Football at Morrinsville

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4406, 4 May 1909, Page 3

Football at Morrinsville

(Own Correspondent.) The football match played here on Saturday proved a very interesting one, though through Hamilton City being a man short and having several juniors in the team Morrinsvi'lle won rather easy by 14 points (4 tries, one converted) to 3, a dropped goal by Bettley from a mark. The game commenced at 3.13 and City immediately rushed the leather into Morrinsville’s quarter, where it remained for a short time, the forwards coming to the rescue and after v that City never looked dangerous. Brindly (Morrinsville wing forward) secured first over half way and made a splendid run, beating several opponents, and was grassed close to the line. Some close play followed near the Hamilton line, the leather being kicked across to Gaddes, who, however, failed to take, but keeping the ball at his toe worked the leather across in front of the Hamilton goal, eventually crossing the line and scoring. He took the kick himself which was successful. From the kick out Morrinsville were soon back again, the forwards doing good work. A passing rush amongst the backs saw Condon nearly over, being pulled down just in time. Morrinsville kept up the pressure, and from a pass saw Condon shoot over the line; The whistle went for a pass off the ground and the free kick gave some relief. Mclntyre returned into touch. From the throw in the forwards rushed the ball over, Worthington falling on it. The kick at goalfailed. Some even play followed the kick out, and an intercepted pass saw Hamilton gain ground, the ball going to the Morrinsville full back who kicked well up the field, Hamilton finding touch at centre. Shortly after this Morrinsville got a rush on and Edkins scored in a good position, but no goal resulted. Even play followed, play being at centre when the whistle went at half time.. On changing ends Hamilton soon got going and worked their way into Morrinsville’s ground, and a mark in a good position saw Bettley drop a neat goal. Morrinsville livened up and got near the City goal, where Mclntyre picked up and passed to Edkins, to Condon, *0 Page, who got over near the corner. This was a pretty bit of play con’ sidering the greasy state of the ball; no goal resulted. Give and take play followed, City being forced on two occasions, and a free kick at goal by Gaddis went wide. Time was called soon after. A feature of the game was the splendid spirit in which it was played, their being a total absence of rough play, and very little talking. Mr Smith did good work as referee. Rice, the City half, got in a lot of good work. Bettley and Hinton also did their share. McGarragale was the pick of the forwards. The whole of the Morrinsville forwards worked well, and the manner in which Jock Mclntyre, at half, got down lo the rushes, was an object lesson to o’der players. Edkins, Condon and Page played well, and Gaddes did some good work, though his fielding was n£t too safe. The full back, V. Neels, shaped fair for a young player and will improve with experience. Unfortunately a slight shower fell before the game started, which made the ball very greasy. The game throughout was last, being singularly free from scrums for the commencement of the season. Messrs Ashfield and Ganley looked after the touch lines.

The City players were entertained at dinner at the Nottingham Castle Hotel by the local players, and returned home by the night train well pleased with their outing.

The following players will represent Morrinsville seniors in their first cup fixture at Waihou on Saturday : Full-back, G. Hinton; three-quar-ters : Ggddes, Condon, Page ; half, J. Mclntyre; wing forwards, Brindle and Worthington; forwards : Hogg, Mclntyre (2), Dench, Robertson, Love and F. Irwin. Emergencies : forward, A. Irwin ; back : Rawhiti Tanawhea.