FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2112, 21 June 1907, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

Owing to the Butchers not being able tb put a team in the field, the match Ba'kors v. Butchers,'which wan to have been played yesterday after poon, fell through. A practice match, Bakers v. All Comers, was played, and ended in a draw, neither side scoring. The Bakers proved themselves to be first-class exponents .of Rugby and Should make a name for themselvcf in the Thursday competition. THE GAME UP THE COAST. .... JI'OKOMABU V. TUPAROA.

• Our Tokomaru Bay correspondent writes: Tlie sonior Cup match Tokomaru v. Tuparoa was played here on Saturday last, and resulted in a win for the former toam by 9 points (3 tries) to

nil. Rain spoilt the play to a great extent, the greasy ball and ground causing many infringements of rules and plenty of whistle. However, two forties of vigorous and friendly play were got through, and the many spectators including ladies got a good six-pen’ortli. : The toams lined but as follows: Tokomaru: Piper, C. Ityland, Erikana, A. Matahiki, Wi Powliairangi, W. Smith, W. Gerrard, Cookery, Brooking, Kirikiri, Kimro, Humia, Pua Babbington, P. Matahiki, C. Ivutia. Tuparoa: Hati, Williamson, Kershaw, Paliau, D.AVhakarere, Kauwai, Hoie, D. Tnrie. lluff, Hunt, T. Reed.v, Gerrard, A. Caddy, Kelsall, and S. Grace. A. Matahiki captained the local team and A. Caddy the visitors, and both captains aro to be complimented on the management of their teams.

For the first ton minutes tho Tuparoa team moro than held its own, and had the players boon able to keep up tlie style they started with the result might have been different. Tokomaru’s snporior knowledge and organisation soon told, and tlio visitors, except for occasional flashes, wore for the rest of the game mostly on the defensivo.. The tries obtained b-’ the victors wero really pretty pieces of play, the first being obtained by C. Rylaud, who with Wi Powliairangi, AV. Gerrard, Cookery, and Erikana cleverly beat tlie Tuparoa backs by superior passing. Tlie second try was tlio result of a passing rush started by Wliare Gerrard, who played a most unselfish game throughout. Wliare passed to Erikana,, who at the right time let A. Matahiki have it, and backing nil received it again and scored. Wi Pewhairangi scored the last try. The Tokomaru forwards got on a strong dribbling rush, and Wi cleverly picked up the slippery hall and scored without difficulty. The kicks at goal were all failures. -

The Tuparoa team played a good defensive game, their forwards especially being very good, and considering that this game was the first played by them for many seasons tlie way in which their front rankers outwitted the locals was creditable. Their backs did not do so well, and got into trouble time after time by rash passing. As the team was got together rather hurriedly', five of their best players were unable to travel, and the next match between the two teams should , be. a. good.go —One,, of. .tliei r—players, Kelsall, rode'so miles, to take part in the game. Tokomaru was without the’ services of Newton, the fast threequarter. Piper, the local full-back, was in his oid form, and played faultlessly throughput. Pua Babbington, who works over 30 miles from here, on finding on Friday that he could not catch liis horse to cet in to play, walked the distance, and despite that disadvantage played a good game..’ Mr. Sigley refereed, and. Messrs Jamieson and Howitson held the flags, and all decisions were taken without any murmuring. ' After the game victors and vanquished fraternised, and reversing the usual order of things the former treated their beaton . opponents to tea at Mr. Jamieson’s hotel. After tea, at the invitation of the Tokomaru Chib, the Tuparoa team went to a dance, and a pleasant evening was spent. The visitors left Oh ounday morning for their ride home, well satisfied with the treatment received from all hands.

general matters. There are how four teams entered for the Sonior Cup, and Mr. Murphy, of tlie Tolago Hotel, has given fresh interest in the competition by promising a banner to the winning team, tlie banner to be made in the'winning club’s colors.

Further fixtures have been arranged by the Union as follows :—Paikea v.; Tolago, at Pakarae, Juno 29th'; Tuparoa v. Tokomaru, at Tuparoa, Juno 29tli; Tolago v, Tokomaru, at Tokomaru, July 13tli; Paikea v. Tuparoa, at Tokomaru, July 20tli; Tolago v. Tuparoa, at Tokomaru, Aug.. 3rd; and Paikea' v. Tokomaru* at Tolago, Aug ;3rd. , •Mr. IC. S. Williams,' the President of the Tuparoa Club, lias promised to take, the whistle at the match ah Tuparoa on June 29th: '