FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2452, 11 July 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

FOXTON 9; LEVIN WANDERERS 3. The return match between Foxton Seniors and Levin Wanderers was palyed here last Saturday before a good muster of football enthusiasts and resulted in a win for the local combination by 9 points to 3. Although old Sol’s face shone elsewhere and showed little or no interest in Foxton football, other conditions were all that could be desired. Despite the absence of several prominent players connected with either team the game proved an interesting one. Dull moments were few and far between, and the game was interesting throughout. In the first, spell the local 15 were rarely away from the attack and were -unfortunate on several occasions in not crossing the line, due to the sound tackling of the visitors. Throughout this spell luck was altogether absent from ether side. Each only needed an ounce of it instead of a hundred-weight of judgment to put the house in order. In the second spell the visitors attacked strenuously and made matters very awkward for the home side at times. Out of four times Foxton broke away during this spell they were able to score two tries. The most pleasing feature of the match was the absence of deliberate booting or playing the man. Although there were many minor injuries, they were purely accidental. Hooting was, in a mild form, indulged in by the unthinking. Such conduct is unsportmanlike. One of the prerogatives of a referee is to report offenders in this connection to the Rugby Union whose duty it is to caution or adopt the disqualification “stunt.” To point out the consequences arising from such foolishness is quite unnecessary. As one of the, conditions under which the Racing Club granted its permit for the use of the course areas for football purposes is the total absence of anything which will mar the free enjoyment of the National pastime, patrons will materially assist in leaving “dirt” outside the playing ai’ea. Mention might be made of the fact that, up to last Friday the local team was doubtful in the mat/ ter of playing Levin Wanderers or of forfeiting the match on account of its loss to Hui Mai on the previous Saturday, which discounted any chance it might have iu carrying oft' the championship. The visitors, thinking that last Saturday’s match was merely a pleasurable outing, went to sleep in the first half and when they woke, up they found that they were too late to pull the fat out of the tire Levin Wanderers’ kick-off was followed by a. knock-o'n, which gave rise to a scrum in neutral territory and by smart wing-forward work H. Robinson' smothered whatever chance the visitors had in bringing their rear-guard into action. Onward the play was confined to the forwards and from Bill Iron’s kick, Rangi Williams fielded the ball cleverly and with much judgment found touch in the vicinity of the halfway mark, thus relieving liis side. From the line-out Walter Winiata secured and transferred to “Toddy” whose attempts to get his backs going was frustrated by Thompson. The local pack headed by Robinson and Thompson carried play into the visitors’ territory where “Toddy” successfully gained possession of the ball and in attempting to essay a passing-rush he was hauled over by Robinson, which gave both sides a few moments to breathe normally. From a line-out, Foxton started a passing-rush which was stopped by T. Winiata who intercepted and took a mark. , His kick was promptly followed and from it the visitors initiated a passing-rush which “Skeet” intercepted and returned play within the visitors’ 25 where Foxton took a hand in a passing-rush, nullified by the visitors’ good tackling and by Nepia taking a mark. Not to be denied, Foxton came again with passing and dribbling rushes which ended in Baker and an opponent falling on the ball and as there was some doubt about Baker’s try a series of 5-yard scrummages followed. This enabled the visitors to ease off the pressure and carried play back to their 25 mark. At this stage Hopa retired and a substitute was called on. From the throw-in Robinson, Thompson and Batchelor were instrumental in carrying play to within striking distance and the last named player was unfortunate in falling short of the line. A scrum followed and the visitors were almost successful in converting defence into attack when Moses secured a mark. The kick which followed gave rise to much give and take play in neutral territory where Koro and another by off-side play, unnoticed by the referee, carried the oval within 10 yards of Foxton’s goal-line where a scram was ordered and from which the visitors secured the ball which passed through all hands with lightning rapidity and precision and ended in Rangi Williams running in unopposed. Nepia failed to convert. Levin Wanderers 3; Foxton nil.

This dispatch from half-way finally ended in the ball straying to touch within the visitors’ 25. From the line-out Reid unerringly took the hall and transferred to Moses who gave it to Westwood who swerved inwards to enable Moses to double round, who received the oval 'once more and from him to Taylor who ran in and scored. Moses failed to add the extras. Foxton 3; Levin Wanderers 3. Honours were even when the whistle sounded for the interval.

On resuming the visitors began to make the pace a “cracker” and for the most part were unlucky in not crossing their opponents line. When Foxton was being hard pressed, the

visiting forwards, through over keeness, were penalised for off-side play which enabled the local side to ease defence and when in a position to go on, Bill Iron was penalsed for lying on the mat. Nepia, from an easy angle, failed to effect a penalty kick. Following this the visitors were given another chance to kick a penalty but Nepia was not in a mood for the job and his attempt proved fruitless. . From 'here on things took a turn and Foxton began to feel its way up field slowly and cautiously and at halfway a dribbling? rush was set in motion in which Robinson and Thompson headed by Baker were prominent and to cap the effect “Waki” got over. Moses failed with the kick. Foxton 6; Levin Wanderers 3.

Foxton encouraged by its lead, again broke away with Thompson at the head of affairs, but Nepia and the full-back were so safe that any chance of crossing the line for the moment seemed afar off. The •visitors retaliated and were almost successful in placing Foxton on the defence when Westwood broke away by streaking along.the line and, within a few yards of the ,visitors’ goal-line was pushed out of play. A few seconds were allowed to put a visiting player into order for receiving a nasty jar to his cranium. From the throw-in the visitors forced. The kick from 25 confined play within “no man’s land” where many loose bouts were indulged in by both sides whole-heartedly and where Baker, from a passing-rush, fooled the opposition by one of his oldtime runs. He swerved towards the uprights with his team in close attendance, and instead of adopting the natural tactics, had the presence of mind to swerve to the right almost into the midst of two visitors who had expected him to perform otherwise and to carry on the good work immediately behind the uprights. Moses again failed to add. Foxton 9; Levin Wanderers 3. What followed was of little consequence.

Mr J. Sciacia, with the whistle gave entire .satisfaction.