FOOTBALL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 23, 14 August 1912, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Pukekohe (9) v. Raglan (0).

The first match to be played at Pukekohe this season eventuated on Saturday when the local side inot and defeated a Raglan Union Teao* The • visitors had not their several of their forwards being absentees. The match was not a brilliant exposition of football, both sides lacking combination, with the result that the back play which so delights the spectators' hearts was missing. Pukekohe had the best of the game, and the forward division from the start beat the opposing vanguard. Had the backs been capable of taking advantage of the .openings which came their way the score would have been substantially increased. The weakness rested with the five-eights, who appeared not to know that running straight and making an opening before partiug with the ball is the first qualification for the position. With the wind in their favor Pukekohe kicked off and soon had their oppononts on the defensive. Forward rushes endangered the visitors' line, -but too vigorous kicking enabled them to force twice in quick succession. Sweeney headed a forward 1 ash for the visitors, but Stayte stopped well, and kicking high followed up, putting his side on the attack again. Potter got .his backs in motion several times, but the ball simply went from one side of the to the other. Pukekohe kept up the attack, but were utiahfe to break through the defence. Boya cleverly saved on one occasion. Fitness stopped a forward rush with a clever mark. Roehera and Sweeney took the play to the local side's 25, but it waa soon back, Adams being prominent in the rush. In a back passing run Atkinson spoilt an excellent chance by not cutting in. In the second quarter Raglan with , the wind showed up more prominently. Pukekohe started attacking, and from a forward scramble W. Bilkey crossed the line, Abbott failing with the kick. Raglan, taking advantage of the waiting-for-the-ball-to-bounce tactics ' by the Pukekohe backs, carried play into the home territory, but too powerful kicking spoilt their chances. T. Abbott cleverly intercepted and reached the Pukekohe fullback before being stopped. Had he been supported a score must have ensued. Stayte let his side down by mulling a high kick from Sutherland, and Raglan had' Pukekohe pinned down on their line for some time. In the third quarter Raglan opened up with a strong attack. It was only a brief effort, as the PuJcekohe forwards, headed by Marshall and H. Bilkey, carried the play to the other end of the field. A freo kick against Raglan for offside play permitted Abbott to increase the score to six points. Smart line-out work by Adams, followed by a good dash by Rogers, almost let Abbott in at the corner flag. From a foiward scramble H. Bilkey scored, but Abbott failed to add the major points. The fourth quarter saw Pukekohe - attacking for the greater portion of of the time, but they did not succeed in scoring. It was principally forward rushes, and at times play became very ragged. From a scrum Bayly (jot the ball and fell over the Raglan line, but lost the ball before grouping. Twice Raglan, availing themselves of mistakes by their opponents, transferred . the play to the other end of the field and once narrowly missed a score. A smart piece of play by Stayte (wlpfl went five-eighths in the last quarter) gave Abbott an excellent opening, but - the whistle went for an infringement. For the winners W. Bilkey, Adams| j and Marshall were the pick of a good | forward division. Potter played the | best back game on the ground,';|§ though with the winning pack in froufr' of him he had the chances. Of th&| ; others, Cameron was the best. Of the | Raglan Vanguard Sweeney, Roehera, § and Oibson were the best of the forwards. With their pack beaten a ? V great deal of defence came the way of f the backs. Sweeney did a lot of good work, and with him Fitness and Mc- ,|j Millen were the most prominent. Mr V B. Foy controlled the game in a most capable manner. After the match the visitors were ~J entertained by the local players at dinner at the Pukekohe Hotel.