FOOTBALL.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 135, 18 May 1897, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

nUNTLY V. UAMILTON. The football season was o]icne<l in Waikato on Saturday last under most inspiriting circumstances, ami a more wretched day for the initial game could hardly have been chosen. A number of the Hamilton players found it impossible to get to Huntly in the break, and as their only means of getting dow n was by the afternoon goods train, which does not arrive till nearly half past three, the game was somewhat hits in starting. In spite of the ungracious elements, the Kimihia Hand, under Bandmaster Tronghear. was on the ground, and it is marvellous how it livened up the otherwise dreary proceedings. The following items were contributed during the afternoon : Waltz, "God and My Right" ; quickstep, " The Eclipse" ; quickstep, "Trilby" ; waltz, " Heartsease" ; polka, " Dance 'With Me"; quickstep, " Wcgeliu, " : quadrille. " Gaiety " ; fantasia, " Favourite " ; quadrille, "Number." It might not be out of place to remark that this band, which numbered 21 with the inclusion of one or two Ifuntly men, was ODly formed about 18 months ago, has made rapid strides, and it is undoubtedly a credit to the district. The game was played in a paddock belonging to Mr Tattlcy, which, though a trifle rough, served the purpose very woil. When news was received tint the Auckland Referees' Association was unable to send a man to see fair play, a good deal of speculation ensued as to ■who should fill the position, for although other teams seem to get along all right with a local man, a satisfactory sett'eineut of disputes between these two teams seems impossible unless a thoroughly competent man is in charcc. Eventually Mr Goodall, a stranger to the district, was prevailed upon to take the whistle, and although Eome of his decisions were questionable, there is not the shadow of a doubt he performed the duties in a thoroughly impartial manner. Whatever he may have been used to in this rcprct, we cannot tell, but Saturday's performance must have been a bit of a revelation to him, and if he expresses a desire to dispense justice at the next HamikonHuntly contest, he must possess a much stouter heart than the ordinary run of mortals. The worst offenders, it must be admitted, were among the visitors, and it is perhaps needless to point out to these players that mistakes will happen, and having once appointed a man they must accept his ruling, and they might just as well do it with a good grace as not. The game was contested with the utmost good feeling, and it- is pleasing to notice that the spirit of rivalry which has existed so long has at last disappeared. The lining out of the players was closely followed by several drenching showers, and this of course made mutters extreme'y unpleasant for both players and spectators, and put anything in the way of passing or brilliant back play simply out of the question. The play was therefore mainly coufined to the forwards, and until about the latter part of the second spell the whole business was slow and uninteresting. Just about that time, too, Chas. Innes received a heavy kick on the leg, which disabled him. He was carried off the ground on a stretcher, kindly provided by the Misses Tattlcy, and Dr. McLachlin was quickly in attendance. It was at first thought the bone was broken, but the Dr. anil Mr C'adman, the chemist, soon set these fears at rest. The thanks of the Hamilton team are due to the above-mentioned ladies and gentlemen, and to Mr and Mrs Montgomery for the kindness and attention bestowed upon their injured member. The teams were composed of the following players :—Huntly : Full-lack—W. Glceson ; 'hvee-quaiters—Clout ('2) and Housley ; five-eights—F. Poland ; Malf— H. Smith ; wings—Abraham and J. Skellcrn ; forwards J. Montgomery (Cap*.), Sutton, Muir, Whiskey, Mcllars, Cox and Dunn. Hamilton : Full-back T. Kirk ; three-quarters—J. Radford, Hope and Hunt; five-eights—L. Evuns; hall—Black ; wings—C. Innes ar.d L. Harwood ; forwards—Speight {Capt.}, " Woods," G. Bcere, Dodd, Warrington, Care and Hyde. Even play followed the kick off, the ball being kept about the centre of the ground until a mark by Jas. Clout placed Hamilton on the defensive, and a fair attempt at passing by the Clout Uros-. took plaj to the Hamilton line, but a free kick awarded for a knock-on by a Huntly mail again centred play. Play then became very slow, free kicks being the; order of the day, with scrums and throws in innumerable. Huntly took a shot at goal and again made a strong attack From a throwin, about the 25 flag, Poland got away with a good run, acd for some minutes the game was conducted in a large pool of water near the Hamilton goal line. A loose scrimmage followed and Huntly got over, and the result was a regular scramble for the ball. It passed ' through the hands of a Hamiltonian and was secured by Jas. Clout. Opinions differed considerably about the merits of this try, but the referee's decision favoured Huntly. Poland took the kick at goal but was unsuccessful. After the drop ont, a good rush started by the blue forwards caused the Huntly backs to assume the defensive for the first time, but a counter charge led by Whiskey again carried the play to neutral territory. Several long kicks followed, and Black passed to Speight, who h.ul a nice opening, but preferred to transfer to Hunt. The latter failed to receive and missed a chance of scoring ■which docs not occur every day. Poland averted the score, and a brisk rally by the Huntly forwards turned the tables upon their opponents, and but for the fine defensive play of Kirk a scon; seemed certain. The maroon forwards again made a determined effort, and injudicious passing by the Hamiltonians right under the goal nearly lost them another try, and Hamilton forced just before the call of time. This left Huntly in the lead witli three points. During this spell a good deal of rain had fallen, and the ball was fearfully greasy. In the second portion of the game a little more open and interesting play was shown, and although the visitors nearly always carrie.l the pack Huntly always had the best of the open play. The Hamilton forwards approached their oppononts' line, but Gleeson was the right man in the light place, and his cood play put, his side out of danger. The Hamilton full-back was then called upon to defend his line, and indeed lie appeared to be the only Hamilton man who could handle the wet ball with any degree of safety. About this time .]. Clout received a nasty kick on the head, and the game was stopped for a time. Upon resuming " Woods " had a shot at goal from a free kick, but as a Huntly man touched the ball with bis hand the attempt was spoiled. One of the Huntly backs also made an unsuccessful kick at goal, and his forwards quickly returning with a rush took the opposing backs by surprise. Radford fumbled badly, and Sutton (Huntly) obtained a. clear run in. Ngahiwi took the kick but failed to increase the score. Speight attempted to start a couple of passing rushes, but his transfer was never taken, and finally he made a good run along the goal line himself and scored. The kick at goal did not alter the score, .lust about a quarter of an horn before the close of tie game a determined rush on the part of Hamilton carried the ball up t.» the Huntly line, and June-, who was in the lead, rcc.-ived a nasty kick on the leg which injured him to seriously that he had to be cirlicd oil the Held. As eve yone was under t li" impi'i. -ion that his leg was broken, the ii.viilent naturally east a damper U| on the proceed ngs. After an iuteival of about -0 minutts play uas resumed, but as all the players had become cold and the game was ea'iicd on in the moonlight, nothing of an interesting nature occulted, .ad, \Wjtu the

whistle! blew the scons stood—Huntly, ti ; Hamilton, .">. hi the evening the visitors were entertained at a dinner and smoke concert at Mr Jas. Montgomery's hotel, Mr .1. I'. Bailey, President of the Huntly Club, being in the chair. The usual toasts were ('rank, anil as the assemblage included a large number of musical men, the visitors spent a very pleasant evening, and the entertainment concluded with cheers for the host and hostess. NOATUrAWAHIA V. TE AWAMUTU. This match, which was to have been played on Sydney Square, did not come off owing to the Tc Awamutu team failing to put in an appc-rance. We understand thf-y started, but just about a mile from Ohaupo the break broke down, and they were unable to get on or send any word of the accident. This mishap was very unfortunate, as the Union made a rule this season tiiat any club failing to meet its first engagement shall be debarred from p'aying in future matches. Owing to the peculiar circumstances, no doubt the Union will make an exception in this case. The Ngaruawahia team were greatly disappointed at the nonarrival of their rivals, but a number of Hamilton players who were on the ground—to the number of some '2.0 —mot them in a scratch match, and after a straggling gome the scratch team won by 3 points to nil. The Rev. 1.. Hudson acted as referee, and though he was very lenient in his decisions, the players learnt sonic useful lessons under his directions. We understand that the team which played Ngaruawahia on Saturday has challenged the Hamilton team that played'Huntly, the match to take place on Saturday next. A capital game should result. Chas. Innes, who was injured in the Hamilton-Huntly match of Saturday, was brought to Hamilton West yesterday by train aud thence home by trolly. Dr. Brewis reports that although the kick was a very severe one, the bone was no; broken. A mest enthusiastic meeting of the Mamuku residents, who arc desirous of forming a football club, was held on Saturday evening, the 20th inst., at Messrs Kusabs Bros, sawmills, when over fifty rolled up. Mr A. E. Kusabs was elected to the chair. The following otlicers were elected :—Patron : Hon Wm. Kelly, M.L.C. President : Mr W. H. Herries, M.H.R. Vice - Presidents : Alessrs M. Harrison, A. E. Kusabs, C. E. Kusabs, R. Jackson, J. J. Ross, Turi Tcatua Runungi, Geo. Quaid, and H. Clifford. Captain : Mr A. Given. Deputy - captain : Mr A. Williams. Secretary and Treasurer : Mr A. McColl. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Kusabs Bros, for their generosity in presenting the club with the ground and also a gold and silver medal for the first and second best allround players respectively. The Secretary was instructed to arranee matches anil also to take steps for affiliation with the Auckland Rugby Union.