FOOTBALL.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1072, 13 August 1883, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

PATEA v. HAWERA. A match between the above teams was played on Saturday, and resulted after a good game in favour of Patea by two tries to one. The result was contrary to general expectation, as the Hawcra men, although not having their very best team, were in better fettle and practice than their opponents, who have not had a practice this season. This was noticeable in the last two spells, when the Pat.eas had all their work cot out, The names of the teams were : Patea—Carey, full back ; Coutls, Patterson, A Pearce, half backs ; Gibbons and Kitching, quarter backs ; Adamson, Turner, Powell, Harden (2), Locker (2), and Pearce (2). Hawera—Tonks, full back ; Major and Harrison, half backs ; G Bayly, H Bayly, and Willy,., quarter backs ; Corrigan, Lysaght, Fowler, Hume, Southey, and others, forwards. G Bayly captained Hawera, and J Kitch-

ing Patea ; and Messrs F Bayly’ and I Hyains acted as umpires for Hawera and Patea respectively’, while Mr Rose officiated as timekeeper. The game was played in two twenty and two fifteen minutes spells. Hawera won the toss for goals, and played with the wind for the first spell. Immediately the ball was kicked off, it was worked up to the Hawera goal, and, oh coming out of a loose scrimmage, Powell took a running kick at it, and was within an ace of scoring a lucky goal. The play then became very fast, and H. JBayly, having a fair chance, started for the Patea goal. He was, however, charged by’ Conlts, and on falling, dropped the ball, which Gibbons picked up, and successfully’ dodging the other half-back and full back secured a try. The kick for goal being at an awkward angle.and against the wind, was unsuccessful. The ball was again put into playq and quickly brought back to the Hawera goal, it being well within their 25 yards flag when time was called. Ends were changed, and the Hawera men, realising that their opponents were not to he trifled with, played up hard, but could not make headway’ against the Patea forwards, who played grandly, Powell, Turner, Adamson, and the two Lockers being particularly’ noticeable. This spell was also a very fast one,.the ball being kept within the Hawera 25 almost the whole lime. Gontts took a running drop at goal, the ball striking the post about a foot under the rope. Shortly’ after, Carey had a place kick at goal from a mark, but nothing resulted. Twice the ball was sent over the goal line, but each time rolled into touch in goal before being secured by a Patea man. Time was called with the ball inside the Hawera 25 yard flag. The third spell was then started, both ■sides playing very hard the Hawera men being determined to score and Patea being as determined to prevent them. The Hawera forwards did not work as well as the Patea forwards but their backs were much superior. Shortly after the start of this spell a Hawera man was in full cry for the Patea goal and on being hemmed in by r Turner and Gilbert Pearce attempted to kick. The attempt however was a failure, the ball striking Harden who attempted to kick it up, but fumbling it, it travelled towards the Hawera goal with Harden still following it up. He and ‘ a Hawera forward then charged for it, and both of them missing it, Gil. Pearce picked it up and started for the Hawera goal. He was collared by two or three, but broke away from them, Turner following- him up closely. He was then charged by the Hawera back, and allowed himself to be collared, cleverly passing to Turner, who whipped over the line and secured second try for Patea. The try at goal was a failure, the ball rolling slightly on being placed. Nothing further resulted before time was called. For the last spell some slight changes were made in the Hawera men’s position, which seemed to have a good result, for very soon Major was in full swing for the Patea goal, and though tackled by the three half-backs he got clear of them, none of. them being heavy enough to stop him, Carey then tackled him and both came to grass, Major, however, was quickest on his feet, and got over the line, securing the first try for Hawera. George Bayly took the kick and made a splendid attempt, but no goal resulted. Both sides worked with a will, and at last Willy getting possession of the leather, started for the Patea goal. On reaching the gaol line A. Pearce forced him into touch in goal, but he came behind the goal line afid touched down. Kitching objected to the try, but the Hawera umpire decided against him. The try at goal was unsuccessful, and time was shortly afterwards called, cheers wore then exchanged by the two teams and the game was thought to have ended in a draw; on reaching town however the Patea umpire consulted the rules and after a consultation between the umpires and captains' Hawcra’s second try was disallowed, Patea thus winning by two tries to one. For the winners the forwards did the bulk of the work. Adamson especially worked hard. Turner, Powell, the two Lockers, and Gil Pearce played up splendidly’. Of the backs we cannot speak so well, Gibbons being the only one who played up to his form, his collaring being very good, want of practice no doubt telling on the others. For the losers G Bayly played his usual good game and was well supported by Willy, Major, H, Bayly, and Soutby. Harrison should have kicked oftener and done less running. The Hawera forwards were hardly strong enough for the Patea forwards, but they played well. A little offside play was indulged in by both side, but with one or two exceptions was unintentional. The worst offender was Fowler, who ought to have known better, and who,-in addition, used some very ungentletnanly language to one of the umpires, but, with commendable prudence, he selected the smallest one, and with similar prudence collapsed when informed by a thirteen stone man that the Lilliputian had friends on the ground who might resent the insult.