FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 900, 26 May 1903, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The .‘-enior and junior competitions under the auspices of the Poverty Bay Rugoy Union were continued at Victoria Domain on Saturday afternoon last, when the weather was favorable and the grounds in good order. Tho attendance was the largest so far recorded this season, and the greatest interest was taken in the senior match, excitement at times running to a high pitch.

QUIA V. WEST END. The following teams toofi the field Hl'ia: Syrnos (captain), Kero, Te Itcina, J. Cockery, J. Gibson, Bastable, Swann, Moana, Scfton, Jilair, Holmes, Sberratt, Wauchop, Mclntyre, and McGruther. Wkst list): C. Hepburn, Skeet, Nolan, G. Itoderiek, Balneavis, i>oananga, Campbell, Wi Friday, Williams, Wepiha, Morissoy. Kinder, L. Sherriff (captain), Mauheni and Clarke. Mr W. Gibson was referee, and Messrs Wyldc-Brown and Tbos. Haisman line umpires. liuia commenced with the, sun Behind tiiein, and Gibson, To Itcina, and Ivere got on some passing, which early placed West End on the defensive. Sberratt forced Ins way over the line, but lost possession, and a force resulted. The game Boon resolved itself into a desperate battle between the forwards, the captains on both

sides giving instructions to keep tho ball among the vanguard. Seldom have better forward sides been opposed to each other than in tins contest, and the play, though close and uninteresting to the spectators, was desperately hard fought, every inch of ground being contested. The excitoment ran so high at times that the referee had to caution the players on more than one occasion for handling each other unnecessarily rough, Williams had a couple of easy chances of placing goals for West End from penalties, but this usually reliable place-kick failed to tuke advantage of either opportunity. Though Huia wero the more aggressive during tho first spell, no scoro had been recorded at halftxmo. Tho second spell was a repetition of tho first, and was almost exclusively confinod to tho forwards. Early in tho spell Symcs placod a penalty goal for Huia with a fine kick, and from this on to noar tho close of the game it appeared as if Huia would still furthor improve their lead for tho bannor. Just before

time sounded, however, West End infused some life into their play, and worked the ball down to tho Huia lino, where a serum was formed. Tho West End forwards gavo Poananga the ball, and the half-back smartly took advantage of a Huia wingforward being out of bis place to slip round close to tho serum. Holmes made a guod attempt to hold him up, but Poananga succeeded in grounding tho ball, to tho groat delight of tho West End supporters, Williams made a fino attempt to improve tho try, tho ball falling short just under the bar. The whistle immo-

diatoly sounded “no side,” the game thus ending in a draw, with three points each.

Syrnes again gave a good display at full-back for Huia. Gibson and Kero did a lot of useful work, but To Roina was offcolor. Wauchop, Holmes, and Sberratt played finely among tho forwards. The former took tho ball splendidly on the line-outs, and was given a groat deal of work to do. Softon also worked consistently, and was always in his place for the serum.

For West End, Balnoavis did best work among tho backs, who played erratically, arid all for their own hand. Poanganadid good work in stopping the rushes, and his clever try saved his side from defeat. As usual, the forwards were their strength, and Wepiha, L. Sherrill, Kinder, Williams, and Wi Friday did good work. About halfway through tho game, Kere received a knock which broke a small bone of his leg, and A. Pilcher was allowed to tako his place. Kere consulted Dr Fisher

after tho match, who ordered him to the hospital, and wc very much regret that it will be somo months before the Huia three-quarters can come out of the institution. Soon after Kero’s accident, Wi Friday, tho Wost End wing-forward, received injury to his collar-bone, which compelled him to rotiro, A. D. Shorriff coming on in his placo. Too much talking was indulged in dur-

ing the game by the players, somo of them doing far moro work with their tonguos than with either their feet or their brains.

If oithcr Iluia or West End wish to win tho banner thoy will have to renounco the obsoloto system of play they aro now following. So far, Kaiti-City has shown itself tho best side, inasmuch as it makes uso of both backs and forwards. No side can look for success while it has six men of its complement of players in the capacity of spectators,

JUNIOR MATCH,

Tho Kaiti-City and West End second fifteen met on No. 2 ground on Saturday afternoon last, and after an interesting game victory rested with the former by 7 points (a goal from a mark and a penalty goal) to 6 points (two tries). Faulknor, the Kaiti-City captain, placed both goals for his side. Tho form shown in this game proves that) junior football is of a higher standard thau for many seasons past. For the winners, Holder, B. Bright, Faulknor, Sargisson, Grinlinton, Sceats, Adair, Fox, and Webb showed up well, while Tate, Oman, Petersen, and Roderick put in a lot of good work for West End. Mr J. Eaton was referee, and Messrs J. liay and Clark controlled the lines.