FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2205, 1 June 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY COMPETITION,

The rain which- fell on Friday somewhat spoiled the Domain for the matches on , Saturday. . No. - ground was fairly dry, bub the otlioi was very greasy, and in places there were pools.of waiter on the surface. The morning broke dull, but in tho afternoon the overhead weather conditions wore all that- could bo desired. There was a largo attendance of spectators, and some fairly good lootball was witnessed. The Kaiti City Club hail -a field day, scoring l a treble win. Their third fifteen boat Takitimu thirds, by- 6 points to 3 points, and the juniors also beat Takitimu juniors by 12 points to 6, while the seniors, .after a memorable contest-, were victorious over West End by 14 to 13. KAITI CITY v. WEST ENI).

The senior match started shortly after 3 p.m. Rowe, the Blue’s captain, again won the toss, and Huko--wai kicked off towards the country go-il. Play centred in midfield lor a time, neither side having anv mater-' ini ndvnntago. The Blues then pressed hard, their forwards playing with great dash. Gillies made a -lot of ground with a dribbling run, blit Smith relieved by kicking well into touch. After about fifteen minutes’ play the Blacks were penalised for obstruction in front of their gonl, and Puflett lauded a good goal. Kaiti City 3, West End nil. Almost immediately afterwards the Blues backs got going, but did not gain much ground, Mullaney failing to hold a loose pass from Rowe, The B 1 icks forwards now took a turn in attacking, and Puflett saved well, picking up smartly. Loose play followed, anrl Grmlinton obtained a mark. Puflett took tho kick at goal, but failed to increase tho score. Tho Blacks backs initiated -a pretty passing run, Brown, Kaipara, Wi Repa, and Miller handling tho leather in turn. Tho latter was nearly in- at. the corner, but was thrown into touch. Continuing tho pressure, Tho Blacks hemmed their opponents on tho lino, and Vallanco brought timely -relief with a screw kick.' Tlio‘ Blues wero penalised for off-side, outside their own twenty-five, and Wi Repa dropped a magnificent goal from nearly •half-way, thus making the scores level : Kaiti City 3, West End ,3. From the kick-off the backs on each side indulged in an interchange of kicks, and the Blacks forwards swooped . down on their opponents’ line. Tho ball came out of a 6crum, and was kicked right across the field, and Malloy, who was lying handy, snapped -it up and crossed the lino, scoring a somewhat lucky try. Brown failed with tho kick; and the halftime whistle sounded shortly afterwards with the scores: West" End 6, Kaiti -City 3. When the teams lined out again, Wi Repa, who had received'a nasty knock on the head, dropped hack to full, and Smith took his place at centre. The (Blacks forwards ’dribbled down to the Blues’ line, where the situation was saved by a force. Tho Blues were now aggressive and Brown relieved splendidly. About midfield Ivaip-ara picked up smartly, and after a short, dodgy run, passed to Malloy, who niacle for the line at a great pace. Wi Repa, at full, evidently saw the opening .and racing up oil the inside took -a pass from Malloy hudscored a really clever try behind the posts. He took the kick himself, but hit the upright. West End 9, Knit ti City 3. Enlivened by this reverse, tho Blues forced the game, but .Malloy taking well, ran to his opponents’ twenty-five, where he- was collared by Gillies. The ball came out- to Kaipara, and tho latter dropped a beautiful goal, the ball going high •and fair between the posts. West- End; 13, -Kaiti 3.

On re-starting, Rowe was penalised for off-side, and Wi Repa made -a good attempt at goal. Play became very loose for a while, until from a miss by Smith, Grinlinton, following up hard,- beat Wi Repa for the ball and scored. Puflett converted with .a good kick. West End 13, Kaiti City 8. Great excitement prevailed at this period, and was intensified when Vallance obtained from a scrum and dashed over. Puflett- made-a good attempt to add the extra points, from a difficult angle. West End 13, Kaiti City 11. Play was now fast and. furious, and tho Blues were making desperate attempts to score. Malloy obtained a clover mark, and brought timely relief to his ide, but tile . Blues were not to be denied, and returned once more to the attack. Close scrimmaging took place near tho Black’s line, and Scott, obtaining from a loose rush after a line-out, forced his way over the line, amidst great applause, -and thu6 giving his side a lead of one point. Puflett failed with the kick, and the whistle sounded almost immediately, leaving the Blues victorious after a hard and keenly-contes-ted game. Kaiti City ••• 14 West End .... ... ... 13

Mr. W. Howard acted as referee, and Mesrs Murrany and W. Hay as line umpires.

For the winners, Rowe, Gillies, and Grinlinton in the bucks, and Scott, Nicolas, and Delaney among the forward were the best. Wi Repa, Malloy, and Kaipara were most conspicuous in the losers’ back division, while Pine, Newton, Hoke, and Hakowai worked hard in tho forwards. JUNIOR MATCH.

Kaiti City and Takitimu met on No. 2 ground at three o’clock. The play was fairly fast and interesting, and the game resulted in a win for Kaiti City by 12 points to 6. Mr. 0. R. Olsen was referee. THIRD-GRADE MATCH.

The third fifteens of the Kaiti City and Takitimu teams met on No. 2 ground, and after .a good game victory rested with the “young Blues” by 6 point (2 tries) to 3 points (penalty goal). Houston, Pollock, Fitzgerald, and Wyllie played best for tho winners, and Lang, McCredie, Ipu Kara, and Morel! were the pick of tho losers. Mr. 0. R. Olsen refereed. MOTU v. WEST END JUNIORS. A team of West End juniors met tho Motu team on No. 1 ground prior to the senior game. The country team were evidently suffering from lack of training, and a rather one-sid-ed game resulted in a will for the local men. by 14 points to nil. MacDonald; Clark, and Reid were the best of the visitors, and Somervell, Cowaii, and Roche wore the nick of. the winners. Mr. W. Hay mild the whistle. SATUR DAY REPRESENTATIVE ■ TEAM. The following have been selected to represent the Saturday players against the Thursday representatives: Full-back. Wi Repa; three-quarters, Malloy, .Te Eeinga, Brown Turei; five-eighths, Valia nee, Rowe (captain) ; half, Graham; wing forward, Pine; forwards, Nicolas, Delanev. Lowe, Hukowai, Heke, McKenzie, and Lyons. Emergenices: Backs, Bowman, Adamson, and Miller; forwards, . Stagpoole and Walker.

THURSDAY REPRESENTATIVES. The players chosen to represent the Thursday teams are requested to meet to-night at the “Times” Office at half-past seven sharp for the purpose of going for a run -and having scrum. practice, etc. A full attendance is requested, and the forwards are particularly urged to- attend.

MOTU V. TE KARAKA

The Kugby.football programme was opened in the country on Thursday afternoon, when the newly-formed Motu and Te Karaka Clubs tried conclusions on Mr Thompson’s paddock, near the railway station, at Te- Karaka. There was a large number of spectators present, who followed the play* closely, and. impartially cheered good play on cither side. W. Mac Donald, centre-three-quarter,captain-ed the Motu fifteen, while Te Karaka had an able general in “Larry” Wo* gan. who pisyed throughout last season as half-back for the Poneke Club, Wellington. The game was evenly contested, but the state of the ground rendered the ball so greasy that back play was out of the question, and the issue was fought out by tho forwards. The ground was altpo6t upder water,

and ninny amusing incidents occurred as the players floundered about on tho slippery ground after the greasy leather. In t-lio first spell, Norman Ltnv and E. Evinson scored tries tor To Knriika, neither of which were converted. There was no score in tho second spell, and the game ended : lo Knrakn 6, Motu 0. During tho progress of tho game 'Fred Heed, vho hud been playing an honest forward game for Motu, hud tho misfortune to slip his knee-cap during the progress of some heavy work in a scrum, and hud to bo assisted off tho. field. Ho oaino into town yesterday, and obtained medical treatment-, and will be confined to bed for a fortnight us a result of the accident. For tho winners, Wogan played a capital gnmo at half, ami was at home in all departments of _ the guune. None of the other To Karaka backs h id much chance to distinguish themselves. Of the forwards, P. Softon, Crimmins, and D. Scott were most prominent. For Motu, W. MacDonald did a lot of fine saving work at centre threequarter, and saved his side repeatedly bv his safe fielding and turn of pace. Warby, at lull, never 'made a mistake, and took the hall and kicked well. Feary (threequnrter) (an exNorth Canterbury man) and McGlnnalinn (half) also put in -fine work. The host, of the forwards were Woodrow, Clarke, and W. Reed. Two'spells of 35 minutes each were played, and Mr B. J.'Bright,'of Gisborne, gave, every satisfaction as referee.

OUTSIDE RESULTS. Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 80. Tho matches .in the first round of the Rugby football district cluympionships were played liero to-day in glorious weather. In the senior matchos Poiisonby boat ’Varsity by 18 points (six tries) to nil. Ponsonby’s magnificent pack won the game, Francis, Cunningham, Hall, Carlaw, Nicholson (2), being the scorers. Newton beat Grafton by 9 , points (three tries) to, 5 (a converted try). City boat North Shore by 26 points (six trios, four converted) to nil.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 30. In the competition to-day Sydenham defeated Old Boys by 22 to 6. Albion defeated Christchurch’by 14 to nil. Morivale defeated Canterbury College by 19 points to nil.

WELLINGTON REP. TEAM. WELLINGTON, May 31. The following p the Wellington Rugby team to meet Wanganui at Wellington next Wednesday: Fullback, M. Ryan; three-quarters. I!. Mitchinson, M. Matheson, A. Evenson; five-eighth, Hitclimgs; halves, J. Ryan, C. Green; forwards, W. Hardliani, W. Ready, G- Hamilton, D. Rush, A. C. Wilson, G. McKellan, H. Dewar. W. Alexander; emergencies, back Magee, forward Oalcinai.

BRITISH TEAM V. OTAGO. THE VISITORS DEFEATED. . Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 30. The match between tile British team and Otago was played at Cansbrook to-day in the presence ot about 15,090 spectators. The weather was splendid in tho-morning, hut about 2 p.m. a light rain set in aiid continued Until lust before the start of plav and was followed by- a strong and bitterly cold wind , which blew across, the ground making matters very unpleasant for tho spectators and hampering good back play cousiderablv. The game, winch resulted in a victory for Otago by nine points (two tries and penalty goal) to six (try and penalty goal) was rather disappointing from a spectacular point of view, but at tho same time some splendid forward play was witnessed. In the opening stages tlio British team had somewhat the better of tlio play and Otago had to force down about five minutes after tho start. The visitors kept up the attack, Vassal being conspicuous for good play. After tho game had been in progress about twelve minutes,. Otago was penalised for obstruction and Dvke drop-kicked ia fino goal from about the twenty-five. A few minutes later the British forwards broke away, and after a good rush, Archer score.d in a fairly good position; but Dvke failed with the kick at goal. Two free kicks for Otago placed the British line in danger and the visitors forced down after Baton had an unsuccessful shot ut goal from anracute angle. Otago then sot up a strong attack and McDonald got over the line, but was called back for a knockon. Otago was not to be denied, however, and immediately afterwards the forwards rushed the ball over the line, Fitzpatrick scoring. The kick at goal was a failure. For tho rest of the spell the visitors had the upper hand and on one occasion got dangerously near the Otago line, hut a free kick to the homo team relieved.

The second, spell opened with good work by Otago forwards who kept so close on the ball that the visiting backs got practically no chance of showing to advantage. Otago followed up splendidly and gave the visitors a busy time staving off. About ten minutes aftor tho spell opened Otago got a free kick in a favorable position and Patou equalised the scores by sending the ball over the bar. Half-way through the spell Utago penned Britain down, and after some interesting play,-the ball was whipped out to Dyer who dashed over at the corner, scoring the winning try. The kick at goal was a failure. Alter this the visitors held their own better and for a few minutes towards the finish Otago 'had a busy time defending. Britain was unable to penetrate the defence, however, and the game ended with Otago attacking. Th greater part of the play was confined to the forwards, the backs on both sides getting few opportunities to display their abilities on attack. The ball rarely came out to the rear divisions from the scrum, ind in consequence the backs had to make all their own play. Tho visitors, who seemed to have the advantage in weight, -had the best of the line play and scrums, but in the loose play were outclassed. The Otago forwards rushes at times were irresistible.. Passing rushes were rarely attempted but tlie few efforts made in this direction were not very successful. A large number of free kicks were given during the game, the British team being chiefly responsible for breaches of; the rules.

The visitors were entertained at a smoke concert to-night and they leave for Invercargill on Tuesday.

PRO-BLACKS DEFEAT AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—Copyright (Received May . 30, 9.26 p.in.)

BRISBANE, May 30. The - New Zealanders defeated Australia by 21 to 12.

(Received May 30, 8.20 p.m.) For the ipatefi'between New - Zealand and Australia the weather was' dull. Five thousand spectators yvere present. ■ Australia won tho toss, and the New Zealanders pressed, and had tlie Blues in difficulties. A free-kick for lifting in the scrum relieved. The ball was transferred to ’mid-fiekl, but was soon back in home territory. A passing bout between J. Wynyard, Tyler, and Rowe ended in the latter scoring. Wrigley converted. Tho Blacks again attacked vigorously, and though sent hack, returned again. J. Wynyard received tlie ball from the ruck and scored, but Wrigley failed with tho kick. - From a free-kick to the Blacks for off-side; Wrigley kicked a nice goal. The 'Australians then attacked, and from a free-kick Messenger placed a" goal. The Blacks neutralised this quickly, and Rowe scored, Wrigley kieki||g a goal. At. half-time the scores were: New Zealanders 15, Australia 2. C. Br.vue, who fractured the point of his elbow, bad to retire, and Gilchrist played in his place. Early in the second spell Rowe marked in the homo twenty-five, and Wrigley kicked a goal. Give-and-take play was' the order for a space, and piny was brisk. _ Ultimately the Blacks pressed their opponents on to tho lino, wlioro a battle raged until a miskick sent it over, hut" the Blues saved by a force. Messenger shortly after dropped a nice field goal. From a scrum at half-way, - J, Wynyard paowd to Johnston. who tent the hull

to Cross, who scored. Wrigley converted. Lutzo and Ilarilcnstlo gained tries for Australia, and Messenger jeon verted one. Just boioro timo Wrigloy kicked a field goal. j ,