FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 887, 11 May 1903, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

UIU V. KAITI-CITY

The Poverty Bay Bugby Union’s senior competition was commenced at \ ictoria Domain on Saturday afternoon in perfect weather, when the above Clubs played an interesting game in tho presence of a goodly number of spectators. At 3.10 the teams lined out as follows : HuiA (black and white) : Synies (capt.l, Kere, To Iteina, W. Bichardson, .T. Gibson, Osborne. Swann, Wauchop, Blair, Holmes, Sefton, Moana, Sherratt, McGruthor, and Wells. Kaiti-Citv (bluo and black): Bussell, A. Coleman, Delamere, Porter, Witty, Hay (2), Baker, Bright, Mullaney, Martin, Hanson, Mnrphy (2), Moore. It was generally anticipated that the Bluo and Blacks would make the game essentially a fast and open one and keep it among their backs, and when they took tho hold with threo halves and Baker as

wing-forward, tho spectators looked lor some fast play. Huia had a disadvantage in defending the town goal in tho first spell, which compelled" them to play with tho sun in their eyes. Huia had a splendid set of forwards, and it was not long before it became apparent that an even gamo was in progress with a doubtful issue. Tho Huia team had an exceptionally strong defensive rearguard, and though they never got on any combined passing, they did all the individual work which carno to hand very soundly, and gave valuable assistance to tho forwards in tho foot rushes. Tho gamo had not proceeded far when it was seen that Kaiti-City had not tho combination necessary among the backs to justify them playing an extra man there. The Huia vanguard, with a man extra, broke away repeatedly, and they meant business when they got the ball at their feet, as tho Bluo and Blacks who stopped tho rushes can testify. Tho Kaiti-City mon played hard and well, but every mun seemed to bo a free laneo. Tho

UVUi i y U-itli-l OUOUJOU uu wtv Bluo and Black backs did not support their forwards as well as did those on the opposito side, and often retreated beforo tho rushes instead of dashing in and attempting to stop them. Tho first spell was characterised by long kicking by tho backs, and great improvement was noticeable in this work, Symes, Bussell, Kero, Porter, and Te lieina finding tho lino well. Symes, aB full-back for Huia, played brilliantly. Ho never failed to take tho bull well, ho collared finely, and his kicking gained ground on every occasion. It is not too much to say that tho fine display given by Symes had a lot to do with the dash displayed by tho Huia team as a whole. The game was fairly oven until half-way through tho first spell, when Huia assumed tho aggressive, and a 1 spirited rush, in which both backs and fortnnlr o It o n f lin nn 11

wards took a liana, swept too ball over tho lino, and Moana had hard luck in touching down on tho touch-in-goal line, Shortly aftorwards, tho black and white forwards eamo at tho lino again, and McGruthcr, Holmes, and Bicbardson dribbled across, tho first-named touching down, amidst great cheering. Kolly made a weak kick at goal. liuia 8 points, Kniti City nil. After some even play in midfield, in which Porter and Bussell exhibited sound defence for the combined team, tho Huia men woro back knocking at tho Haiti-City door, and after some determined hammering the defence broke down, and Holmes scored close to the posts. Kero again missed an easy opportunity of converting. Huia 6 points, Kaiti-City nil. Baker, Porter, Mullaney, and Martin organised a dangerous rush, but Gibson outpaced them and saved what appeared a cortain score. The Kaiti-City men played better at this stage, and shortly boforo tirno wassoundod Dolamoro, W. Hay, Witty, and Porter got on a marvellous bit of passing, which carried tho ball from hand to hand at a pace which tho oyo could scarcely follow, and storms of applause broko out when this brilliant piece of work resulted in Witty scoring close to the touch-line. J. Hay made a good attempt to convert. KaitiCity 3 points, Huia 6. There was no

further score in the first spell. The second spell was fairly even and hard-fought. Tho defence of both teams was good, but there was an absence of that combination amongst tho backs which makes tho Bugb.y gaino so interesting to tho spectators. Moana, Wauchop, Sherratt, McGruthcr, Holmes, and Sefton were prominent among tho Huia forwards, who played with great dash. About half-way through tho spell Huia worked the bail down to their opponents’ line, and a lineout was formed almost on the line. Swann threw tho ball into the centre of the field, and Te Beina took it well and scored close to the poses, though Porter mado a good attempt to stop him. Symes kicked an easy goal; Huia 11, Kaiti-City 3. Even play followed till the call of time without further score.

Bor the winners Symes gave tho most brilliant full-back display wo have seen for a very long time. 110 was strong in every department, and on Saturday’s form was good enough to represent Now Zealand. To Beina did a lot of useful work well, but got out of his place many times. Bichardson seemed unused to a three-quarter position, and did not fako the ball surely; but ho collared well. Kero’s kicking and collaring were perfect. Gibson showed some of his old form. His defenco was

very sound, and his paco on one occasion saved a certain score. Osborne was tried behind tho scrum, and acquitted himself very creditably. Tho wing forwards, Swann and Wauchop, smothered the opposing half time after time, while their throwing in on the lino was good. Tho Huia forwards were the hardest-

working set wo have seen take the field for maD.y seasons. They played with great dash, and worked their feet admirably. Holmes, a recent Hawke’s Bay rep., mado a first appearance, and proved himself a thoroughly good forward. Wells also was a first appearer, and was in the thick of the fray throughout. Bor Kaiti-City, Bussell, who played fullback for Hawke’s Bay last year, gave a fine exhibition in that position. He took the ball well, kicked to touch with unerring accuracy, and collared splendidly. He was rather overshadowed by tho dash of his vis-a-vis, Symes, but nevertheless played a very fine full-back game. Porter was the only one of the threequarters to show up. He made some

dashing runs, and kicked and collared in quite his best form, but hardly took the ball so well as usual. Delamere, at centre, played listlessly, while Coleman had very little opportunity to prove of what stuff be is made. Witty showed improved form, but W. Hay gave a very indifferent display. ,T. Hay, at half, was smart and resourceful, but was well watched by Swaun and Wauchop. Tho forwards all worked well, but lacked the dash of their opponents. Baker did a lot of good work at wing-forward, and proved that he is not afraid of hard work. He would he an excellent man to entrust with a roving commission. Moore, a promoted junior, played as well as any. He has weight ana pace, and is not a shirker. Two spells of So minutes each were played. Mr W. Gibson was referee, and MsssrsEaton and Wylde-Brown controlled the lines.