Palmerston v. Kia Toa.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8105, 4 June 1906, Page 6

Palmerston v. Kia Toa.

What I saw of tha ikst speli was not worth witnessing free, leaving out of the question the paying of the demanded " saxpence "to have a look. In faet it was fr.lse pretences asking payment to watch this exhibition of " football." First of all, Kia Toa would rush the ball to their opponents' goal line ; then Palmerston would rotaliato in spasmodic rushes, and so on ; then a player named " Yorkie " got knocked out and the remainder of the players nearly fell over ono Another m their efforts to get a glimpse of the other match. The injured man recovered after some kind words were said to Mm, and the game waged on in tho same "furious happy- go-lucky" style. A wonderful exhibition of footwork was given by both packs, while the backs " speculated " 'with euch frequency and judgment tii.it lit. would have been difficult fur a stranger to have determined whether it was sccccr, Rugby or Chinese football thai was being played. Halt lime came and the scoring card showed a clean sheet. Honest liugby was played in the second spell, and the game, at times, was well woi'lli watching. The for. wards considerably changed their style of play, especially 4 ,he Kia Toa pack, and some very''effective concerted dribbling rushes were only successfully prevented by over-eagerness. It was, however, from one of these overwhelm, ing onslaughts that Wuldegrave, for Kia Ton'#, gained possession near the line and struggled over. Ward added the m&jor points and the score stood Kia Toa 5, Palmerston 0.

Throughout the remainder of the spell Pa linens to a were never dangerous, and shortly before the call of time Kia Ton obtained another try through the agency of Bert Webb, who scored near the corner after the ball hud passed through three or four hands. Ward made a good attempt —a poster. —Kia Toa 8, Palmerston 0. Wood, Smith and liyau {a promoted junior, who played his first, senior game) were the best and most serviceable of the Palinerstou backs; ltyan was a little nervous, but that will soon wear off; very tricky and a good kick. White was the only forward conspicuous for good play; the only fault found was that he is not made use of Oo the line out to Ihe extent he ought; very willing worker. The other* were a poor lot.

Kill-,' - wike wj* Mil tlw *t*M»d tijHsll, .but wh«m they did lini-y j»rov«il fofTiiM&kle foe#£ Two feature* • were, wy.miicli fstwnt, 1. fltin g!wl to ol.jpoimjmblc talJktn# and oifskU tnetfea. It was a clfietilml improTesient All the back# played fair gnmfsi, but there wasn't a singUt forw»r*l who mho wed to bn'tter adhrautagc tli?ui Ditsks. He piny«cl - a jpoil solid gRUie in nil rhijmrtmeij'fi ; Him nearest iittf t»riant bcini? Munro. i M.r Footc refereed.