FOOTBALL MATCH.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 360, 17 April 1889, Page 2

FOOTBALL MATCH.

TE AROHA v. WAIORONGOMAI. Tiik first match of the season between the above football clubs came off on the old play ground, generally known as the racecourse, Te AroKi, on Saturday last. The gieat^st intact vi.is evinced in the match, and some time prior to play commencing, large numbers might be seen wending their wny to thegiound on foot, horseback, and in vehicles, and the merits and demerits of the players were freely discussed. A temperance bootli was erected on the ground and did a good business during the afternoon, Fiom Waiorongomai a large contingent were pie^ont anxious to witness the contest. Play commenced shortly after ,_4 p. in , the Captains agreeing to play two spoils ol 4b minutes vach. *' The Wniorongomai team having broughMno umpire with them, Mr Mercer (forTe Aroba), had ihe invidaous task allotted him of acting in that capacity for both sides, Te Aroha won the toss and selected the western goal, which owing to the wind, was slightly in their favour. The names of the both teams have already been published in the columns ! of the News, a few changes were made on the Waiorongomai side, but none as regards Te Aroha. The Captain of the Te Aroha team having kicked off piny was for some time confined to the forwards. The Captain of the Waiorongomai team made several determined runs and proved himself an adept in this respect. At length Roberts (Wnioiongomai), by means of a very smart run succeeded in securing a, touch down. The place kick was entrusted to the Waiorongomai Captain who, however, failed to score a goal. The bull having been again lucked off play for some considerable Limn was cauiei! on dangerously near the Waio I longomai goal, \vlum> IVig 1^ (Te Aio'l.l) secured a touch down, which was, how-

even, disputed, and the ball was brought back and Pcrimmed off, and .if tor sorn very determined play was rushed over the Waiorongomai goal, who saved thornpelves by a i'oice down, A ton minutes spoil was now agreed to, during which the members of both teams did some good work at sucking oranges and lemons. Play was resumed by Biggs (Te Aroha) kicking off, and a long scrum took place olose to tho Waiorongomai goal line. Scrum after scrum took place without either side gaining any advantage. At length, however, Clarkson (Waiorongomai) made a good run but was brought to the ground by Biggs CTe Aroha) ; and from this lime to the end of the match neither side obtained much advantage ; the game ending, when time was called, in favour of Waiorongomai, who secured ono point to nil. Tne match was a well contested one throughout, the Waiorongomai team undoubtedly having the advantage both us regards weight and previous practice. One very pleasing feature that was observable throughout was the good humour which prevailed, notwithstanding the rough handling both sides received during the course oi the match. A return match w'U be played at an early date.