FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3034, 11 May 1926, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. Seniors: Foxton 6 v. Otaki 10. Southern United 6, Weraroa 3. Hui Mai 15, Shannon 3. slanderers 3, County 0. Juniors: Foxton 6 v. Tokoniaru 11. Awahou 3 v. Miranui 3. Weraroa 0, Shannon 3. Otaki 6, Wanderers 3. Thirds: Foxton 22 v. Weraroa 3. Weraroa 9, Shannon 0. Kuku 9, Otaki M.C. 7. Southern United 20, Otaki nil. Fourths: Foxton 5 v Levin D.H.S 0. Foxton D.H.S. v. Weraroa 6. OTAKI (10) v. FOXTON (0). The Foxton and Otaki seniors met at the local racecourse on Saturday and after a willing game resulted in a victory for Otaki by 10 points (two converted tries) to six (two penalty goals). The local team were without tho services of Moses, Taylor and Reid, which disorganised their combination. There is no denying that had Moses been in his place, several scoring openings would have been fruitful.

Otaki (green—and variegated) were represented by Bevan, Rehu, John, Tamate, S. Marino, Mills, Morgan, Taipua, Reid, Enoka, Wilson, W- Marino, B. Tahiwi and Gleeson (captain). Otaki opened with the wind in their favour and a dashing attack was frustrated by off-side. Hirini centred and McDonald, Westwood, and O’Reilly swept the play into green territory. A loose movement by the Otaki backs was stemmed by Westwood. Otaki again attacked and W. Marino getting possession crossed the line in a handy position. Gleeson made no mistake with the kick—Otaki 5, Foxton nil. Foxton attacked with great determination and kept Otaki busy on the defence. Proctor took a return kick on the run, but was well marked. Hakaraia, Wlestwood, and Hirini got moving, but their efforts were nullified by faulty handling. A forward rush followed and a score seemed imminent, with Fuller nearly over. Some faulty handling and overanxious play on the part of Foxton again spoilt a chance to score. Otaki were warned for off-side play and a subsequent free kick against them for an infringement resulted in Hirini piloting the ball over Otaki 5, Foxton 3. Otaki swooped down with a good back attack which resulted in Foxton forcing. A “speculator” by Gleeson saw Otaki in trouble. Hirini and Kiriona stayed a green rush and the local forwards battled for the line and Krashanko, with two or three Otaki men hanging to him crossed over, but a scrum was given and shortly after Otaki was relieved by a free kick. Foxton again attacked, and what seemed good openings to score were spoilt by faulty handling. The first spell ended with Foxton attacking—Otaki 5, Foxton 3.

With the wind in their favour it was the general opinion that Foxton would more than even things up. The defence of the Otaki backs was excellent and when they got into action, which they occasionaly did they required some stopping. Both teams payed with determination and a fine passing rush by the home team invaded Otaki’s territory where for a deliberate piece of off-side play, Otaki were penalised and Westwood made no mistake with the kick —Foxton 6, Otaki 5. Shortly after the play hovered in midfield and Otaki set up a combined attack, but Fuller was safe and play was again transferred to Otaki’s 25 where a force was accepted. A forward rush by Otaki ended in Enoka getting away from the ruck and racing from mid-way, outpaced all the locals and scored behind the posts. Gleeson added the major points —Otaki 10, Foxton 6. Foxton made determined efforts to score and kept up the attack, but the green backs had them well marked, the game ending, Otaki 10, Foxton 6. Mr MacDonald handled the game With the utmost satisfac'tion. Otaki’s three-quarter line was their mainstay, but their forwards were out-manocuvercd by the locals. O’Reilly and McDonald were the the outstanding forwards, and Fuller, Proctor, Hirini, Westwood and Hakaraia had plenty to do. The full back at times pl_ayed too close up. FOXTON THIRDS 22 v. WANDERERS 3. Winning the toss, Wanderers (black) elected to play against the wind. From the kick-off Foxton (yellow) attacked and were not long in scoring. Newth crossing the line and Stevenson adding the major points. Foxton 6, Wanderers nil. Foxton again took play into their opponent’s 25 and Hartley shot across from a scrimmage. Stevenson fouled with the kick. Foxton 8, Wanderers nil. Foxton missed another try shortly after this, the ball being mulled on the line, after passing from Ross, to Stevenson and back to Ross, From the serum that ensued a force down saved the situation. Rankin made a brilliant run from near the half way line and scored near the corner, but failed with the kick. Foxton 11, Wanderers nil. Foxton indulged in some good passing bouts now and brought the ball back into Black’s 25 where Newth was forced out. Wanderers were compelled to force down on several occasions to save, but Ross

eventually scored. C. Huff converted with a fine kick from a difficult angle. Foxton 16, Wanderers nil. Wanderers kicked high and Stevenson securing carried the ball up to within 10 yards of the goal line where he passed to Ross, to C. Huff who crossed. Stevenson failed with the kick. Foxton 19, Wanderers nil.

Wanderers then took play into midfield and at the call of time were looking very much like scoring.

Foxton opened play with aggressive tactics and Stevenson was not long in crossing the line. Ross failed to add the major points. Foxton 22, Wanderers, nil. From a free kick Wanderers tried their luck at a goal but failed. A second attempt shortly after also proved fruitless. Blacks now rallied and attacked hard, Taylor at full back, just saving on two occasions. Foxton then became aggressive again, but failed with an attempt at the corner. Shortly after this Rankin was forced to touch down to save. Midfield play ensued and from a mark near the 25 line Wanderers potted a goal. Foxton 22, Wanderers 3. From then on Wanderers attacked and had the better of things, but failed to add to their score, the game terminating Foxton 22, Wanderers 3. Mr. W. Neville had control of the game. POSITION OF TEAMS. The following table indicates the position of the teams in the senior competition. Owing to County B s withdrawal after taking part in two games, each team has been credited with a win against them with the exception of Foxton and Hui Mai, who have wins against County B, the latter by default: —

C/3 g P ri S3 c n 72 p >> P £ c *5 C3 c5 p o £ 1/3 O P oj rH P - s p So O Wander's 3 3 0 0 29 3 8 County 3 2 1 0 29 8 G Iiui Mai 3 3 0 0 24 8 6 Shannon 2 1 1 0 20 27 4 Otaki 3 1 2 0 20 32 4 South. Un. 2 1 1 0 0 15 4 Foxton 3 1 2 0 04 27 2 Weraroa 3 0 3 0 0 32 2