FOOTBALL.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 133, 20 May 1926, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

ARAPUNI 3, PUTARURU 3. This game was played at Arapuni and resulted in a draw. Putaruru won the toss and played' downhill, with the •wind and sun behind them in the first quarter. During the course, of the game there was very little back play, only one good passing rush taking place thhroghout. Nevertheless the game was always interesting, and at times exciting. What was lacking in concerted passing rushes was atoned for with splendid individual bursts, and hard forward work. Compared with the previous week, the Putaruru side seemed somewhat listless, and especially towards the end when the forward work got ragged. Arapuni supplied most of the exciting play. Petherick and Dougherty putting in several individual bursts which covered half the length of the field. The latter was also a tower of strength on defence, and 1 time and again got his side out of dangerous situations by his fearless work. On the whole the the home team was if anything the superior side, largely owing to the fine work of a few. Putaruru, on the other hand, maintained a high average, there being no particularly outstanding player and all members doing well. The first score came in the second quarter, when the blacks were playing uphill. The home team was penalised for a serum infringement, and from near half-way Gasparieh, with a beautiful kick, landed a great goal against the light wind. It was not until near the end that the home team equalised. iiVilliams, who had been playing a great game, got clear to the full-back, and edeavoured to force his way over. McKeown withstood the shock, and the ball dropped over the line, where Henderson forced. For some reason or other a scrum was ordered and Dougherty getting possession ran low and dived across. Kiti failed with the kick, and shortly af-J terwards time was called.

For Arapuni, Petherick (rover), Dougherty (five-eighths), Green (centre), and Wjlliams and Fergus (forwards) were the outstanding players. Petherick and Dougherty were different players when judged by last season’s form, and were the mainstay of of the green back division. The latter was the best back on the field. Green -at centre did great work, but was mostly crowded by Kiti running across. Of the forwards, Williams, an ex-Soecer player, was the best on view. - Tireless, hard, yet scrupulously clean, he led' most of the rushes, and shone up well in the hne-outs. For the blacks, McKeown at fullback showed much promise. His tackle of Williams at the close of the game was a great one, and deserved a better fate than the try which followed. Of the tbreequarter line, Henderson was the best, and had he cross-kicked at times his display would liaye been _a very sound one. Mesrs was a rock on defence, but appears to lack pace on attack. Brown on the other wing was not up to form, and appeared nervous. Gasparieh and Morrow at fiveeighths were grafters in the loose, bu 1 not suited to attack. Sole at half rather over-did the “ cutting-in ” business, a.nd appeared a bit nervy, but accomplished some neat things. Of the forwards all played well, with per- - hapds Tomalin, Conrad and C. D. Brown the best. Robertson and Taylor coming in conflict with the referee so often, were put off their game, but both are great forwards when going properly. The score was: Arapuni, 3 points (1 try); Putaruru, 3 points (penalty goal). JUNIORS. TE WHETU V. TOKOROA. This game was played at Pu.taruru, and the heavier and faster Tokoroa team wore down the opposition to such an extent that in the second spell they had all the best of the game and ran out winners by 34 points to 0. The .teams were:— Te Whetu.—Full-back, Ellis ; threequarters, Smith, Hobman, Skow ; fiveeighths, Albert, McLeod ; half-back, Ki Tawhi ; rover, Thorpe ; forwards, Bluegum, Kipa, D. and J. Haumaha, Kiwi Sam, Mairu, L. Jensen. Tokoroa.—Davie, Milne, Smith, Ingle, Brosman, Henderson, Partington, Rogers, Voice (2), Spain, Kerr, Conn, Yendall, Townsend. Referee.—Mr. C. Snell. ARAPUNI V. PUTARURU. This game also was played at Putaruru and resulted in a somewhat easy win for the visitors. In the first half the greens rattled up 21 points, but in

the .third quarter the blacks rallied well, but could not score. The visitors proved too heavy and fast, but notwithstanding several of the home players showed promise and great improvement may be shown in the next game. Score: Arapuni, 2 goals, 9 tries, 37 points; Putaruru 0. The teams were:— Putaruru: Berquist, Kimber, Barnett, Smith, Galvan, Newton, Davies, Rossiter, Saune, Burke, Voyce, Tomalin, Hemingway, Baldwin, Lees. Arapuni: Rapson, McDonald, Jamieson, McKernon, Whare, Puehu, Cuthbert, Pettit, Kilpatrick, Redfern, Rapin, Samson, Lawrence, Baker (2). Referee: Mr. G. Portas. MATAMATA RESULTS. Seniors. Matamata 8, Wairere 6. Walton 9, Patetere 0. Juniors. Walton 8, Matamata 3. Waharoa 3, Hinuera 0. Patetere 9, Wairere 3. Third Grade. Patetere 16, Waharoa 0. High School 5, Walton 0. MORRIN SVILLE RESULTS. Seniors. Terriers 12, United' 3. Juniors. Terriers 33, Waitoa 3. Tahuna 8, tJnited 0.