FOOTBALL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 29 July 1901, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

Grey-Brunner Match.

The first fifteen of the Grey Club journeyed to Brunner on Saturday to try conclusions with the Brunner fifteen. There was a large attendan e, but the ground was in a bad condition and against good play, back play being almost impossible. Grey winning tho toss Brunner kicked off, and a little give-and-take play ensued of which the Brunner boys got the best and pressed their opponents for a few minutes, but some good work put in by Gregg and Sweeney, who were well ’ supported by the remainder of the pack, put Brunner on the defensive from which position they soon extracted themselves by a determined rush to the Grey’s 25’s where Henry Brown with his old time generalship checked them, and Crawford getting possession relieved with a good kick. Scrums and line-outs were the next order and kept the forwards on both sides busy for a considerable time the nature of the groiyrd being responsible. At this stage one of the urey forwards was ordered off having slightly comittcd himself, depriving the Grey team of one of its best forwards. From this out grim determination set in and some fair play was witnessed, Dansey, for reds, showing up prominent]}', and Gage putting in splendid work for Brunner. A dribbling rush by Brunner saw the ball taken over the Grey line and was grappled by Eastgate (Grey) and Nelson (Brunner), the excitement was relieved by the Referee giving a force,

The second spell was more or less a forward game from start to finish, but noted for its determination. The Grey team was slightly altered as regards postions. Tho Reds kicked off, and pressed Brunner but Hallinan momentarily relieved his side, H. Brown here got possession and whipped out to Fraser, who missed, but Dansey and Stitt made amends by a capital run putting Brunner on the defensive, but from this position they were soon relieved, the team putting in some capital work which shows that their preparation for this match was keen, and the passing of their back divivision at times was admired. With ten minutes to go, the excitement was intense and Gage flattered his barrickers with a nice sprint but was well collared and made to kiss the veldt at a most critical moment. The whistle sounded and the game ended in a draw, no score being registered, R. M'Cormack officiated with the whistle.

Junior Cup—Stars y. Blackball.

The Stars journeyed to Blackball on Saturday to try conclusions with the latter team, and as was expected a stern fight ensued. On lining out it was thought that the country team would prove victorious as M‘Kechnie, Connor and M'Carthy were absent from the ranks of the Stars’ hacks, whilst White was suffering from a poisoned arm. MTherson won the toss, and immediately after kicking off a lot of give and take play ensued, from which Bruhn broke away with the ball at his feet, and dribbling the entire length of the field scored a well-merited try. MTherson soon after made a fine pot, the ball sailing straight over the goal, bub unfortunately it was touched by an opponent en transit. O’Brien, by good play, shifted play to the Stars’ territory, and eventually obtained a mark from which he potted a good goal. The Stars here livened up and R. White who was playing brilliantly took a neat pass from MTherson and touched down for the Stars. Shortly afterwards White again got possession of the oval and scored his second try, which was again unconverted. The superior condition of the Grey lads now told visibly on the home team, and just before close of play Richardson made the run of the day, threading his way through the entire Blackball team, and scoring behind the posts. No goal resulted, the game ending Stars (12), Blackball (4). For the Stars George Mackay. Hall, and Malfroy although each but 8 stone in weight, made up for their diminutive stature by their masterly play, the kicking of McKay being a feature of the game. Sweetinan, Richardson and White all showed fine form, but the backs all round did not display so much combination as on previous occasions. Tho forwards worked well to a man, but R. White was the sinning light on the ground, beiug ably helped by F. White, Chapman and M’Carthy. For the losers O'Brien was the hero, tlie others most in evidence being Currie, Coll, and Wilson. The visitors speak highly of the way in which they were treated, and what with the lovely weather for travelling a more enjoyable outing could not bo wished for.