FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 524, 22 September 1902, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

FINAL FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIPWEST END WIN THE BANNER. [Notes iiy “ The Whistle.” j Tho curtain was rung down on tho 1902 Rugby football season at Victoria Domain on Saturday afternoon, when there was an average crowd of spcotatorß present to witness what proved the deciding match of tho Poverty Bay Rugby Union s senior competition. The contesting teams were ICaiti-City and West End. Had the former won, both Clubs would have been level, but the representatives of the aristocratic suburb placed tho issue beyond all doubt by scoring a most decisive victory by 11 points to nothing. A strong, cold westerly wind gave a material advantage to the side playing from tho Hapura end, and made matters unpleasant for both players and onlookers. The teams were constituted as under :

West End : Hepburn, Waifcai, Nolan, Skeet, Brown, Poananga, Watene, Kawhin, Howinui, Wepiha, Gray, Davitt, Wil liams, Bounett, and Miller. Haiti-City : W. Coleman, Witty, W. Hay, Baker, G. Reynolds, Glennie. J. Hay, Colebourno, Martin, Newton, Bright, Hansen, R. K. Murphy, Brown, and MeKellar.

The first spell was most uninteresting, and but little scientific play was indulged in. Playing with a galo of wind behind them, West End failed to take advantage of their opportunities, and only succeeded in scoring one lucky try. From a high kick, tho ball fell hear Kaiti-City goal, and, glancing off one of tho posts, allowed Poauanga, who followed up smartly, to drop on tho leather before the defending backs could force. Williams placed an easy goal.

On changing ends, it was thought by everyone that liaiti-City would, with the advantage of tho high wind, easily overhaul their opponents' score. For the first few minutes, tho combined team appeared as if thoy wore going to pile up a large score. They rushed the ball over tho line, and McKollar was in the act of scoring a certain try when ho was tripped up by a West End player, and a force-down resulted. The referee did not see tho obstruction, and a groat deal of grumbling was indulged in by tho players of iho attacking side. After this tho combinod team seemed to go to pieces, and were cowed, and cuffed, and beaten by tho West End mou in every department of the game. The display given by the West Enders was the best seen this season. Thoy were in tho pink of condition. Their forwards were a light lot, but had lots of pace and dash, and exhibited splendid conbination in tho scrums. Watene, Poananga, Brown, Skeet, and Waits! made some first-class passing rushes, wl 1 enabled Skeet and Poananga to score tries for their side. The Kaiti-City team exhibited all tho symptoms of a rabble in utter rout towards tho close of the game. Thoy growled at tho referee, at their opponents, and at each other, and did everything short of actually “ skying the towel.” There was only one team in it, and West End’s score of 11 points to nil scarcoly represents the difference botwoon tho teams, as the blacks were a good deal rnoro than 11 points ahead of their opponents on Saturday’s form, West End played a fine gams in tho second spell, but Reynolds and Bright were the only men on the Kaiti-City side who played really well, though Martin, Murphy, and Colebourno strove hard to stop the rout, On their form in the second spoil, West End deserve tho Banner, and everyone will heartily congratulate them on winning it for the second time in succession.

Mr B. Colo was referee, and tho lineumpires were Messrs 11. W. Symes and Harry Bayly, tho latter being a brother of tho renowned Taranaki family.

A meeting of tho Management Committee of tho Poverty Bay Bugby Union was held at the Uasonic Hotel on Saturday evening, and was attended by Messrs W. Miller (Chairman), J. Eaton, 11. E. Colebourno, J, Nutting, L. Williams, H. W. Symes, and W. S. McCredio (hon. sec.) Application was received from the Public School Sports' Association for the use of tho Domain on Saturday next for a Town v. Country school match. The application was granted, the Union expressing its best wishes for the success of the Association. The referee in last Saturday’s gamo (Mr B. Cole) reported a Kaiti-City player for accusing him of partiality in his decisions. Tho Union decided to

player reported to tU ° inoo.i-- ' - beforo tho next .g ot the Union andgivo an explanation of his conduct.