REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 29 August 1924, Page 3

REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL.

TAIHAPE 15 y. HOROWHENUA 9. The weather, conditions for the meeting of the Taihape and Horowhenua representative on Wednesday afternoon at the Recreation Grounus at Shannon were not too pleasant from the spectators' point qf view, a strong wind blowing, with rain threatening, but the latter held off during ttie game. The ground was in good oruer after the fine weather, of the past few days. The game, though not brilliant was a ihard one an,d at times fast, the leather frequently travelling from, end tq end of the field. i

In the first spell Taihape had ihe , advantage of itfoe wind, registering 9 points to their opponents 3, and it was anticipated, by those on the line thai when the change-over came, the local men would level but although they made. a bid to do so, Taihape maintained their lead. On the day's play the best team won, Horowhenua's downfall being their back division which was very weak. WestHakaraia (2) and McHerron were absentees from the.team selected, their places being filled by D'Ath, Winiata, Tana and H. McDonald. At the end of the first spell Wilson retired and Hope came on as full-back, 1 M. Johnson, who ha'd been playing fn that position, taking Wilsons place as wing three-quarter. The following are the teams r Horowhenua. —• Johnson, D'Ath, Winiata, Wilson;, Tahiwi, Jacob (capt.), Lenihan, George, H. McDonald, Tana, McLean; Broughton, Moynihan, Tatana and Flay. , Taihape.—Hall, Logan, 'Peebles, Dockray, Hargreaves, Sinclair, Riley, Bellis. (capt.), O'Connell, Murphy, Waki, Bennett, Leahy, Ormond and Kilbroney. Play opened with Taihape making an onslaught into" Horowhenua's territory, where twice in quick succession, M. Johnson fumbling the ball, the visitors went close to scoring. Almost immediately following the visitors indulged in a fine passing bout and what looked like a, score was spoilt by a forward pass! A scram- ' 'ble near Horowhenua'g line resulted in the latter obtaining a free kick which eased the pressure. Near the 25 line Jacob by a splendid kick found the line • well down. Taihape again returned to the attack and worked play into the local territory, where Tahiwi by a kick . gave relief. Play was now hovering

. in midfleld where Peebles and Dockray, in an exchange of passing, took the ball down the field and beating the opposition cleverly. Peebles scored near the corner. Bennett failed to add the extra points. Taihape 3, Horowhenua 0. . From the kick-out for some time following the play was very poor, both teams appearing to take matters easily. Finally the monotony was broken by, a dribbling rush by Horo- ,' whenua in which 'Moynilian was prominent. With the ball at his toe he had only the full-back (Hall) to ■ beat, but' the latter saved well by sharping up the leather and getting. his kick in; returning well down the line. Taihape got r»usy and again had the N local men defending their •line.. The visitors were awarded a , iree kick but their attempt to in-

. urease the score was not a success. "■ Not to be denied Taihape bombardeu Horowhenua's defence, finally Peebles dived across with two -men. hanging to him and scored. Bennett's shot at goal was a failure. Taihape 6, Horowhenua 0. This score seemed to liven up the . local men, who how put plenty oi ginger into their work and they soon nad Taihape on. the deiensive, the lqcal forwards putting in some gOou work, the '.outcome of which saw Lenihan secure the ball from a lineout, passing to "Jacob who in turn sent it to Tahiwi, who dodging through, his opponents, scored. Jacob took the kick, but failed to add the extra points. • Taihape 6, HorOwhenua 3. This was> followed by Taihape backs getting possession and alter a good passing bout crossing into Horowhenua territory. A scrum took place and the visitors'' half, getting -the ball, whipped it out smartly and what looked like a certain .score wag spoUt by a fajulty pa-ss. They now had the local men doing their be/H and from a line out Murphy caught the ball and dropped across the line and scored. Bennett again failed to place Hie ball qver the bar. Taihape 9, Horowhenua 3. The ball going into play again, Horowhenua worked it down to the visitors' territory, but it was soon . returned to neutral from where Taihape by spectacular passing carxied play to the home quarter, relief coming to the latter by Moynihan heading a dribbling rush out of the dan- ' ger zone. alter the whistle sounded for hall'time with play in mid-field. - Taihape 9, Horowhenua 3. With six points to make up it was thought Horowhenua with the wind now in their favour would be equal to, the occasion. They commenced vigorously but by hard kicking were forced. On the ball going into play Taihape, headed by O'Connell, wtu» the hall at his toe, took play beyond the ihome team's 25, where from a scrum that followed the ball went out among Taihape's back division and Logan, the -wing three-quarters, by a fine run scofea. The kick at goal failed to add the extra points. Taihape li, Horowhenua 3. Ah exchange of kicks up and down the neW followed, D'Ath finally finding the line well up. Taihape returned to the attack but Lenihan sa>ved , by a good mark* the kick carrying the ball Inside the visitors' quarter,

Where a good chance to score was lost by a. bad pass. Amends were soon made by Jacob who started a passing bout sending the leather to Tahiwi, who passed to Johnson, the -latter scoring near ithe corner flag, 2 Jacob did not add the extra points.

Taihape .12, Horowhenua 6. Horowhenua stiU maintained their • ; pressure making great efforts to score, but the visitors were equal to 4the occasion. Lenihan from a scramble secured possession and after 4 beating several opponents passed to Moynihari, who, passing wildly, miss-

ed a, chance) of scoring. Relief came tq Taihape by forcing NHqrowheniia. Interest was now keen and each side made every effort. Pleasing open play followed in which both teams had an equai advantage. Finally •Taif nape wer.e awarded a free kick near the half way line and Leahy taking the kick landed a beautiful goal. Taihajpe JLS, Horowhenua e. Taihape again got going and O'Goiineli, who was playing a great forward game, broke through with the ball at his toe, but Hopa at full back stopped a dangerous, onslaught. This was immediately" followed by another rush with CKConneu and Bellis prominent, but it ended without result. Horowhen.ua now. turned defence into attack, as the outcome of which Lenihan enabled Jacob to score. Tahiwi was unable to increase the score by the kick at goal. Taihape 15, Horowhenua 9.

Play was now a succession of dribbling rushes and scrums, both teams appearing to tire, Horowhenua gradually Working play into the visitors' territory, where they had them penned for some time, hut failed to breakthrough the barrier. Relief came to Taihape where from a scrum O'Connell again broke away with the ball at his feet, as a result of which play was transferred to neutral, where it remained until the call of time. Mr Burroughs controlled the game. THE VISITORS ENTERTAINED. In Uhe evening the visitors were entertained at a smoke concert in the Druids' Hall, His Worship the Mayor (Mr Murdoch) presiding over a, large attendance. During the evening several toasts were honoured, interspersed with musical items contributed by the Mao'riland String Band, Messrs Bryant and Richards, musical selections on the xylophone and banjo, songs by Messrs Jacob, McDonald, T. Mahima, R. Moynilian, and M. Je'ffery, and recitations by Messrs Samuel, McDonald, and Robinson. The visitors left for Taihape by the New' Plymouth express yesterday morning, FOXTON DECIDES TO PLAY ' UEAGUE. A meeting of about forty players was held in Mr Jack's rooms last night,.Mr M. E. Perreau presiding.

It was resolved that the efforts of Mr Jack to establish League football in Foxton be endorsed, and it was unanimously decided to form a club, to be called the Athletic Rugby League Club. Correspondence was received from the headquarters of the League, offering to make Foxton the centre in the Manawatu district to be called the Manawatu Rugby League (Incorporated). —This offer was accepted. The following were appointed a committee: Messrs. M. E. Perreau, E. Bryant, Delaney, Shaw, Cochrane, J. Desmond and Ryan. It was decided to accept an offer from Otaki to play a game on the to-morrow. The team will be chosen from the following:-—Reid, Desmond, O'Reily, Martin, Kirkland, Hakaria, Bowden, Christie, Fuller (2), H. Walls, W. Coley, Chaffey, Westwdd, Robinson, McEwen, and Burr (2). ' . f

Twenty-five members '<. were enrolled in the room. .

Mr Jack reported that two shields for the senior and junior competitions cup for the third grade competition had been presented.