FOOTBALL.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 148, 3 June 1892, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The Wangnrei footballers state that they will be glad to arrange a match with the Aratapu Club should they visit Wangarei, but they cannot do anything towards meeting our boys at Tangiteroria with horses. We are informed than when Wairoa’s last team went to Wangarei it cost the lads somewhere about £3 10s sach, 23s of which was for horse hire. Under the circumstances the Aratapu Club are not likely to send a team to Wangarei. The Aratapu and TraKopuru Senior teams made another trip up-river last Saturday and were accompanied by a large number of friends, including several ladies, so the steamer was pretty well filled. The Te Eopuru team were bound for MrMoros’ ground to play KOPURU v. DARGAVILLE. This match was an uninteresting walk over for the Kopuxu team who put together the large score of 28 points in spite of very indifferent place kicking. Dargaville were unable to score although they played a good uphill game to the last. Absolum played up well, as also did George and D. Campbell— W. Taylor was not present. For Te Kopuru Frank Molloy was in great form and secured no less than four tries, whilst his brother Charles also secured a, pair. J. Smith, Tidmarsh, C. Matthews, Keegan, and Joe. Molloy each secured one, and of the eleven tries only two were converted, making the score as above. The umpires were Messrs T. Day and James Molloy, and the referee Mr F. J. Dargaville. ARATAPU v. MAROPITJ. This match was played onjjthe Mangawhare ground which was in splendid order, and

attracted a large number of spectators. Due arrangements were made to keep onlookers from encroaching on the field of play, and clear space between players and barrackers had a soothing effect. The game was a good one but a little too fast for the Maropiu heavyweights. Maropiu won the toss ard took advantage of the little wind there was. Aratapu kicked off and for the first twenty minutes the ball hovered between the Maropiu 25 and centre, Pohi and Butland both kicking well. Maropiu did the pushing in the scrums but Aratapu stuck to the ball and generally came through or heeled out, and the ball was thus workedjdown to the Maropiu lines where Stehr making a pass on his own line almost, gave Yeale a chance which he was too cute to miss and the heavy weight fell over the lire scoring first blood. The kick at goal was taken by Butland who failed to convert it. No further score was made in this spell though Aratapu were often very near it; Keane at one time thought he hail a try but the ball was in touch in goal. Soon after the second spell began Aratapu began to push Maropiu harder than ever and Pohi’s kicks and Walter’s runs were often needed to relieve the Native’s lines. Two or three forces gave Maropiu breathing time but the ball was always worked back, and Wool]ams with the ball at his toe was safe for a try when he was held back by an opponent and a force resulted. A forward rush was next got on and Masefield, scored a try from which Butland landed a good goal—Aratapu 7, Maropiu now got a rush on and took the ball right down the field and forced Aratapu for the first and only time during the game. Butland’s kicks were of great use to his side ; his forwards felt that they could rely on him. Several attempts were made to pot goals—Smith got within six inches and Butland over the post, whilst Len Kitching also came close- These encouraged Bonella and he took a shot but it did not come off. The same player got a slant for a run down the touch lines and getting through his opponents he ran right behind the goal posts. Butland took the kick and placed his second goal, Aratapu 12. The natives did not seem to like the big score against them but played up gamely to the end, play for the rest of the time being on their 25. The ball coming out from the thick Len kicked rather hard and it went well over the line with two Maropiu’s close on it. Bonella gave chase and shouldering his opponents off scored a good try which Lionel failed to place a goal from. Aratapu 14, Maropiu nil, and soon after the game ended. Mr W. Taylor acted as referee and Messrs Parore and Stall worthy as umpires. The natives played a hard game individually, but it was every man his own way. Stehr, with one exception, played a useful game, and Pohi’s kicking was well directed. Others also showed up well but we are unable to name them. There were two exhibitions of brutal play but otherwise the game was happy and friendly. The Aratapu team played with combination and stayed well to the end. We scarcely care to particularise as all played so well; time after time Elliott was to the front doing splendid work, then Keane would show up, whilst near the goal line Yeale would bear up like a Trojan. Butland was in good form and played really well. Smith though useful was not himself.

The Cup matches in Auckland last Saturday resulted as follows : —Parnell heat City 9 points to 7; Newton beat Suburbs 19 points to 2, and the Shore went down before Ponsonby 15 points to 2. J. Lowrie, late of Aratapu F. C., played for Newton. The Aratapu F. C., has decided not to go to Wangarei this season, but has sent to ask the Ponsonby Club to send a team to play them on the Wairoa. Should Ponsonby be unable to send a team up the Club offers to send a team to Auckland. The local Union fixtures for tomorrow is Kopuru Seconds v. Aratapu Seconds and on the following Saturday the First Fifteens meet. For the last three weeks play has been on the up-river grounds and downriver players and enthusiasts will be pleased that for the next two Saturdays the matches will be played on the Aratapu ground. The Aratapu Second team for tomorrow afternoon will be picked from - Moses, Paki, Smith, Hammond, Alf. Keane, Jamieson, Higgins, Watakina, Veale, Masefield, E. Phelan, E. Harrison, McLeod, C. Paton, C. Heywosd, Roberts, Mihaka, Hi, Beasley, and Nield.