FOOTBALL.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 July 1918, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

On Saturday afternoon the Pirates and Maoris met again for the second time, and as the latter had greatly improved their team a much better exposition of football was the result. The native team consisted of Raukawa, Kohatu, Wilson, Tairua, Wake, Rawhiti, Simeon, Kingi, Tau, Chase, W. Pine, J. Pine, Tuakau and two emergencies. The Pirates’ team, which also showed great improvement, comprised Eaton, McDonell, McGowan, Munro, Connolly, T. Smith, Sinclair, Bennett, Spooner, Donovan, Hay, Bray and Kelly. The Maoris, winning the toss, elected to play with the sun behind them, but the first half was uninteresting from a spectator’s point of view, being, confined to forward work, and ended without score on either side. The second half opened with play of the more open order, good passing rushes being in evidence, but ■by lack of combination very little advantage was gained. After play had been going for about twenty minutes in the second half Munro gave the spectators a little of the good old game. The ball had been kicked out of touch by the Maoris, and Munro, quickly securing, and his team being all on-side, smartly threw the ball to Hay, who quickly transferred to Mun. ro, and the latter made a dash for the line, scoring between the posts before the Maoris realised what had happened. The major points were registered_ On the ball being brought back into play the Maoris tried hard to even up the score, but the defence of the Pirates was too solid, the game ending, Pirate 5, Maoris nil. The play of either side does not lend itself much to description, but a few emarks on the various players will not be out of place. Wilson was most prominent for the Maoris; Pine at half played a good game, but unfor- : tunately his rear men lacked practice, and consequently could not take advantages of the opportunities he created. Chase played with his usual dash, but would have been better placed on the wing, instead of centre-three-quarter. Kingi as full-back is a very safe man, and frequently saved his side. In the Pirates’ team, Kelly, as wing showed up to old form, anc although not brilliant, is a good solid man in the right position. Bernelt and Smith as hookers were prominent, invariably hooking the ball, but their efforts were nullified by the rear ranks in the scrum stopping the ball from coming out; weight was also lacking in the back ranks of the scrum. Notwithstanding their lack of weight against their opponents, they made up this deficiency by their better combination. Bray certainly looked out of place in the forwards, not being so prominent as in the previous match. Sinclair as half, though he played a hard game, requires to use his headpiece more, as on him alone depends whether the game shall be opened up or kept among the forwards. Connolly was nqt up tc his usual form. McGowan is certainly not a five-eight man, and should not have been shifted from the three-quarter line, where he seems more at home. Munro placed a good game, and at times some brilliant runs and men behind the serums would do well to feed him more, as he is a strong runner anil their fastest man. Eaton at. full-back improves with every game, and on Saturday had a very busy time, but never got bustled, taking the ball well, and getting in some fine line-kicking. Generally speaking, with a few changes, the Pirates ought tc give a good account of themselves next Salurday against RaetihL The forwards could certainly do with a bit of weight at the back of the scrum. The feature most- lacking amongst the Pirates is condition, and a few prac r tices in the hall would he beneficial

to most of the players, both in scrum work and handling the ball. Mr. Dowling, tailor, has offered a two-guinea trophy for the most consistent and improved player Tor the season. Other trophies would be acceptable fr'om lovers of sport, as there are no cup matches trophies would be an incentive to the players to do their best.

Mr. Kelsall gave every satisfaction as referre.