FOOTBALL. Te Aroha v. Hamilton.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 55, 21 June 1884, Page 2

FOOTBALL. Te Aroha v. Hamilton.

The first match played between Te Aroha and Waikato came off on Saturday last at Morrinsville. Our team left here at 11 o'clock for the field of contest, where they met their opponents who had arrived by coach from Hamilton, and after the usual preparations, both teams made their, way to the ground, which was immediately opposite Mr Buck's well-known hotel. Verity won the toss, and chose the goal with the wind at his back. The ball was kicked off splendidly by Mackenzie for Hamilton, and the play was for the first quarter-of-an-hour confined within^. the Aroha 25yds, during' which time, owing' to their opponents being three men short and some good play on the part of You Sturmerand Odium, Uie latter succeeded in obtaining a try for Hamilton near our posts, which Mackenzie turned into an unmistakeable goal. After this the Aroha men received the support of three others, thus m dring their number c >mplete, and from then to the en<l it was as much as the Hamilton men could do to stop their enemie? scoring every minute ; as it was, the Aroha team scored 3 tries, obtained by Whitehorise, Hinton, and Hawkins, only one ofVhic!', however, was converted into a sroal by ffinton ,* besides these scores the Hamilton team were forced down at least 10 times. Te Aroha thu-* winning by 9 points to 5 points. The game was most enjoyable, and what is rather a strange thing in football matches, there were no disputes. The Hamilton men all did their best to save defeat, and where all ■lid so much it is hard to particularize, but special mention must be made of the runs of Yon Siiurmer and the kick? !">y Mackenzie For Te Aroha, the forwanls played a very much better game than usual, nursing ami dribbling the ball in a way that showed with a- little •nore practice they will be veryjianl to beat." Rheehan, Lynch, and O'Shea were very good indeed in following up t.he ball and collaring the opposing players before they had time tin get away, ami thus saving a lot of trouble. Whitehouse and Steel were very nappy indeed in their places back, both seizing every chance and making no mistakes ; they were well supported by the ot.er backs, and in fact by tlip whole of the team, which show©! great sisrn of improvement. After the game the usual cheers were exchanged, ami l>oth tean s made their way home, thoroughly satisfied with their srort. It is to be lmp>d that a return match may soon . be wanted •' for. The following are t: c riames of those who formed the re'speefctive teams' :—Te Arohn : .Verity, Pnrdie, Whitehouse., Gordon; Steeie, . . FJmfcon, S'-ieehan, Lynch; D-mksJ'Prtrr, O'Shea, Hawkins, Ellis.- Gui,»ld rand - and „ Qnleman. : Gabbled Ujljn n, Sedviou,* ;A itken, , Pe.hrsan,j^rigws,\y<>ii /' Ktuhh'^r, Jolly, B^wartvl^nl^.^^HspnV/ J .Thomp son, , -MoKeuasie,^" :Bia- !<>i£v ' aiia I;^^1 ;^^