FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2196, 21 May 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. A well-attended meeting of the Referees’ Association was held last evening in the Royal Hotel. Tho following referees were appointed for tlio mutches to-day and on Saturday:— To-day: Alhambra v. City, Air. H. AI. Walker; Star v. Gisborne, Ah'. AI. Osborne. Saturday: Senior match, Kai-ti-City v. Takitimu, Air. R. G. Hallamore; juniors, West End v. Takitimu, Air. H. AI. Walker; thirds, West End v. Takitimu, Air. W. Howard. Alesrs IT. AI. Walker and O. R. Olsen have suecesfully passed their examinations. THE RANFURLY SHIELD. (Press Association.) s WELLINGTON, Alay 20. The Wellington Rugby Union has decided to play a match for the Ranfurly Shield against Auckland, at Auckland, on August 15th, when the American licet will bo there.

OTAGO TEAAI AGAINST BRITAIN (.Press Association.) DUNEDIN, A lay 21. The following team has been selected to represent Otago against the British team on Alay 30th; —-Fullback, Kind ley; three-quarters—Dw-yer, Bennett, O’Sullivan: five-eigh-ths—AleLeod and Danscy; half, Eckiiold; forwards—Casey, Fitzpatrick, Ivimey, Baton, Patterson, AlcDonald (cipt.), AlcKenzie, Tansey (wing). Eckhold, Casey. Patou, and AlcDonald were members of the last New Zealand team that visited Australia.

THE ANGLO-WELSH TEAM. Press Association. WELLINGTON, Alay 20. The Anglo-Wclsh Rugby football team had another practice this morning and also took exercise in tho afternoon. They have a neat yet conspicuous uniform. The jersey consists of red and white, the red being divided by a. wide white band coming directly across the wearer’s chest. The stockings are blue, with red and white tops. The team to play Masterton will not he announced till the morning of tho match, and this will invariably he flic rule followed throughout the New Zealand tour, A good indication of the strength of tlio visitors will be obtained in. the Wellington match on Wednesday week, as tho loc_ al team should be-one of the strongest that- AVellington has ever put into the field. The forwards will bo a strong lot, though none will be so brilliant as a few who were playing two or three years ago.. The backs, says the N.Z. “Times,” have been characterised as a “star” combination. The final back team will probably bp— Full-back, G. Spencer ;three-quartors, Thomson, Wallace, and Mitchinson; five-eighths, Roberts; half, Green. Should tfiTs be the team, it- will be a very strong one, as it will he seen that in this combination all the AllBlacks are together. Roberts is not quite in his own place at five-eighth, but it is thought that he will play splendidly in that position, with such a brilliant three-quarter line behind him, and such a reliable half as Green in front. George Spencer is the only full-back nominated, so ho iis practically certain to be included in the final fifteen. The backs will be very strong in defence. Spencer’s line kicking and tackling. are very effective, while Wallace, Alitchinson, Roberts, and Green can be relied upon to “get doivn” to tlio most desperate forward rush. Thomson is expected to be especially strong in attack.

DEATH OF A. H. BASKERVILLE. SUCCUMBS TO PNEUMONIA. United Press Association—Copyright. (Received May 20, 11.22 p.ni.) BRISBANE, May 20. A. H. Baskerville, secretary and organiser of the “All Blacks,” died to-night from pneumonia. The body will be embalmed, and conveyed to New'Zealand by the first boat. Farmer and a couple of others- will accompany the body. [Mr. Baskerville was for a number of years in the service of the Government .at Wellington. After the return of the “All Blacks” from their successful Home tour, he commenced to organise a professional team of New Zealand players to tour the Old Country and play against the professional unions there. His organisation was successful, and the tour-is now a part of football history. Mr. Baskerville accompanied the team Home in an official capacity, but, although a.very fair player, did not participate in many matches. Ho was about 27 years of age, and shortly before be left the Dominion published a useful handbook on Rugby football.]