FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 30 June 1913, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Ideal football weather prevailed on Saturday, when the first representative match of tho season was played on the Old Showgrounds, the contestants being North v. South Wairarapa. it was generally thought that the South would prove the victors, owing to the superiority of their backs, and oarly in the game it appeared as if this might be borne out. The North possessed an excellent pack of forwards, which won the match for them. The feature of the game, which otherwise was uninteresting, was the «plendid forward play of the North team, who especially in the second spell completely over-ran their opponents. In the junior competition Red Stars proved too good for Dalefield, and Carterton obtained a victory over United, while in the third-cla«s competition, the hitherto unbeaten Stars met their Waterloo at the hands of Martinborough.

> NORTH 6; SOUTH 3. The early stages of the game saw the Southerners break away on one or two occasions, and it looked as if North were in for defeat. The first and only score of the South came from a free kick, which McKemzie, with a good effort, turned to a three points' advantage. The white's soon settled down, and the concerted work of the forwards kept the opposing backs busy. C. Ross and A. Hodge were prominent in a number of strong rushes, -which all but had the desired effect, Masson being compelled to force twice in quick succession. The greem backs made a number of attempts to break away, but faulty passing generally nullified their efforts. Yates had a* kick at goal for North, but the ball went wide, and half-time was called with the score unaltered. The second <=r>ell saw, the North do all the attacking, the forwards being conspicuous in many fine rushes. From a scrum near the green line Henderson picked up cleverly cuttincr in, beating two or three backs, and transferred to Hodge, who dived over with .two backs clinging to mm. Hodge made a good but unsuccessful attempt to kick a goal. _ The whites were soon attacking again and C. Ross, Clark and Hodg« headed >a fine rush which ended in Clark touching down. Hodge again failed to convert. G milder soon after led the greens i with a great rattle towards the opposing line, and a certain score seem-; ed irfiminent. - Strang was equal to the occasion, however, and, saving, cleverly,. got in a fine line kick. Strang's effort was a good one, but the attempt of the greens was decidedly poor, as about aevem of them had only to beat two backs, and fail-/ ed lamentably. Give and take play j in mid-field followed, each side attack- ■ ing, but when time was called the scores were unaltered. . From a representative point of view .the game was a disappointment, neither side seeming to take matters very seriously. As already mentioned the feature was the splendid forward' play of Hodge and C. Ross, who are undoubtedly two of the best forwards Wairarapa has seen. Clark, McLaren and 0. Johnsoo also did a lot of good 'wbrk for North, * while Henderson, Strang and Thompson were safe. ■ Yates, vat full back, played a good, (sound game. For the South McKenzie was seen to great advantage, while Brough, Goulder and Desmond played well. C. Groube and Tate were the pick of the rearguard, both playing well, especially cm defence. Mr E. McKenzie frefereed.

The Wairarapa championship fixtures will be continued next Saturday, when two senior matches will be played. At Carterton Gladstone and United will meet, and at Masterton lied Stars will play Carterton. Great interest is being taken in these matches as this is the final round of the championship, and neither team has any advantage. It may be safely assumed that each Club will try its utmost to win the championship; and during the next three Saturdays some great contests should be witnessed. A Sydney cable states that the New Zealand League and Maori football teams are , passengers by- the Maunganui, which left Sydney on Saturday evening.

WIN FOR MAORI TEAM. (Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) SYDNEY, June 29. The Maori Rugby football team defeated City and Suburbs by 31 points to 3. JUNIOR. . At Dalefield Red Stars defeated the local fifteen by 11 points to 6, and Carterton beat United by 8 points to .three. THIRD-CLASS. Red Stars met their,, first defeat of the season at the hands of Martinborough, the scores being 6 points to 3.