FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 210, 9 September 1904, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

MANAWATU v. TAHANAKI. A WIN FOK'TAHANAKI. About a couple of thousand people witnessed the ilanawalu-Taranuk; football match at Eltham yesterday • 'afternoon. The. weather was cloudy, and a drizzling naia fell at| intervals, but the ground was in lair order despite tne liuavy rains of the preceding week, or, rather, five or six weeks. A large numiber of visitors arrived by special trains from north and south, and the districts surrounding Eltham supplied their hundreds, who arrivud on horseback, on bicycles, or in vehicles of all kinds, the main roads presenting a very busy scene from about eleven o'clock.

The Manawatu team had, prior to yesterday's game, played eight matches this season, defeating Wanganui, Danoevirke, Wairanapa, Buller, Horowhcnua, ami Hawke's Hay. J Taramoki had an unbeaten record, and as each team was known to depond largely on its forward play, a close game was expected at Eltham. This proved to be the case, Tainuiaki winning by ft points to 4, after a most uninteresting- game. Taranaki kicked off, and very early it was seen that McMinn brothers, Smith, and Whisker were going to give Tunanaki a lot of trouble, and that the forwards would not be able to rely on reputation alone. The first scrum was watched closely, but neither side could claim much advantage, the ball coining out at the side. The Manawatu backs were then given an opportunity, but Stalker mulled, and they were soon hotly pressed, Furrie, Hewitt, and Penman eventually relieving. Manawatu now wore tins local men steadily down the field, Smith, A. McMinn, Hewitt, and Bakur showing prominently. The Taranaki men were kept on tho defensive for some time, Frewin saving repeatedly by stopping rushes, whilst pretty handling also staved oir attacks. Hunter made a smart run out of dangerous territory, hut a mull by one of tlie forwards allowed the Greens to cßurgc again. E. Uourke saved, t>ut Whisker marked. A. McMinn took the kick, and despdto the fact that it was a long one at a difficult angle, placed a fine goal, scoring the first blood for Manawatu.

Manawatu 4 Taranaki 0 Resuming, Taranakl forwards put more dash and vigour into their work and Tlwmas and O'Sullivan took Uie ball right to the line. Bourkc, Mynott, and Hunter honul.d in succession, but the passim: was uncertain, and they had to submit to being beaten back, Abbott got away with the ball at toe, but was crowded over the line, and then followed a series of scrums in the Manawatu's 25's. Thomas rushed the 'ball over, but was unable to t o uoh down, and Manawatu forced. Kicking oft, Manawatu made Klines Jively, and a line piece of passing bv I'rowin, Mynott, Hunter, Bourke and back to Hunter brought play again to their territory. Johnston changed the look of things by a splendid kick down to Taranakis quarters, but Fookes returned smartly. 1 nomas came out alone- again and the crowd cheerud for &n aIJ . Parently certain scow, but he lost he boll on the line, and only a force resulted. Resuming, down cum* the 4aU to the Yellow and blacks? but after a scramble, Mynott saved md Hunter took play up field, Baker returned smartly and did good service for Manawatu when the local backs seemed dangerous. Then Frem Sot tho ball out of tho ruck and sent it out to Mynott, who transferred to Hunter, thence it ««nt to Abbott, but the latter failed to cross the covotod lino. They returned to the attack, and Hunter obtaining position made a clever d'vdp run right through his oppol nents and scored amidst great excellent. Frewin Kicked*. g0^ d Taranoki ~. . 5 Muiiawatu ... a During the .emalndor"ol the first spell there was little of moment except that Fookes put his side in too lar. On one occasion Baker fol--2T JS ,f , kick into T ™ - ° Ctor hod scant "me allowed, bdmg grassed before he could got. in Ins kick. Frewin h p"' u ot h at ">»'■ *" powoi, though the direction w ns 800. At half time the score was larunuki Mon*watu ... '" '" 'a

The second spell opened disastrously for Mamawatu. Glenn headed a forward rush at tho Manawatu 25 yards flag, und this ended in 0 score by J. Young. Frewin's kick at goal was abortive.

Tora»aki g Manawatu 4 The Manawatu forwards now played with increased vigour and the rest of the game was fairly even, though the local men had rather the best of it, besides which it was evident that they were wasting time. The game ended with the scores as above.

For the winning team Fookes played a good game, though risky at times. Abbott, Hunter anil liourke divided tho honours as threequarters, the latter showing groat promise Hunter fairly " shone " in the second spell, whilst Abbott played with judgment throughout. Mynott played ono of his best games and Frewin was equally good, although the backs had not many chances, the .game being principally amongst the forwards. Guy and Thomas played on the wing, and both were prominent in instigating rushes. Of the pack Glasgow, McKay, Wilson, and O'Sullivan were tho best, though all were good. For Manawatu Hammer at full was splendid and saved his side frequently by his smart catching. Baker was the best of the threequarters, though Furrio was also good, possessing „ rare turn of speed. Baker is an old Eltham player. Pennon was not so good especially In tho latter part of the game. Stalker at five-eighths was not up to his usual form, hesitating too much. Hewitt, at half, was perhaps tho best of the backs, tackling, catching, and kicking In fine stylo, McMinn and Johnston played on the wing and both were up to reputation, the former making the best display. Whisker, Smith Boon, and Paddy McMinn were the best forwards. The latter, a noted '■' hooker," was often beaten by the opal front row men, Glasgow and Wilson

Mr Howe was referee, and Messrs « « Ul>B and B - Nnsh heM the lino flags.

£ The takings at tho gates were

S f n ! P " A . lh ' n WaS an Crested spectator of the game «%??*%**"* t0 retiro So <- »ome time in the second spoil owing to n severe kick in the back.

,-7 ™ 1 h Hook ' s Whites v. Morere s Hacks, played on the racccomw yesterday afternoon resulted in a win forth* Whites by 7 points l„^ Th " .winners fowl the tot of the throughout, though several times the Maori., l,von«l matters „p n m 0 Hood (ti-y) scored for the w i„„ (M . g and Atua (try) for the losers M " Pycroft acted n s referee. A match Railway v. Government Buildings will be played on> th , ~u ^ = •?u hC n teaniS wi " 1«:-Kailway -Smith, Cox, Kcegan, Ryan, Henley, Honcyheld, Barker, Dyne, ]> u fl m , Elmer., Bennett, MeChesney, Treeby Brown awl Stanton. Government Buildings-Power, Dewnr, Fleming Iliirslhoiise, Clarke, H„ne.vfield Tunl sey, Hartpmg, White., Dawson, Woods Buttimore, Malcolm, McTsaacs and Youngnian. Emeruvncies - Kivell and Crawshww. The Government Bmldings will play in Tukapa. colours.