FOOTBALL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 530, 11 May 1920, Page 2

FOOTBALL

SEASON OPENED. Results at a £,!ance:Seaior: Waiuku 12. v. Pukekohe 3." „ Bombay 12, v. Onewhero 'J. .-' Clevedon 9, v. Mercer 0. ' " Junior: Pukekohe 12, v. Waiuku 6. Clevedon U, v. Patumahoe <». Bombay 11, v. Onewhero 0. The football season as far as Frankli is concered was opened on Saturday under ideal weather conditions. The fields were in good playing order, and some first-class exhibitions were anticipated, but from a spectacular point of view the exhibitions were mediocre. This was to be expected, considering it was the opening and that the majority of players were on the green side. As the" season advances some first-class Rugby should be witnessed, as there are some really fine players in the respective teams.

PUKEKOHE V. WAIUKU. The season was officially opened as far as Pukekohe itself was concerned by a senior match, Pukekohe versus Waiuku, which eventuated on the Domain in the presence of a fair attendance. As the two teams lined on to the playing area the Waiuku fifteen took the eye as being the most likely to leave the field victors. This contention was duly merited as on the play they were easily the better team. The home team suffered through some of its players suffering from the effects of influenza, and the inclusion of a couple of emergency players. The visiting team comprised a sturdy lot, mostly all about the same size. They played with more confidence and conization than the home team. They were heavier all round, and in the writer's opinion the Waiuku fifteen. winners of last year's senior competition, will play a very prominent part in the settlement of the premiership honours again this season. In Molloy, the captain, the team has a man who could easily get his game in one of the leading Auckland senior teams. Besides being a safe back, he is a great kicker and above all does not lack much on the score of pace. He is exceptionally weir built, and knows how to use his strength. The writer did not notice Molloy last year, but has not the slightest hesitation in saying that he should gain Franklin representative honours.

The remainder of the Waiuku team played well. There is little room for improvement in the pack, especially the two front-row men. On Saturday the Pukekohe hookers were a little too good, therefore the visiting backs were not seen to advantage. The Pukekohe forwards held their own in the loose, but found the weight against them in the scrum work. Short and Lucas hooked the ball but it never really come out of the scrum. Of the rearguard Joe Adams was the shining light, and at times he put in some very clever work, as also did- Jim Blake. This paif ' and K. Flavell at fullback should be hard to keep from gaining representative honours this season.

THE GAME. Waiuku (black) set the ball rolling against the sun. The ball was returned and the reds (Pukekohe) pressed and took the leather to Waiuku 25. The situation appeased ugly lor Waiuku, but an infringement on the part of a red forward gave Waiuku a free-kick. The black forwards swooped up the field, and for a while the home team was in difficulty, until P. Robinson secured ami found the line near hall-way with a good kick. Play hovered in neutral territory for some time, the backs indulging in an exchange of kicks. From a line-out the visitors took the oval to within scoring distance, but a forward kicked too hard, allowing Pukekohe to force. The ball was returned to the home side's 25, where Pukekohe was penalised. Moiioy was entrusted with the kick, and dreW first blood of tho season: Waiuku ... •• " • • «* Puketfohe 'v3*&- .. .. >» Waiuku 'were now having easily the better of matters, and aga ; n hac 1 Pukekone strongly defending. The reds were* again penalised, out the kick at goal' failed. The first .matte- cr.rW without any alteration in the tallv. V '■-. changing over the home team '. nn-.i up, jwt-for quite a lung time had Waiuku defending. Waiuku were .impelled to force, which relieved a.i uglv situation. The home forwards we:e not to bo denied, ad dribbled the oval to the Waiuku goal line. Again the situation looked serious but an infringement gave the defenders an advantage, and the b;«il was kicked into touch near the half way Hag just as half-time sounded: Waiuku i Pukekohe 0

Upon resuming the reds put plenty of dash into their play and took Av ball to V.'aiiiltu lm°, but a WV.uku back fumbled, and i»oui the s-uai;-quent scramble on the line G. Lucas fell over. Higginson made a good attempt, but failed to add the major points:

Waiuku a Pukekohe 3 Waiuku livened matters up, ami their condition told against the wanino- condition of the home team. Prom a good Coliow-up J. Ci'ghton touched down in a good position, but Molloy failed to enhance: Waiuku 6 Pukekohe a The third quarter ended sum aflei with nlav in PuKekohe 25. The final quarter was- all in ta vour of the visit s. P.'kekohe were penalised, and Mclloy had an unsuccessful shot at lb" goal. The ball was rtt-i n.i\. s.nc 1 the same player marked i.. « goo J position. He made no mistaV.e about the kick, and the score b»ard ye.-.xl: Waiuku . . • • "J Pukekohe & Sjon afte:- 11. Robinson scored, but the kick was fruitless: Waiuku 12 r, kek'-h? • • • • • •'>

Pukoto he who had no chance now, ~,,!■ : . ;>.,IJ l.iii t.. score, but thei. effort was not lewarded, a-.- tune ouii.io- \\ ■'■■'■ Ibe : Waiuku 12 Pukekohe " Mr. Joe Reynolds proved in efficient and imnaitiid ivfe.ee. IJUMi;\V 12. V. ONEVVHEHO 6. The Onewheru team journeyed to li.■ji: 1>: t \ and after an interestin., name, were defeated b> 12 pint's to ('». M ' K. Pollock was :•. capable referee. C! RVrOON 9 V. MERCER 0. Tlv above match eventuated _ ai Mercer on a very rough ground. The: l.k.wnlon Ui.m ,)n.ed too superio.-, iiid ;. i:pv*d home winners by 9 points to 0. Mr. J. O'Malley controlled ihe game. JUNIOR. PUKEKOHE 12, V. WAIUKU 6. The local junior team, winners of last year's junior th:\mpionship, journeyed to Waiuku to meet the home juniors. The visitors proved too superior, and had an easy victory, tho team never beiiv really extendec. Tries were scored by Jack Adams (2), R. Tonkin and R. Perkins. Mr. I W. Finlay carried the whistle. ■