FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2140, 15 June 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. • Representative Match. Horowhenua 3, Rangitikei 3. Junior Matches. —Fusion 3, Maikanae 0. Shannon 0, Otaki 4. Wanderers 3,' Kuku 3. Koputarcm 13, Hui Mai 3.

The junior mutch, .Foxton v. IV a ikanuc, was the chief attraction of the Horowhenua Union's competition panics on Saturday. Up,till then both teams had an unbeaten record, and very keen interest in the game was shown throughout the district. The match was played on the Levin ground, and was attended by a very large number of spectators. There were record followings of supporters from Waikanac and Foxton, it being estimated that over 100 people from Foxton visited Levin to witness I he match. Waikanac rely mostly on their forwards, whereas, on the other hand, the . Foxton team's strength lies chiefly in their back division. The game throughout was particularly keenly contested, and was hard, clean and fast, and was generally voted by the great majority of the spectators as one of the best games seen>in this district for many years past. W.aikanae had all the advantage as far as weight was concerned, and must have averaged fully a stone a head more than the Foxton team. In the scrums this extra weight told, with the result that Waikanae consistently got possession of the ball. Had the Fox loir team been able to get the ball from the scrum the score would no doubt have been much different, but on the day’s play the score, Foxton 3 Waikanae nil, is a fair indication of (he strength of I he-teams. An outstanding feature of the game was the brilliant play ■of Reid, of Foxton, at live-eighths, who stood out “head and shoulders” above any other player on the ground. On his display on Saturday (here is not a better (ive-eigidh playing in Horowhenua, senior or junior. Baker, at half, also played a sterling game. Of the forwards, Robinson and Thompson were easily the best, the'former shining out part ieula rly. Foxton (yellow) opened by rushing play in Waikanae (green) territory, and penetrated nearly to the goal line. Porter stopped further progress, and, kicking strongly,, the Green forwards followed up fast, and 'docked Taylor's return, .and (he ball wen.t mil at ihe Foxton corner Hag. Here a great forward tussle ensued, tin* Yellows eventually .-hilling play to the' (piavier (lag, where Moses and Real carried on, and put lilt* Greens on vhe defensive. Fdy attempted to slop Hie rush by kicking, and Taylor spoilt a good chance for Foxton by a bard return over the hue. The Yellows returned to the charge, and Baker and Reid were prominent in opening up the play. The Green forwards, however, were too powerful in the serums, and seen. red the hall with great regularity. From some of the scrums I heir forwards broke away and carried the hall with them, hut sound hack play by Foxton drove them hack. .Waikanae was penalised in front of their goal, giving Foxton a good chance to open the score, but Taylor’s effort missed. I’orlor and Buchanan shifted play back; to Foxton ground, but Robinson and. Thompson led a counter-attack by the Yellow forwards, which • was slopped by solid tackling. The M aikanae forwards cleared, and Lynch and Udy, well supported, carried on the attack, which was again stopped by the opposing hacks,, and Baker breaking through, with Reid and Moses bandy, set up another offensive on the Greens. The attack went right through, and Waikanac forced. Porter, the'mainstay of the Green backs, sent piny into Foxtcjn ground, and improved by marking in a good position, but the attempt at goal was resultless. The Foxton hacks commenced a passing rush immediately, and Buchanan entting off a pass, raced up field for the Foxton line. lie got right to the full hack, Taylor grassing his man in fine stylo. The game see.-sawed across the field, and the Green pack, breaking right away again, charged right over the Foxton line, a force down saving a score. The Green attack was kept up, and Carter neatly saved to the lino as the whistle called a halt. Play was resinned at a clipping pace, and exciting play followed in I lie Foxton twenty-five, where the Green forwards heeled out smartly and Porter gave Buchanan a chance, hut ihe pass was missed. Play hovered in Yellow territory, where the Greens had another shot at goal from a penalty. The attempt again failed. From an exchange of Jong kicks, Robinson gained a lot of ground for. Foxton. The Foxton backs at this stage were playing' splendidly, which was offset by the line work of tire Waikanae pack in scrum and loose. After an exciting bout in mid-field, Foxton worked down to the Waikanae corner. Here Baker made an opening, hut Moses was 100 close, and the pass went over the latter's head, thus missing what looked like a certain try. Waikanae was penalised for off-side play, which gave Foxton another chance in easy range. Th is ' time Taylor made no'mistake, and sent the ball between the uprights amidst continuous cheering. Foxton 3 Waikanae 0. -The Greens were not yet done with, and their forwards swept through to the Foxton line, where Jteid, who had played capitally right through, saved and returned the hall to Green ground. Robinson, following up fast, collared Buchanan before he could find touch, and the Greens were again defending. The latter’s 'forwards staved off the danger, and had reached Foxton ground once more

when the filial whistle blew, leaving Fox - ton winners of a memorable game by 3 to 0. Mr J. O’C onimr refereed, and gave complete satisfaction.