FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3205, 3 June 1909, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

The first cup match of the season was played at Te Nui on Saturday afternoon last, between Tenui ; and Mataikona tearris, writes our correspondent. It proved to be one of the best exhibitions of Rugby seen at Tenui for some years past, and it was a stubborn and hard fought game to the end. Both teams entered the field punctually at three Mataikona winning the toss, played with the sun at their backs and wind in their favour. The first half was very fast, Tenui being forced on to their line time ,; >fter time, but their defence was too solid to allow a score. In the second half Tenui got to work and penned their opponents on their lino, where from a fine piece of hooking on the part of B. Stillborn and H. McGillicuddy (front-rankers) the ball was shot out to the backs, where all indulged in a brilliant piece of passing, which enabled Ernie Schofield to draw first Jblood. Sid Schofield failed with the kick. Upun resuming Tenui again attacked. Mataikona was penalised for obstruction, and W. Collerton kicked a beautiful goal from a very difficult angle. From thig out Tenui never gave their opponents a chance, although they tried hard to score. Tenui thus won by 6 points to nil. For the winners all played well. The Tenui forwards excelled in the scrums; hooking the ball time after time. (The half back, Arthur Schofield, was unable to do himsef justice owing to his recent accident. For the losers, O'Kane, Brightwell, Millar, Harvey Bros., Power, and W. Mason were the pick. One player worthy of special mention was young Bruce Harvey, a mere hoy, who for his tricky passing and ine kicking was warmly applauded. ■ Mr Chas. Richardson controlled the j game, and gave entire satisfaction. The Mataikona team were afterwards entertained at dinner by Tenui. Both teams will meet again next Saturday, at Whakataki, on account of Carswells being unable tojput a team in the field for that date. The fpilowing a re the teams for next Saturday's match at Whakataki: —Tenui team.—Full back, E. Collerton; threequarters, C. Schofield! B. Schofield, and Chas. Fletcher; five-eighth, W. Donoghu and Mick Sharpe; halfback, Jim Collerton; [forwards, B. Stillborn, H. McGillicuddy, Pat Schofield, Sid Schofield, C. Pearce, W. Collerton, and Norman Groves; wing forward, Jack Wingate. Mataikona team.— Full back, W. Mason; threequarters, Anderson, Carlson, andCroker; fiveeighth, Bruce Harvey; half back, Power;,wing forwards, Nicholls and

Dalziell; forwards, Prince, Brightfull, Millar, O'Kane (captain), White, Cameron and Leach. Mr R. Barton will referee.