Football.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43103, 11 June 1907, Page 2

Football.

TE AROHA v. WAIHOU.

What might he termed the match of the season took place on the Recreation Ground, To Aroha, last Saturday, when Waihou met the Te Aroha team for the second time this season. The day was fine and there was a - good attendance of supporters of both teams, including several ladies, and a good dealoi the usual barracking was indulged in. teams were evenly matched and looked good form when they entered the nel Waihou, if anything, having a slight advantage in weight in the forwards. Mr Mettam again referred with his usual ability, but had the unpleasant duty to order a player off the field in the second spell. Messrs McKee and Allison looked after tne lines and Mr L. Shaw was timekeeper. Te Aroha won the toss, and Waihoukickea off with a strong sun in thoir eyes. Ihe ball was smartly returned to Waihou s twentyfive, the maroon and gold finding the line at halfway. Play settled at midfield for a while, scrums and liue-outs being the order, ana eventually the maroon and golds opened out a bit and the forwards, headed bv Rooney Comerford and Company, shifted play to Te Aroha’s twenty-five. From a scrum D. Shine kicked aaross the field and Pukanui and P. Hogan, hesitating as to who should ceive the ball, Alex. Johnson slipped inbQtween, and, snapping the oval up, dashed in and scored a soft try between the post, after fifteen minutes’ play. J. Timmins took the kick and failed to add the major points. — Waikou three points ; Te Aroha nil. From the drop out, Te Aroha took a hand in attacking and worked their way into Waihou’s twenty-five. Here Pukanui secured the leather and beating several hacks made a beautiful opening to J. Hogan, the latter spoiled a good chance of scoring by hanging on to the ball instead of passing to Aitken, who was supporting on the outside. The Waihou lads cleared their _ lines, but Te Aroha were back at it again, and getting awarded a free kick in a good position, DJ Shaw had a shot at goal without success, J. Timmins forcing. From the kiok-out play, again shifted into Te Aroha’s twenty-five, and good play by the maroon and golds pack which was playing with great combination, kept the Te Aroha hacks busy for awhile At last the hall was kicked across the line, and E. Timmins chasing _it up, smartly scored the second try for Waihou, J. Timmins adding the major points. From the kick-off play of an even naturewas the order and mostly confined to the forwards, and the whistle sounded half-time with play in Waihoii , B twQiity-fiyo and To Aroha attacking. « McSweaney kicked off for Te Aroha, and the forwards swooping down smothered the return. After several scrums had taken place Te Aroha seeemed to be having the best of the deal, and Waihou for a time were kept busy defending. The maroon and golds seemed to betaking things too easy, for J.. Wilson and Aitken dribbling through enabled the latter to score for Te Aroha near corner peg, but D. Shaw missed the shot at goal* The drop-out saw the blue and whites at» tacking, and Dan Shine, who was playing a great game for his side, smartly marked and brought relief by a good kick. The. Waihou lads followed up the advantage gained and started a passing run, Shine, Timmms and O’Grady taking part. Play hnug round T« Aroha’s line, and here D. Shine snapped the leather up and with the blue and whites a.l round him smartly potted a goal. It was a splendid hit of play and the Waihou lad well deserved the applause. The score now read—■* Waihou 12 points; Te Aroha 3. Nothing daunted with the big score agaimt them, the Te Aroha lads fought gamely on, and at length their efforts were rewarded by tbo veteran, J. Wilson, scoring in a good position. Pukanui failed to add to the i-core. Play now became fast and furious and tie maroon and golds seem* 1 to be tiring ana the forwards lacked the dash that they had dis* played in the first spell. About this time Brennan, of the Te Aroha team, retired witp a broken nose, and StGeorge, who was playing a good game, collided with P. Hogan . both men having to - retire for a while iq-: turning to the field of play shortly artei , The la?t ten minutes of the game was played in semi-darknes3, and the ball was kicked up and down the field with advantage to neit er side. At length Te Aroha set. up a determined rush and J. Hogan breaking throug , scored a try between the posts. .D. “haw was this time successful with the. kick, ino whistle immediately sounding time, leaving the maroon and golds victors by one ppm • The final scores were Waihou 12, and 16 Aroha 11, , The two fullbacks, J. Timmins and., if Hogan, gave a first class exhibition °f_foo * ball, both men playing good games. The r live kicking was good, while their defence was of the soundest. The three-quarters W' ( - both sides were fair, hut the taking of he ball was at times only moderate,- being no doubt on account of the strong sun which shone in their eyes. O’Grady was at nmea prominent, hut hesitated too much. Alictt Johnson was up to his old form, and his try was a good bit of work. Pukanui and shone out for their side, the former on one occasion making a beautiful opening.. AitkeiJ was sound in defence. The five-eights on both side? were solid, E. Timmins again putting in good work, and J. Hogan is getting his old self again, and his try was a good dm of play. Of the two halves, D. Shaw, and D Shine, the latter pleased the most and was responsible for a lot of good play, especially in the line out. His goal from the field was a smart bit of work. D. Shaw worked Wsi team well and shone out at times, always finding the line with useful kicks. Of the wing forwards St. George and Wilson were the pick, the former playing with great dash, D. Borrie, captain of the maroon and golds, __ worked his team well and gave his best , hibition this season. McPike played a good - game. Of the forwards Cummerford, Mickelsen, Collins and Rooney got through a lot of graft Collins at times shining in toe line and Cribb, Jennings, Willis and W. t Everett all worked like trogans. The front rankers, Willis and Popple beat their older rivals in the pack for the ball on more than one occasion. McSweeny played with hi? usual dash and worked the sorum Wfifi-. Next Saturday Wajhou meet Morrinsville at Waihou when Waihou should have no difficulty in beating the blue and blacks,

JUNIOR MATCH, MORRINSVILLE 11. v. WAIHOU 11. This match took plaee at Waihou and resulted in a win for Morrinsxdlle by eight points to nil. Tor the winners Gall and Amous scored tries, one of which was converted by Neals.