LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2785, 16 September 1924, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

MANAWATU V. WELLINGTON. A DRAWN GAME. Manawatu played Wellington on the Racecourse on Saturday last before a large crowd of spectators. The ground was in splendid order and a gpod game was witnessed. The Manawatu team (yellow) was comprised of nine Foxton players ( A. T. and H. Fuller, J. Dooley, G. Westwood, 11. Hakaraia, H. Reid, .T, O’Reilly, J. Kirkland) two from Otaki (Robinson and Morgan) and one eaeli >from Oroua Downs (C. Ross) and Palmerston N. (Carroll). The Wellington team was as follows. —Balks, K. Thompson, W. Laylor, L. Eliott, M. Pollick, C. •Aamodty'M. McMahon, E. Cunningham, S. Green, R-. Anderson, McLennan, Renner, Craig. The -game, which resulted in a draw, 14 all, served to introduce League to the local public, who witnessed a fast and clever game. Manawatu kicked off; against the wind and Balks fielding well, carried play into mid field where for a time, neither team could make an impression until Kirkland and Carroll broke away. Pollock effectively saved. From a scrum near halfway. Yellow hooked and H. Fuller cut in nicely, beating two men and transferred to Westwood, who gave Balks a beautiful dummy and scored, His own kick was successful. Manawatu 5, Wellington nil. Black now livened up a little, Elliott especially being prominent and a penalty being awarded, Balks kicked a beautiful goal. 5—2. From the kick out, flacks were prominent for som£ jjjinntes but the local backs then got going and a great effort resulted in A, Fuller crossing. Westwood’s kick failed. B—2.

Play settled in mid field for a few minutes, but the Blacks were making determined efforts to score and finally A. Fuller was compelled to

force The Blacks again attached * b u t the -Yellow forwards, led bj - Carroll and Andrews, relieved the pressure and took play to neutral territory. From a serum the local forwards broke quickly and McMahon was caught with the ball. Andrews and Carroll dribbled well and Carroll picked up and crossed. The kick was again unsuccessful. 11 2. Yellow were now playing great 1 football and had things practically their own way. Several times they looked like scoring, but over eagerness spoiled. Balks took the ball into mid field and potted a beautiful goal, the spell ending 11 —4. Things in the second half were more equal and the game seemed to tighten a little, first one team having the advantage, then the other. Black’s forwards were working hard and from a rush in which Greon and Craig were prominent, the lat-. ter scored and Balks converted. 11—9. H. Fuller and Ilakaraia were prominent in a rush but Reid spoilt by off-side play. Pollock and Aaraodt v looked dangerous but A. Fuller cleared nicely and Hakaraia and Westwood were also bandy. Carroll and Andrews combined well but were - unable to penetrate the Black defence and McMahon quickly turned defence into attack enabling Craig to cross practically unopposed. Balks converted. 14 —11. At this stage Thompson was playing a sound ganie, but lacked chances. A dribbling rush by Yellow saw Kirkland pick up and, beating all opposition, scored. Westwood again failed'witli the kick. 14 alf. Both sides strove hard to gain the advantage, O’Reilly and Carroll being unlucky. Balks fielded well and put in a good kick, thus relieving what looked a dangerous position. Yellow were penalised, Balks making a good attempt at goal, narrowly missing, and the game ended 14 all.

As a “curtain-raiser” to the League rep. match, Wellington v. Manawatu, a game was played between the Wellington Junior Teps. and the combined Juniors. The game was very uninteresting, owing, no doubt, to the inability of the W.R.L. to get the best teams away. The game throughout was in favour of the combined team, who had a big advantage in weight. In the game, which respited in a wib the'combined team by 12 to 10 there was one notable feature, and that was in variance with other games witnessed lately, the total absence of dirty play. The scorers were (for the winners) Pawson, W. Smith, and Green 2, and for the losers: J. Ryantry and penalty goal) and J. Opie, a try which was converted by Findlay. TEAMS ENTERTAINED.

In file* 'evening The'two senior teams attended a dinner at Whyte’s Hotel, presided over by His Worship the Mayor (John Chrystall Esq.). Mr Tovey responded to the lewcome extended the visitors by the Mayor, and said that the ground in Foxton was the best he had seen, They were up against it in Wellington as regards ground, but he tho-

ught next season they would be in a’ far better position as they * large number of new teams coming -over t° the League code. As regarded the Manawatu team, he and his management comipittee had had their eyes opened at the high standard of play. He was more than pleased to see Mr Carroll captain of the Manpwatp team and he considered him one of the best forwards in the country. The League game was advancing rapidly in N.Z. and by being fast, clean, and spectacular, be hpd no fears as to the ? e_ suit in the future. He stated that Wellington had come determined to win, but the Manawatp team upset

their calculations. He hoped further games in (lie same manner, spirit, and play would be arranged. He would see that a date was arranged for Manawatu to play Wellington at. the Basin Reserve, Wellington. (Applause). Mr Perreau endorsed the remarks of the Mayor and Mr Tovev and said he would help League in every way possible. Mr Carroll, captain of the Manawatu team, was greeted with cheers as he rose to speak. lie said he was more than pleased with his team. He was not going to sort out any player as they had all played a good game, but he must give a word of praise to the Fuller hoys, especially the half-hack. He considered the halfback had a pair of the best hands for his age that he had seen and with coaching, and practice, there was no knowing where he might reach. He only knew three members of tlio team (Reid, O’Reilly and Ross) when they went on the field and he was more than proud to he their captain that day. It was his first game of League hut not the last by a long way. He advised players to train and learn the fine points of the game, to stick together and fake no notice of criticism from others. He took this opportunity of thanking the referee whom he considered one of the finest, lift had played under and one who had every player’s confidence. He congratulated the Wellington team on its first visit to Foxton, advised them to leave their full back at home next time' as his magnificent goal kicking was a nuisance to the opposing side. Mr Pollock, Wellington’s captain, said he wished the Manawatu centn every success, which they richly deserved and said he would look forward to meeting them in Welliiiglim in the near future. Mr Parkinson (Referee) said he had refereed Rugby for 14 years now, and League for the last seven months, and he considered League more sporting, cleaner and spectacular. TTe was more than pleased with the Manawatu team’s performance and considered with a little coaching they Avould down Wellington. It would give him great pleasure to see Manawatu playing for the Shield next year. The function was brought to a close with cheers and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”