FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 185, 13 August 1901, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

THE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

jßy Half-Back.]

The grouud was in a terrible state, there being not less than a dozen large pools of water. At first players did not seeui to fancy the water, but once they got wet each man seemed bent on damping the other. At times there would bo a fine shower-bath, and the spectators were greatly amused to see the players scrambling about in the water. The ball was set rolling by West End. Ruru mulled tho return, but Thomson came to the (rescue and returned it to the West End baejis. There was a great deal of off-sido play among the Huia forwards, and free kicks against them were frequent. At first Iluia seemed to have the best of the game. Play remained in Huia twentyfive for some time. Thomson again proved himself useful by a well-directed kick, which put his side out of danger. A free kick was then awarded to West End for off-side play by W. Sharp. Williams took tho kick, and West End following up were within an ace of scoring, when Nepia kicked at the rolling ball and sent it out of touch. Play still remained in Huia twenty-five. Nepia secured tho oval and got well up the field, when ho was grassed by Nolan, who had been playing by far the best game on his side. Cookery (Huia) played a good steady game on the wing, but Peterson, bis opponent, proved his match. These two players went at it hammer and tongs, but Cookery managed to bustle his opponent, and got well away with the oval. Nolan again

saved his side and placed the bal in mid-field. Thomson, the Huia hall

was very tricky, and dodged about through tho water and got well down the field, but Nolan again brought his man down. Tho Huia men were following him up, however, and O’Neill, by a smart bit of play, scored first blood for Huia. Sharp. took the kick, but failed to convert. liuia 3, West End nil.

The ball was set rolling again. Heaney secured tho ball from the kick-off, but was dropped by Ilohero. The game now became very exciting, and West End were giving their opponents a warm time. A. Hepburn, who generally does the scoring for West End, made a smart, dashing run, and secured a try for his side. Featon failed at goal. West End 3, Huia 3. Both teams now seemed wanned up, and play became very exciting. This was ovident when a large number of spectators left tho sonior match to wateh the juniors. A free kick was awarded to Huia for offside play. Sharp tried at goal, but failed. Featon set the ball rolling again, but a serum resulted. It was [just alongside a large pool of water. The West End forwards pushed their opponents into tho water. Tho serum broke up, and all were standing upright in the water, which was over their boot tops, and kicking at tho ball. This was very amusing to the spectators. One of the players likened it to a shower bath, while another thought it a novel plunge bath. The first spell ended : Huia 3, West End 8.

The oval was again set rolling by Sharp (Huia). Both teams seemed determined on winning. Huia were now playing with a breeze at their backs. Play was taken into Huia 25. Nolan secured a mark, but failed at goal. Nepia took possession of oval, and instead of kicking he made a run, but was grassed. A free-kick for West End resulted through held ball. It was right under the Huia goal posts. The bail was wet and heavy, and Hepburn failod at goal. Sharp again kicked off for Huia. Nepia followed up, secured tho ball, made a fine run, and scored. O’Neill failed to convert. Huia 6, West End 3. Featon took the kick off. Bushnell, who was following up, slipped and came on the broad of his back in a large pool of water. This was great fun for tho onlookers. West End were again awarded a free kick for off-side play among their opponents. Huia, who now began to rally up again, started another fine passing rush, but Nolan, who was their great stumbling block, again defeated them. Play was then taken into West End’s 25. A penalty kick was given to Huia. Sharp tried at goal and converted. Huia 9, West End 3. From this out Huia seemed to have it all their own way. Williams, Nolan, C. Hepburn, G. Roderick, and C. Petersen wero the mainstay of their team, and played well throughout. They made very few mistakes, and these were excusable considering the state of the ground. Thomson seems to have better luck in securing the ball. He passed to his fiveeighth, Hold, who then got it out to Wi Toki. Wi made a brilliant run. Just as Hepburn brought him down O’Neill took tho pass and secured his second try. Sharp converted. Huia 14, West End 3. Thomson now began to feed his backs properly, and they would have scored time and again hut for the West End fullback —Roderick. He is only a school boy, but is the makings of a first-rate player. Another try was secured by Sharp. He took the kick himself, but failed to add tho extra two. Huia 17, West End 3. Play became very loose. Scott, who had played a great forward game for tho country team, added another three points by scoring. No goal resulted. Huia 20, West End 3. The Huia Maoris seemed in their element, and put up another three points, one of the Natives securing another try. No goal resulted. Huia 23, West End 3. Tho whistle was then blown.

The greatest feature of the game was the combination of the West End forwards. Their opponents could not stand against them. If they had a few more backs like Nolan they- would surely have won. Nolan was head and shoulders above any of his men, and Will soon be one of the finest players here. Of the forwards, Williams, Kohero, Peterson and Bushuell were conspicuous. For the Iluia team, Tapu (fullback) played a safe game, and he was mostly responsible for the small score put up against them. Thomson played the best back game for his side, while Wi Toki and Nepia showed their good qualities. The forwards were outclassed by the West End forwards. However, Sharp, Pownell, O'Neill, Heaney and Cookery showed good form. Mr W. Howard acted as referee and proved himself very capable. For one thing the juniors deserve credit, and that is the way in which they take the referee’s decision.