FOOTBALL.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4409, 11 May 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OPENING OF THE SEASON. Tun football season, under the auspices of the Piako Rugby Union was opened on Saturday last. Gloricus weather prevailed and altogether the day was ideal tor the Kins of winter Igames. The sun shoue in all its glory and there was a cool breeze of wind prevailing, being a delightful mixture of summer and winter combined, for which our Dominion is noted, making it most agreeable to spectators and players. Again, there was that absence of rough play (so noted in the past, which prevailed in 1 revious seasons) and each player in the i teams engaged seemed to be doing his utmost to make the game manly and clean. The old style of kicking a man when down instead of the ball being totally absent. Each of the four teams engaged in Saturday’s match can be congratulated on the magnificent manner in which they played their games being sportsmanlike to the highest degree. The icfcrpes in the various matches, viz., Messrs Johpson (Hamilton) and Price {l hames) carried out their duties in the most satisfactory way, their i rdent duties being considerably lightened by the conduct i f the players iu the various matches.

The newly formed Waiorongomai team met Te Aroha at the former place. A few spectators assembled to witness the game. Waiorongomai : (green and white) trooped on to the field headed by their (Captain) D. Brunton looking very neat in their new uniforms. Te Aro’ja shortly aftpr following, headed by Morrison (Captain) in thei'. familiar blue and white. At a signal from their Captain Te Aroha welcomed the new tiarn into the Union With three hearty cheers, and needless to say was responde 1 to by the Greens. Mr Bruce of Thames had charge of the game and Messrs Maxwell apd Tong held the line umpire flag. The green o wpn fhe tosg and elected to play front the southern end with the wind in their favour. A. McKee kicked off, and at once the blues invaded the green’s teriitory, but splendid work by Hawkins (the green’s midget full-b.ick) frustrated the blues attempt to score. For a time play was even, the lads from the mining township putting in a splendid lot ol play and keeping their older opponents busy, From a forward rush, conspicuous among whjch weye Cribb, S. Jennings, and Honeybun, G. McKre crossed the line and scored a try. McFike’s attempt at goal failed

Te Aroha .. . 3 Waiorongomai .. .. 0 The grpens got to work front the kick opt ; and |)onovan, Beeson, and Co. put in a lot of good work, compelling the blues to force. Play was transferred to the greens quarters, and from % scrput Morrison got around, passed to Milliar, he to Mcßike, the latter to McSwepnjey, this player making a good attempt to score, but was pushed put. Keeping up the pressure the blues worked OFOr the U nP > an d A McKee by a smart piece of wprj£ scored Te Aroha's second try. Morrison failed with the kick.

Te Aroha .. .. .6 Waiorongomai .. .0 Tire blues again pressed the greens and A. McKee again scored the blues third try. He took the kick himself and landed a beauty. Te Aroha ... .. •. 11 Waiorongomai .0 Thfi whistle sounded half-time with the play in Te Aroha’s quarters,

SECOND SPELL,

Qn resuming Te Aroha got flinging the

ball about, but bad passing by the backs spoiled a lot of chances to score. From a scrum Milliar got possession and scored in a good position. McPike failed with the kick. Te Aroha . .. .. 14 Waiorongomai .. 0 In the ensuing play Honeybun secured from a loose rush, and added the blues fifth try, the result of a good bit of play. McKeee failed with the kick. Te Aroha .. . 17 Waiorongomai .. .. 0

From the drop out the greens pluckily attacked, and for a time the blues were kept on the defensive and had to force on two occasions to save themselves. From a scrum in the greens 25, Morrison got round and passed to Honeybun, he to McPike, tbe latter cleverl}' beat his man, and transferred to McSweeney, who itook the ball beautifully at toss and added the finishing touches to the most brilliant piece of work for the day by scoring Te Aroha’s sixth try. Shortly after the game ended. Te Aroha .. .. 20 Waiorongomai .. .. 0

NOTES,

For tbe green and whites Hawkins, full back (although only a midpet) got in a lot of good sound play. His kicking and tackling of the ball was a strong point in his play. Maokay and Bees'll were the pick of the remainder of the backs. Brunton (captain) on the wing, proved himself to be the right man in the. right place. He got in a treraenduous amount of work and encouraged his team a lot. (He is a good sport). Donovan also played well, and although knocked about a good deal Linkey came up smiling every time. Of lthe forwards Beeson, Young, and Caisley were the best. For Te Aroha Milliar was tbe one bright star. He 'got in a lot of work, but was sadly out of condition. McPike and McSweeney got in a lot of good work and did all that was required of them. Morrison (captain) at half, bandied his team well, but tried to get round too often, instead of passing direct from the scrum. Smith ou the wing is an acquisition to tbe blues team,, and although meeting with an accident proved himself a good man. Scott on the other wing is a good, honest, silent grafter, and sets a good example to other Dryers in this position in the pack. McKee'(two), Honeybun, Henderson, and S. Jennings were the best of a good lot.

WAIHOU Ah MORRINSVILLE.

Morrinsville journeyed to the butter township to meet last year’s champions (Waihou). The game was in charge of Mr Herb Johnson, of Hamilton, and thanks to that gentleman’s ability as a refree was fought out in a most friendly way. Both Club * put in a strong teem, and tbe match was brimful of interest from beginning to end. The game resulted in a win for Waihou by 5 points -a try and goal—to 3 points penalty. In tbe Ist spell play was of a very even character, the ball travelling from one end of tbe field to the other, with advantage to neither side. After a lot of give and take play (the work of the backs on either side being of a high order) tbe first spe l ! ended wi hno score on either side. In the see nd spell the play on either '■id' 1 was even, and shortly after starting Waihou (maroon and gold) got on a passing rush); the ball travelling through Weir and Lennard’s hands and finally into Bartles, who. by a most brilliant bit of play scored tbe only try of tbe match. Weir converted. Waihou .. 5 Morrinsville .. .. . . 0 In the ensuing play Moninsvlle by a splendid bit of. play, worked the ball to the maroons quarters. After some pressing play the blues (Morrinsville) were awarded a free kick, Edkins landing a good ’un. From this out the play was of an even order, and a good game resulted in a win for Waihou by 5 points to 3, Messrs Coutt’s and Mikkelsen acted as line umpires.

NOTES

For the winners : Joe Timmins, Weir, Lennard, and O’Grady were the best. Among the forwards Comerford, Lennard, Borrie and Jones wing, were the best.l

MORRINSVILLE V. WAIHOU.

The that junior cup match in the Piako Rugby Union Competition was played on the local ground on Saturday, between Morrinsville and Waihou, Morrinsville winuing by 17 to nil Waihou were several players short. Mr W. Neels acted as referee, and Messrs Burke and Shirley looked after the lines Morrinsville journey to Waiorongomai on Saturday nest,