FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3093, 12 May 1892, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

HAMILTON V. "WHATAWHATA. Thb opening match of the season was played on Sydney Square, on Saturday last, between the' Hamilton boys and a Maori team from Whatawhata. A drizzling rain fell nearly all the afternoon, and made things rather unpleasant. Hamilton was represented by :—Fullback, R. Gillet; threequarters, Wright, Hammond, and B. Hume; halves, G. Mares and W. Hume ; forwards, R. Harrison, Peacock, J. Gillett, F. Olarkin, Mnore. Jolly, Crosby (2), and Williamson. The Whatawhatateam was composed of :—Full-hack, W. Bishop ; three-quarters, Rore and Whitu ; halves, Awa Rutu (Captain), and Pita ; forwards, Matehone, Teal, Pnn, Tapara, Houkura (mad Jack), Moetu, Hningahou. Wharepouri, Mapanui. and Tnnhu. Messrs McKenzie and Matene umpired for Hamilton and Whatawhata re* speetively, and Mr J. Clarkin acted as referee. The Maoris set the leather going, and quickly rushed it into the Hamilton ground, but Humo punted and play went to the other end of the field, where Pita secured the ball and made a good run, taking the ball out at half-way. Hume again sent it into the Maori territory, but it wa3 very suon back at the 50 flag. The Hamilton forwards now went through to their opponents' goal line, and Moore got across, scoring the tint try. Hammonri took the kick but failed to convert. The Maoris kicked out, and took the olay into the Hamilton ground, but R. Gillet cleared the line by punting, and the blue forwards following up, drove the ball ovar the line compelling the Maoris to force. Play was centred at mid-field for awhile when Hammond punted, and through Bishop holding the ball, Hamilton was awarded a free kick in front of the posts, from which Hammond placeda goal. Thiswasdispufced.but the referee gavehis decision in favour of Hamilton. The Maoris kicked off, and within a few minutes were again compelled to save. For a long time the ball remained in mid-field, going from side to side, a number of throw ins taking place. The natives, however, wore the first to show out, and with a grand rush they went to the Hamilton goal Una, and for a few minutes looked extremely dangerous, but the blues gradually got back to the centre of the ground, where Whatawhata obtained a free kick, and once more broke through to their opponents' line, but Hammond punted cut of danger, and play waß again centred at half-way. Hammond then ran and passed to B. Humo, who made a fine run, but slipped as he nearad the line. Shortly after, the Maoris were awarded a free kick, but the ball was called bade and a scrum was being formed when llie whistle was sounded for half-time, the scores being Hamilton, six points, Whatawhata, nil. Hamilton kicked off, and the leather went out of bounds inside the Maori 25 flag, and thence up to their goal line, they having to force twice in quick succession. The game was then continued about half-way till B. Hume got a mark, and the ball went into Bishop's hands; he made a grand run, and almost succeeded in getting round the crowd, but he was neatly grassed by Mayes, who played a rattling game all through, and did somo good collaring. Here a tree kick was given to Hamilton owing to a knock-on ; this gave Awa Rutu a chance, and he made one of the best runs of the day, but came down at the hands of Hammond, who shortly afterwards, by a smart piece of dodging got across the line securing the second and last try for the home team, aud from which he landed a neat goal. The rest of the play was rather uninteresting, although Awa Kutu and Pita made some fine runs ; but the collaring of the Hamilton backs as a whole was too much for them, and when the game terminated, the visitors had not succeeded in scoring the result being a victory for Hamilton by 11 points—a try (2 points) goal from a penalty kick (4) and goal (s)—to nil. The visitors deserve great praise for the hard game they played, and the good-natured manner in which they took their defeat. Among the forwards Pou and Mad Jack played a sterling game, while Awa Rutu, Pita and Bishop were most conspicuous in the back division. The Hamilton forwards were hardly up to their old form, and appeared to be a "bit off" in dribbling; and several of the forwaids indulged in ft good deal of off-side play. Hume, Hammond and Mayes shone must behind the scrum.

Arrangements have been made by the Hamilton and Whatawhata Tuiotbal! Clubs to play tho return match at Whal.awluiU, on Saturday, 14th inat., in one of Mr Calder's paddocks. The following will comprise the Hamilton team Backs, W. Hammond (Captain), J. Wright, G. Maj'/w. D. L. Smart, J. H. Hume, R. Gillett; forwards, <J. Gillett, A. Peacock, R. " -j,>u I<\ Olarkiu, W. Moure, J. Olut'kin, I'j. Williamson, F. Crosby, F. B. Jolly. limergencies, A, Snaith and T, Crosby. A break will leave Gwynne's Hotel at 1.30 sharp. •