FOOTBALL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1542, 25 August 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL NOTES.

THE WAIAPU MATCH. The annual inter-union matches beween the Ea3t Coast representatives and the parent union are always looked forward to with interest by patrons of the New Zealand national game. The Waiapu Union is of mushroom growth, and although but a few years in ;existenoe contains more affiliated elubs than the Poverty Bay Union. It is greatly handicapped by the long distances its teams have to travel-to keep their appointments, but in spite of all drawbacks it manages to send a-fairly-representative fifteen to Gisborne each season. The present team is perhaps the strongest - the, Coast has yet put into the field, and should give a good aacount of itself, • The local representatives are, if anything, stronger than in past seasons. The backs are a really fine lot, but the forwards, although solid enough, are lacking in dash and paoe compared with previous teams. On the whole the local team » quite capable of upholding the honor of the district, and it is groatly to bo regretted that the Poverty Bay Union cannot see its way this season of challenging the present holders of the Banfurly Shield (Wellington). Tbe game on Saturday should be a good exposition of football, and as tho Poverty Bay Union are sending a team to Napier early next month, every player will be upon his mettle, and take his part in the game without thought of the individual. A shilling admission will be made at the gate, and sixpence will admit to the Btaud.

COUNTRY FOOTBALL. Rugby football soems to have taken on n tbe country districts this season. Clubs have been formed at Matawhoro aDd Patutabi, and should be the means of unearth, ing many good players who would otherwiao never havo been given a chance to prove of what stuff they are made. The third meeting between the clubs named this season took place at Mr E. Toole’s fine paddook at Matawkero yesterday afternoon. The weather conditions were favorable, and there was a large crowd of spectators present, Matawhoro, though playing against a light wind in the first I spell, had the best of the play, and scored 9 points. W. Oampbel! soored twice, and J. Campbell also registered a try. In tbe second spell Patutahi played up well, and no further soore was mado., B. Cameron captained the Matawhero team, while A. Tuohy led the men from across the Big river. For Matawhoro, W. Sharp, Hingston, McCullough, Kano, E. Cameron, Campbell (2), Thompson, Higgins, Baty, and Walker all did good work, while Koro, Swann, Morrow, Ngawinia, Tuohy, Sullivan and Tapu were most conspicuous for Patutahi, Thompson is a player whom we should like to see perform in senior football in town. He is a young player of fine physique, with qast the papa and weight to develop into a first-class forward. The Matawhero players treated their 1 opponents to refreshments otter the game, ■ which was playod in the most friendly • spirit, All these teams require is experience to make them formidable opponents, and we doubt not that ere many seasons have flown the Poverty Bay Rugby Union’s senior banner will bear upon its surfaoe the names of both Patutahi and Matawhoro. Great satisfaction was expressed by the players yesterday at having seourod suoh a fine playing field as Mr Toole's paddook, and that gentleman’s generosity in granting the use of it was freely acknowledged. On Saturday week a team from the West End club is expected to plav Fatutebiw theMtsj’e §iQuacl,