FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 184, 12 August 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

HUIA V. CITY,

A LONG SCORE,

[Notes by “ The Whistle.”]

The third round of fixtures arranged by the Poverty Bay Rugby Union was commenced at Tucker’s paddock on Saturday afternoon last, when Huia put a powerful combination in the field against the chronically weak City team. Besides being represented by their very best available men, Huia were further greatly strengthened by the inclusion of W. Taylor, who was conspicuous throughout the game in a khaki jersey, on the wing of the scrum, and who gave one the impression that he has picked up a wrinkle or two while rubbing shoulders with the redoubtable Worcesters on the veldt during his recent sojourn in South Africa. The afternoon was favorable to good play, but late rains had made the ground heavy, and soon rendered the ball greasy. Some delay was caused through a goal post being discovered in a prostrate position, and the spectators were vastly interested whilst Messrs A. W. Rees, C. J. Hamilton, Caulton, Rees Jones, and others performed some marvellous acrobatic feats with a ladder, a hammer, and a handful of nails. However, the post was eventually persuaded to resume an upright position after a period of breathless suspense, and the game was proceeded with. Two spells of 40 minutes each were played, and the game was controlled by Mr T. F. Crawford, while Messrs A. W. Rees and J. A. Eaton controlled the lines.

Duggan won the toss from Caulton, and decided to play from the town end, which gave City the advantage of a slight wind, and Symes kicked off for Huia from the seaward end. From the very outset it was seen that Huia meant to make tho game fast and open. They had a fine, strapping set of forwards, who one and all worked conscientiously and well in the serums, on the line, and in the open, and Huia’s strong back division, who always appear to the best advantage in an open game, fairly revelled in their work behind them. City were completely outclassed in every department of the game, and nover really looked dangerous once during the afternoon. From the very first scrum the Huia forwards gave McCredie the ball, and he sent it smartly out to Ball, who got up speed, and sent it on to Baker, and the latter ended a nice run by transferring to Te Reina, who took the pass beautifully, and ran right behind the posts. This was a pretty piece of play. The men ran straight, passed well, and handled the ball with precision. Symes failed to convert from immediately in frout of the posts. Huia, 8. The black-and-whites continued the attack on resuming. Their forwards played with plenty of dash, and sent the ball out frequently to the backs. McCredie gave a meritorious exhibition at half, and was well protected by bis wings. Ball (fiveeighths) played the best all-round back game on tho ground, and was here, there, and everywhere. Te Reina also played splendidly, and frequently called forth applause by his dash and brilliancy. Baker (centre) did good work, but failed to take the ball cleanly at times through endeavoring to gather it with one hand. Leah also played soundly on the wing, but should back up better and kick more when in his own twenty-five. The first spoil ended in favor of Huia, who scored 15 points (five tries) to nil. Te Reina scored twice, Shorratt twice, and McGrath scored a brilliant try after indulging in a passing run with Sharp, which carried the ball from one end of the ground to the other.

In the second spell, Huia made matters oven warmer for City, and piled on an additional 21 points. City had not a look in at any time. When their forwards did manage to hook the ball, Caulton and Taylor were round on- Samson before he could get it away. Huia played well, and played football about as near perfection as we are likely to see it interpreted here. Tho forwards kept shovelling the ball out to the backs continually, and the latter made good use of their opportunities. McCredie was the first to score in tho second spell. Securing tho ball from a scrum in front of the City goal, he dogged round, and, feigning to pass, beat the whole of the City backs, and scored a brilliant try under the posts. Symes placed an easy goal. Ball next showed up with a strong, fending run from the centre 1 of tho field, and scored in a good position, but Caulton failed with the kick.

Baker scored twice, after good passing between McCredie, Ball, Te Eeina, and himself, and converted one try himself, while Ball improved the other. Harris also crossed the line, but tho try was not converted. The game thus ended in favor of Huia by the colossal score of 36 points (three goals.from tries and 7 tries) to nil. The struggle was one where condition met the want of it, and whether it be at war or play the issue will ever result as it did on Saturday. The City men could scarcely waddle up to tho scrums on many occasions, let alone stem tho dashing rushes of the forwards or chase the speedy hacks of their well-trained opponents. We must not forget to mention Symes’ display at full-back for Huia. He has rarely played better, and collared, fielded, and kicked in excellent fashion. All the Huia forwards played well, but I particularly liked the work of Sherratt, McGrath, W. Taylor, and Ngawini. Of the City backs, the only man who presented any opposition to the Huia men was Burns. Samson was completely off, and spent much of his time appealing to the referee. Duggan, Rees Jones, Webb, and Iveson were the pick of the forwards.

A largely-attended meeting of the junior players of the district was held on Saturday evening to consider the question of a junior rep. team visiting Napier. Mr Miller, Chairman of the Union, presided, and pointed out the terms upon which the team could be sent, and asked all who cared and would be able to take tho trip to hand in their names. A largo number present did so, and were informed that they would be duly notified through the Press of all further arrangements. Judging from the interest shown tho district should be able to send away a really firstclass junior team.