FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2167, 24 August 1920, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

PONTON WINS JUNIOR CHAM-

PION SHIP.

The resultpf the Ilorowhomm Union junior championship was put beyond doubt at Levin on Saturday, when Eoxlon defeated Waikanae by nine points to three, after a lirstdass exhibition of Rugby. In the first round of the competition, both these teams weid through unbeaten until they met each other, when, itfter a very evenly contested game, Eoxlon won by three points to nil. In the second and final round Waikanae had won all their matches up to Saturday last, and whilst Eoxlon also had been unbeaten, they had played a drawn game with Shannon, but the condition of the ground on that occasion and other circumstances were right against Eoxlon.

Since their last meeting with Foxton flic Waikanae team had been strengthened, and their supporters were confident that with the improved team they would be able to turn the. tables on Saturday. The Foxton forwards had also been strengthened since'their last match with Waikanae, and the learn and their supporters were equally confident, of success. The match created great interest throughout the Union's territory, and the at tendance on Saturday was a record for the season.

Operations commenced hy Eoxlon (yellow) immediately invading the Waikanae (green) area. The yellow forwards improved their position, and irserum followed near the Green line. Baker secured from the serum, and sent to Moses, and before the spectators realised what had happened the latter was over the line and registered Eoxton’s lirst score. No goal resulted. Eoxlon 3, Waikanae 0. Play now worked up to a very fast hat, both sides making the game open. Waikanae was not long in equalising matters. Nice line kicking by their full hack set (lie Green forwards going. Porter came in and sent the hall out lo his backs, gaining a lot of ground. Carter and Robinson stayed the Green invasion temporarily, hat Howell led the Waikanae pack hack to the Eoxlon'011(1, and jacking iiji, endeavoured lo battle his way through. He was jiulled down, and in a loose scramble on the line Eield (licked u|> and was over, amidst great enthusiasm. The altemjd a.I goal failed, and the scores were eoiial—3 all. Porter was responsible for keeping the game, in the Eoxlon end until Reid, Baker and Hakarain picdied back the Greens with a fine passing rush, the ball being splendidly handled. East open pinv continued, the game moving rapidlv iqi and down field, in which I hero were many bright Hashes of ploy, particularly by the Eoxlon Inodes, Taylor ■ being brilliant at full hock. The next Eoxlon score came from a loose rash. The \ ellows had pushed well into Green ground, when Baker got in among ike forwards, picked up and scored. Eoxlon (i, Waikanae 3. The Green puck, playing with plenty of ■dash, soon hod Foxton busy defending, and a sjieeulatov by 1 avion nearly let the attackers score. Exciting work; followed on the Eoxlon line, and Porter took a shot from a marl-:, wit bout result. Foxton eventually removed the danger, and the game went lo even ground. Some hot rallies followed, in this area, until the whistle called a hall.

The second spell opened av ill l an exchange of kicks by the opposing hacks, the hall going out in Green territory. Howell and Lynch, conspicuous aiiamg the Green forwards, led a lino rush to the Poxton line, and got within an ace of scoring. They kept up the pressure, and Poxton Avas forced twice in quick cession. Solid work by the opposing backs suav Robinson, Cook and Carter shift operations, but Porter snapped-up, and running on, passed to Puna, who Avent out well inside the yellinv twenty-live. Ilakaraia stopped further progress by his solid defensive work, and Avitli Reid and Moses changed the venue, and nice combined work furl her improved. The Green forwards were not yet done with, and another invasion by them, in which Porter joined, saw ' the hitter nearly over. The Poxton hacks turned defence into attack, and another line passing rush followed, all handling in excellent style. They ran over the opposition, and alloAved Baker to dash across and register Ins second try. Poxton 0. Waikamw* 3. The play continued up and doAvn field at the ,-amc fa-4 clip, Hakaraia making a .'■print Avilh the hall about halt the, length of the Held. The game Avas at the Waikanae end whthi the linal whistle announced lime, leaving Poxton Avinners of the game and the junior championship after a memorable match.

Mr Horo Karauti ably bandied the Avhistle.

The Poxton Thirds travelled to Levin on-Saturday to play the Training Farm team, but on arrival Avere informed that there would be no match, Training Farm having decided to default. There is something wrong with the management Avhen a team is allowed to travel fourteen miles and then find that the home team does not intend to pmy. In cases of this-kind it should be. no trouble to advise the travelling team that there is no necessity to make the trip, and thus sa\ - o the players their-travelling expenses, which are fairly heavy in a scattered district like lloroAvhemia.

Rovers Thirds defeated High School, by 11 points to nil.

To-morrow afternoon, at Levin, commencing: at 3 o’clock, the Horowheniui Senior x'ops. will play the Wellington Union’s B rep. team.