FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 952, 27 July 1903, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

WEST END v. HUIA.

The fourth round of tho series of <*tches for the Poverty Bay Rugby nion's senior banner was brought to a Conclusion at Victoria Domain last Satur i,y afternoon, when West End defeated fpa, after a closely fought game, by six Points (a t r y a(l j a penally goal) to throe pom ta (a try). The keen interest in the competition was evidenced by the large crowd which assembled to watch the ospitß raw and cold weather Which provuilod throughout tho afternoon. J °anis on Saturday were constituted follows West End ; Eaogi, Balrieavis, Nolan, oderick, Wepiha, Poauauga, Campbell, •brioay, Petersen, Williams (cap!.), Kinder, plarke, Somervell, and Morrissey. _ fiuia; Synaes (eapt.), Lear, To Reina, ■Moana, J. Gibson, Cockery, SwanD, Wanchop, Blair, Seftou, Sherratt, Holmes, ■Ngawini, McGruthor, and Wells. Throughout the greater part of tho first spell West End, with a fresh breeze and *“C buu behind them, had fho advantage. . 0 play was for tho most part of an unscientific nature, and was almost wholly confined to tho forwards. The wind enabled West End to keep tho ball in their opponents’ quartors, and some nice passing between Wepiha, Friday, Poananga and Roderick saw the latter cross tho line about midway belweeu the posts I and the corner Hag. Poananga had only to run over tho line, but most unselfishly sent the bull aloDg to Roderick, though his Unselfishness probably lost his side a ooupio of points, as he was closer to the ports than his companion. Rangi failed with tho kick at goal. After this Huia invaded the West End territory, and sorno exciting play saw West End defend mg well and successfully. The play was of the lowost standard soon this season, and was made up for tho most part of badly packed scrums, from which Huia

generally secured the bull, and of fierce Cuttliug urnong too forwards. The only other score came from a penalty kick to West End for offside play by Hm'a, from which Eangi placed a splendid goal from near the touch-line.

When the teams crossed over, it was gonorally thought that West End had failed to make enough of the advantage of the wind during the first spell, and it was expeg'ted that Huia would speedily wipe off the 6 points against them. Though Huia hud "ail the best of the second spell, and play was seldom out of West. End’s twenty-fivp, the country team proved theiusolvcftlacking in insourco, and failed altogether to take advantage of their many opportunities. Sherrntt, who. played well throughout, secured the only try scored by Huia during the game. j3ymee hud a splendid chance, front u clever tnaik by To Jteiua directly under the posts, of winning the match for his side, but he took the bail too far out, and his kick wont nowhere near the uprights. There was no further.“tfore, and West End won, as previously Btated; by 6 points to 3 On the day's play there was very little between the teams, and the excitement was kept up to the very end. The only bit of decent play .seen during the game was the passing by West End whioh resulted in their try, The cold seemod'tD.huve penetrated to the marrow of the bones of the players, and caused them to bo stiff and sluggish. Neither side was seen at anywhere near their wonted form, and both clubs will need to liven up considerably in the next round. For the winners, Rangi, the To Aute iull-hack, did nut give as good a display as we are accustomed to see from Hepburn in that position, though the penalty goal he kicked was a splendid effort, and really won the game for his side. Roderick was the best of the backs, and was very smart in getting about, both on attack and defence. Nolan kicked well, but waß dot fed at all. Balnouvis was disappointing, and failed to take the ball well. Wepiha is scarcely the stamp of player to occupy a five eighths position, hut the giant forward proved that he can perform creditably in almost any position, and got the ball out well many times, only to see the men behind him fail to do anything with it when they got it. Poananga played his usual safe game, and was very useful in all departments Campbell, at half, stopped the rushes pluckily, and passed well when given a chance, which was not very often. Of the forwards, Morrissey, though played finely. He is one of the best forwards in tbe competition, and works his feet with his brains. Kinder did fine work on tho line, and PoterHen, Williams, Somer-vell, and Friday were prominent in the hard work. For Huia, Symes again handled the ball and punted finely, but his place kicking lost his aids the mafoh, as there was ittle excuse for him not putting the ball vor from the mark secured by Te Reina in front of the goal. Lear was the best of She baoks, and showed more dash than any back on the ground. With a little chore ixperieuce, he will be a brilliant three-quarter, as he hits great pace and plenty of weighty Nofi’o of the other backs were prominent, -though all played hard. Cookery stopped the rushes pluokily, but did not get tbe ball away from the sorum as smartly as he should have done. Of the forwards, Holmes, Sherratt, Blair, and Sefton worked hard throughout, and it was not their fafilt that thoir side came second. Swann did a lot of good work on the wing, where Wauchop did not give as good a display as usual. Two 40 minute spells were played. The game was controlled by Mr R. Cole, ‘and Messrs A. W. Rees, and A. Crawford were tihe line-umpires.

Tho following table shows the position of the three Clubs at tho end of the fourth round. A glance at the table reveals the closeness of the struggle for the banner. It is probably unparalleled in tho annals of tho garno— certainly wo have never seen it equalled—that three Clubs, after playing eight games, should be dead level. The onljrunsatisfaetbry point about the position is tho protest lodged by tho West End ■Club against Huia, which has still to be Jeoided. In any case, the Clubs will practically start on level terms for tho fifth and final round, and consequently a phenomenally exciting finish is bouud to .eventuate. May tbe best team win 1 Matches Banner play’d Won D’wn L’st Pts West End ... 8 3 2 3 8 Kaiti-City 8 2 4 2 8 Huia 8.2 4,2 8 POVERTY BAY v. HAWKE'S BAY (JUNIORS.) Good woik was put in by tbo juniors on No 2 ground on Saturday afternoon at Victoria Domain, in view of the match against Hawse’s Bay, to be played here next Saturday afternoon. As three of the junior representatives were assisting their respective clubs on No. I ground, the match was more in the nature of aseratcb game, but improved form was shown. Definite word was received by Mr L. F. Williams, secretary of tho local Union, last evening from Mr J. P. Fortune, seoretary of tho Hawke’s Bay Union, that *• t he Hawke’s Bay junior representatives would arrive hero on Saturday morning and asking that accommodation be arranged for them. Poverty Bay will be able to put a respectable junior team in the field this season, and, with able Caching, which we feel sure they will receive during the week, should give a much better showing than they did “ j nst Hawie’s Bay at Napier last season. Mr Eaton yya3 referee in Saturday’s game