minutes before the call of time, R. George, one ot the Hui Mai forwards was also stood on the line by the referee. There was no further score and the whistle sounded time with play about the centre of the field. Scores: Foxton 13, Hui Mai 3. Dr. Adams had control of the game.

LEVIN v. TAINUI. Oite of the best expositions of football yet witnessed at Otaki was the one on Saturday between Levin and Tainui. From the kick off the game became solid and continued so till time was called, while to make it interesting several passing rushes were inaugurated and carried out to the advantage of the team which was instrumental in starting such. The first

spell was in favour of Levin, who had their opponents well pressed between half-way and 25 at frequent intervals. The Otaki backs, or, at least, the majority, played with dash and time and again staved off the Levin onslaughts. The second spell saw Otaki rally and put more vigour into their work, consequently they were troublesome, but Levin’s rearguard was sale, and Otaki were nonplussed time and again. Each side had a shot or two at goal from free kicks, but the shots did not prove advantageous. Hopa, ever alert to openings, scored the first try, he grasping the ball quickly as it emerged from the side of the scrum near midfield. The run was a fine one. Heta added his quota to the score by contributing two tries, but the kicks at goal were dismal failures. Mr J. Freeman refereed.

For the winners the Winiata brothers were almost half the team, while the majority of the others played Trojan-like. Henare, Pirimi and Aston were Otaki’s mainstays, while McCall, Mann and Wilson put in a deal of work.

FOXTON SCHOOL v. SHANNON SCHOOL. Last Saturday the Foxton School boys met a team of boys from the Shannon and Tokomaru Schools at Shannon. The game resulted in favour of Foxton by 21 points to nil. Tries were scored by Stan. Austin (2), Edgar McEwen, Maurice Robinson and Arthur Thompson. Three tries were converted by Herston Robinson, whose kicking was particularly good. The Foxton boys were superior in every department, the forwards making a very good display. The backs played well, but would have done better on a drier ground. Mr Merewood refereed.

WHITAUNUI v. MIRANUI. A football match was played at Shannon last Saturday between Whitaunui and Miranui, and resulted in a draw, each scoring 3 points each. W. Healey, who played a brilliant game, scored the first and only try for Whitaunui. The shot at goal was a failure. McLennan also played well and scored tor Miranui. The kick at goal failed. The game was considered one. of the best seen at Shannon for some time. HOROWHENUA v. MANAWATU. THE HOROWHENUA TEAM. Mr J. S. Fowler, sole selector of the Horowhenua “rep” team has chosen the following team to play Manawatu at Levin, on Saturday next: — Full-back: King (S.) Threequarters: Lewer (L.) N. Winiata (L.) Rawiri (T.) Five-eighths : Rore (F.) M, Winiata (L.) Half: Pirimi (T.) Wing-forward : Hopa (L.) Forwards : Reid (F.) F. Wilson (T.) W. Winata (L.) Gobo (S.) Reihana (F.)

Martin (H.M.) Ropata (H.M.) Bowe, of Foxton, was selected, but having since met with an accident to his hand is not available and Reihana has been selected in his place.

THE MANAWATU TEAM. J. Hughes Codvre, Stalker O’Conner Waldegrave Taylor Ongley M. Carroll V. Carroll Arnold Harkness Mullins Baigent Grey Trevena Etner., Forward, Hicks ; back, Briscoe.