FOOTBALL

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 316, 19 July 1898, Page 3

FOOTBALL

■waikato y. waita. A geeat deal of interest was manifested in the Waikato-Waipa fixture, played at Hamilton on Saturday last. The weather was most favourable for the match, and the attendance of spectators was large. The game was somewhat late in starting, owing to the tardiness of the Waikato representatives, who kept their opponents waiting on the ground considerably over half-an-hour. Play was timed to commence at 3 p.m., but the kick-off did not take place until 3.40 p.m., and the Waipa representatives and the public had just cause for complaint. Taken as a representative match, it was very dull and uninteresting, the play, more especially among the back divisions, being of a very inferior character. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, for, whilst the Waikatos lk\d a trifle the best of it as regards weight, their opponents were much cleverer and smarter in the open work. There was a total absence of combination on the part of the winners, but, as the men had not a single practice together, it is not, perhaps, to be wondered at, but even the individual play was poor. Waipa on the other hand worked well together, but had a great deal of hard luck, and had the best t«ain won, the figures Waikato 11 Waipa 6 might have been transposed. The following were the teams : Waikato (maroon and blue). —Fullback—J. Stewart; three-quarters —M. Gleeson, B. Housley and Pyke; fiveeights—R. Carnachan ; half—T. Kirk ; wings—M. Roberts ami J. Cowling ; forwards—G. Becre, R. Harrison, Montgomery, G. Dodd, 0. lunes, E. Williamsen aud Mackeiith. Waipa (red and white).—Full-back-G. Cruickshank : three - quarters —M. Gorrie, G. Bowden and C. Macky ; five-eithts—L. Macky ; half—M. Webster ; wings—E. Short and G. Allcuck ; forwards—T. Allcock, J. Cruickshank, J. Papesch, W. Sing, J. Gardiner, J. Ryburn and C. McDooald. Waipa defending the southern goal, set the ball rolling. Pyke returued with advantage and the Waikato backs tried a bit of passing without success, Gleeson lesing the ball. Play centred, until Harrison and Roberts got off with a good dribble and bore dowu on the opposing line. Here passing tactics were again tried, but the attempt was a poor one and a considerable amount of ground was lost. Pyke again carried the ball into the Waipa ground, where Roberts secured an opening, but kicking too hard he allowed Cruickshank to place the ball beyond scoring distance. The play which followed was anything but interesting ; scrum followed scrum in quick succession. From midfield the Watpa forwards started a splendid rush, and sweeping into the Waikato 25 they looked exceedingly dangerous, but failed to score. The Waipa backs then showed some fine passing, and Gorrie got right through to the line, Stewart intervening just in the nick of time. Cruickshank then obtained a mark, and Gardiner made an excellent attempt at goal. Gardiner immediately obtained another mark, and Cruickshank had a shot without success. Play returned co Waipa territory, and here a free kick was given against Waikato. The ball rebounded off Roberts, who picked it up smartly and dashed over the line, securing the first try. Montgomery took the kick at goal, but did not increase the score. Waikato, 3. Waipa commenced the attack with renewed vigour, aud sweeping down on the opposing backs they appeared to have a certain score at hand when Pyke got in some capital defensive work, and put his side out of danger. Waikato had the best of some light scrumming work, and on entering their opponents' 25, Housley picked up neatly, and beating several backs, scored the second try, which also remained unconverted. Shortly afterwards the first spell ended, the scores standing Waikato 6—Waipa 0. When play was resumed, Pyke snapped up a pass beautifully, and making a capital dodgy run through the backs, scored right under the bars. The try was converted by Housley, and the toial was thus increased to 11 points. From this out the game livened up considerably, and the Waipa men, who were playing a nice open game, had much the best of the battle. Ait infringement by the Waikato forwads, gave a free kick to the opposing side, and Cruiekshank kicked a grand goal amid great applause. Waipa, 3. Cheered ou by their success, the red and white forwards made charge after charge, and crossing the Waikato liue Stewart had to resort to a force. Waipa tried passing, and Pyke intercepting a long transfer was within an ace of getting through. The Waipa men continued to press their opponents, and made gre it efforts to score. Time after time Webster and Gorrie got through right to the line, but Stewart's defence was not to be broken, and his collaring was well worth seeing. The Waikato forwards changed the venue, and breaking through to the red aud white Hag gave Webster a chance to show his defensive qualities, and he stopped a big rush in fine style. Kirk then took a shot at goal from a mark without increasing the score. Waipa had all the best of the rest of the play, and crossed the line on several occasions only to sec the ball forced. Frautio efforts were made as the game drew to an end, and the plucky play had its reward, for just on the call of time a nice passing rush sent the ball to Gorrie, who ran round amid great excitement, but no goal resulted from the kick. MrAB Heather handled the game, and beyond one or two small errors, was eminently successful. The most brilliant backs on the winning side were Stewart and Pyke, the others all played indifferently and fumbled badly, notwithstanding the dry ba'l. None of the forwards were especially noticeable ; in fact, the scrum work as a whole, was deeidely poor. For Waipa : Gorrie, Webster and Bowden played sterling games among the backs, while McDonald and Allcock were the most prominent in the front division. The match, Auckland v. Thames, was played on Saturday at Potter's Paddock. There was a very large attendance of the public. The match resulted in the following scores :- Auckland, 13 points; Thames, If).