FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 928, 29 June 1903, Page 2

FOOTBALL

KAITI-CI '■’X DEFEATS WEST END

West Eml received their first defeat this season at the hands of Kaiti-City on Victoria Domain last Saturday. The day was fine, and there was a large attendance ; tho “ barracking ” of tho respective partisans at times being very pronounced. When tho teams lined out, it was seen that tho combined team was represented by tho Strongest I'll teen it has put in tho field this season, while West End was without tho services of Sheet and Petersen. The teams were constituted as follows :

Kaiti City (blue and black) : Russell, Delamere, Wylde Browne, Ball, Hay (2), Reynolds, Murphy (3), Martin, Newton, Hanson, Mullanoy, Bright. . West End (black) : Hepburn, Bunts, Nolan, Roderick, Poautinga, Balnevis, Campbell, Williams, Wepiha, Kinder, L. Sherrill' (captain), Souicrveil, Clark, Morilssey. Finlay. lvaiit City kicked off with the sun in [heir faces, and iheir vanguard, headed by U. K. Murpliy and Blight, swept iho leiitin r down In toe Wi at End goal lino, Out Burns came to the rescue of his side,

and sent tho ball out at the 25 11.ig. Tho hluos continued tho attack, but tho West End defence was sound, Campbell and Poauanga rendering valuable assistance at this stage. Tbo scrum half wiib particularly brilliant ; stopping rushes, kicking, and tackling in fiuo Btylc. Ho had tho misfortuuo to twist his ankle early in the game in stopping a rush, but pluckily kept his post. West End assumed tho aggressivo, and rushed tho leather to within ten yards of the Kaiti City lino. At this crisis, a West Ender suddenly found tho ball at his toes, and made a bravo attempt to kick it on to tho road. Kaiti-City forced. Open forward rushes characterised tiie ensuing play. Delamere was all but in from somo nice passing, but Nolan upended him in a clever manner, and a froo kick brought relief. Reynolds and Martin had shots at goal from long distances. A

welcomo freo kick again brought relief, but Kaiti-City wore not to bo denied, and camo back timo and again to tho attack. From loose play in front of tho goal Bright gained possession and punted high. Either Nolan or Hepburn could liavo taken tho ball and found the touch line, hut, obedient to the cull of their team to let it go behind and force, they allowed it to buunco, and the Kaiti-City vanguard carried it over tho line, M. Murpliy scoring. Reynolds made a weak attempt at goal. Kaiti < ity 3, West End nil. l'lay was here confined principally to West End territory, and tho spi ctators were treated to somo fast open footwork, fine tackling, and neat kicking. Toe passing on both sides was poor, being s;ow, high, and uncertain. Coleman’s absence trum the Kaiti City rearguard was sorely folt. J. Hay was a notable offendor in hanging on to the ball. Ho could have

got it out to Wylde-Brown with advantage on several occasions. Reynolds Bont a long puss out to Wyldo-Browne, who taking the ball and beating an opponent with the eatno action, shot it out to Bull, who dashed at the line, but,wae cleanly taken by Nolan. Half-time. -as sounded with no alteration to tho seoro. Play was fast and open upon resuming, Tho want of training soon became apparent amongst the West End vanguard, some of them only arriving upen the scene of scrummage in time to see that indomitable pair Mullaney aDd Bright hook tho hall out to their backs. Martin seized the opportunity of Poananga Dving out of place to get nicely away, and transfer to Reynolds, who almost spoiled t' • • advantage by trying to do all tho w - himself. Ho was tackled a few yards from tho line by Nolan very cleanly, and just succeeded in getting rid of the oval as he fell, throwing it along tho ground to Wyldo-Browne. Tho Kaiti-City centra three-quarter snapped up the leather and grounded it between tho posts. Martin purced a goal. Kaiti-City 8 points, West End nil. West End pulled themselves together after this, and invaded the Kaiti City’s 25. RMericlc followed a high kick ana smotbeied Russell before be could return. Delamere miskicked, and Kinder, taking the ball at top speed, dashed for the line. D> lamero retrieved his mistake, and brought his man down two feet from the c >veted goal line. The burly West End p vot scrambled across the trench with man aud ball, but the referee ordered a five yards scrum. West End were not to be denied, and Poananga went in from the strum with a couple of Kaiti men hanging around him. Williams placed a splendid goal. From this out Kaiti City kept West End penned in their 25. No further score resulted, and the game ended : Kaiti-Citv 8, West End 5. *

For the victors, all played well. The inclusion of Reynolds and the three -Murphy brothers (.Mick, Itob, and 'Ralph) made the team the strongest which has taken the field for tho Ciub this season. Russell had a busy time at full back, and came nut of the ordeal with credit. Mar-

tin played up to his old form, and showed that he could still play alongside the younger generation and Sive them points, w. Hay gave his best exhibition this season, and was well assisted by ,J. Hay and Reynolds. 'Che three-uuartcr line were safe, and rendered valuable assistance to their side. It is to the forwards that Kaiti-City owe their victory, and each man played well. Of the West End backs Nolan was Hie pick, and when he learns that his wings are there as a part of the campaign, he will bid high for representative honors. Poananga and Campbell did yeoman work behind tile pack. Burns made bis first appearance this season, and played up to his old form. Roderick and Hepburn were very safe, and rendered valuable assistance to their sideUepiha, Kinder, Williams, and Morrissey were the njck of the vanguard.

The game was played in a very inendly spirit. Mr W. Gibson was rfierce, while Messrs It. Coif, /and A r .W- Rees had control of the lifr:Hie game was the best seen so fiT tiiis season, and augurs well for the form which should be seen in the third round.