FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2078, 13 May 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

MAORI v. FAKEIIA. Tlio football season opened at the Victoria Domain on Saturday afternoon with the annual fixture, Alaori v. Pakelin. Both sides included a number of now players, who showed fairly decent form, and should prove valuable acquisitions to their respective clubs. Aliller and Olsen, playing wing-three-quarters for tlie pakelia team, are both good men, with plenty of pace and a good knowledge of the game. Tlio game was evenly contested anil of an interesting nature throughout. During the first spell the Pakehns scored two tries for nil, and put on two further tries directly after the commencement of tlie second half. From that out tho Alaori boys had tho best of the play, and ran up 13 points on the call of fame. A bad piece of play by the Maori half-back allowed their opponents to score, thus’winning the game by tho narrow margin of 2 points. For the visitors, Rowe was in excellent form, and Robinson, Aliller, and Olsen shaped well. The forwards grafted hard, but were outclassed by their heavier opponents. Brown, Kaipara, Te Reinga, Barker. Alutu, and Hoke were the pick of the Alaori team.

Mr. Joe Alartin was referee, and Alessrs. Hay and Osborne wielded the line pennons. The club matches start on Saturday next.

AUSTRALIAN RULES. Te Rail and Kaiti played a match at Kaiti on Saturday afternoon last, and some smart play was witnessed. Several now players took part, and showed to advantage throughput the game. In tlie first spell Te Ran wore leading by 6 points. Kaiti tried bard to reduce the •Nip in tlio final quarter, ;i jul even-family won by 3 points. Scores: Kaiti, 6 goals 6 behinds (42 points); To Ran, 6 goals 3 bellinils (39 points). For the winners. Selioeiield, Burnett, Story, Sutton, and Clark played well, whilst Kelly, Carr, Orpwood, and Jarrett worked hard to avert the defeat of To Rail. Great enthusiasm was shown by the players takinc part, which augurs well* for the future of the game here. A committee meeting of the League will bo held this evening.