FOOTBALL.

Otaki Mail, 14 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Referring to “hard lines,” Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., in responding to the toast of “Sport,” at a smoke concert in connection with the affiliation of the Bast. Coast Rugby Union with the New ' Zealand Union, told a story which met j with much favor (states a Poverty Bay exchange). Jtle said he recalled riding ; in the country on a very wet day, with 1 his luggage, wet through, and water i even in his boots. The particular hard ! lines, he said, referred to belated hap- , penings. That day he had to tine aI ' publican £f'o for a breach of the Li- i censing Act, and putting up at the • hotel that evening had to borrow a j J a pair of dry seeks and pyjamas from , I that same publican (laughter). j* A FOOTBALL SURPRISE. 1 i iiOii'JYVHEAL A BLATs MAUlii 1 TUIU’.LNG TBA.M. j' t The Mauri team which is to tour 1 Australia met a Horowhenua iirteeii at Levin on Monday afternoon and suffered defeat by the sub- j stuutinl margin of U points to 3. The game was hurriedly arranged, but the ' - local Union officials quickly made the accessary preliminaries, and there k was a fair crowd of spectators present j considering lire short notice. The Hiirnu lifumti t»*mu w uc uni tha ?lr/nu/.

Horowhenua team was not the strongest side t'liut could he got together, but- under the circumstances the players made a good response to the Union's call upon them, and the way they acquitted themselves was an eyeopener, probably as much to the visiting combination as to Union and the public. The game was last and spectacular, and when the Maoris had stored before the home side had properly aw aliened to the fuel, it looked as if they were going to run- up a big tally. But. not so. for from that on Hoiowhenua made it {great display in till departments, and had achieved a decisive victory by the time the final whistle went. The only mishap of file afternoon was an accident to Porter, of Horowhenua, who sustained a luoken rib, and had to retire, after giving a splendid exhibition. The Maoris (black i defended the northern goal, and put Horowhenua Ted) on the defensive immediately by rushing play towards the home goal. The ball got into Blake's possession, and the nippy wing drew first blond for the Blacks by threading his way through the opposition and dashing over the line. The goaling Kick failed. Maoris 3, Horowhenua ft. The Beds, however, soon evened up matters, and the ball coming into Porter's hands, the speedy Uni Mai man ran from outside half way. beat several tacklers .and scored amidst great enthusiasm. From this on the plav livened up and became very fast among the forwards, whilst the backs of both sides missed no opportunity of throwing the hall nut arid opening up the game. The Red pack, led by Jacob, wer? more than holding their own. and gave their backs every chance. Good forward work carried the play continually to the visitors' end. From a scrum in a handy position utiku sent out to Porter, who transferred to N. William and then Wakefield. The handling of the ball was good, and the last-named touched down over the line The kick failed, and Horovvhemia led 6—l!. The Beds continued to hold the opposing forwards, and some fast work followed in the Blacks' twenty-five. The horn* forwards broke away and charged down on the Blacks’ goal-line. Jacob snapped up and passed out to Tana, who scored Horowhenua's third fry. Horowhenua 'l Maoris 3. Dashing play by T. Moynihan, N. Winiata and Porter, and Kuro, Wilson, Robertson and George among the forwards, kept the game from penetrating far into . home ground. Payne, Blake. Gemmell and Mill opened up some nice passing among the visiting backs, but they wore unable to carry it to fruition, and half-time was called without almi alien in the score. in the second half, the Blacks' play was much better, their backs in particular sh oving some fine nippy work They opened with a passing movement into Red quarters, but it went astray, and Muynihan turned t!ie tables by sprinting nearly to the visitors' line, where exciting work ensued. Porter retired injured, aud Johnson Hui Mai) went on at lull back, Jacob playing five-eighth and Hopa going up to the forwards. I lie whole of the remaining play wamaintained at a fast c-iip, very spec'acular, with both sets of backs getting in good passing work. The Blacks' rearguard once or twice lucked certain to score, une rush took them close to the Red goaf, when the bali was passed back infield when a pass to the wing would have brought success. The attack failed, and a mark was taken within range of the goal, hut the kick went. wide. The ball travelled up and down field witi: several exciting rallies. Just towards the close the Reds were once more in side their opponents’ twenty-live Here the ball was sent to N. Winiata who made a fine opening for Moyni han on the wing. The latter took tht ball at top and raced over the neai corner. Jacob made ho mistake wifi the kick, aud the final score readHorowhenua 14, Maoris 3. Mr 1. Pa rata was the referee. REFEREES FOR SATURDAY. Senior. —Ifiii Mai v. Old Boys, a fitaki, Mr T. Parata; Foxton v. Shan non, at Foxton, Mr J. Soiascia; W9ll derora v. Yferaroa, at Levin, Mr F Seymour. Junior. —Weraroa v. Foxton, at Fo> ton, Mr S. Reeve: Rovers v. Tok< maru, at Levin, Mr J- Smith; Kuku ' Te Horo, at Te Horo, Mr K. Davi 01<1 Boys v. Otaki, at Otaki, Mr Wehipeiliana; Paraparaumu v. Hi Mai, at Manakau, Mr H. Karauti. Thirds.—Rovers v. Shannon. Shannon; Weraroa v. Foxton, at L vin, Mr E. Bevan; Old Boys v. Boy Farm, at otaki, Mr H- Tahiv.fi; H Mai v. Te Horo, at Te Horo, Mr ! Thompson. Fourths.— WeraroS y. Foxton, at W

raroa, Mr J. Casey; High School v, 1 Training Farm, at Farm, Mr J. J. ’ O’Connor. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION MEETS. , The weekly meeting of the Morowiie- ' nua. Rugby Keierses’ Association wa> i lield on Saturday evening. Mr J. W. Procter presided, and other members ; present were Messrs. O’Connor, Ka- . rauti, Seymour, Casey, Soiascia, Be- | van, Wehipeiliana, Smith, Nash and j SJoun. j The resignations of Messrs. W. I Thomson and R. \V. Percy were rej ceived and accepted. Mr Sciascia moved, and Mr O’Coti- | nor seconded pro ioinia, iliat tliu 1110- , lion re the Association's refusal to : appoint referees tor me Shannon ground be rescinded. Considerable discussion took place, and it was decided that a deputation consisting of Messrs. Sciascia, Casey and Procter | wait on the Management Committee of the Union at its next meeting, tiie deputation 1u lie given a free hand. Mr O'Connor was elected to the position ot president, vice Mr Percy, resigned. j Mr Higgins' report of the annual meeting and conference of the New I Zealand Referees' Association was re- j ceived, and a letter oi thanks is to lie | sent Mr Higgins for attending the ] rueetiag.