FOOTBALL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2394, 3 September 1892, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

TEMUKA SECOND V. WAIHI THIRD.

The above teams met in their final contest for the president's trophy on Thursday afternoon in the Teimika Park. The weather unfortunately was very wet, and the ground was extremely sloppy. What was considered a great pity, Waihi only brought thirteen men with them, and two of these —G. South and Austin—■were prohibited from playing, in retaliation for Waihi's refusal to permit McLean taking the field in the last match at Winchester. Much interest was shown in the match, as there was a large number of spectators, some of whom were really cruel to the little band of " strangers in a strange land." It must be said, however, that the " barracking " was almost entirely confined to the youthful confraternity. The game was played in two spells of thirty minutes each. The issue was very •vident from the first. The Temuka team ■was the best yet put in the field this aeaaon, and would have held their own ■with the first. They ran up a score of eleven points in the first spell, Lee's unmistakably fair try being disallowed. Greaves "potted " a splendid goal, but as a Waihi man just touched the ball while "ballooning" it was disqualified. The second spell was rather tame, some of the victors playing in overcoats, while the full-back watched the " mud-rolling " from beneath an umbrella. During this spell Moore, the Waihi captain, was brought down a " cropper " in a pool of water by Harding, and he took the opportunity for leaving the field, and shortly afterwards H. Opie "walked off," amidst hooting from even his comrades, whose number now was reduced to nine. These bravely and stubbornly disputed the victory to the end. The result was : Temuka, 29 (which could have greatly been increased); Waihi, nil. The scorers were: McKinley (3 tries), Morton (2), Collins (2), Austin (1), Anderson (1), Low (1) ; Fenton, Morton, and Low each placing a goal. Harding was disallowed a try, the result of spectators on the ground. This secures Temuka the trophy, only being defeated once. Messrs W. McCallum (Temuka) and G. South (Waihi) umpired, and Mr F. Storey blew the whistle. There is a hint which most referees should not be above taking. It is not necessary to adhere strictly to the Rugby rules. If it is seen that n > disadvantage is inflicted by rule-breakers the whistle should not blown, as it wastes time and spoils the interest of spectators.