Kia Toa v. Institute.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8199, 28 May 1906, Page 6

Kia Toa v. Institute.

As usual, it was some fifteen or sixteen minutes paet three when Referee JDuthie announced tho commencement of hostilities. Institute put a fairly strong team in the field, and once again Carbine Penman was induced to don the green and white jersey in the place of Stevenson (absent). Kia Toa were without the services of Richards, whose position was taken by Sutherland, Ward filling tho latter s placo in tho forwards. With the assistance of the wind, Institute " immediately assumed the aggressive and penned Kia Toa from thekicK-off, but only momentarily, however, Hing relieving the pressure with a serviceable kick into touch near half way, Kia Toa continued to gradually work the ball into their Opponents' territory, but relief was ob--tained by greens s Institute) per medinm of a free kick, and the scene was again removed to the other end of the field. Undaunted by several such reverses, „ the Kia Toag came away with a nicely sustained forward rush, was brought to a fruitless termination through oIT side tactics of Munro. Stephens returned Iluads' kick to Penman, who centred, followed up smartly, eecured possession again, aud continuing his career at greyhound speed, made for the line, where he was collared, but grounded the ball over the line amidst the joyful acclamation and cheering of the spectators. It was a pretty piece of play. Hands placed a fine goal, and the ecore read—lnstitute &, Kia Toa 0. With only a few minutes to go till half-time, it was universally agreed that the greens required a more substantial majority than five points in order that they could, with any degree of confidence. liold their antagonists safe in the eeeond Bpei!; aud during those few minutes Institute strenuously endeav- . cured to increase their lead, but unavailingly, although eeveral times it was only the barest of miracles that additional scores were averted. Once, when penned in their territory. Stalker received tho ball from Boon from a throwout, the line umpire dropped hia flag, and, as Stalker raced for the goal line with a clear field, the referee blew his whistle and ordered another throw-out— fjr what reason it is difficult to imagine. At this stage it was easily seen that Kia Toa were the beat conditioned of the two teams, and this fact asserted itself beyond all doubt after the teama had changed end*. " Institute will never bo in the hunt 1" . vociferously acclaimed a young man sitting in the nest seat from me us the ball started rolling again, and as tho Kia Tofts rushed tho oval to Institute's goal-line there appeared every prospect : of tho observer's prophecy being fulfilled. As a result of a scrum five yard® out Waldegrave struggled over •with the ball and a dozen Institutes hanging on. After a few seconds' consultation the referee awarded a try —it appeared a fair try to me—which was received with an outburst of enthusiasm. Kiely endeavoured to convert, but .evidentlymistook the grandstand for r the goal-poeta.—lnstitute 5, Kia Toa 8. Hardly had the ball been set in motion again when the greens were called upon to defend their position once more. Hing secured possession ■ from a subsequent serum, and, beipg well protected by his winger—Munro —-hecut in " at the side of the serum and dived through the., full back's legs and scored another try for Kia Toa. There was another consultation with the referee, and after considering the subject for half a minute he gate his verdict in favour of a try. There was a tremendous ovation. Kiely took the kick again, but I'll guarantee the kick of"ttn oyster would have raised the ball higher off the ground, than he did.— Institute 5, Kia Toa 6. i Following the kick-out smartly,- Injititute succeeded in nianauivering the ball into the enemy's danger /.one, but play only remained here a few minutes, A fine dribbling rush by the Black forwards wan assuming dangerous proportions when a splendid "gave" was effected by Stalker, who was playing an excellent defensive game and also made cumc striking flashes in attack, "A free kick" said the referee, Wan the next decision of consequence. " What for indignantly asked a player. " Off side V quoth the referee. The teams giggled, the game went on, and the •erftw4—well tnej laughed at anyrate. Shortly afterward* Kia Toa were awarded a free kick, »ml Kiely~~ye» ' &wh. X am sure—placed a goal goaf,--JufttUtie s,3Cut Toa 9. * Km Tea aggre#*ed again, and looked vvr? dangerous, hut " £?iT.*uk Munro, Kiely and Ward" were again loc-

Hptestous—thin time they were cnujsit. The manner m which this trio were allowed to transgress m the direction mdiMt«d wft# hwirthmluiig to Insfci* tute, very noticeable to tbo spectators, and an infringement rttUrly overlooked by the referee, Ki& Toa still continued in their " 3u«d for points, and from.'m , -wr«tti,'Mifi|E ttifw theball |to another player, wto knocked forward into OoUt» hand# and ha darted aerow the line with kalf the green team tiponhim, The referee blew .hi* >wbf*tfo f : theirlegs and I ',belies, and one by one they wroso to ihoitr feet until the bottom man wan exposed still earewunc the ball ! Thou the players began to talk, and within a few momenta you'd have thought Chowland had been lot loose, or that the police had surprised a fan-tan school I The referee was bewildered. Ho struck a Napoleonic attitude and gazed heavenwards in silent meditation. Above the chat* taring of what appeared to bo a certain portion of a circus menagerie, a player asked in $v voice that almost shook the earth and in a tone that appeared to bring terrible fear* into the soul of the unfortunate individual holding the whistle, "Isn't that a try?" The referee's face beamed with delight as he'answered in a tone of hesitancy, "Of course it's a try!" The Kia Toa team frolicked, jumped, handshook and almost caressed one another, and triumphantly and hilariously carried the ball back into the field to have a shot at the goal. Some of the Institute flayers growled at each other, looked painfully distressed, while others uttered exhortations to their colleagues to " buck-up a bit !"* The referee, to my mind, was astonished at the fact that his freedom was permitted, and was infatuated with the warmhearted and hospitable treatment accorded him as the result of his decision. The crowd roared, and laughed, and lauphed again. It was not football, it wat a burlesque I Kiely had another shot and encouraged by the pleadings of the onlookers to "put ii over," he did so— over the other sido of the field. — Institute 5, Kia Toa 12. The tears still filled my eyes and my sides ached when operations were iccomtucneed, and as I dried the tears with my handkerchief I eavv Carson streaking for the lino, closely attended by Stalker, to whom the leather was transferred, and, deluding al' opposition, scored a good try for Institute. There was a dead silence as Hands was requisitioned to pilot the ball between the posts, but he failed with a good attempt. —Institute 8, Km Toa 12.

Although Institute did awaken from their'slumbers towards the finish, it was too late, and after a couple of " forces " and an unsuccessful but good effort to "pot" by Scott, the whistle sounded, aud the curtain raug down ou the funniest and most amusing game of Eugbi ; it has been my pleasure —or should I aay displeasure -to witness. criticisms on the play and players will be brief. Institute, on their showmg, must be classed as an individualistic club —go on-your-own style, but Kia Toa play a more concerted game ; their effort -s were more combined, and still further, they were in good " nick." Institute- All the backs with the exception of .lones, at half, were good ; Jones shod id receive his discharge. The- fonvur ;\s, with the exception of Brough, Boon, Buick, aud Carson, showed that they lacked that essential qualification, " condition." Cameron should make a good musician judging by the manner he went through hi.s Tamping exercises, Kia Toa : If the Webb Brother* would have less to say they " might" make players—some day; I wondered on Saturday if one of them had ever swallowed an> phonograph records ; he does squeak, over nothing, too. Hing and Stephens played well. Muuro, Ward, Kiely (the off-side heroes of the match), Waldegrave and Sutherland played fairly good games. Mr Duthie refereed, and no doubt did his best, but was a failure. Ohl Bays v Feitding My correspondent, "Line Umpire," forwards a few particulars of this match, which was played at Feilding. "It was exactly twenty five minutes to four when the game started and this necessitated playing spoils of only SO minute* each in order that the match would not coniinuo after dark. The ground, at one end was in a dreadful state, over players' ankles in mud. The attendance of spectators was very numerous, and they were rewarded by witnessing a real good game. The teams were very evenly matched, and anticipations as to the result of tho contest were varied. The fir.it spell was productive of some fine forward play on both side?, aud although both sides strenuously put forth their best efforts, half time was called with no advantage to either .side as fnr as scoring was concermd, Old Boys admittedly had the best of the spell. The second half opened very "willingly." At the end of fifteen minutes' play Old Boys were dof^o.ling their line, but turning defence into attack removed play to their opponents' 25's where a scrum was formed. Onglev got possession, but fooling the opposing backs by feinting to pass to O'ConnelJ, he passed to SkelJey, who was placing second fmveight. The lifter only had to run and he dropped over the line. South failed with the kick— 3—o. The second try for Old Boys was gained by Skelly by exactly the same tactics. Smith converted.™N—o, For Feilding Williamson (wing), Eeid and Whisker were the best forwards, although all worked well. Hughes and Wadham, in the backs, also played well, but Campbell was not clever at all wfth hit; " head down" move men k. Goodbehere should use , hits pace to better ad ran tage. For Old j Boys Feuton and Smith deserve special i mention for their Ime-out work, bnt j all worked well. Lowe and O'Neill j should take your advice to a player last i week his butcher for calf's pluck ! i Mr K. J. Nks.li referced.