FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 916, 15 June 1903, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

WEST END v. HUIA

A nice, sunny afternoon and the prospect of witnessing a good game between West End arid Huia, who were running level in the lead for the senior banner, attracted the largest attendance so far this season to Victoria Domain last Saturday aitI crnoon. The ladies were present in force, and took a keen interest in the piay. 'The teams were so late in taking the field that only thirtylive minute spells could be played, Tin: fifteens were constituted as un-

der : West hind : Ngatai, f.alneavis, G. Skeet, Poananga, Campbell, Friday, Clarke, W'epiha, Williams (captain), Mauheni, Kinder, .Somervell, Morrissey, and Peterson, i Jluia : Symes (captain), Swann, Te Kcina, Lear, Tuhitare, J. Gibson, Gockery, Sefton, Mclntyre, Shcrratt, Hlair, .Moaua, McGruther, Holmes, and Waiiebop. Iluia had the advantage of defending the IJapara goal, and Williams kicked oil for West Knd againsl a slight hrcc/.c and Ihe sun. Loose footwork in midfield ended in Te Kcina kicking out nicely at cpiartcr'uark. From the throw-in Cockeiy pul in one of his characteristic zigzag runs, which he wound up with a kick to Friday, who marked and sent I

ilie bull out. ul the centre. From the I /iist scrum, the West, End forwards gave Campbell possession, and he smartly let the leather out to Poamuiga, who transferred to Sheet on being tackled by To Reina ; Skeet in turn, was promptly grassed by Swann. Peterson, Somervell, and Friday, and Kinder, got on a good loot-rush, which took the hail down the field at a brisk pace, but Wauciiop, Mclntyre, Holmes, and Blair came rattling hack to Ngatai, who got in a lucky “ speculator ” to touch. Symes next stopped a determined forward rush., headed by Friday, Williams, and Petersen, and he kicked straight down the held. Fol-

lowing up his kick smartly, he upended Ngatai before he could return, the ball going straight out near West End’s corner-ilag. Moana showed up with an avalanche-like dash at the line, in which he butted four men over before he was stood

wrung end up by Wcpiha. Sherratt was nearly in with a smart dash hut a free kick to West End got them out of the tight place, and Poananga kicked to the centre. From the throw-in, the hall suddenly shot out from the ruek in the direction of

i iuia’s line, and the players on both sides appeared to imagine that the) whistle should sound, as for a few seconds no one went for the. ball. Alter a momentary hesitation, Petersen and Symes charged simultaneomly. The Huia full-back turned his hack on the ball, and Petersen kicked it against him, and, regaining possession, had a clear run in. The promoted junior was warmly applau-

ded for his score, in the securing of winch he showed not only that he has pace, hut he reminded the seniors of the Rugby axiom, as old as the etrnal hills, “ play on till the whistle sounds.” Williams failed with the kick at goal, but the attempt was a creditable one. On resuming, the play was of the order best described as “ willing.” “ No map standing ” seemed to he the order ; and as soon as a player laid hands on the ball he was tossed aloft “ like dial! from the threshing floor.” Big men like Moana and Wcpiha were dandled as if they had been infants in long clothes. '1 he whistle soon restrained the unwouted ardor of the players, and a Cleary .succession of scrums, interspersed with an astonishing number of free kicks, had the effect of causing play to become uninteresting. CPbson kicked the ball down to Ngatai, and the latter kicked the hall against the Huia half, who had followed up his kick smartly. Symes made a fine attempt to place a goal from a mark by Te Reina, tiie ball falling a few feet short. Huia now woke up, and the best bit of passing so far was seen. Tuhitare got away and passed to Wauchop, who sent it on to Lear, and the latter gave it to Scftou, who transferred to Gibson, and from the latter it went, to Swann, who was collared by Skeet dose to the West End line. From the throw-in, Swann got possession under the posts, arid sent out a rather slow pass to Tuhitare, who had a line chance to score ; but hesitation on bis part allowed Ngatai to collar him splendidly as he was crossing the line. Huia kept up a hot attack for a time, but a free kick to West End allowed Poananga to dear the line, and half-time was called. Brisk play characterised the opening of tlie second spell. Neither side

made an effort to utilise their backs, who had no combination. The forwards were well-matched, however, and the backs on each side came up repeatedly and joined in the fun. Wauchop played a sterling game ;for Huia, and repeatedly called forth ’applause from the spectators for his dash and brilliancy. Soon after the spell opened, West End worked the

ball down to the Huia end, and Wi Friday made a bold bid for a score He put iu a line run, and beating his men cleverly, was just crossing the him when Gibson came with a fast sprint, and, catching him' by the shoulders, threw him into touch, averting what appeared to he a certain score. Te Reina cleared his line and kicked up to Ngatai, who failed to take the ball cleanly, and Te Reina kicked it out at the centre. From

play in luid-lield, Nolan secured possession, and set off at a great pace

for tlie Huia line. As Tuhitare was out. of liis place, he met with no opposition until Gibson cut across _ to intercept him. When tlie young West End greyhound came up with Gibson and Symes, lie stopped dead, and the pair of defenders, who were (.ravelling at great speed, over-rail him. Nolan made no-race of it after this,

and literally “ streaked ” over the Huia line, scoring a brilliant try, amid very hearty applause. It was one of those sensational runs which the. spectators so much enjoy. and ilie young West Under was cheered to the echo. Ngatai failed to rise tlie ball in the kick at goal. The whistle sounded too often in the play which followed, and kept, what otherwise would have proved a fast game from becoming interesting. After a short spell in West, End territory, Iluia were again called on to defend. Poananga kicked high to Symes, who attempted to mark under his own goal, 'the ball struck Ins chest, and rebounded straight to

ic feet of tlie West End forwards

will) were hearing down oil the line in a body. Kinder snapped up the ball, and attempted to hurdle Gibson, but was brough down heavily a yard from the line. Some exciting play followed, until the referee awarded West hind a free kick, and

Williams had no difficulty in placing a goal. There was no further score, and West Bud thus won by nine points (two tries and a penalty goal) to nil. For the winners, Ngatai was a failure at full, and few would recognise the brilliant three-quarter of two seasons ago in the full-back of Saturday last, who appeared unable, to take the ball, and who dangerously “ speculated ” so often. Sheet and Halneavis gave poor displays at wing Hirer-quarter, aad both handled the ball uncertainly. G. Nolan, at cen-tre-threequarter, who had been playin <r a very indifferent game up till Saturday, was the best hack on the ground. Apart from ihe line iryhe ■srored. lie collared well, took the I,all Mindy, and kicked with judgment, and effect. l’oananga was safe though not brilliant, at liveeighths. Tie kicked and stopped the rushes well, hut lie might have let tne ball out oftener to Nolan with advantage to his side. Campbell was smart and safe behind the pack. Of the forwards Petersen and Somervell (the two juniors) were, about the hardest workers on the side, and should easily, retain their plaees, TYi

Fiiday did a lot of good work, but was a trifle selfish at times. Morrissey, Wcpiha, and Kinder played hard and well throughout. For Huia, Symes kicked well, hut failed to take the ball cleanly, and might have prevented both tries had fie risen to the occasion. None of the hacks, with the exception of Te Reina and Gibson, played well. The latter was strong on defence, but way out of his place at half. Tuhitare was in no form, and his display was not good enough for a second fifteen. Lear did good work at times, but did not take the ball well. Wauchop was the best forward on the ground, and in the scrum, on the line and in the open alike he gave a very fine display. Moana made some sen'.sational dashes, hut should learn that he cannot play a whole team by himself. Mclntyre, Sefton, Holmes, Blair and Cookery all worked consistently. Huia would do betid, we think, if they look a leaf out of West End's hook, and promoted a few of their juniors, instead o( pulling their trust in men who were brilliant live or six years ago. Mr W. .3. McCredie was referee, blit was not so successful as usual in controlling the game. lie used the whistle much too frequently, and was also a good deal slower than usual. Messrs R. Hole and A, Rees were the 1 line umpires.

JUNIOR MATCH

On No. 2 ground at Victoria Domain last Saturday afternoon,KaitiCily had a run-away victory over West End by HI points to 8. For, the winners, Sceats (2), Third (2), and Pulllet scored tries, three of which were converted by Pulllet. Kaiti-City had the upper hand all through, and quite outclassed their opponents. For West End, Power and Ingram scored tries, one being converted by Tate. Mr J. Eaton was referee.