EAST COAST NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1535, 17 August 1905, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS

.WH'ANCJAR'A'n

August 14. I Ono of thoso ploasant social gathorI ings which go such a long way towards I rolieving tho monotony of a country I life, was hold in tho Pnkarao Hall I last week. About twontyfivo ladies I and gontlomon put in an appoaranco I to enjoy a fow hours dancing, which I tlioy did to their lioarts’ content. SovI oral songp wore rendered at intervals, whioh helped to vary the programme. I Tho hall was tastefully decorated with I fernery, and couplod with tho festive attire of tho ladies, had a very pleasing effect. Light refreshments woro [ partaken of during tho ovoning, provided by tho ladies of Pakarao, and very much appreciated by all, every ono being thoroughly satisfied with their evoning’s enjoyment, lho only regret being it ended all too soon.

'TOKOMARU. August 14-. The football match, Awanui v. Tolago Bay, played here on .Saturday, was won by Tolago, 12 points to 3, and was a well-contested game. Tolago Bay is now leading for the cup and banner by 2 points, Tokomaru still having two games to play. Waipiro forfeited tho game with Whangara on Saturday. Tokomaru plays Waipiro at Takapau on Saturday next, and Awanui plays Whangara at Tokomaru the same day, the final match being played between Whangara and Tokomaru at Tolago on tho following i Saturday. A dance in aid of the Waiapu Rugby Union, held on Saturday night, was a financial success. At a meeting of tho Union held last week it was decided to make arrangements for sending a representative team to Gisborne at an early date. Mr H. Pair lie was applointed selector. Mr Sigley, roferoe, reported two nlayers whom he had to order off during the match between Tokomaru and Awanui. This is tho first time Mr Sigley has taken this step,, and the Union upheld his action, and instructed the secretary to conve3 r in writing a strong reprimand to the players mentioned. Mr Sigley has managed the matches so far this season very well indeed, and has gained tho goodwill of both winners and losers. Tho team to represent the Waiapu Union at Gisborne is as follows Full-back, W. Gerrard; threequarters, F. Manuel, A. Matahiki, and Newton ; five-eighths, G. Reynolds; half, E. Williams; wings, W. King, E. R. Murphy ; forwards, P. White, Brooking, D. Duff, Hura, H. Leach, J. McNeil, and Bailey. When the team was announced at the dance on Saturday night it was received with unanimous approval, representatives of all the clubs being present.

FOOTBALL NOTES. (By Wharekauri.”) More interest than ever has been taken in East Coast football this season. The Waiapu Rugby Union is to be congratulated on having five clubs under its jurisdiction. Last season there were but three, and only two of these, Tokomaru and Tolago kept going right through the winter. This year a distance of about eighty miles separates the two extreme clubs, Awanui and Paikea, so that footballers have to do a great amount of travelling to keep engagements. As the roads have been in a terrible state, players have had no easy task in keeping to the Union’s fixtures. Tokomaru has now the best chance for the senior cup. As this club has held the trophy for the past two years, it was hoped that another club would be strong enough to wrest the honors from Tokomaru this season. The Tolago Bay club went strong at first, defeating and drawing with the premier club in their two matches. But in the game Tolago v. Awanui in the first round, Tolago played only eleven men and consequently went down. By bringing but eleven men to Tokomaru on that occasion, and by forfeiting a match against Waipiro, Tolago Bay spoilt their chances for the championship. If the Waipiro team can manage to defeat Tokomaru on Saturday next at Takapau, then Tolago v. Tokomaru will have to play off. - It is quite possible that this will happen, as the Tokomaru fifteen are taking things too easy, being confident of - victory. ' ■ . In matches this season much ignorance has been displayed by many players in the laws of football. The Union would do well in the early part of next season, either to issue a football annual of its own, or to procure rule books from some large union, Football cannot improve while so many players are ignorant of the finer points of the game. Unless the Union or the different clubs take up this matter, football along the coast will never be more than good old rough and tumble games, reminding one of pictures by the comic artists of sport in the stone age. The progress made by the newly formed Awanui club has been interesting to note. In their first match they played a ragged game, but as the season has advanced, they have improved wonderfully, and now rank among the best teams. They have a l ßo kept their fixtures in a creditable manner. Their captain, Baker Milner, is an old footballer, whp }>a? npt lost all his former skill. Se deserves credit for the success of his team. The Union is doing its best to arrange for the annual match with Poverty Bay. In previous seasons, players from the coast have journeyed to Gisborne at their own expense, and the Waiapu Union officials feel that it is not fair to ask the men to travel again ; without paying a substantial part of their expenses. They are therefore asking the Gisborne Gnior to give a guarantee. A successfu. dance has also been held at Tokomari in aid of the Union’s funds. _ Witi the Gisborne guarantee, it will nov be possible to pay the expenses ot th< men chosen. As there are. many in dividually brilliant players in the dii ferent teams, a strong representat;v team can be got together. It will b remembered that in their two matche with Gisborne last year, the coac made splendid but unavailing attempt to defeat the parent union.

Tho Rugby Union have definitely, fixed the East Coast representative match for Saturday, September 2nd, and have asked that the Napier -Gisborne matoh be played on Friday, September Bth.