FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 109, 17 May 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL

! BANNER FIXTURES. j SfiXIOI!. I May 18 : 'City v. Kaiti j May 25 : AVest find r. Huia , i May 30 : City v. West End June 1 : Kaiti v. Huia Jusioii. j May 18 : Kaiti v. West End ; May 25 : City v. Kaiti June 1 : West End v. Huia June 8 : City v. West End June 15 : Kaiti v. Huia NOTES AND COMMENTS. [By “ Tub Whittle.”] Those who witnessed the match between Kaiti and West End at Tucker’s paddock on Saturday afternoon last bad certainly nothing to complain of in the matter of entertainment. Considering the fact that both teams wero playing for the first time this season, a really good exhibition of football was given. Haiti's strength layill their back division, and each of the three-quarters had a share in making up the twelve points scored in the first spell. On changing ends, the West End forwards utilised tiioir strength to advantage, and the element of uncertainty as to how the game would eventuate was sustained right up to the finish. Should every match prove as exciting, and provide as good an

exhibition of the game as that of Saturday last, the game is certain to increase in popularity, which will ensure increased attendances at the matches, and correspondingly better “ gates.”

For tiie winners Coleman, at full-back, handled the ball nicely and kicked well, but the fact that he is weak in tackling unfits him for the position ho occupied. In Porter, Ngatai, and Kirk, Kaiti has a grand trio of three-quarters. The two former are really first-class men, and their play all round on Saturday was of a high standard. Kirk is also a very useful man. Ho possesses .a fine turn of speed, and kicks well ; but ho is inclined to bo some-

what impetuous in his play, and has a bad habit of tackling his man high. It was in committing this error that lie was laid hors do combat for a time on Saturday. Halbert, at five-eighth, played J really well for so young a player, i lie is fast, and his kicking and passj ing wero features in a serviceable J afternoon’s work. Colebourne and M. Murphy, on tiie wings of the scrum, rendered invaluable service to their side. Murphy’s speed saved a certain score against his side, and ho also had hard luck iu being robbed of a try what time Clarke bobbed up so unexpectedly between the goal posts. Golebourno’s clean foot-work, was en evidence on several occasions. The forwards all played hard and well. They had absolutely- no combination, and it was duo to tiie honest, conscientious manner in which they worked that they made so good a showing. Albert Robinson played a groat game among them. He received a nasty knock over the temple early in tiie game, and the old war-horse was easily distinguishable by the “ mark of Cain ” on his brow in the forefront of the battle throughout tlio afternoon. With combination, tiie Kaiti forwards would hold their own with the best.

For tlio losers, Hepburn was disappointing at full-back, and did not play- as well as lie did three years ago, when lie gave brilliant exhibitions in that position for the old Turanganui juniors. Of the three-quarters, Vincent was far and away tlio best. Tito rev. gentleman proved what a fine all-round athlete he is on Saturday by playing a really sound game at centre three-quarter. There was a finish about his work, which was most pleasing to witness. His artistic manner of up-ending the opposing basks, his strong fending and kicking, and his knack of taking in a situation at a glance and acting upon it, gave one the desire to sec this player in form. Those who saw hint play absolutely without any training on Saturday will not bo surprised to learn that ho represented Somerset on one occasion in an English inter-county match. File, on the wing, put in good work, bat wo have seen this player perform to much greater advantage a year or so back. Clarke, on the other wing, was safe, but was early incapacitated. Wo wero greatly taken with G. Roderick’s play, at five-eighths. Ho uses his head well, and is unselfishness personified, and rendered as much services to his side as anyone.

As \vc remarked before, West End’s strength was in their vanguard, and they undoubtedly have a grand set. Wcpiha and A. D. Sherrill’, on the wings, played splendidly. Tho former is very clever with his loot, while the latter is a brilliant little all-round performer, who could, we imagine, be played back with advantage to his side. We wore pleased to see L. B. Sherrill in harness again. He is one of tiie best forwards this district has pro-

duced, and lias many years’ football before him vet before retiring from tho game. His advice was of service to his side on Saturday. C. Taylor, Hakawai, Park, and Davitt (2), are all fine stomps of men, and gave a grand display of serum and line work.

The West End forwards gained the advantage in nearly every instance in the scrum, and heeled out well ; but whatever induced them to indulge in the insane practico of heeling out on their own line '? A satisfactory feature about last Saturday’s match was the manner in which Mr Colo controlled the game. The whistle sounded promptly when occasion demanded, but there was not too much of it. We were pleased to notice that many trifling mistakes for which appeals were made on Saturday, and from which neither side could claim an advantage, were ignored by Mr Colo, thus causing the game to be much faster. To-morrow afternoon, ICaiti and City’ meet for the first time, and there is certain to be another large attendance. I fully expect to see City rise, Phoenix-like, from the ashes of their first defeat, and give Ivaiti a hot time to-morrow. They have no less than five new players in the back ranks, of whom both Burns and Samson are proved men, and will greatly strengthen tho side, while Rees Jones will strengthen an already strong forward side. The following is the City team : Gillespie, King, Primrose, Burns, Glennie, Samson, Quinn, Freer, Duggan, Davidson, Dixon, Jones, Webb, Harley, Steele. Emergencies : Beatson, McDowell, and Holland.

The Haiti team to play against the City in the Senior Bifnnor contest to-morrow afternoon will be selected from the following :—Coleman, Porter, Kirk, Ngatai, Halbert, Black, Murphy, Colobourne, Eaton, Robinson, McKellar, Kellett, Newton, Brown, Bright, Brophy, Hansen, and Harris. Play will commence punctually at 3 o’clock, and it is to be hoped that both sides will remember this. Mr A. W. Bees will act as referee in to-

norrow’s match. The West End Junior team will be

selected 'from tho following : Watene, Roderick, Nolan, Hepburn, Clark, Thomson, Lathan, P. Sherriff, W. Gray, Lindon, Featon, Skeet, Bushnell, Pritchard, Peterson, Bennett, Kohere, Clark, Williams.