FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2126, 8 July 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

Tho kiok-tho-loatlior struggle was continued with unabated fury last Saturday afternoon on Victoria Do- , main, when tho “All-blnclcs” (West End) wero vanquished by tlio KaitiCity (black ami blue). Botli teams in full war-paint, were on tlio warpath and scalps wero numorous. There was a large number of spectators to witness tho contest and “barracking ’ was, at times, pronounced. SENIOR. West End won the spin ii the coin and played with a dazzling sun at tlieir backs. Winter set the bal. robing and Brown taking well, sent tlie sphere out of touch, well up the line. The West End vanguard, beaded by Fine, Ellison and Turner, came down the hold at a great nito with the ball at their toes, but Witty, a promoted junior, succeeded in stemming the torrent 1 of attack by kicking out. “We/kn” Roderick secured and punted high, Rowe marking neatly, and Robinson found tho lino with a scry iceable kick. From a scrum the Haiti ■ City hookers gained possession au:l heeled tlie oval out to Rowe, who got it away like lightning to Robinson, who transferred to Grinlinton, wno mndo. a lino run down tlie line and was thrown into touch. The Blue and Black forwards, with Lowe, Nicolas and Bright in the van, started a fine fcotrush which Wi Friday stopped cleverly by getting down on tho ball. Henderson snapped tlio leather up and made a fino dash for tlio lino, losing possession when nearing the covoted touch. Tho ali-blacks carried . tho leather over tlio line, wlioro Hay forced. Roderick gathered tho ban off the ground and sent it out with a nice kick, which gained a lot ol ground for liis side. Tlio City reari guard wero' throwing tho leather about with great freedom and from a , scrum on West End’s goal-lino, Rowe 1 sont the bal lout to Robinson, who, • after beating bis man cleverly, gave ; Pufiett a straight pass and tbit: ; speedy player raced over the lino anc: ) scored a pretty try. Ho was en- , trusted with the kick at goal, but , failed to add to tlio score.—lCaiti-

City 3 points, Vest End nil.- , The City forwards, at this point, were playing like clock-woi'k and tlieir deadly footrushes gave tlio sturdy Vest Fluid's' all they could do to defend their base. Bright, Williams and Grant beaded a fine rush which Brown was instrumental in stopping and shortly afterwards, tlio City pack heeled the ball out to Rowe, who mado no mistake with his pass to Robinson. Robinson made a fino jinky run and transferred to Pufiett, who was again successful in grounding the ball behind tlio chalk-line, registering his second try. His attempt at .goal proved fruitless.—lvaiti-City 6 points, West End nil.

The City team continued to press their opponents and some hard work ensued on the West End line. Halftime was sounded with West End strenuously defending. Upon resuming tlie West End forwards roused themselves and put a lot more vim into their work. A fine footrusli headed by Mut'u, Pine and Heke was frustrated by Witty kicking out. Pufiett marked a high kick from Brown and sent the sphere well up the line with a fine kick. A free kick to »West End gave Brown a chance to clear liis line, which lie did with one of liis powerful kicks. A loose rush by City allowed Grinlinton and Witty to get on to Brown before lie could get bis kick in, Witty taking him low in splendid style. The AllBlac'k’s forward division initiated a footrusli and transferred play onto City’s line where an over-hard kick allowed Hay to force. West Eml set. up a determined attack on the City line and Miitu made strenuous efforts to force bis way over. Brown had a shot at goal from a penalty and Grinlinton marked. Henderson gained a lot of ground with a fine line kick. The City rear-guard next came into prominence with a passing rush which nearly ended in a score. Witty being grassed within a pnrd of the line. After some hard work on the line. City were awarded a free kick and Pufiett had a shot at the goal which failed to find the uprights. Brown received a neat pass from Wi Friday and made off with one of' liis characteristic runs ami the City team started in pursuit. Xlansen was the first to challenge the sturdy West End five-eighth and succeeded in stopping liis career. West End attacked with spirit and for a time looked extremely dangerous. Pufiett saved the sjtuation by marking, and with a long line 'kick transferred the scene of operations beyond the danger zone. Grinlinton securing the oval —-—n—. u a p;„„

camo tli rough the line-out ana star tea a great foot-rush which sent the leather out at t-lie corner. Roderick cleared his line with a clear jinking run ami'neat kick to touch. Wi Friday made a strong run and was “grassed” by Wilkinson, before lie became dangerous. The City backs were passing in graet style and a rush in which Rowe, Robinson, Grinlinton, Pufiott and Witty took part nearl.y ended in a score. Forbes relieved with a good kick to touch. The West End pack next started a foot-rush which carried play onto City’s line and swoepinfg the leather over the clialk-lino, lielce. Turner and Henderson pounced upon it and scored West End's first try. Turner failed with the kick at goal. —Kaiti-City G points, West End 3. Wi Friday snapped the oval up from a loose scrum and made a fine strong run and kicked out.. Wilkin son found the line with a serviceable kick. Pino headed a foot-rush by West End which Rowe nipped in the hud. Shortly afterwards the whistle sounded with the ball in neutral territory . For the winners. Hay (full-back' played safely, his taking and kicking being good. He got down on the rushes in his well-known stylo and made no mistakes. . Wilkinson (wing-three-quarter) "played a fine game. Ho is a little over-eager at times and should bear in mind that ho is not calle dupon to do all the work. He got very few' chances to display the speed and dash which lie undoubtedly possesses. (centre) played his best game this season and his two trios were the result of good work. His line-kicking was a feature of the game and he also shone at taking high kicks, hut he should learn to take a pass, his failing in this respect not being so conspicuous as in his previous matches. Witty (wing-three-quarter) kept his end of the

stick up well ami in the second spell played a good game. Robinson (fiveeighth) was a. continual source ofanxiety to his opponents. His clever jinking runs made many openings and ho had a hand in both the scores. He should get the ball out quicker when blocked, as his endeavor to make an opening often leads to bis being collared with the ball. G’rinlinton (fiveeighth) played a really good game and set a fine example to the forwards by his splendid following up. He got down on the foot-rushes well and made no mistakes. Rowe (half) handled his team well and City’s win was due to his clever work behind the pack. His style of stopping a rush should be noted by his confreres, as lie is an adept at the business. Hansby (wing-forward) worked hard and shielded his half well. Of the rest of the forwards Lowe was undoubtedly the best, his work on the line-outi be-

ins a treat to witness. He was ably supported in tlio loose by the rest of the pack, of which Nicolas, Bright, and Hansen were the most prominent. For the losers, Tate (full) played safely, making no mistakes. He. is I very cool, hut at times overdoes it. He would be of more value to his side ii lie were to run quicker-'-and k : »k further up the line. Forbes (wing-three-quarter) was out of Iris element as wing and did a lot better when he went up among the forwards. Hepburn (centre) slaved a safe game, but did not get many chances to shine. He flowed up well. Brown

(five-eighth) played in his usual brilliant 5 style, his 'kicking, taking and running leaving nothing to he desired. At stoping rushes it would he hard to find his superior. He was very closely watched on Saturday and consenuentlv got very few chances. Henderson (five-eighth) is improving every game lie plays. His form on Saturday was

of a high order of merit. Ho kicker ami passed well and his collaring w« splendid. AVi .Friday (half) "hit ; flood display am! on one or two occn sions nearlv caught his opponent; lumping. He got dorm on the m=hPrvithont.' a moment’s hesitat'on wiv'd is a good point in a defending half-

bfifk. 'l’nrjipr (\vin r)lf»vpr* n rjcood w»oor 5.0»m0 nr*d b?s oot>oW'llts n lot of trouble. TTts tbvoiv'n" i" on fl'O It.nP-ont ?s rnvv crr>od. l*n or-iit'j’o nj Oip Of +!■*«» of tbo forwards >T”fn nlsivprl >i my»n+ trnnio niul on t'bo l»np-oiH avps p f^r-vr

in ld« enemies' side. Pino. Ellison and Hoke also shone ont. T]ie name was controlled in an aide manor by Mr. AV. Howard, wlib gave entire satisfaction, while Messrs. T). ,K: Porter and C'lias. Freer held the line pennons.

JUNIOR, On No. 2 ground, A Vest End had a runaway victory over their country cousins (Takitimu) by 13 points to 3. .F. Burke scored three tries and got across the line a fourth time but did not ground the ball. Two of the tries were converted by McLachlnn and McConnell. Eru Kara scored for Takitimu. Of the winners A 7. Somervell, Furke, Gus Peterson and It. Somervell. were the best.

For Tukitimn, Callaghan (2), Campbel), Halberts, Ford, and Seymour jilayod well. , Mr. H. Carr refereed in a capable manner while Messrs. Pritchard and Jones were the line umpires. THIRD GRADE.

The third grade match was between TukiCiinu and West End and was won by the former by 3 points to nil. Brcingan scored a try for Takitimu. Mr. J. J. Martin had charge ol the whistle and Messrs Thompson and Grant were the line umpires.

THE GAME IN AUSTRALIA

United Press Association —Copyright Received July 7, 4.52 p.m. BRISBANE, July /. New South Wales defeated Queensland at football by G points to 3.

THE TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA

BEATEN BY WELLINGTON.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, last night

There wore about GOOD spectators at the match yesterday between the New Zealand team and Wellington Province. The latter played the All Blacks before they left and heat them handsomely, but to-day’s team was much inferior to that of 1905 and wore opposed by 8 of the All Blacks. With a strong wind against them they wore helpless in the first spell, Mynott, Fryer and Column scoring tries, from which Spencer 'kicked two goals. 13—0. Fryer also crossed the ino near the flag and attempted to run behind the posts, in doing which Wrigloy charged him and took the ball from him. In the second spell with the wind against them the All Blacks showed marked superiority, especially in scrumming and forward play. Keeping the ball on the ground they worked it up, then opened out and let Hunter, Mynott and Co. get to work. In this way Fryer and Colman again scored, making the total 19 for Wellington. Evenson kicked a splendid goal from a mark at hallway and went very close. From a stiff scrimmage by the corner flag Hush got over and scored the only try they obtained. The final was thus 19—6. ' The New Zealand team as playing to-day seem rather light. Of the men Colman and Fryer are pretty suro to become prominent players. The latter has groat speed and pluck.