FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2577, 8 May 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

[By Adamantine.] SATURDAY’S RESULTS

SENIORS. Wanderers 6, Weraroa 3. Fox tun 6, Shannon 3.

JUNIORS. Shannon 8, Koputaroa 6. Tokomaru 6, Mangahao nil. Foxton 3, Mouton nil (penalty kick). THIRDS. Rovers 14, Weraroa nil. Hui Mai and Kuku drew. Foxton 5, Shannon nil.

JUNIORS.

FOXTON DEFEATS MOUTOA

The local Juniors journeyed to Moutoa to try conclusions with the Moutoa Juniors and were, successful in defeating the Mouton team by the narrow margin of 3 points to nil. Owing to the greasy state of the ground, caused by the rain of the previous night, the handling of the leather by the backs of both teams was made very difficult. Foxton’s win, although small, indicated that there was very little difference between the two teams, but in forward play Moutoa was slightly tbe superior. Both teams failed to register a try and Fox ton’s win was caused by an infringement on Monica's part, thus allowing J. Huff to pilot the greasy leather over the bar. From then on up-and-down play ensued, with first one team and then the other pressing. The last five minutes saw Moutoa make a determined effort to win by having a couple of penalty drop-kicks within Foxton's twenty-five, but all to no avail. The greasy ball refused In rise. Tbe game ended with the home team pressing hard. The whistle was in the capable bands of Mr W. Neville. FOURTH GRADE. A very successful meeting of the. Fourth Grade was held in Mrs Walls’ tea-rooms last night. Mr Davidson was elected president and Messrs Kirkland, E. Ball, D. Christie, -T. T. Follas and V. Del any were fleeted vice-presidents, 11. Huff was elected captain. 0. Anderson vice-captain and J. Delany secretary and treasurer. There will be a practice on Wednesday night at 7.30 and a meeting on Thursday night at 8 for the following:—W. Broad, J. Shaw, H. Huff, K. de Bidder, G. Williams, I. Unpwell, W. Newtli, N. Ball, J. Coley, 0. Anderson, J. Stevenson. J. Delany, G. Sutherland, H. Sutherland, J. Potaka, E. Graham, and G. Wright.

Although paradoxical, nevertheless it is a reputed fact that many a battle, whether of national or individual significance, has been won, years before it took place, oir the football field. No mere (light of fancy prompted a distinguished British General to remark that “The battle of Waterloo was won on the playgrounds of the great public schools of England.” To-day “the Empire on which the sun never sets is badly in need of men of resource, energy, perseverance and physique, and whtfre can they be better trained to uphold the traditions of the glorious past than in a sham fight which fits them mentally, morally, and physically for the sterner battle of life. “If it is the hard grey weather that breeds hard Englishmen,’’ it is to the field of sport we must look for the maintenance of that toughness of character and of physique, two qualities as necessary to the well being of the individual as they are to the, nation at large. Individual efficiency implies collective proficiency.

As worthy supporters of Rugby football and upholders of the traditions of the game, New Zealanders have won world wide fame by the success of their efforts to play clean, scientific and sportsmanlike games, and it may well be said thnl the young lions are carrying on the good work so ably begun in the Motherland. Football by the Maorilander takes an important place in his every-day life; it is a. valuable aid to digestion; it seems to he as necessary to him as a plate of porridge is to the diet of a Scotsman; il is the pleasant medicine which sustains him through life and when taken in judicious doses is as magic in its results as any lung preserver magic healer; for does it not help in the production of a manly man? That the people of Foxton and I hose of the surrounding districts fully realise this, was shown clearly oil Saturday by the unqualified enthusiasm and interest demonstrated at the opening of the football season. Although the sun was hidden behind dense black rain clouds, the wholehearted support accorded to the King of Sports, Rugby Football, more than amply compensated for the drizzle which did not damp the feelings of the spectators at the first-grade match. FOXTON V. SHANON. When the two teams took the field the “reds” were seen to possess superiority iu weight, Foxton winning the toss, they elected to plays towards the eastern end of the’ field and at once the game developed into a fast forward one in which both sides contested very keenly for supremacy. The reds were using their weight excellently but Foxton’s passing rushes were beginning to tell. As the result of fast following up, and continued back aud forward play, Westwood was able to take advantage of the discomforture of one of the opponent’s backs and scored amid profuse applause. Taylor made a worthy effort to convert with a

greasy ball but just failed. Score: Foxton 3, Shannon nil. After the kick-off Shannon pressed hard on the home team, the forward rushes being led by R. Moynihan, who was a tower of strength to his side, until from a scrum near half-way, the ball came to the yellow backs. After being handled in turn brilliantly by Baker, Reid, Moses and Westwood to Taylor, who, when blocked, centred nicely to Moses, who gathered up and dashed across wide out. Taylor made another brilliant attempt which came nigh success. Score: Foxton 6, Shannon nil.

After half-time, Shannon, changing their tactics, kept the ball on the ground and endeavoured by sheer weight to force tbe ball over their opponent’s line, but again and again the home team, being alive to the situation, made determined and successful efforts to stay its progress down the slightly sloping ground. Following on a loose forward rush, led by Moynihan and Eagle, another Shannon player drew first blood for the reds. Kelly’s kick failed to raise the ball. Score: Foxton 6, Shannon 3. From then onwards till the close of the game nothing worthy of note took place and the home team concentrated their efforts on purely defensive play, Shannon coming close to scoring on several occasions. Tbe game ended: Foxton 6, Shannon 3. Mr E. Bovan ably controlled the whistle during a clean game in which true sportsmanlike spirit was always in evidence. Captain Reid, while efficiently mustering his forces had as noteworthy supporters, Moses, Westwood, Christie, Mahi and M. Robinson. 11. Robinson, as full back played safely. Davidson, although fit, has apparently not forgotten his soccer tactics, which although standing him in good need at times, are often a source of alarm to his mates, who are fully aware of what an “off-side” means. Prominent among the visitors were R. Moynihan, Lenihan, Cumings and T. Moynihan, who proved themselves to be true knights of the leather.