WAIMAMUKU AND MAROPIU.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 165, 30 September 1892, Page 6

WAIMAMUKU AND MAROPIU.

[mom otjb mabophj correspondext.j A football match between Maropin aud Waimainuku was played at Opauaka on Friday last, September 23rd, the visitors having- arrived the previous evening. It was generally considered that Mrropiu would get a heavy boating-, tbe Waimamuku team being- reputed to be a very strong one, and containing on this occasion several of tbe best Waima players. Play commenced at-Jhalf past two ; tbe following players upholding the honour of Maropiu : Bull-back, Arama ; three-quarters, Netana Panapa, Haira, T. McCarty ; halves, Tema Netana, Ngakuru, Pohi , forwards, Ti Him. Tamati, Haua, Neri Tamihana, Pone, Piri, Wi Netana, and J. Neil. Boxer acted as umpire for Maropiu and Tamati Peri acted in that capacity for “Waimamuku. Mr R. Short was referee aud gave general satisfaction. Waimamuku won the toss and elected to kick with the wind at their backs. Te Hira kicked off, and play was at once in the visitor’s twenty-five. From a scrum the ball was rushed over the line and Waimamuku forced. Again the play was in tbe visitor’s territory, and they forced a second time. Play centred for a time when Wbimamuku rushed the ball over their opponent’s goal line, and Maropiu forced. Play was now suspended for three minutes to attend to the Maropiu full-back who was injured in the rush. After seeing- him safely off the ground, play resumed aud Maropiu was soon again iu difficulties. From a throw in the hall was taken over the line and Tepana secured a try for the visitors. The kick at goal failed. The local team now strained every nerve, and took the ball into their opponent’s twenty-five, where J. Neil got on a good dribble anti the ball . went out within a yard of the goal line From the throw in Pane secured the ball and falling over the line scored first blood for Maropiu. Pohi failed to convert. The oval was carried to the centre where it went out From the throw in Maropiu played a passing game right up the field which resulted in Tema Netana getting over the line. Pohi made a splendid attempt at goal. The visitors rallied and rushed the ball into Maropiu’s twenty-five, but Netana Panapa. relieved by a punt into touch. Some give and take play followed, till Maropiu tried their passing- tactics which ended in Ngakuru getting over the line, but the referee would not allow a, try. No further score was made in iliis spell and half time was called with the scores Mar jpiu 4, Waimamuku 2 The second spell opened with fast and furious play. Waimamuku forwards rushed the ball into Maropiu’s twenty five, but Te Hira relieved by a run and dribble ; only a momentary relief however, for the visitors returned and one of them picking- up, made for home, but was grassed within a foot ox vho line. A free kick gave relief, but Waimamuku ag-ain picked up and passing to their backs, made for the line once more.. The player who had the ball was grassed on tbe exact spot bis predecessor was, and Maropiu got another free kick. The local men rallied and ones more passing was indulged iu, and lla.ua secured a try The kick at goal failed. The visitors were now forced to play on the defensive, as Maropiu repeatedly pushed them hard and eventually rushed he oval, over the line, and Waimamuku forced. Play centred for a miuate, when Tema Netana picked up and ran right through the Wairnainuku backs but be was grassed from behind on the goal line. A deal of exci ement now arose, the spectators declaring- it a try, but tbe referee decided otherwise. Scrums and line-outs were the order of the day for a time, when the visitors carried the ball well into their opponents’ territory but McCarthy relieved. Waimamuku again returned and rushed he ball over Maropiu’s goal line. Haira was laid out and Maropiu forced Haira was able to take his place ag-ain in a minute, but l’iri was injured and had to leave ihe ground. Maropiu therefore played the lust twenty minutes with two men short, and decided to play on the defensive. Waimamuku again amt again renewed the attack but no further score resulted and the game ended Maropiu (1, Waimamuku 2. For Waimamuku the two Ilunns, Tuurau and Flore v\ ere the most prominent. All the local team showed up well, and it was said by those who had seen their previous performances, to be an astounding improvement. However, Pohi, Ngakuru and Tema Netana among the backs, and Ti Hira, J. Neil and Pene of the forwards were the pick. At six o’clock the company sat down to a plentiful repast provided by the Maropiu F.C , and at seven a large building used as a Flail was lighted up aud the fun of the evening commenced. First a speech by Mr Ilunns who captained the visitors, in which he thanked the Maropiu F.C. for their treatment and said it was as pleasant a game as ever he had played. H.e praised the referee and Maropiu umpire for their impartial conduct, aud concluded by hoping to meet Maropiu again next season. Other speakers followed iu the same strain, and Taia Netana and Boxer replied. Songs were the next order of the evening-, and if they did not possess a large amount of musical talent they were loudly applauded. Our Secretary was called upon to sing but lie excused himself on some plea, for which we, who have heard his trumpet tones, were truly thankful. After an hour spent in songs, the ti >. r was. cl lured for freshmeut, so .... ..i.r.nj our y . o the house where we knew the good things were. Wo knocked but no answer. We were sure of their being somebody inside as we saw a light; the door was fastened from inside, so g-ettlng no reply we burst it in. There, sitting by the table with two friends, sat our heavy-weight Secretary, oooly demolishing- the cakes ; and lie had the impudence to ask why we didn’t knock, but since we had got iu we might help ourselves as there was more than they could manage.