FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 425, 26 May 1902, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

WEST END V. KAITI CITY/ AN INTERESTING GAME/ (Notes by “ The Whistle,”) A mere perfect day than Saturday last for indulgence ‘in outdoor recreation of any kind could not have been wished for. The sky was cloudless, but the sun seemed to look down with a clear, cold light, and the moderate breeze which blew from the south had just that suggestion of keenness about it which prompts vigorous, physical exercise. At 3 o’clock there was a satisfactory attendance of the public (among which it was pleasing to notice a rair proportion of the gentler sex), at Victoria Domain, to witness- the senior and junior contests under the auspices of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union. On entering the ground, one could not help being struck with the number of improvements which had been effected during the week. The boarded barricades along Childers road frontage and part of the town end of the ground had been erected, abd a light, raised

slab-fence had also been run along the Childers road side of the ground, which effectually prevented encroaching on the field of play. The juniors had a ground complete in every detail marked off for them at the Hapara end, and they fairly revelled on it, judging by the signal sounds of strife which nroceedcd from it during the afternoon. The Union’s dressing shed had been shifted from Tucker’s paddock to the Domain during the week, and occupied a central position on the harbor side of the grounds. The improvements had the efiect of vastly enhancing the appearance of the ground, which is a monument to the enterprise and industry of the local Union, which any citv might be proud of. A great deal of interest centred in the first meeting of the West End and Kaiti-City Clubs. Both clubs were represented fly practically their full strength, and each had a large number of supporters. Shortly after three o’clock the following teams took the field

West End (black) : G. Hepburn, G. Roderick, Watene, Wait-ai, Brown, Poananga, L. B. Sherriff (captain), Skeet, W. Roderick, Williams, I-liwinui Wepiiia, Bennett, Davitt, and DeLautour.

Kaiti-City (blue and black) : Witty, Baker, Porter, Glennie, Bathgate, J. Hay, B. Colebourftc (captain), Bright, White, Newton, Haynes, Miles, R. K.

Murphy, and McKellar. The Kaiti-City captain won the toss-, and Williams, for the blacks, kicked off from the town end. The black forwards smothered the return, but Baker secured possession, and kicked out from past the centre. From the line out, Miles, Colebournc, and Murphy broke away, and took play well down the field with good foot work, but Watene cleverly fielded the ball from their toes, and sent it out at his own quarter mark. Fast, open play, followed, in which Skeet, Sherriff, ’ Wepiha, and DeLaulour worked the ball to the centre, but Porter sent it back with a fine kick, which found the line near the black’s corner-flag. Exciting play raged here for a time, until Poananga snapped the leather up, and made a clever, dodgy run well up the field, where Bathgate up-ended him in great style. From the scrum the West End forwards came along with the ball, and, working their feet well, gained a lot of ground, but their progress ./as stopped by Glennie wit) a lucky “speculator” to touch. West. End hotly attacked for a time, Bennett, Williams, Wepiha, and Skeet putting in good work. A scrum was formed right on the colours’ line, but relief came in the form of a free jkiclc for off-side play. Newton took the kick, but one of his men got in front, and the play raged fiercely again on the Colours’ line. Poananga made a bold dash for the line, but- was held up by Porter, and Miles, Haynes, and Hansen cleared the line with some solid foot work. Soon after, a long kick by G. Roderick forced the Colours. Newton’s kick-out was smothered by the Black forwards, but Hay averted the danger by making a short, dodgy run, and kicking out at the centre. The play succeeding showed how well matched the two sides were. The forwards on both sides packed promptly and systematically, but were so wellmatched that neither could do much. The Colours’ were, if anything, cleverer at getting the ball out, but Hiwinui and Skeet were vigilant on the wing, and usually smothered Hay, who was playing a clever, brainy game at half. The play at this stage was good. The men were all working conscientiously, and, though the play was not brilliant, ’it was honest and willing. The greatest blemisnes were hand-balling, and a tendency to sprawl on-the ground in stopping the rushes. Now and again several men on each side would lie down, and grope for the

ball, as they did in the good old days. Watene and .Waitai were next to show up with a nice passing uin, but Porter intercepted, and sent the ball out at the centre. The Colours’ forwards, with Colebourne, Newton, Miles, and White in the van, came rattling down the field, hut Brown brought them up standing, and put in a good kick to touch. Witty and Roderick exchanged kicks, and then Miles broke away, and transferred nicely to Porter, who made a good run to Waitai, who grassed him beautifully. From a scrum near the blacks’ line, the c ° lol v s forwards gave Hay .the ball, and he dodged round, and got well away, transferring to Bathgate, who sent the sphere on to Baker. The latter held oil too long, and Skeet intercepted Ins pass and put in a kick, winch shifted phiy to the centre. Porter here beautifully fielded a rolling ball, and made a splendid kick, which just grazed the blacks’ corner flag. Play raged on the blacks’ line for a time. Lrentually, Baker made a smart mark. Hay took the kick, and cunningly screwed the ball straight across the field to his towards, but the latter failed to take advantage of the opening, and the bheks’ forwards in a body swept tne ball finely up the field. A bit of splendid passing between Poananga, Blown Watene and Waitai gained a lot of "■round ’ Bathgate saved by intercepting, and kicked to Hepburn who found the line at the intercepted citing plav ensued. Sheet micrcepieu amts from Hay to Bathgate and Ufllscd out to Waitai, who made a

P br Hiant dash for the line. Play raged in front of the Colours’ goal, till toil 1 up "under 1 the "posts' and, ‘cleverly UAnhnrn wllO lu\d followed Up Well

v.smsg&M a t got a knock winch stopped play niomcn an y, * c fie ld cheered on taking worklight lagct • „tt-H'k was staved off. and attack after a u. h centre, Poananga R " [ f l ‘ P^ y fcel) , e kic k, and where Glennie made . body the West End > swept grandlv do ij ne where I Wepiha'dropped on it, a Wait a i P mad'e ‘‘a good attempt to con scores standing . West Gnu, -> . r&ufihe jump the play made fast in the second spell. The .ban. travelled up and down the hel great rate. There was liUle coni : bination about the play of ertner siae ’ though. The men seemed detenmnea ! to make the play fast, and hooted the : ball about recklessly without appar 1 cntly caring where it landed- Brown • was the first to show up wit a me 2 run, but Porter slopped him, ant 1 Colebourne carried the leather hack • Williams next broke away lrom a Ime ■. and made a good run till Baker era o braced him. Play was last and fun e ous. The blacks’ had more combina d lion behind the scrum, and their back: i- also kicked much better than their op ponent?i But' .the Colors’ had i

team of backs exceptionally strong in defence, and play swayed backwards /and forwards amid great, excitement. Watene was nearly in with a feinting run, and was only stopped on the line. The Blacks’ were having slightly the best of the play. Poananga and Waitai, in particular, were playing brilliantly, and made some fine -lashes for the line, which only the splendid defence set up by the Colours’ hacks could have kept out. Witty called up a cheer by stopping Poananga after he had dodged through the field, and had only the little man to pass. Porter stood out prominently on the Colours’ side. His play was characterised by sound judgment, and his fielding, kicking, and passing were a treat to witness. Hay and Baker got away once, and indulged in a good passing rim, but this was about the only time the

Colours’ looked dangerous in the second spell. Though they had the ball on the Blacks’ line several times, they never really looked like scoring. There was a lack of unity amofig the hacks which was fatal to their hopes of scoring. Towards the end of the game, the West End forwards, who played doggedly and well throughout, got on a rush which took play close to the Colours’ line, and Wejuha once again came to light, and dribbling single-handed, or rather footed ; he scored his second try in a good position, and placed the issue beyond all doubt. Williams made a good effort ;o add the major points. From this out to the call of time, play was even, and no further score resulted. The whistle sounded “ no side,” and West End left the field victorious by two tries (C points) to nil. The game was an interesting one to watch, and if the public do not see a worse exhibition this year they should nave no cause to complain. West End deserved the win. They played the better game, but one had the impression that when the combined forcesget to know each other’s play better they will be a much stronger side.

Mr A. W. Rees controlled the game admirably, and Messrs R. Cole and VV. Paltridge were impartial lineiudges. Two 40-minute spells were played.

JUNIOR MATCH. Tho first junior match of tho season was played on No. 2 ground on Victoria Domain on Saturday, when Huia met West End. Driller captained tho former, and B. Heaney the latter. From the start, Huia seemed to hold the game their own. Their team was far heavier than their opponent’s. Tho only big man West End had was Clarko, tho rest being mero lads. Howover, many of the lads proved superior to somo of their heavier opponents. S, Roderick played well for West End, and was tho best back by far on his side. A nice bit of passing brought about the first scoro for Huia. Hold dodged through tho forwards, and made a good run, passing to Driller, who sent tho ball on to Shaw, who scored. Wi Told failed to convert, Huia got on some willing rushes, but “ Sailor ” Roderick put in sound defensive work. Scott brothers and McCullough broke away, and W. Scott got over. T. Sharp converted. West End wakened up, and took play to the Huia line, where Jack Roderick got a clever mark, and his brother “ Sailor ” kicked a goal. Huia retaliated. Driller marked a high kick by the West End fullback, and T. Sharp placed a nico goal. Soon after, Driller put in a long kick, which he followed up smartly, and marked tho attempted return off tho toe of tho kicker. Sharp proved himself a good place-kick by landing another goal. Clarke (West End) seemed to bo lying low. He got well away but Wi Told took him. For a little while Wi Toki and Clarke seemed to be having rather a good time together, but Clarko proved himself far superior. From this out play seemed to be very loose, neither side showing superiority. Towards the end of the gamo D. Scott secured another try, but Driller failed at goal. The gamo ended Huia 19—West End 4.

For tho losers S. Roderick, J. Roderick, Heaney, and Tate were the best, while for tho winners Scott (2), McCullough, Dodds, and Sharp were the pick. Mr J. Webb acted as referee, and his judgment in all cases was just. One thing very noticeable about the match was tho way in which each team accepted the referee’s decision as final. It is to be hoped Mr Webb will handle the whistle more often.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

Christchurch, last night. At senior football to-day Christchurch beat Merivalo by 11 to 9. Albion beat Sydenham by 12 to 4. Linwood beat the Old Boys by 20 to 8.