Football

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 1, 17 June 1890, Page 3

Football

PALMERSTON y. FEILDING.

The first cup match of the season wa played between the above teams on tin Oval on Saturday, in the presence of j large number of spectators who, I au pleased to notice, are taking more interes iii every game that is played. The Feild ing men \ 1 iced another win to their credit winning by the narrow inargin of on< point. The teams were the same as ap peared in last week's paper, with the ex ception of Johnson. Shannon failed tc put in an appearance, which weakenec the strength of the local team greatly Gregory took Shannon's place at half while Johnson filled Gregory's place ir the forwards. Parr, who unfortunatelj . has not recovered from his injuries to his knee, plaed fill back, and luckily had little to do. Messrs Pratt and Fowlei ■umpired, while the Rev. Innes- Jones acted as referee. I was pleased to see the lattex "^•^gentleman officiating, and it is to be hoped '^Sve will have the pleasure of seeing him often in that responsible position. His decisions were fair and just all through, perhaps he was apparently a little slow at times in deciding, but this was really the fault of the players, because directly an appeal was made, no matter which side erred, more than half the players of each team wanted it decided in their favour. It is very hard for either the umpires or referee to carry out their duties satisfactorily when the players are so noisy as they were on Saturday, both teams were to blame in this respect. Bar the chatter the game was the most enjoyable and friendly one the teams have ever played together. I would have thought that both the Palmerston and Feilding players might have taken a lesson with advantage from the Masterton team ; there was no talking with them, and every player accepted the decision of the officials without demur whether they were right or wrong, I fail to see what is to prevent the teams which played on Saturday from following this good example. THE GAME. Palmerston kicked off and Feilding immediately carried the play to the visitor's 255, and before the ball was in motion five minutes Matravers scored a try, which Bobmson failed. to convert. Play now became fast and furious, the local forward 1 ?, who were playing a rattling good game, liad the visiting backs defending their side for nearly the remainder of the spell. In the second spell play was a little more even. Hai'ire., Joe Kobinsor, and Dyer made several good runs. Harmer being within an ace of scoring on two occasions. The visiting backs, who played a splendid defensive game all through, had very little ■siow to distinguish, themselves in this respect, the local forwards being too quick upon them. There is one noticeable feature in the play of the local forwards ; they invariably spoil the chances of the opposing backs. The visitors made a severe attack on the home team's line during the lust five minutes close to the corner flag where •they were awarded a free kick, but it was rather 100 difficult for Jackson to convert. There is no doubt the winners had the best of the game all through, although they were only able to score one point, which seems to be about the general thing in the Palmerston and Feilding matches. In the last six matches which they have played there has never been more than one try scored by either team and only on one occasion was the try converted. O the six matches Feilding has won fonr and drew once.

I must apologise to the players on both sides for such a scanty report I was really too interested in the game to take notes. Once more, I am pleased to say, I have to award the bulk of the praise to the Feilding forwards who, I am sure, would be a credit to any club te m in the colony if they only practised nore t >getker. It would be hard for me to mention who played the best amongst them, as they all played a sterling good game. The backs *lso played well, especially Harmer, who is one of the smartest and most cousistent players in the team. He had extremely hard luck on one occasion ; after making a good run and passing all the opposing backs, by losing the ball. For the losers the backs all played a much better game than their forwards ; Jewell, Isherwoorl and Jackson among the backs aud 01 iphant, Hanna, Hyland and Smith, torwards, were the most noticeable. I was pleased to see the visitors take their defeat in such good part, and also the friendly feeling which existed between the players during the continuance and after the finish of the match, and I hope and trust all their future matches will be played in the same manly spirit, but with less talking. Free Kick.

At the Rugby Union meeting on Friday night, the Hunterville - Railway Club .match wss discussed, and the protest of the latter disallowed. The Marton Club ■withdrew from the Union. — Wanganui Herald, _^________.