A Trib to Morrinsville.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2110, 14 June 1898, Page 2

A Trib to Morrinsville.

OUR FOOTBALLERS.

IBr Drop Kick.)

Hearing, that our footballers intended paying, a visit to Morrin»viUe, to try conclusions with a picked team from that district, 1 determined- upon. joining the par ! y. As previously arranged we all met at Smardon Bros,’ stables, whence one of his commodious brakes, behind a quartette of spirited broncos, with an experienced jehii in charge of the ribbons, was to convey us to our destination. When the f wprd ‘ all aboard ’ was given, a crack ofthe whip set our turn-out going., j.W© numbered close on twenty five all told, and many were the yarns spun and songs N&utng while we flew along the road. A short halt was made at Wai: hou to pick up our half-back, who was busily engaged wielding the. smithy hammer. Our centre-forward volunteered to assist in the striking, in. a short-time the sparks were flying in all directions, theU iuless time than it' takes to teilwe wpre once napre rattling. direolibn'of Sbryinsviile, passing es'tates, well-stocked, vyith;jcattle ahd .sheep, aid. leaving our TuArblia mountain towering far into the sky away in the distance,. -In about an hour and-a-half from the time we started we pulled up at the Nottingham Castle Hotel- For awhile there was quite a flutter of excitement outside the hotel, but gradually wo made for the gre n sward in the rear of the house. Th e match was timed to start at 3 o’clock, but owing to multifarious reasons it was close on 4 o’clock before Mr T. Hinton (referee) sounded, the fall-in. Both - teams- taking up their positions, and the customary wat-cry sounded, the whistle was again blown and Morrinaville sent the oval, well down the field and the game commenced in real earnest,; Neither side'&ppoarei to have the best of it and; iplay was principally carried on in the middle of the field, ; It was a-treat to watch the . numerous scrummages that took placej the.forwards on both sides locking themselves well together, and straining every muscle to push their antagonists forward ; while the backs on either. side jTsare-IsaatJpw watekisg'- <tfc<?pyal like a cat watchmgV mouse, ever ou\ the alert to dash off, only to'be grossed by one of the opposing side. y'The half-time sounded and no score/ was made, although Momusvilb*/ were' compelled to force on several,«pccasions. After a short spell the heather was repetition of the previous Btdf hjtfur took ‘place, if anything, the play was a little rougher, .and some, ft. am sorry to say, appeared to loose tjleir tempers, while others played tha-game with a smiling face and The last ten minutes otjkLe game took place iu the dark, ainjft the game ended in a draw, neither' side having scored. The placing of some of the Morrinsvilie payers was a treat to watch, especially f that of the full-back, A. Radford, who never missed d ohame, and always got his kick in; J. Oarnachan, centreforward, beaded most of the rushes, his dribbling what paralyzing our players, he-was well supported ,by A. Wilson, : W* vDent, M. Kelly, A. Pickett, H. Salrnon, Mayes, d. Badford (capt). - Among the Te- Aroha players, our captain, A/K/ Lipsey, played a dashing game/ and made several brilliant runs amid the cheers; of the spectators, but he makes a serious mistake in holdi»g4o ,the ball tpo long, and not passing out, no doubt as the season advances .these mistakes will be rectified"; 'F, Bavitt, R.; Bell, Buchan (backs), and Pickett r Keaeally, Evitt, Mikkekea, Cornea (forwards), were undoubtedly -the pick of the players, and put in some useful work. A sumptuous repast was provided for; oia»: boys :.fit the, Nottingham Castle, to yrhich it ..is needless to say full justicb was done. A vote of thanks Was passed .to the .Morrinsvilie, Club - for the manner in which they' had received us.' This #as responded to by the captain of the club, Mr T. Hinton, who, in a neat speech, Intimated the pleasure it afforded his team in meeting the Te Aroha boys,, and the good feeling that always ex isted amougst them. After, tea a social evening was passed, songs, recitations, etc., were rendered. The brake left forborne at 8 o’clock, after 'three cheers had been given for the host and hostess of the Nottingham Cootie, I .;Mr ; and Mrs Scholium, we started away, all joining in singing / AuJd Bang;; Syne/ : We arriyed at Smardon’s stables at 10 o’clock, after three cheers had been givefi'lcfr pur. driver/G. Saunders, we dispersed to our homes' having passed a most enjoyable time;