FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 994, 14 September 1903, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

POVERTY BAY V. HAWKE’S BAY.

(Special to Times.)

The annual meeting of the chosen of Poverty Bay aim Hawke’s Bay to do battie for the Rugby honors of the season was favored by splendid conditions of weather, the day being perfect, but the Recreation ground was very hard, and by the end of the game the majority of the pi lycra bore the marks of many bruiies recede ed as the resuß of their contact with the turf, and many were also footsore from the hard going. Symes captained the visitors, and Munro the home team, which was considerably weakened in the forwards by the absence of Carlson and Mitchell, the two fifteen stone forwards, who gave such a good account of themselves on the late tour.

Poverty Bay lost the toss, and played against a iigut wind. Their kick oil was followed by a prompt aggressive move on the part of the forwards, who got to work very fast, and menaced Hawke's Bay's line for a few minutes, the black and whites at last forcing. Then a Hawko’s Bay forward rush, followed by smart passing between Russell and Munro, threatened the and off side play by Poananga garvo McVuy a long but uusuccesstul shot at goal. Some fast play followed, Reynolds especially doing yeoman service for the visitors, and the ball travelled up and down the field at a great rate. Nolan and Ponaoga were prominent in defensive work, several times stopping rushes which took the play dangerously close to the visitors’ line. The blues at length got an opening near mid-field. Reynolds initiated a splendid rush, and passing at the right moment to Poananga, tho latter in like manner sent it on to Hay who streuked over the chalk line, but lost the ball; being well backed up, however, by Bright, tho latter secured the try, amidst much applause from the spectators, who were nicely impartial in their attentions. Symes failed with an easy kick. Soon afterwards tho home toam assumed the aggressive, and a splendid bit of passing by McVay and F. Russell ended in the latter bowling over Hay and A. Russell, and scoring a really fine try, which MoVay enhanced, aud at half time the score stood—

Hawke’s Bay 5 Poverty Bay 3 “ i ‘ i Tho socond spell had hardly got goiug before Hawke's Bay were in the visitors’ quarters, and the ball going to F. Russell ho made a neat run, then punted, and following up smartly scored near the comer. McVay this time failed with the kick at goal. For a long period tho play fluctuated up and down the field, the visiting forwards doing some good work in the loose, but they woro outplayed by the borne vanguard in close tactics, the latter doing some very effective combined transferring, the rushes thusiuitiated ropeatedy carrying them through, and only really good defensive work by the opposing backs Haved the situation on numerous occasions. Finally a smart pass by D. McCarthy to Tyne, who punted, enabled Munro to reap tho reward of quick following up, scoring a good try, which I). McCarthy made a good effort to convert, the bail going fairly over the centre of the posts. Soon afterwards the visitors got on a strong forward rush, and taking the ball over the home line, Peterson touched down. Symes again made a poor effort to convert. The play continued willing, and another forward rush of the visitors ended in what was apparently a try for Mullaney, but the referee was unablo to determine.' Even play followed until the whistle sounded, with the score— Hawko’s Bay ... ... 11 Poverty Bay 6 Tho play of the visitors as a whole was very good, but they were outclassed in the matter of combination, the work of the home forwards in this respect being especially noticeable. Bright, Fairlie, Newton, and Peterson were noticeable for good work in the vanguard. Reynolds played a splendid back game, aud was well supported by Hay, who created a very favorable impression. Nolao, Murphy, and Symes also did well, mainly on the defensive. PoanaDga spoilt much of his play by repeated kuo.cks-on in kangaroo efforts to secure the ball from the tbrown-in. Russell did satisfactory work at full, although suffering from' an attack of influenza.

The home team appeared a triflo stale, bnt showed fair combination —this waß where tho visitors lacked —and there was some good individual work. Mr A. Williams gave every satisfaction as referee, and Messrs A. Hillson (P. 8.) and W. Cameron (H. 8.) had charge of the touch lines. The visitors, who won golden opinions by their quiet demeanor, were well looked after by the local Union, and wound up the day with a social evening at the Working Men’s Club, when they were toasted in the: usual manner.

CANTERBURY DEFEATS WELLINGTON. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, last night. The Interprovinoial Match, Wellington v. Canterbury, was won by Canterbury by 8 points to 5.

WANGANUI DEFEATS THAMES. Per Press Association. Wanganui, last night. The Thames v. Wanganui football match was played on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large crowd. The game resulted in a win for Wanganui by 11 points to 5. The teams looked fairly even, Thames having the advantage if anything in weight. The play throughout was of a brilliant nature, both sides putting in some splendid passing work. Times out of number what looked' like certain scores for Thames wore prevented by tbe splendid defensive game of the local, team. It was undoubtedly the finest exposition of football witnessed here this season,

. AUCKLAND DEFEATS OTAGO. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The Auckland-Otago football match was played on Saturday in lovely weather, probably rather warm, and before a crowd of nearly 10,000 people. The heaviest and best team won. The game was not too interesting, beiDg mostly forward, and de-' cidodly ragged. The local men more than held their own in the first spell, but in the second, except for a few minutos at the start, they were outclassed, the visitors pushing them or screwing the scrum, and getting the ball nearly all the time. There was very little of the back play in which the public delight, and that little was not brilliant. The visitors scored tw.o tries, one of which was converted by a fine kick, and they kicked a penalty goal,» winning by 11 points to nil. | Prior to the match a correspondent telegraphed from Dunedin “ The big football match between those old-time rivals, Auckland and Otago, is creating great excitement. It is almost the sole topic of conversation in athletic circles. Both teams are gonfident, and both equally determined. Given a fine day it will be a battle of the giants. The weather is beautifully fine, and promises well for the match. The game is certain to be fast, as the turf is in excellent order. A record attendance is expected, special train arrangements having been made for country visitors. The Auckland team was driven out to the ground this morning, where they had a good practice. In the afternoon they were taken for a drive round the city and suburbs. Several of the Aucklanders are suffering from injuries, and will not ha available for the match. P-illenger, the Auckland three-quarter, I arrived last night, but he is still a cripple. Kiernan is also an invalid, the injury to his back not having sufficiently improved to play him against Otago, while King, who played half-back against Southland, is in bed suffering from a kick on the leg, The Auckland team will be the same as that which played against Soutland, with the exception that Gerrard takes King’s place as halfback. Otago is placing a strong team in the field against tha Ancki landers. Mr K. Galbraith, of Invercargill, will act as referee. The teams are as follows -Auckland: Fullback,' Suther-

land ; threequarters, Asher, Harrison, and McKenzie; five-eighths, McGregor and Phelan ; half, Gerrard ; forwards, Tyler, Gallagher. Nicholson, Lewis, Long, Eaton, McDuff, and Dorati. Otago; Fullback, Adams; threequarters, Baxter, Bennett, and Stalker; five-eighths, Duucan (eapt.) and Munro; half, Hisiop; forwards, Casey, Spiers, Given. Taylor, Fenwick, Abbott, Stewart, and Porteous.]

JUNIOR MATCH. On Victoria Domain on Saturday after, noon, the ouiy match played was between the Kafti-City aud West End junior toums. No senior match was played in the absence of the representative team at Napier. Kaiii-City had all the best of the play, and their backs frequently got on capital passing rushes. Though (Vest End strove hard to keep their opponents out, tho Kaiti-City combination was too good, and the game eudod in their favor by 21 points to 5. For the winners, tries ware scored by Witty (2). T. Hickey, J. Third, and W. Coleman, S. Coleman converting two and F. Pettiooue. For West End, G. Peterson scored a try, which A. Hepburn improved. This victory gives the junior championship for the season to the Kaiti-City team. They fully deserve the premier position, as they have stuck well together, and trained consistently. They annex the junior banner, and each member of the teams also gets a cap. Mr L. F. Williams was reioree in Saturday’s game.