FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 1 June 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

KOPUTAROA 13 y. FOXTON 3

The Koputaroa team were a very heavy lot, and made matters willing from the word go. Shortly after the start their wing forward by fast following up scored in a handy position, and the try was converted. They soon had Foxton on the defensive again, and kept the hacks busy clearing their line, Foxton making the mistake ol keeping the game close, instead of making it open, and giving their lighter men better opportunities. Another score to the reds came through Huff, Foxton’s full back, misjudging a high ball, and leaving no opposition. The extra points were easily added. Koputaroa 10, Foxton 0. In the second spell Koputaroa kept up the pressure. From a scrum near the line the red half secured, and knowing the Foxton men would try to hug him around the neck, calmly ducked at the right moment, and evading several in this way scored an easy try. The kick at goal went wide. A little later, through a red back not taking the ball cleanly, C. Procter secured, passed to Walls, and F. Procter scored. Hirini wa& not successful with the kick. There is no doubt the best team won. They are not only a hefty lot, but all their players were safe, and made very few mistakes. Their wing forward was especially good, 'and it was he who was responsible for the first two l tries. Foxton players still adhere to the old fault of lucking too far, and giving their opponents control of the ball. Are they too thick in the head to learn? koputaroa’s two first tries were obtained through nicely judged kicks and good following up. When an opponent has the ball they should not treat him as they would their sweetheart, but as a dangerous person who' ha s to be brought low. Anyway Foxton you cannot expect to win games unless you learn the game, and take the trouble to get fit. The game was 'an jexciting one. and was much enjoyed by the spectators. It was fought out in the best of spirit and although there were hard knocks given and taken, there was no dirty play. Mr Neville gave every satisfaction with the whistle. TOKOMARU 3, MOUTOA 3.

This game calls for very little description, being a very ragged display of Rugby. The Tokomaru team were greatly weakened by the classification of C. and A. Rowland and Lemberg, and had to fill the gaps with players long since retired from the game. Moutoa were on the attack practically the whole game, and certainly should have won, only the good work of N. and J. Whyte keeping them out. Moutoa have a. very even team and all played well, but a, s a team little can he said for Tokomaru. Time after time one or two of them would break away, but would receive no support from their fellows, and a good scoring chance would be thrown away. The goal kicking was weak on both sides, three easy shots being missed. The try scored by Daizieli for Tokomaru was a good solo effort and well deserved. For Tokomaru, Daizieli, M. Parr and Fry played good individual games, the first two especially showing to advantage. In the hacks, M. Whyte played his usual sound game and when opportunity came his way made some great dashes for the Moutoa line, but the support was not there. Probably the last display was ■ that given by J. White at full-back, this player has very little experience at ihe game, but gives promise of turning into ai top hole full hack; he is cool, his line kicking is good and he is not afraid to go down to the hard stuff, with tuition and expert- J enoe be will be heard of again.