FOOTBALL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 483, 5 September 1899, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

INTER-UNION MATCH. WAIKATO V. WAIPA. The return match between the teams representing the Waikato and Waipa Rugby Unions was played on Sydney Square, Hamilton, on Saturday last, when the Waipa men again proved their superiority by defeating their opponents by four points (a goal from the field) to nil. Neither side was represented by their strongest combinations, the winners being weakened by the absence of Corboy, Cruickshank, Jackson and Gorrie Matters were fairly even in this respect, however, for McL'ike, Welsh, Anderson, Carneichan and L. Hadden were missing from Waikato, and the absence of the first - named from the three-quarter line was keenly felt on Saturday. From a spectator's point of view the game was dull and uninteresting, passing being almost entirely dispensed with, aud the match did not rouse as much enthusiasm at this end of the district as an ordinary club fixture. The visitors possess a dashing set of forwards, heavy, fast and full of go, and though the backs are clover the play was almost entirely confined to the front division, who not only beat the Waikato men in scrum work, but on the line had most things pretty much their own way. The score 4—o would indicate a big struggle, but this was by no means the case, as Waipa held the advantage right through. Although the home players were on the defence most of the time, it must not be supposed that they had no chances of scoring, for on several occasions they had hard luck in not registering a try. One notable occasion was when Pike kicked the ball from his own 25 flag, and dashing up in pursuit beat a Waipa three-quarter aud dribbled the ball over the line, where he lost it and Waipa forced. The following were the players : Waipa: Fullback—S. Macky ; threequarters—L. Macky, G. Bowden and F. Bowden ; five-eighth—Carr ; half-back —Trevenna ; wings—A. Allcock and D. Bockett; forwards—Turner, T. Allcock, H. May, H. Mandeno, W. Kay, W. Rimmer and J. North. Waikato : Full-back—R. Cox ; threequarters —Pike, Armer and Kirk ; fiveeighth—Bailey ; half back Hinton ; wings—Roberts and Cowling ; forwards —Speight, Blackwell, Elliott, C. Hadd«n, Armer, Montgomery and Dodd. The play in the first-half of the game scarcely merits particularising. Free kicks were the most noticeable feature, and the interest of the game was considerably lessened by the stoppages occasioned by the coutiuued infringements on both sides. Waipa made the most of these penalties, but those awarded to Waikato were of little or no advantage, for the ball was invariably punted straight up the field into the hands of a reliable hack, who always found the line after gaining as much as 20 or JSO yards by the exchange of kicks. Waipa had several excellent shots at goal from free kicks, but the kicker in each instance failed to fetch the mark. The visiting wings, Allcock aud Bockett, got in some grand work, the former being especially noticeable. Kirk, at threequarters, was not up to usual form, aud made several glaring mistakes, and on one occasion let the ball roll between his feet, allowing Turner to carry the ball over the line, *&%: luckily for Waikato a force was v The chief source of trouble on the Waikato side was the kicking of rollimj balls, and several of the backs frequently indulged in this most reprehensible practice, which is inexcusable under any circumstances. This spell closed without a score. Jn the second half play opened with the ball in the Waikato 25, where Carr made an excellent attempt at goal from a free kick. I'lay was still confined to the forwards, Waipa having the best of the deal. G. Allcock headed a nice rush to the line, bnt Cox successfully averted a score. Pike then got off the most exciting pieco of play during the day. Kicking the ball away from his own 25, and following up closely he non-plussed the opposing three-quarter and dribbled the leather over the line, with several opponents in

hot pursuit. On crossing the border, however, lie had the misfortune to lose the ball. When the game was resumed play again gravitated to iho Waikato end, where Bockett made a bid for a try, but he was thrown out near the line. Alleock received the ball from touch and crossed the line, but was called back for a crooked throw. Immediately aftor Trovenna got across, but the ball was again brought back. From a scrum L. Mucky passed out nicely to G. Bowden, who, being cornered, dropped a pretty goal from the Held, thus obtaining the only score during the game. Waipa continued to press their opponents, and play for some time was carried out on the Waikato goal line. F. Bowden on one occasion got over the line, but being collared by Cox lost possession of the ball, and Waikato forced. Play was continued in this quarter during the rest of the game. Tlie best team undoubtedly \vot>, the forwards were superior and though the hacks are not very strong in tin attack, rarely attempting anything in the way of a passing run, they offered a sound defence and made use of the touchliue. Of the visiting backs G. Bowden, F. Bowden, L. Macky and Oarr were the most prominent men, the latter especially getting in some fine defensive work while amongst the forwards Alleock (?,), Turner and North deserve special mention.

The exhibition of the Waikato backs was anything but satisfactory, and Piku and Biiley were by far the pick, and some alteration will be required before the team meets the Piako reps on Saturday. Roberts and Cowling on the wing, and Speight, Black well, Hadden &nd Dodd were the most noticeable men among th« forwards. Mr E. Williamson acted as leferee and Messrs Burton and Olliver as line umpires. The visitors were entertained at tea at the Royal Hotel, and during the evening a smoke concert was held, Mr George Edgecumbe, President of the Waikato Rugby Union, in the chair. In proposing the health of the visitors, he congratulated them on their win, and said that the matches between the two UuioHs were played in a most friendly spirit, and ha hoped they would always continue so. Mr Carr responded and proposed the health of the Waikato re« presentatives. Mr Edgecumbe proposed the health ot Mr Chan. Speight, who, ho understood, had played his last game of football, as during the next week he intended entering the bonds of matrimony. He Bpoke of Mr Speight as one of the best footballers ever seen in Waikato, and the reputation he had gained on many grounds and in many matches was justly earned. Mr Speight was not only a good fo: tballer, but a real good fellow, and he was sure all footballers would join in wishing him long life, health and prospority, and, although Mr Speight would not in future be a player, he was sure to take an active interest in the game as referee, or in sorre other department. The toast was drunk in bumpers with musical honours, and with one extra cheer' for the future Mrs Speight. Mr Speight thanked the company for their kindness and assured them that ho would always have the interest of football at and would do all in his power to support the game. During the evening a number of songs and recitations were rendered and the gathering broke up about 9 p.m.

INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES. At Dunedin the Auckland representatives played the first match of their tour against Otago, and won by 13 points to 3. Murray, Gallagher and McPike secured tries and G. Gillett kicked a goal from the field. Sinclair scored a try for Otago At Christchurch Taranaki defeated Canterbury by 5 points to 3. Auckland "B" team beat Tauranga by 12 to nil. The gate at Dunedin was for Mrs Arniit'B benefit, and is expected to reach £4OO. There is no change to report in Armit's condition. TIAKO RUGBY UNION. A meeting of the I'iuko Rugby Union was held at the Waihou Hotel on Saturday evening the 2nd iust, Mr 0. P. Pilling presiding. The delegates present were : Messrs A. Lipsey and J. .Powell (To Aroha), A. Gregory and T. Lennard (Waihou). and T. Hinton (Mortinsville). A letter was received from the Rotorua football club stating as this Union could offer no guarantee, they were not in a position to come to To Aroha to play the projected match with Piako this year. It was decided to send a team to Hamilton on (he 9th isnt., to play a match with Waikato. The team will travel to Hamilton by the 11.10 a.m. train, and arrangements have been made with Messrs Smardon Bros, for bringing the team back by coach the day after the match. Mr O. F. Pdling was appointed irannger of the ceani for the trip.

The following is the team selected to represent Piako at Hamilton on the 9th inst. :—Full-back —W. Hope ; threequarters —T. Lennard, A. Lipsey, R Johnstone; five-eighths—G. Dansey; half-back—L. Buchan ; wings —A. Gregory and G. Evitt; forwards—A. Mikkelscn, R. McGie, 1). Hiekcy, W. Htdley, T. Hinton, H. Williams and P. Strange. Emergencies—forward, H. Salmon ; backs, T. Cook and F. Webb.

The following arc the names of the players selected to represent Waipa in their match against Rotorua, to be played at Te Awamutu on Saturday next:—Full - back—C. Macky ; threequarters —L. Macky, G. Bowden and M. Gorrie ; five-eighth—H. Carr ; half—L. Trevena; wings—G. Allcock and F. Bowden ; forwards —H. Jackson, D. Turner, W. Rimmer, W. Kay, J. North, T. Allcock and H. Mandono. Emergencies : Back—W. Scott; forward—H. May. If any of the above players are unable to take part in the match they are requested to let the Secretary of the Union, Mr D. Bockett, know at once. A charge will be made for admission to the ground. The following team has been selected to represent Waikato in next Saturday's match against the Piako Union rtpresentative3 to be decided on Sydney Square, Hamilton :—Full-back —R. Cox; three-quarters —R. Pike, E. Armor and T- Kirk ; five-eighth—E-Bailey; half—T. Hinton; wings—J. Cowling and M. Roberts ; forwards—A. Blackwcll, Montgomery, Welsh, Haddeu (2), G. Armer and Dodd. Emergencies : Williams, Marshall and Paynter.