FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3690, 13 September 1927, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

' SATURDAY’S RESULTS. Hui Mai 9 v. Weraroa 3. Wanderers 20 v. Awahou G. Shannon 6 v. County 0. NASH KNOCK-OUT CUP. WANDERERS (20) v. AWAHOU Wanderers eliminated Awahou in the senior Nash Knoek-out Competition on the racecourse on Saturday. Despite the inclement weather, there was a fair attendance. The game was played on No. 2 ground. Both teams were fairly well represented. Moses was unable to take his place in the home team. Jacob and Parata, two of the Manawhenua reps, were included in their club team. The former did not extend himjself, but occasionally shone out when openings were afforded. The game could not be described as spectacular, as both teams had not been playing for sortie time, and there was a lack of dash. Wanderers did most of the attacking. Reid, Westwood and Huff were kept busy in stemming the opening attack by Wanderers. Awahou worked the play down to the visitors territory and from a scramble, Reid opened the score. Taylor failed to add the major points. Shortly after, two Awahou backs in attempting to take the ball let Wanderers through and offside play enabled Jacob to even up the scores'from a handy position. Taylor, Huff and Westwood countered an attacking movement, but shortly after Awahou were again penalised for off-side and Jacob ■ sent the ball over—Wanderers G Awahou 3. Awahou rushed play to the visitors territory and Taylor had an unsuccessful penalty shot at goal. Westwood, Keriana and Poto got moving, but wild passing frustrated the effort. Jacob sent Ryder and Rangi Williams away and the later crossed. Jacob failed with the kick—Wanderers. 9 Awahou 3. A passing movement by the visitors’ backs was stemmed by Westwood. Taylor shortly after showed a turn of speed, but got pushed out. Wanderers worked play back and Graham sent a wild pass to Udy in a handy position. Jacob essayed another penalty kick, which ' passed outside the bar, the. spell ending—Wanderers 9 —Awahou 3. Shortly after opening the second spell Awahou earned the play to Wanderers line and Robinson securing, dashed over near the posts. The kick was a poor attempt—Wanderers 9 —Awahou 6. Jacob had another unsuccessful attempt at goal from a penalty. Ryder stemmed .an Awahou rush and Parata carried on and transferred to his backs and Udy was pushed out in the corner. Awahou intercepted a passing rush and removed play to centre. From a forward rush Jacob secured and scored well out. The kick failed—Wanderers 12 —Awahou 6. Jacob short punted and following up secured and crossed near the posts. He piloted an easy kick —Wanderers 17 —Awahou G. The prettiest piece of play shortly followed. Parata secured and transferred to McKenzie to Topu, who handed back to Parata, to cut in and score. Jacob failed with the kick—Wanderers 20—Awahou 6. The whistle sounded shortly after. Mr. Hopa controlled the game. WELLINGTON DEFEAT CANTERBURY. Wellington defeated Canterbury, the Ranfurly Shield holders, at Athletic Park, Wellington, on Saturday, in the presence of about 18,0001 people by 20 points to 17 after a brilliant exhibition of Rugby. The score at half-time was 15 points to 9, in Wellington’s favour. AUCKLAND’S UNBEATEN RECORD. The Auckland Rugby representatives maintained their undefeated record for the season ort Saturday by defeating Otago on a heavy ground by 11 points to 9 in a great forward struggle, both sides being well matched. Rain fell frequently and the ground became very muddy. Taihape defeated Dannevirke by 23 points to 9. Taranaki defeated Wairarapa, at New Plymouth by 12 points to 8. On Saturday next the Foxton Juniors will meet Huia (Rangiotu) Juniors on the racecourse. The local team will appear in our next issue. i The Foxton Football Club ball to have been held on Tuesday, October 4th, has had to be postponed and will probably take place on Thursday, October G. 1 • a FOOTBALL AND FINANCE. Commenting on the statement that during the few weeks that Manawhenua held the Ranfurly Shield the takings for three football matches played there amounted to almost £2OOO, the Auckland Herald says:—iSuch sums would not have been yielded by games at Palmerston North had the interprovineial trophy not been held by the union. These circumstances help, perhaps, to explain some recent football history. There is honour and glory in holding the Ranfurly Shield. There is profit also. Admittedly it is difficult to dogmatise about finance in connection with football, or any other (game. iThe elaborate organisation necessary, the upkeep

or hire of grounds, the expenses of sending teams 'on tour, all require money, much more than could be obtained by club subscriptions or contributions from honorary members. The public is keenly interested in football, is perfectly willing to pay for admission when a good match is assured. Therefore the governing bodies collect the money from the public, and the financing of the game is thus achieved. Up to a point it is all thoroughly legitimate, and with proper oversight and management should be kept so. The difficulty arises when the governing bodies controlling the business side of football lose their sense of proportion, when possible “gates” assume a wholly unjustified importance in their eyes. Evidence has appeared this year justifying the deduction that this has been the inspiration behind disputes about the Ranfurly Shield. The union which affords the instance, Manawhenua, lias not been conspicuous in these affairs, but the statement of what resulted from its temporary possession of the shield gives the clue to explain why other unions clung so hard to the trophy. It is a distant danger to the future of football, and those who control its destinies would do well to heed the signs, lest disaster overtake a game which, at its best, is supremely worth safeguarding.