FOOTBALL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3792, 10 September 1883, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

GISBORNE V. NAriER. This match was played on tho recreation ground on Saturday. The day was fine, tho breeze light, and a considerable number of spectators rolled up in the expectation of seeing a really good game, an expectation, by tho way, in which they were not disappointed. A good many ladies graced the ground, and no doubt by their presenco animated the players to doughtier deeds. The Gisborne team was placed as follows :—Full backs, Whitcombe and Bull; half backs, Mills and L. Rccs; quarter backs, J. White, A. Roes, and Berry (captain); forwards, Oatridge, Bourke, C. White, Sago, Payitt, McCrao, A. Gibbons, and Knight. The Napier men wore arranged thus:—Full back, Lo Qucsnc; half backs, St Hill and Wako ; quarter backs, Begg (captain) and Cottorill ; forwards, Thompson, Kennedy, Stubbs, Anderson, Coupor, Simpson, Mc- ■- Vay, Robinson, Parker, and Gibbons. Tho ball was kicked off by Napier at about 2.30. It was caught by Mills, who sent it down to Le Quosne, who returned it smartly. St. Hill made a good run, and was knocked into touch. The ball was thrown in by Gisborne, and was caught by Wake, who mado a short run, but was collared by Rccs. Somo loose play now took place, in which Napier had rather the best of it. Wako got the ball and mado a grand run, but was collared and rolled into touch. In throwing in some

hand-ball took place, for which the ball was called back. Being again thrown in it was secured by Berry, but he was soon collared by Cotterill, who was playing a splendid game. L. Rees shortly afterwards got a mark, aud Bull tried a place kick at goal, which was a failure. Berry mado a run, but was stopped by Gibbons. Some scrummaging took place near Napier's goal, in which Anderson did good service, but Lc Quosne soon relieved his side by a run and kick. Time was then called. In tho second spell Gisborne kicked off, and the ball, being returned, was muffled by Rees. Robinson followed up, and Gisborne was shortly afterwards forced down. Tho i ball was kicked out, when Cotterill mado a good run, and Simpson distinguished himself by good dribbling. Wake made a run, but was collared by Rees, who got rather knocked out of time. Gibbons was hero , very active, and J. Whito did some smart : passing. Berry marked off Wake, and Bull again tried the kick, but did not score. Tho ball was kicked back by Gibbons, and Cotterill showed good play. Begg made a Vjrun, but was collared near the Gisborne line, and a scrummage was formed. Gibbons got the ball and passed to Begg, who run in, Tho try was, however, disallowed, and tho ball brought back. St. Hill made an effort, but was well stopped, and time was called. Ends were changed, and Begg kicked off. Tho ball shortly found its way into touch near tho Napier lino, and, being thrown in, was secured by J. White, who got in, but was brought back on tho ground of tho ball not having been thrown in straight, gome fast play took place in front of the Napier goal, and Whitcombo got a mark. Bull was again entrusted with tho kick, but failed to score. St Hill _ made a run, but was collared, and J. White got across tho line near touch, but was brought back, as ho had crossed the touch-lino. The ball was thrown in from touch, and Gibbons kicked down to Bull, who potted at goal without effect. Shortly afterwards Berry succeeded in getting across the line near the boundary, and being collared by Robinson, a maul ensued, in which Berry was victorious. The place kick, a difficult one, was given to Bull, but the goal did notcomooff. Time was then called, the scoro being Gisborne one try to Napier's nil, For the fourth and last spoil Berry kicked off for Gisborne, j_and Napier seemed resolved to make desporato efforts to retrieve their fortunes. Begg caught the ball as it fell from tho kick off and ran right through most of the Gisborne forwards, when he was collared. St Hill secured a mark, and Begg took the kick, but no score resulted. Wako made an but was collared, and Begg shortly afterwards got in amidst great applause. Robinson took the kick, but without success. The ball was returned by Bull, and was caught by St Hill, who placed it for Begg The kick, though a good one, fell short, and time being presently called the game resulted in a draw, each side having scored a try. A noticeable feature of the game was the indifferent place kicking on both sides. Marks were numerous, some of them fairly good opportunities, but not one goal was kicked. Not knowing many of tho Gisbomo team I was unable to follow their play through the game, but Bull, L. Rees, Berry, J. White, and Pavitt did good service in their respective positions, and McCrae was conspicuous in tho lino out. For Napier Lc Qucsne (full back), St. Hill (half back), aud Begg, and Cotterill (quarters), deserve "special mention. Simpson and Robinson were always on tho ball (the greatest praise that can be given to a forward), and Gibbons, who played on the wing, was very active in collaring his opponents. Messrs Nolan and Logan acted as umpires, and Mr Potts as referee for some time, when ho was relieved by Mr Dobsou. Their decisions gavo every satisfaction. The Dinner.

At 7 o'clock the visitors were entertained at dinner at the Masonic Hotel, when some fifty persons, including players of both Yearns, sat down to table. Tho cuisine was excellent, and tho viands, both solid and Jjquid, pf the very best quality. Mr R.

Dobson occupied the chair, the seat of honor on his right being filled by Mr Berry, captain of the Gisborne team. Mr R. A. D. Mombray and Mr J. Begg (captain of the Napier team) acted as croupiers. After the company had abundantly satisfied the "inner man," the usual toasting and singing incidental to convivial gatherings commenced. The Chairman gave the toast of '' The Queen," which met with the usual loyal and hearty response. In proposing the "Visiting Team," Mr Mowbray regretted that some one more capable had* not been entrusted with that very ploasing duty. The Gisborne players were to be complimented on their good form in the field that day, although ho was glad to say tho local men were able to hold their own against them. It showed the interest that wis taken in the game when a team of footballers came all tho way from Gisborne to eii£ra"-0 in a friendly match. He might also say that a more jolly lot of players it would be"difficult to get together than their friends from Poverty Bay. He had much pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Mr Berry, the visiting team's worthy captain. Song, Mr Harry Smith, "Ten Thousand Miles Away." Mr Berry said tho match played that day against Napier had been, of all tho matches they had played together, tho most even and the most enjoyable. It was far and away the best game of all tho six. (Hear, hear.) His team came down hero not expecting to do as well as they had done. (A voice through tho window: "What are yon givinsr us ; moonlight on a shovel ?") Ho should, nevertheless, have liked to have made another score, and so have gained a victory, but perhaps it was better that the Napier players were not beaten on their own ground. (Laughter.) As it was, however, tho season had ended well with a drawn game. Mr Berry went on to say th.it lie was afraid this would be the last time he would have the pleasure of responding on behalf of the Gisborne footballers. (Cries of No.) It was true, notwithstanding, as ho, with a few others, had made up their minds to coaso playing after this season, but that would not prevent Gisborne sending down next year such a team as would hold their own anywhere. He called upon the Gisborne men to drink tho health of "tho good fellows of Napier" in bumpers, coupling tho toast with the name of Mr Begg. The toast was drunk with musical honors, and three ringing cheers.

Song, Mr T. R. Gilpin. Mr Begg acknowledged tho toast on behalf of tboNapicr team, and expressed the wish that the Gisborne players had had an enjoyable day, and that their trip throughout would bo a very pleasant one. The Napier team had been treated with every consideration when at Gisborne, and he only regretted that tho shortness of the stay of the visitors hero prevented the compliment being suitably returned. He hoped that next year they would find tho Napier men greatly improved in their play, and able to carry all before them. (Applause.) Song, Mr Berry, "The Farmyard." Mr Whito proposed "The Umpires." They had given every their decisions in every instance being fair and impartial. While tho umpires were collecting their thoughts to reply ho would ask that very retired young gentleman, Mr G. St. Hill,"to favor tho company with a song. Song, Mr G. St. Hill, "Tho British Grenadier." Mr Nolan, as one of tho nmpircs, thanked the company for tho kind manner in which their slig-ht services had been remembered, but he thought a little more respect was due them than to bo called " Jolly Good Follows." (Laughter). Tho game that day had been well played, and with very few disputes ; in fact there was no need of umpires at all. (Cries of oh, oh ! and a voice, "Oh, go on.") Although out of place as an umpire ho had had great pleasure in acting in that capacity to-day. (Applause). Song, Mr Robinson, " Crossing Jordon." Mr C. D. Kennedy gave the toast of tho "Army and Navy," aud spoke in eulogistic terms of some of the recent acts of bravery of Britain's defenders. Ho coupled tho toast with the name of Mr E. Withers. Song, Mr C. Monteith, " Kapai to Maori. Mr Withers said ho did not know why his name should bo coupled with tho toast of tho "Army aud Navy" except that it was because ho was a son of one of the oldest soldiers in New Zealaud —who was now no more. It was not required that he should remind them of the many achievements of our army and navy corps, as they were well and widely known. He might, however, point to their bravery in Egypt and Afghanistan, and, although in a lesser degree, to tho act sof our o\\ n colonial forces in New Zealand. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Song, Mr Simpson, "Tho Raw Recruit." The Chairman said ho had a toast to proposo which he'knew would bo drunk heartily. It was the toast of "Football." (Applauso). Ho first learned football _25 years ago, and had many pleasant rcminiscenses of the game. The reason why the toast had been placed so far down on the list was that it might follow that of the Army and Navy, for it was pre-eminently tho game of football that mado those institutions what they aro. (Applause). An Englishman did not crawl or sneak up to a person he desired to punish, or use the knife. Ho went up boldly to him and let him have it with his fists, and it was football that taught them when children not to funk but to come up to the scratch. He was sorry to hear some of the players from Gisborne talking about retiring from the game. He hoped they would not do anything of tho kind, and that at least they would continue to lend it their countenance and support. (Applause). Song, Mr Lincoln Rec.s, "Biddy Small." Mr Pavitt said ho was pleased that his name had been coupled with this toast, for tho reason that the gentleman who proposed it was the very one who first taught him the game of football. Otherwise he would have been glad to be excused a duty which ho was really not competent to perform. Ho thanked them heartily for the enthusiastic manner in which they had drunk success to football, although ho was one of thoso who thought of retiring. (No, no.) It was useless to say No, for ho and three others had made up their minds on the subject. Song, Mr F. Kennedy, " Over the Garden Wall." Songs were also contributed by Messrs J. White, Nolan, Wilson, E. Tanner, St. Hill, C. D. Kennedy, Broughton, and Withers. The remaining toasts were '' The Ladies,'' proposed by Mr Cotterill, and responded to by Mr A. L. Recs ; "The Press," proposed bj"- Mr J. Sidey and acknowledged by Mr W. F. Wilson, of tho Daily Telegraph ; "The Bachelors and reformation to them ; proposed by the Chairman and responded to by Mr Mowbray; '' The Host and Hostess,'' and " The Chairman." " Our next Merry Meeting" was also given by Mr Whitcombe. Tho proceedings terminated shortly after 10 o'clock.

[by telegraph.] Wellington, Saturday. Tho football match between Wellington and Auckland was played to-day. Tho weather was threatening throughout the day and rain fell. In the first spell Warbrick kicked a goal for Auckland. In the second A. D. Thompson, for Wellington, also kicked a goal. This made the score even, and as there was no further score in tho match it resulted in a draw.