FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 518, 15 September 1902, Page 3

FOOTBALL

HAWKE’S BAY V. POVERTY BAY.

A DECISIVE WIN FOR GISBORNE.

FINE EX Hill II lON OF RUGBY.

The prediction that great interest would be taken in this year’s annual inter Union Rugby football match between Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay was amply borne out on Saturday last. Though the weather during the two days preceeding the match was as bad as could possibly be imagined, and the rain continued scarcely without cessation up till an early hour on Saturday morning, the day broke beautifully fine, and the hearts of the hundreds of enthusiasts who took so much interest in

the big match were made &lad in the hope that the game would be played in fine wea her alter all. Towards noon, the sky became overcast again, and the weather grew more threatening as the hour for commencing play diew nearer. Notwithstanding this (act, there was a record gate at Victoria Domain at 3 o’clock. It is estimated that there were upon a thousand spectators present when the teams lined out. The amount taken at the gate totalled L4O 4s, which is the largest sum ever t iken at a local match. Ihe Hawke’s team arrived by boat early on Saturday morning, and shortly alter 8 o’clock the teams took the field as under :

HAWKE'S BAY (black and white). Full-back: A. Russell, 9st 61b. Three-quarters : I*’. Russel), 10.12 ; F. MeVay, 11.6 ; Bench, 10.4. F’ivo eighths: A. Balfour, 10.6 ; E. Biased (captain), 11.8. Half: Tomlinson, 9.8. Forwards: Munro (wing), 11.0; McCarthy, 11.12; J. (Jaldwoll, 12.2; R. McLornon, 12.6; Bates, 12.6; Tyne, 11.6;

R. Caldwell, 12.8 ; M. Mahoney, 11.0. POVERTY BAY (bluo and black). Full-back : W. Waitai, 12.0. Three-quarters: D. K. Porter, 11.12; To lloina, 10.7 ; J. Skeet, 11.7. Five-oighths: E. Johnson, 11.0 ; Poannnga, 11.9. Half: J. Hay, 10.5, Forwards: T. Swann (wing), 12.1; L. Williams (captain), 11.11; Wepiha, 14.7; J. Newton, 11.0; J. Martin, 12.0; J. Davitt, 12.7 ; Moann, 12.3 ; Hatea, 12.6.

On comparing tho weights it will bo seen that tho Hawke’s Bay backs avoraged 10.7, and their forwards 11.11, giving an avorago woigbt of 11.2 per man. Poverty Bay averaged 11.3 among tho backs and 12.4 among tho forwards, or an average weight of 11.11 for tho team. It will thus bo seen that tho local men had tho slight advantage of 91b in weight. Mr R. Colo had control of the game, and tho line-flags wero carried by Messrs F. Wilson (Hawke’s Bay) and A. W. Roes (Poverty Bay). After consultation, tho captains docided to play 45-minuto spells.

THE FIRST SPELL. Bissell won the toss, and decided to defend tho town goal, and Williams kicked off for tho home team from tho Hapara ond. Swann and Hatea smothered Munro’s attompt to return the kick-off, and tho ball went out at tho visitors’ 25. Fast, loose play followed tho throw-in, and J. Hay sent tho ball out smartly to Johnson, who put in a serviceable punt along tho lino. Wopiha shortly afterwards came through a scrum, and dribbled up tho field, but Balfour took the ball cleverly from his toes, and sent it out at tho homo team’s quarter-distance with a splondid kick. Bissell marked a high kick by Johnson, and sent the ball out at tho centre. From a scrum tho Hawke’s Bay forwards gave Tomlinson tho ball, and ho sent it smartly out to Bissell, who mado a long punt, which sent the ball over the lino, and Waitai forced. Waitai kicked out, and long kicking by tho backs on both sides characterised tho play for a time. Bissell, Balfour, MeVay, and Beach took the ball surely and kicked splendidly. The local men bad not as yot got going properly. Tho forwards wore playing well, but the backs seemed lifeless, and tho spectators looked in vain for a glimpse of tho dash which had characterised their play in tho trials. From a throw-in R. Caldwell took the ball well, and sent it along to Balfour, who kicked to Porter, and tho latter found tho lino at tho centre. Swann was next to show up, Securing the ball from a scramble he punted high, and was on to F. Russell beforo he could return, the ball going straight out at tho Napior men’s quarter-mark. Newton, who was working his foot well, camo away with tho ball at his toes, but Bissell stopped his progress, and kicked straight out. Tho Poverty Bay men were warming to their work, and gradually but surely drove tho visitors back on thoir lino, where they had a lively five minutes. From loose play at tho quarter-distance, Williams kicked high, and Hatea, Swann, Martin, and Newton got under it finoly and swopt it over tho lino, where Newton pounced on the ball smartly, and scored the first points of the match, amid great cheering. Waitai failed to add tho major points, though tho angle was by no means difficult.

Poverty Bay ... ... ... 3 Hawke’s Bay 0 On resuming, the play was faster and better. The Napier men attempted to force the pace, and some smart passing was seen, but a good deal ofit was erratic, and little ground was gained. McCarthy and J Caldwell were working their feet cleverly in the front of the Napier pack, and Tomlinson was given plenty of opportunities, of which he was not slow to avail himself. He passed out to Bissell smartly, but never attempted to beat his man. Bissell and Balfour, as five-eighths, played splendidly. The former beat Johnston repeatedly, but Balfour, to whom he usually sent the ball, seemed unable to keep his feet, and much good work was thus nipped in the bud when about to bear fruit. Bates and Mahoney were prominent in a foot rush, which gained a lot of ground, but Moana, Newton, and Wepiha brough the ball back, and looked dangerous till Russeli cleverly • marked the bail from their toes. A little later, Munro sent the ball from a line-out to Bissell, and some nice passing was seen, the ball travelling from the latter to McVay, to F. Russell, who kicked out near the touch line, Hawke’s Bay now made an attack on the home goal-line, but the defence of the local men was sound, and the line was never really in danger. The local forwards broke away from a scrum in a body, and swept the ball with a fine rush to the quarter- distance. Here Tomlinson secured a smart mark, and Balfour was heartily cheered on steering the ball, with a good kick, over the bar, thus placing Hawke’s Bay one point to the good.

Hawke’s Bay ••• 4 Poverty Bay 3 The play was lively on resuming, and travelled about the field at a brisk pace, but the men did not run straight as a rule, and a number of transfers would often only result in the ball being taken from one side of the ground to the other. From a scrum, Tomlinson passed out wildly to Bissell, who was out of his place, and McVay had to run back in order to save. Swann and Johnston were bearing down on the latter, when Tyne obstructed, and a penalty kick was awarded within convertible distance. Waitai seemed to have

lost his unerring accuracy in place-kicking, and the ball passed outside the uprights. Waitai was next to show up, after the kick out, by making a good punt to touch near tho Hawke’s Bay line. Moana and Williams made a dash for the line, but F. Bissell saved in the nick of time, and kicked out. Some warm work on tho Napier lino ensued, and finally Martin, Newton, and Swann crossed, the latter grounding the ball with Bissell and Balfour embracing him. ■ A fivo-yards scrum was ordered. Munro, McLcrnou, Bates, and 11. Caldwell cleared the line, and took the ball well up tho field. Skeet hero ran straight across tho field, and made a wild pass to To Reina. Wepiha called up great cheering by securing possession, and makiog a strong run. Then ft fine bit of play was put in by tho Napier backs. Tomlinson sent tho ball smartly from a scrum to Bissell, who beat Johnson, and trans-

ferred to Balfour, and tho latter was loudly chcerd as ho made his way through tho local backs with a brilliant, jinky run. Coming to the full-back, he cleverly kit k ed the ball over SVaitai’s head, but had the ill-luck to knock on when endeavoring to g ecure possession again, with a straight [ jua io a doaen yards from Ute goal fine.

Hawke’s Bay made a warm attack on tho local lino for a time. Passing between Bissell and Beach let the latter over at tho corner, but Porter held him up, and a scrum was ordered. A long kick by a Napier forward sent the ball well over tho local line, Waitai just succeeding in preventing Mahoney, who followed up with a rare turn of speed, from scoring, Hatea soon afterwards passed smartly to Swann from a lino-out, arid the latter made a fine run, and transferred in turn to Te Reina, who sent it on,to Poanaaga, but Porter

failed to hold the latter’s pass when a few yards from the Napier line. This was a splendid bit of play. The men ran straight, passed low, and travelled at top speed. Tho cheering was luud and prolonged. A fierce attack was made on tho Napier line, but timely relief camo in the way of a force. Bissell failed to raise the ball with the kick-out, and Moana fielded it finely, and made a determined charge for the visitors’ line. He strongly fended Bissell, Balfour, and MeVay, who attempted to bar his passage, out of the way, and, looking round in vain for someone to pass to, he forced his way to within a yard of the line, where he was borne down by the weight of numbers, and threw tho ball, as Douglas did Bruce’s heart, into the midst of his foes, Soon afterwards Moana made another strong run, and passed to To Reina, who kicked to A. Russell, who marked. Poverty Bay were now having all the best of it, and kept up a persistent attack on their opponent's line. Moana got over with A. Russell and Beach clinging to him, and a

scrum was ordered. llay passed from the j serum to Johnson, who tossed it to To liema. who was finely grassed by Bissell. Immediately afterwards, Balfour grandly intercepted a pass from Hay to J< hnson in front of the Hawke’s Bay goal, and went through the local men as if they were statues, and ran almost the entire length of the ground amid frantic cheering. He passed Waitai, the full-back, who never even laid a hand on him, and had a clear run in, but Skeefc and Te Keina outpaced him, and right on the home line tho clever little Napier man, in dodging Te Ileina, ran into the outstretched arms of Sheet, which closed round him like tho tentacles of an octupus, and ho was robbed of a well deserved score. A few minutes afterwards, half-time was sounded, and the teams crossed over with tho score standing : Hawke’s Bay -1 Poverty Bay 3 THE SECOND SPELL.

Soon after the second spell opened, Hawke’s Bay set up a strong attack on tho Gisborne goal. From a scrum on the line, Wepilia came through, and made a grand dribble up tho field. Opposite the goal at tho quarter-distance, a Napier man deliberately obstructed him. Waitai made a poor attempt to place a goal from tho penalty. Rain commenced to fall steadily at 'this stage, and continued for tho remainder of the afternoon, rendering the ground and ball greasy. Waitai next marked in a good position, but Williams made a feeble effort to register a goal. Play for some time remained in midfield. The play was fast and exciting, but neither side could gain advantage. At length, a fine forward rush by the Napier men took tho ball down to the full back, but Waitai fielded it finely, ran round, and sent the leather out at tho centre with a strong kick. Hawke’s Bay were then sorely pressed for a space, and forced twice in rapid succession. Newton, Hatea, and Martin took the ball over tho lino at their foot, where Bissell dropped on it. tThc Napier forwards shook things up on resuming, and Munro, McCarthy, Mahoney, and Tyne took the ball well towards the Gisborne goal. The local backs handled the ball badly, W 7 aitai alone taking, fielding, and kicking well at this stage. Wopiha, Newton, Hatea, and Moana were in the van of a rush which took play to the quarter-mark, where Beach kicked out. Hatea broke away from the line, but

Beach collared him soundly, and kicked out- From a scrum Tomlinson sent the ball to Bissell, but McVay took the latter’s pass off-side, and was penalised. McVay aud Waitai exchanged long kicks, to the advantage of the local side. Waitai followed up with taking a high kick beautifully and making a strong run down the lino, ending up with a hugo punt to near tho visitors’ corner flag. Balfour, who had been playing a fine, heady game, here damaged a weak ankle, which ho had been nursing for some time past, and had to be assisted off the field. Resuming, Porter attempted to run round tho ruck, but slipped, and tho home line was in danger till Poananga kicked clear. Waitai took tho ball well from a high kick, and came down the field with a strong run. Beach tackled him pluckily and brought him down in a heap, the Poverty Bay full-back being knocked out for a moment. R Caldwell and Bates then broko away and put in a clever passing run dowr tho line, which beat the whole loca: side except tho full-back. Waita: collared Caldwell low, and the latter made a bad pass to Bates, the ball falling a yarc short, and thus was lost what should have been a certain score. Poananga took the ball under the local posts, and cleared his lino with a good run and strong kick tc touch. Poananga soon afterwards kicked high from the centre of tho field, ano Davitt smothered tho full-back, the ball going over tho Napier line. Bissell, F, Russell, McVay, and Hatea raced for it, and tho stalwart Gisborne forward called up thunders] of applauso by making doubly certain of tho try by promptly sitting on the ball, and skidding along tho ground astride it for fully half o dozen yards. Williams again failed with tho kick at goal, a by no moans difficult one

Poverty Bay 6 Hawke’s Bay 4 Poverty Bay immediately organised a fresh attack on tko Hawke’s Bay citadel on resuming. The Napier men worked like Britons to clear their line, but were soon forced, The local men, who were playing with great dash, came back at the Napier lino again. The Napier men appeared bewildered with the.speed of the local forwards, who were on to the backs as soon as the hall, and upended them before they could get a chance to kick. Hatea was very prominent at this work, but all the forwards were active. From a mark, Poananga again kicked high, and Hatea and Johnson smothered McYay near tho posts, and Johnson slipped over and scored Poverty’s third try. This score, which practically placed tho issue beyond all doubt, was greeted with loud cheers, which were renewed when Williams steered the ball straight between the uprights.

Poverty Bay ~ 11 Hatvke’s Bay 4 Fast play was witnessed on resuming, The condition of the local men appeared greatly superior to that of the visitors, who appeared as if they hadrun themselves to a standstill, while the Gisborne mc-n seemed only to be warming to their work. AVaitai, who was playing grandly at full, made another strong run, and took a hand in a passing rush, sending the ball to Skeet, who travelled fast down tho line, and transferred to Johnson, who was neatly upset by Bissell, The whole Poverty Bay team took the ball with an irresistible rush to within a few yards of the Hawkes line, where A. Russell stopped their progress momentarily, but Johnston secured possession, and dodged over and grounded the ba 1 in the midst of a number of Napier men, amid cheers The referee awarded a force down, holding that the ball had bet n forced by a Napier man before Johnston grounded it. The spectators were surprised and disappointed when the Napier men brought the ball oat and kicked off at the quarter-distance. Through the exertions of McCarthy, McLernon, J. Caldwell, and McYay, the ball was worked down to the Gisborne goal, and some exciting work was put in here for a time, but Te Reina came quickly down on Tomlinson, who was taking the ball from a scrum, and, working his feet splendidly, took the ball to midfield, where McYay kicked out.

The whistle sounded 11 no-side” immediately afterwards, and the spectators left the field highly delighted, not only because Poverty Bay had scored a decisive victoryover Hawke’s Bay in the 1902 contest, but that they had been treated to a fine display of Rugby football by both teams. On Saturday evening both teams and the officials and selectors of the local Union dined together at the Coronation Hotel, and. yesterday the visiting team were taken for a drive into the country. A large crowd of football enthusiasts assembled at the wharf yesterday evening to say good-bye to the visitors, and cheers and counter-cheers were exchanged aa the launch took her depasture,