FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9145, 14 May 1908, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

MAR TON V. EXCELSIORS. The two Mai ton Clubs met in their first match ou the Park lyesterday for senior honors. After the Excelsiors were defeated somewhat easily by Bulls, and Marton had won against a strong combination from Huuterville it was thought that the maroon and whites would have little difficulty in piling up a decent score against the rival team. They certainly did win by a substantial margin—l 6to 3—but the Excelsiors put up a better performance than was expected. Right on to the last 20 minutes of the game they quite held their own and at times showed better form in the loose work than Marton. The latter did not play with anything like the combination that was looked forward to—perhaps it was because the Excelsiors kept them too busy. Half-wav through the second spell |the scores were even —3 all- and when matters were looking serious for Marton a sensational piece of individual play was done by Rickleben. Play was in neutral ground when he snapped up the ball from behind the pack and dashed through the opposing pack, flew past the back division, cleverly beating the full back, and scored the smartest try yet seen on the Park. It was a great run and he touched down behind the post amidst an outburst of applause. Signal had no difficulty in converting. This reverse took the sting out of the Excelsiors’ play and they allowed their opponents to run over them, for soon after a passing rusinwas initiated by McGurke and the ball was quickly transferred finally reaching ‘Mclntyre, the wing three-quarter" who ran in aud scored at a good angle, Signal kicking a fine goal. Marton kept up a strong attack and in a sweeping forward rush the ball came to the full back who was soon in difficulties and to save a certain try he lay ou the ball and was penalised. Henderson took a shot at goal and was unsuccessful. From the kickout Marton returned to the onslaught and again had their opponents hard pressed. From a scrum in the corner Kelleher slipped over both packs and scored. Signal was entrusted with the kick and just missed. This was the ‘ibest kick, of the day. The score now stood at 16 to 3, which was unaltered. The first try scored for Marton was secured' by Mclntyre after a smart run and the Excelsiors three points was from a goal kicked by Arnott from a neat mark obtained by W. Nuttall. Just before half time Goodall, who had been playing a safe game at full back, had to .retire having received a nasty cut on “the head. His services made an appreciable difference to the new club. For the winners Simpson, Harris, Mavchant were always prominent and all the backs showed fair form. For the Excelsiors the Arnott Bros, played sterling games in the back division and Richards was in great form at half. Sinclair and Outts also did useful work. The forwards with two exceptions worked hard and it only requires a little more combination to make them a useful pack. Mr Gibbons refereed satisfactorily.

BULLS V. HUNTERVILLE. This senior match was played at Hunterville and the home team won by 14 points to nil. The first score was from a fine rush by Illston and Milne, the former picking np and passing to Milne who got over at the corner. Hill failed at the kick. Hill potted a goal from a free kick in the second spell and soon after Taylor kicked a goal from a penalty. Bulls had a look in for a while, but Hunterville returned to the attack and a fine passing rush was started by Southcombe, to Hill, to Pine, to Jago, who scored Hunterville’s second try, which was nicely converted by Taylor. Bulls visited Hnnterville’s quarters, but could not get over and no further score resulted. The visiting forwards played well and Hunterville backs were very safe. Mr Martin gave satisfaction as referee.