FOOTBALL MATCHES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 21 June 1917, Page 4

FOOTBALL MATCHES

TAIHAPE v. TAUMARUNUI.

The return match between the Taihape and Taumarunui football teams was played at Taumarunui yesterday afternoon. A full team of Tafßape players journeyed to Taumarunui by the North Express on Tuesday evening under the charge of Mr. J. Ryan a$ manager. The Taihape team was weakened by the absence of two of their best backs Peasey and Maher.

»- The. first match at Taihape resulted in a draw game and it was generally anticipated especially by Taumarunui supporters that, the home team would win. AContmry to anticipations the apparently weak Taihape team put up a first class game, the forwards espec* ially having a day out and accounting for the scores obtained. *

The match was witnessed by several hundred spectators and the Y.M.C.A. Trench Comforts Fund would benefit considerably as a result. The following team represented Taihape: Full back, Eaton; three-quarters, Waters, McDonell, Chase; five-eights, Takarangi, Connolly; Half, /Bagley; forwards, McDermott, Mcisweeney, Windsor, Murphy, Waller, Munro, Kelly, Collins, owing to indisposition, Welch was unable to play. The match was played in good weather although recent rains caused a heavy and greasy 'ball' which made handling by the backs difficult. The game was all through a forward one and the Taihape forwards played their best game this season, their following up being a constant source of worry to the opposing backs. In all departments the Taihape forwards were superior and were well saved by the safe line kicking of their backs. Immediately from the kick out the ball was rushed by the Taihape forwards through the opposing backs and over thfe line, Murphy, touched down and registered the first score for Taihape. The try was not converted* Towards the end of the first sprfl a forward rush from half-way in which Waller, Windsor and McSweeney were prominent resulted in Windsor securing another try for Taihape, the' kick at goal not altering the''score. In the second spell the Taihape team held the ascendency and'the Taumarunui were at no time dangerous. Half-way through the spell a pretty possing rush in which the ball was handled by McDermott, McD'onel,, Takarangi and Chase was finally taken by sprinted through the opposition*and scored near the corner. No further score resulted although at times a score was imminent for Taihape. The game finally resulted. Taihape, 9 points; Taumarunui 0.

The game was played in a friendly spirit and was capably controlled by Mr ; Cullen, referee!" ■''' -'• '' ' ' The Taihape backs played a good defensive game but owing to the ball not being heeled cleanly' from the scrum few opportunities were given for attack. The pick of the backs ! were Connolly, Takarangi, McDonell and Chase. In 'the forwards' all played well, Waller, especially so, whilst Kelly, Munro, and Windsor were prominent in the loose and Murphy, McSweeney, Collins, and McDermott in the ruck. The team desire to thank Mr. P. E. Wakeman and W. Watson for comforts

on the /journey. The Taihape team and supporters were most hospitably entertained by the Taumarunui team. After the match both teams dined together, the Taihape men being the guests of the evening. Later in the evening the Taihape visitors were entertained at a smoke concert in the Library Hall, Taumarunui. A pleasant evening was and the hospitality of the Taumarunui' sports was done full justice to and suitably acknowledged by the spokesmen of the Taihape men.

FOOTBALL NOTES The Pirates team fresh from their victorious tour to Taumarunui remain unbeaten. Will the "Has Beens" be the ones to lower the victorious colours Coach Simson with wonderful sagacity dispatched two envoys with the Pirates to Taumarunui on Wednesday, ostensibly to help the Pirates to win but in reality to enquire into and report on the tactics adopted by their opponents on Saturday. The envoys have returned and handed the information gleaned to the "Intelligence Department." of the "HaSBcens" as a result the plan of campaign on Saturday will-*be devised accordingly. If the Pirates play as they did against Taumarunui on Wednesday the "Has Beens" have a more difficult problem than the breaking of the Hindenburg line on hand, the Hindenburg line will be as wool is to steel compared with the Pirate line. Fred reckons however that launches his offensive on Saturday the Pirate line will crack up like ice on the Municipal Baths.