FOOTBALL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 447, 13 June 1899, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

WAIKATO CAP MATCH. HAMILTON V. NGARUAWAHIA. The Hamilton - Ngaruawahia fixture, played on Sydney Square on .Saturday, afforded quite an interesting game, in fact towards the end of the second spell things took a most exciting turn. The play during the first part of the gam» was decidedly dull. The ball waß seldom away from the pack, and the visiting vanguard simply ran over the local forwards in both scrum and line-out work, and but for the excellent defence offered by Pike, Kirk and Sherwood the score must have been pretty considerable. As it happened, the visitors only succeeded in registering one try, which was obtained by Laing, and the major points were added by Bailey, the first spell ending—Ngaruawahia 5, Hamilton 0. In the second half the Hamiltonians appeared to waken from their lethargy, and showing a good deal more combination than in the early part of the match, they succeeded in turning the tables upon their opponents. About half-way through tho second spell Kirk scored for Hamilton. This chauge was hailed with delight by the onlookers, for a Roftl would put them on a par with the leaders. This, however, was not to be, and the attempt at goal was a poor one. Inspired by their success, the local men merrily resumed the attack, but up to within five minutes of the close the visitors had still s, lead of two points. Ngaruawahia was sorely pressed about this time, but their backs, among whom Williams, BaiUy, Cox and Hinton were prominent, showed such a sound defence that the game looked a foregone conclusion for the visitors. Just on the call of time Windsor got across, but unfortunately for his side only a touch-ingoal resulted. Almost immediately afterwards Kirk again dashed across and was successful in registering his second try. The kick at goal, which was not a success, ended the play, Hamilton being adjudged the winners by a point, amid great exoitement. Some of the visitorsonlookers principally—questioned the time, declaring that the second try obtained by Hanalton was scored after the usual time had elapsed. This is most unjust to Mr H. Johnson who made a most efficient referee, and if he was ohosen to take charge of the game urad also watch the time, everyone should be piepared to accept his decision. The iteferee declares that when the second try was obtained for Hamilton, there were mill two minutes to go. Interference by spectators in a matter of the kind is uracil to be regretted as it frequently has the effect of causing dissension «mong the players who would otherwise be disposed to aecept defeat in that manly fashion which is the true characteristic of * good aport. No reflection is Intended to be cast upon the visitors who indeed had hard luck in not gaining i» victory, and took their beating in an Admirable manner. Ngaruawahia : Full-back Hinton ; three-quarters—Edwards, Cox and Williams ; five-eight-rßailey ; half-back— Parkes ; wings—Heta Terawhiti and Elgood ; forwards—Marshall (captain), Welsh, Hadden (2), Paterson, Hender«on and Laing. Hamilton : Full-back—Kirk ; threequarters Sutton, Pike (capt.) and Sherwood ; five-eight—L. Evans; half* back—Hobson ; wings—Moore and W. Evans ; forwards Speight, Blackwell, Williamson, Windsor, Dodd, Coates and Eliott. Directly after the kick-off play was carried into the visitors' ground, and within a couple of minutes of the commencement Pike made a long pass to Sutton, making a beautiful opening for a icore. Sutton took the wet ball cleanly, but ran the wrong way, losing a golden opportunity, and play was immediately transferred to the opposite end of the ground, Hamilton being sorely pressed for some months. Kirk marked, but the kick afforded no relief, and Edwards in return endeavoured to drop a goal but failed. A rush, in which the Haddens and Welsh were conspicuous, again put tho home team on the defence, but Kirk got the ball well away to half-way. Williams made a serviceable run, but was weH collared by L. Evans, and Pike beaded a brilliant rush into Ngaruawahia ground. Hinton's defence was all that could be desired, and he fetched the touch line with a 'fell directed kick. A series of uninteresting scrums followed during which Hinton again showed some capital defensive tactics. The visiting forwards at this time were playing a dashing lively game, and had muoh the best of their opponents in the scrum as well as the line out work. Several brilliant rushes head by Welsh, Marshall and Paterson were cleverly stopped by Pike. The same player also made a capital *un to the visitors' line, but there was no one to take his pass and play at once went back to the Hamilton quarters. A great rush by Ngaruawahia led by Welsh and Laing carried the ball over the Hamilton line, Sherwood mads an unsuccessful attempt to save, but the ball was secured by Laing who obtained the first and only score for Ngaruawahia. Bailey kicked a fine goal, add the first spell ended without any further score. Ngaruawahia opened the second spell by again forcing the fighting, and their backs Bhowed some very fine passing. Speight and Elliott also got in some good line passing, for which they were deservedly applauded, taking the play intoNgaruawahia ground. The local men then commenced to shpw a little more combination, playing with more heart and vigour, thus allowing the backs to make more of their opportunities, and Kirk having been moved forward to three-quarter in place of Sutton made his presence felt. Pike mad* a long pass to Kirk from in front of the visitors' goal, and the latter, although collared on the line, scored about half* way through the spell. Speight took the kick at goal, but was not successful, leaving Ngaruawahia with a lead of two points. Hamilton continued the attack •nd play became, much faster than at any previous pert of the game, and on one occasion Ngaruawahia was compelled to resort to forcing. Immediately afterwards Blackwell headed a dribble and Hamilton again crossed the visitors' line, but the ball was brought out and a scrum ordered fiv« yards from the line. W. Evans marked and Pike made an unsuccessful kick at goal, Ngaruawahia replied with a strong rush, and a score looked certain when Kirk came to the rescue. Speight shot out with a good dribble, and being well supported, the ball was carried over the line, but Ngaruawahia again secured a force. By this time the time was drawing to a close. Ngaruawahia was still leading and excitement was running pretty high. Within five minutes of the close Speight started a rush, and being joined by Windsor, the latter got over on the a touch-in-goal resulting. vyflKTwas again brought out the ball jfl tMared by Kirk, who dashed over corner flag, amid intense en'4 jta, just on the call of time. The I it goal, which was not a success, c ' the game, Hamilton thus winning by 6 points to 5. The visitors have a fine pack, but the men appear to lack condition, and they fell away greatly towards the end of the game. Welshes play was much admired, and the other prominent men were Marshall, Patorson and Laing. The most noticeable backs were Bailey, Williams, Cox and Hinton The great fault with the backs on both sides was their utter disregard for the touch-line, and Cox's long punts would be much more effective if directed towards the boundary. For Hamilton Kirk and Pike were the heroes of the match. The former scored both the tries, besides putting in some fine defensive work. Pike's play was marked by unsoltishness, and his defence wan etroDj*. Sutton made a good fullback, and should be kept in this position. Sherwood, Evans and Hobßon de-

serve mention. The local pack was most unsatisfactory, anil they could itei'hcr carry the scrum or send the bull cleanly to the half >back. aho was smoiherul by the Ngaruawahia wings, who mutt have opened the eyes of their vis-a vis. WAIPA CUP MATCHES KIHIKIEI V. TB AWAMUTU. This match was played on the Kihikihi Domain on Saturday afternoon, p'ay commencing shortly after 1 o'clock, so as to allow a secoud match to be p'ayed later. In the first spell Chapman Becured a try for the visitors, which H. Lewis converted, and the spell ended without any further score. The concluding half of the nntch was made very willing, Kihikihi making hard , but unsuccessful attempts to overtake their opponents, and iu many instances good play was spoilt by over anxiety to score, the game in the end developing into a serios of scrambling rushes but no addition was made to the score. Te Awamutu have played four matches, all of which they h»ve won, and have scored 40 points, without having one recorded against them. PATERANGI V. OTOROHANGA. After the above mutch these teams met on the same ground, when a much better exposition of footbill was given, and the open loose play of the Paterangi team might well be copied by all the clubs in Waikato. The first spell ended without a score by either side, although Paterangi had undoubtedly the best of the play, and on resumption they asserted their superiority and W. German quickly secured a try. This was followed by two others scored by G. Allcock, but in no case were the major points added, and the game ended Paterangi 9, Otorohanga 0. Mr R. J. Gwynne refereed in Mh these matches, and the line impires were Messrs Gifford and Allcock in the Rihi-kihi-Te Awamutu match and Messrs C. Bowden and Gifford in the Paterangi• Otorohanga match. OTHER MATCHES. KARAMU V. HRONGIA. A football match between the Karamu and Pirongia Clubs was played at Pirongia in Mr Miles' paddock on Saturday afternoon. The visitors, notwithstanding bad roads and rough weather, were up *o time with their engagement and the mutch itself was a most exciting one. Pirongia were short ot several of their best players, and the visitors were judged from their appearance to be by far the lighter team, but they all played well together, Bruce captained the Karamu and J. Papesch the local men. The result was a win for Karamu, the score being 4 points to 3. A gaol was kicked from the field by one of the Kuramu team Mr Parkes, who was loudly applauded for the smart bit of play. This apparently harmless young fellow played most brilliantly throughout the match for h«s side, and had his jersey completely torn off his back. Bruce also was conspicuous on the Barr.e side. The visitors were entertained at tea at Mrs Finch's, with an enjoyable smoke concert afterwards. Great interest is felt at the matoh to be played here on Saturday next. between the local te*m and Otorohanga. On Saturday next Hamilton and Cambridge meet on Sydney Square, and the contest is expected to be the match of the season. The position of the various teams tor the first round is as follows:—Cambridge, *2 wins; Hamilton, 1 win and 1 loss; Ngaruawahia, 2 losses. 'Protests has been entered in the case of both matches won by Cambridge, and these will doubtless bo settled at the next meeting of the Waikato Rugby Union.