FOOTBALL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3565, 30 August 1920, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

TOKAANU v. HUIAS. The inter-Club challenge match between the 'Tokaanu senior team and the Huias attracted a (large crowd on Saturday to the Oval. The weather was fine, but the ground was greasy after the recent rain. The visitors put in a full team, but the Huia team was weakened by the absence of Beiliss and Batley, and played only fourteen men for some time. Soon after the start, it could be seen that the game would be a good one, as he sides appeared to be well matched. The game was very fast, the ball being transferred from one end of the field to the other with great rapidity. Loose rushes by the forwards of each team proved exciting at times, and the Huias were the first to score. Tuke threw the balll to Chase, who passed to Eodgers, who scored a good try just as he was tackled. The kick at ’goal from a difficult angle failed. Huias 3, Tokaanu 0. The Tokaanu team commenced a vigorous attack, and took play into the Huia 25, where Duff nearly got over. Play was fast and loose for some time, when Ongley got in a high kick, which was followed up well, but the ball bounced back over the heads of the charging forwards. After a 'linc-out, the Huias got in a good dribbling rush and the ball was kicked to MeLaughlan, who rushed over the line and scored. Ongley took the kick from a. bad angle, and missed. Huias G, Tokaanu 0.

The Tokaaim forwards got going, but Bennett got in a good kick which

found the line. The visiting forwards attacked again, but Lysnar took the ball from a kick and found the line when tackled. Play was centred for a few minutes, when the Tokaanu forwards earied play into the Huia 25, but the baJl went out at the corner. The Huias were penalised for off-side in the 25, and the ball was kicked across to the Tokaanu wing, who failed to get in. After a loose scramble 'the Huias were again penalised. Maher returned the kick, finding the line. From the line-out, the visitors gradually worked play into the Huia 25 and the forwards were going! well t2ll Maher saved again. The visitors kept up the attack, and once their backs showed individual brilliancy. From a loose scramble, the Tokaanu forwards, got over, but the kick at goal, which was a fine attempt, fell just short. Huias 6, Tokaanu 3.

Soon afterwards, the Huia forwards, with Take in the van, got going and invaded Tokaanu territory, but Duff saved with a good kick. In a lineout in the 25, McLaughlan threw the ball well over, and it eventually came ■to Chase, who intercepted a low kick and passed to hedgers when tackled. The latter failed to take the pass, and knocked on. From the scrum, the ball went over the line, and Tokaanu forced. The visiing forwards then commenced to make things lively, and by fast following up they were dangerous on more than one occasion. F,rdm a loose rush the Da’ll went over the line and Bennett forced. A series of scrums in mid-field fo’lowed, until play was again transferred to the Huia 25. * The ball on one occasion w r ent over the line, and Rodgers and the Tokaanu wingforward had an exciting tussle for the ball on their own, and Rodgers managed to force. A loose rush bv the Hulas took play in‘o the visitor** territory, but Dug saved again with a good kick. Play was quickly <vansferred from one side of the fufid to the other from the line-out, when the

Tokaanu wirig three-quartcj gathered pp the ball and made a great ruf- defying all efforts to collar him. Had he run on, he would have scored, but.he. passed the ball out pud with it his chance of scoring. Soon sifter, the spell ended with the* score, , Huias 6, Tokaanu 3.

The positions of some of :he players In both teams were changed in the. second half, and for the Huias Hughes was sent to play fifil-back, Bennett being sent, to half. The visitors commenced by throwing the ball t about and making the game more open than it was in. the first spell. Tuke took play tto the Tokaanu 25, but a force resulted. Even, play resulted, and it •was some time before either side got within striking distance. The Huias took play to the Tokaanu 25, and from a line-out Lysnar secured the ball and passed to Rodgers after a run, the latter getting over., Benue t had the kick at goal, but missed. Huias 9, Tokaanu 3. The score was followed by some exciting fast play in which the Tokaanu backs figured prominently. Alternately, their backs and forwards got in Some good clever work, but the combination was lacking. The backs gavebrilliant individual exhibitions at times and the fast following up by the forwards when it was their turn kept the Huia backs busy defending their line. The fine tackling by Cfighes at full-back, and his eocflness in emergencies saved the. Huias on several occasions. Tokaanu go" going from a lino-out near the Huia line, and one of the forwards got in on the ba’l when it went over the line. The kick at goal -was a good one. and landed, nicely. Huias 9, Tokaanii S. .Tokaanu kept up the attack, and Duff made a good attempt to got in, bint was well collared by Hughes. 6. Maher * got in i. time to save a' dangerousrush, found the lime, and a li tie laterR. Maher saved by marking, Tokaanu came again with a good passing rush, which the %11 back stoppet by getting in a good line-kick. The Huias then attacked, bur Tuke was on his ownwhen there was a chance of scoring, and there was nobody to carry on when he had tackled his man. TheTuias had few chances after this, as the game resolved itself into a series of stubborn attacks by the visitors. R. Maher, however, got going on one occasion. and passed to Chase, who could’have scored had he not missed the pass. The visiting team was still attacking when the game ended with thescore:

Huias 9, Tokaanu S. On the day’s play, the Huias were vraTier lucky to get a win. as the visitors had a decided advantage of the play in the second half. Mr. W. Y. Kelsalll controlled thegame. ! . _ - - THE EANFURLY SHIELD. WANGANUI v. WELLINGTON. WELINGTON, This Day. After a briliaut game, in which the* issue was in doubt until the last ten. ' minutes, Wellington defeated Wanga- • nui in the Eanfurly Shild match by 200 | points t® 14.

Barker opened Wellington’s. scoring acount with a fine try under the posts. Xichofls converting. Shortly aferwards Tilyard crosed the line, no gctill resulting. Wellington 8, Wanganui 0.

Wanganui now gave a taste of their offensive qualities), Sifliivan scoring,. Paranihi failing with the kick. Before half-time Nicholls scored again for Wellington, making the score 11—3. Vigorous jflay characterised the second spell, and Cowic kicked a nice penalty goal for Wanganui, and this was quickly followed by a try by Scott. Wanganui continued to press, and Svenson scored a try beneath the posts which Cowie easily eonveml. Wanganui 14. ‘Wellington 11.

■Wellington now 7 took the initiative, and a nice passing rush resulted in Aitken scoring a try, which Nicholls converted. Just before time E. Ryan potted a brilliant goal, thus placing the issue beyond doubt, the game ending; Wellington 20. Wanganui 14,