FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2154, 9 August 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The football .match Hairdressers v. Trainers was played at Victoria Domain yesterday afternoon, and resulted 'in a draw, noithor side scoring. The gamo was well contested, and at times both sides were within an aoe of scoring. In tho opening stages' the Trainers had slightly the better of the game, and missed some good opportunities of scoring through over-eagerness. Towards tho close of tho game the Hairdressers pulled themselves together and indulged in some fine passing rushes, one of which nearly ended in a score, the ball being passed forward. For tho Trainers the Hepburn brothers played fine games in the back division, while Scoats. Butler ,and Porter were tho mainstay of the forwards. For the Hairdressers ll,ice, ’Wilkinson, and Pirie, of tho backs, and Morse, Tanner, and Ansel], -of the forwards, were tho pick. Mr. T. Loomb gave every satisfaction with tho whistle, while Messrs. Nasmith and Hogg held the lino pennons. As a sequel to .the football match yesterdav afternoon tho Hairdressers ind Trainers met at a dinner and musical ovening at Mr. Dustin’s rooms. After a hearty meal a lengthy programme of songs and recitations was gone through, the following gentlemen contributing: —Messrs. Morse, 'Wilkinson, Butler, MeLaohlau, Hepburn, Hirds. Porter, Pirie, iud Austin. Air. Hutchins presided it the piano and played tho accompaniments in a finished manner. Tho 1 reunion terminated about 10 o’clock.

TOKOMAR U BAY. (FKOM OUR CORRKSrONDENT.)

August 6. The final football match for the

Waiapu Cup was played on Saturday last at Tolago, the Tokoxnaru and Paikea teams competing. The gam© ended in a win for. Tokomaru by II points to 8. Paikea’s- points wore gained in the first ten minutes of the play, through good following-up by Hoki and Kepa Leach. H. Leach, captain of tlie Paikea team, playea a dashing forward game throughout, mil tlie Gisborne selectors would do

.veil to keep an eye on him as a likely ilayer for Poverty Bay’s southern pur. Tokomaru. after ten minutes’ lisorganised play, in which the lacks were getting in each other’s

way and the forwards tumbling about inyliow, managed to got going with something like tlieir old style, and for the rest of tlie "amo did not give their opponents a chance. They succeeded in scoring three trie's, one of which was converted.

All the players picked to represent Waiapu on August 10th showed up well, Leach, Ryland," Piper, Newton. Matahiki, and Cockery doing excellent work. One player, Wi Paati, of Paikea, did not urn up, consequently die selector has substituted Papa of the same club in liis place in the reji. team. Mr. H. H. Fairlie was referee, and controlled tlie players well. After the game both teams were

entertained by the Tolago Maoris mil footballers, who had provided a splendid tea. The usual speeches were made, and both teams applaud'd the goodness of the Tolago people in making them so welcome. By defeating the Paikea Football Club’s team at Tolago on Saturday last, the Tokomaru F.C., for the fifth time in succession, wins tlie Waiapu Rugby Union’s Cup. and the banner oresented by Mr. Murphy, of the Tolago Hotel, for competition this season becomes the property of the chib.

Next Saturday’s match with Poverty Bay is attracting much attention. Our team is leaving in .time to Have a practice at Paknrae on Thursday afternoon, and should bo in good form for tho representative game. Poverty Bay and Waiapu have tried conclusions four times, die former winning each time. The first game in 1903 was won by 17 to 3, and the last in 1905 by S to 6. The Coast Union has shown improvement each year, and our present team is considered, a very good one.

PROFESSIONALISM. United Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, August 8. After the Rugby Union meeting last night the secretary stated the Council of the Union were satisfied there was no suspicion of professionalism attaching to members of the Now South Wales team, nor the New South Wales members of the Australian team which play New Zealand oil Saturday. Prior to his departure,' Seoling, interviewed, denied that he was one of the selectors of the Now Zealand professional team. The statement was a

gross libel. Ho was approached on the matter, that was all. They could take liis word that tho list of professionals cabled from New Zealand was almost entirely wrong. It included dx of the team at present in Australia. Tka* was not so. There night be perhaps one, but no more. Tho whole team had booked passages for tlieir return to Now Zealand. Seeling announced his intention to retire from football for good. He did not intend to take any more risks.

VT. !:..d s-.iifcrcd in lioali.li in Sydney, and in Brisbane ©very member had dengue fever or influenza.

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM. Special to Times. WELLINGTON, August 8

The professional football team prornoters have met with a serious re-

buff. All tlic Auckland members of he “All Black” team now representing the N.Z. Rugby Union in Australia who were reported to have signified their intention of joining the professional team have notified their intention of returning to New Zealand and remaining amateurs. The team is not likely now to be a representative one and the project •s being condemned on all hands as H'koly to drag down the fair fame of Now Zealand as a land of pure sport. iSix members of the team arc now in Wellington.