FOOTBALL.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4421, 8 June 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WAIIIOU V. TE AROHA. Till', above match was played at Waihou - on Saturday last, when these two met for j tbe second time this season. The match rj had been looked forward to for someitiine .. past with a deal of interest, and ns T neither side had suffered loss this season j a great go was expected, and in this respect patrons of the Rugby were not j disappointed as the game proved to be ( fast and exciting from start to finish f and when play ceased another draw had i to be recorded for each team. Both sides { had their best team in the field, and on the day there was nothing between the teams, both being equally matched. There was a good number of spectators present, including a largo number of ladies from Waihoit and Te Arolia. The usual amount of “barracking” was indulged in, but tlie crowd was very impartial applauding each bit of good ' ploy on either side. The very best of ! feeling prevailed and it was indeed a j treat to sec the British and true sportsmanlike manner in which both contestants infused into the game. Hard knocks and falls were frequent, tut not being maliciously given, they wore all taken in the right spirit. Mr T. Scott, of Ihe Thames, officiated as referee, and controlled the game in a quiet and firm manner, Judging by the three rousing cheers which the playeis gave him at the conclusion of the game, he was undoubtedly the light man for tbe position. M. Timmins and J. McKee acted as line umpires. Mr R G. Lewis held the watch, and two spells of 40 minutes were played. Alf Lennard captained Wailiou (Reds) and Morrison Te Aroha (blues). The spin of the coin favoured the latter, and he chose to defend the northern goal with a slight breeze in his favour. Lennar.l kicked off McPike returning to A way. Waihou broke away to near the Blues line, but McSweeney cleverly saved by finding the line at the 25, Smart passing by the backs saw play < dangeiously near the Blues line. Miller j and Honeybun then removed play by a good rush to half way. The Blues further increased their advantage and got to the Reds 25 ; and from a mark H. McSweeney nnade a good attempt to kick a goai. but without success. From the kick out play was fast and even Wuihott were getting the ball in the scrums, hut the Blues were slightly the better in the loose. Weir essayed at goal from a free kick, without success. Shortly after McPike kicking the oval up in the loose made a good attempt to pot from the field, the Reds forcing. Play was again, even, the Waihou backs playing nicely together, and their opponent backs were kept busy defending their citadel. A seii sof line cuts and scrums followed with no advantage to either side. From a scrum Joe Timmins whipped rouhd and passed to A\eir, who made a beautiful opening to Alf Lennard, and the latter making good use of his pace ran in aird scored a good try. Weir's kick fell under the bar. Waihou .. .. .. 3 Te Aroha .. .. 0 Tbe Blues got to work again, only to be driven hack. J, Timmins kicked out near tho corner. E. Farrow got possession and dived over, but bad tbe j misfortuue to knock on from the ensuing scrum. Morrison got round and kicking up the field, a good race ensued between himself and Weir, hut the ball rolled out near the corner. The Blues k-pfc up the attack, and Morrison getting possession passed to McPike and ho to Ellery who got over but was called back for a throw or, Jack Timmins passed to Allison, who was grassed near the line, Borrie kicking out. Half-time was immediately called with tho score Waihou 3 Te Aroha .. .. 0 SECOND SPELL. McKee set the ball in motion, Alf Lennard roturningto half-way. 1 , Fast and interesting ylay was indulged in, and the ball was travelling up and down the field at a great rate. The Reds backs were again passing and playing together well, as also were the Blues pack. After a lot of rushes and counter rushes were indulged in play settled down at midfield. Ellon' got in a couple of good mns, but nothing of note occurred until half way through the spell The Blues worked their way into their opponents 52, and keeping up tho pressure nearly got in, a line b <ll being m: uded. from a scrum five yards out Morrison j whipped the ball to McPike, who passed j to D. Allison at the right moment en- ' aiding him to score near the posts. H. McSweeney’s kick at goal was in doubt for a few minutes, but a poster was tbe result, and tho scares react Waihou . . .. . • 3 Te Aroha .. .. 3 From this to the cud play continued to be fast and interesting, the forwards on both sides 'wore given a lot of running about owing to the backs not finding the line. The Blues pressed a couple of times, but tho Reds defence was stubborn and play was mostly confined to midfield, but was interesting and exciting to tho end, making the third drawn game for the Reds in succession and tho second for the Blues. [So ended the mo t exciting arid interesting game played this season. The final scores were : Waihou .. .. 3 To Aroha .. .. 3