FOOTBALL

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43335, 9 June 1908, Page 2

FOOTBALL

PIAKO RUGBY UNION.

SENIOR FIXTURES.

June 13th, Matamata v. Waihou, at Matamata Morrinsville v. Te Aroha, at Te Aroha

WAIKINO Y. PIAKO,

TliiS match was played at Waikino on Saturday last, \md resulted in a win for Waikino after a hard fought and exciting game by 10 points to 9. The Piako team travelled by the 7.15 a.m. train from Te Aroha, under' the management of Mr F. Hurst, who officiated as manager in the absence of Mr F. Pilling, who - arrived soon after ! the game started. On arrival at Waikino the team were shown over the Waihi Goldmining Company’s big battery and foundry, and spent a very pleasant 2 hours inspecting the treatment of the ore, machinery, etc. Promptly at 3.15 both teams trooped on to the field of play, Waikino in all black and silver fern and Piako in the familiar maroon and gold. The following were the teams :

WAIKINO. Full-backs —-Gilpin Three-quarter

Binns Skellon Nichols Five-eight —Field Half —Jones Wings—Shand Armstrong

Eorwards. —O’Neil, Corbett, Murton, Grace, Poland, Murray, and Noakes.

PIAKO. Full —Joe Timmins Three-quarter

Joughin M. Timmins Jack Timmins Five-eight—Lennard (Capt.) Half-Price Wings —Warner Percy

Forwards. —Art Lennard, Jock Faiiow, Hogg, Lipsey, Comerford, Borrie, Buchan. Referee, Mr Douglas. From the kick-off Waikino, who weie playing down hill, made an onslaught on the visitors line and after 5 or 10 minutes' play Skillen, getting the ball from a passing rush, cut in and scored a cleVci try. A few moments after Piako were awarded a free kick and M. Timmins equalised the score by landing a neat goal. Shortly before half time Skillen again obtaining the ball from a loose rush potted a good goal and the spell ended Waikino 7, Piako 3. Piako started attacking from the jump and gave the spectators a good exhibition of forward play, penning the home team in their 25 almost the whole spell. Price on one occasion got over, but the ball was kicked out of his hands. Lennard and Comerford also got over, but had the misfortune to loose the ball. From a line out, 12 yards from the home teams line, Buchan seemed and dashing across scored a try, the kick at goal being a failure. Soon after Arty Lennard assayed at goal and his brother Alf, smartly following up his brother’s kick, .scored a 2nd try for Piako, the kick at goal again failing, the score now read Piako 9, Waikino 7 and 2 minutes ,to go. The Waikino lads got away with a magnificent rush right up the field, and Field getting the ball scored the winning try for Waikino light on the tick of time, the kick at goal failed, and Waikino won one of the most interesting games fought on then- ground by 10 points to 9. The forwards on both sides played a fast dashing game. Waikino, if anything, being stronger than Piako who, however, had all the best of the loose and line out play. Joe Timmins at full did fairly well, but waited for the ball to bounce instead of receiving on the full. His brother Jack was also an offender in this respect. M. Timmins played his usual game. • Alf Lennard was the best back on the ground, and is a certainty for the Goldfields team. He has got a nasty habit of jumping over his opponents and should certainly stop this bad habit. _ He also made an excellent captain. Price behind the pack again played pluckuy and opened up the game a little more than on the previous Saturday. Warner and Percy on the wings played well all through. In the pack Arty Lennard, Hogg, Comerford, Borrie- and Furrow were all hard grafters, while A. Lipsey was a tow3r of strength as lock, and the big fellow lasted the game out like a hero. For Waikino Gilpin at full was safe and his kicking good. Skillen was the best of the three quarter line, his try was a clever bit of work* Jones behind the pack, did a lot of rush stopping and his line kicking was superp. Of the forwards Grace was the best of a hard working lot. O’Neil, Poland. Corbett, Merton, also playing a good game, while Armstrong and Shand were a good pair of wb gers. The Piako team returned to Te Aroha by the 7-45 tram after spending a pleasant day and game at Waikino. The Piako team wore a neat badge on their coat lapels, the gift of the Editor of the Te Aroha News.

TE AROHA II v. WAIHOU II

Tliis match was played on the Te Aroha ground last Saturday afternoon. The weather was all that could be desired, and a good number of spectators were present. Mr Binstead had charge of the whistle, and he proved a fair and impartial referee ; Messrs C. Cnbb and J. O’Grady held the flags. Te Aroha kicked off, and very soon both teams were at it in real earnest, and from start to finish neither side appeared to tire, lbe sides were very evenly matched, so much so that tho game ended m a draw, neither side scoring. Tho pick of the Waihou players were. Donovan, D. McCarthy, P. Johnson, D. Allen, and Jones (forwards) ; Dick Johnson (three-quarter) ; T. hhme (halfback) ; while the full - back, W. Tinuuins, was very safe. For Te Aroha: J. Maloney, G. McKee, Brunton, and T. Gavin were the best of the forwards; G. Wallace played a good half-back game; Atkins, full, was well worth his place, and made few mistakes ;B. Shaw, is a coming rep player, and was the pick of the backs. WAIHOU v. MATAMATA.

The Waihou team to play at Matamata next Saturday will be choosen from tho following :—J. Timmins, O’Grady, Timmins, Bartles, Lennard, Timmins, Borne, Percy. Lennard, Comerford. Given (2), Shine, McCabe, Barlow, Jamieson, D. Johnson, I. Johnson, R. Allen. .114. Any of the above players not able to make the trip will oblige by informing the secretary W.F.C., as soon as possible.