FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2233, 3 July 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THI'IhSDAY It KIM? ESENTATI VES v. A-LL-COMEHS. The team selected to represent the Thursday players against Mangatu in tho curtain-raiser match prior to the Poverty Bay-Anglo-Welsh match it the Domain to-morrow, met a team of all-comers yesterday afternoon, and after a good struggle the Thursday men aero victorious by If points to, nil. The all-comers team was a fairly strong combination, and included several of the Coast players who met Poverty Bay last Saturday. The Thursday reps, wore short- of a couple of their selected men, fJrinlinton and W. Wilkinson, whose places were filled by emergencies. Thompson won the toss from Brady, whoicnpta All-comers, and;-at-tacked the eastern goal. The Allcomers forwards.pressed hard in the first few minutes, and nearly scored, hut good defensive work by the Blues saved the situation. Play in tile first spell was chiefly confined to the forwards, and both packs w-cio fairly evenly matched. A rusOi of the B’.uo forwards looked very dangerous, but ■ Aurere pi.-ked up smartly and kicked well into touch. A lot of loose play took place about midfield, the Blue forwards having the better of it, and the whistle sounded for half-time with no scores. After the usual intcrvil loose play followed, and a few minutes aftor tho -resumption Burke missed taking a high return, and Thompson picked up smartly and dropped a pretty goal from just outside the twenty-five yards line. Thursday Heps. -1, All-comers 0. From the kick-off pfay finally settled in the All-comers’ territory, and Burke made an excellent attempt to emulate Thompson's performance, the hall just going under tht cross-liar.' Tho All-comers’ forwards j worked play well into tile Blues’ quarters, hut tho latter broko away well, and after a looso rush -from their own twenty-five Harrison scored a welldeserved try. Thompson kicked a good goal. Thursday Reps, t), Allcomers nil. Tho Blues now had all the best of the play, and their opponents’ lack of condition told. From i loose rush the ball went to Kaipara, who was collared. Thompson, who followed up well, dribbled oil to close to tho line, and picking up ran round and scored between the posts. Do took the kick himself and added the extra points. From tin's out thero was no further scoring, and the game ended with (lie result: Thursday Reps. 11, All-comers nil. For the winners Burke. Thompson, and Tite in tho back division, and Seymour, Delaney. and Orant in the forwards were most prominent, while for tho All-comerg Hylands and H. Gibson were the pick of Die backs, and Aurere. ltabbingtoii. and Bradv showed up well in the forwards. Mr. J. J. .Martin w is referee. THE BRITISH TOUR. A STATEMENT CONTRADICTED. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON. July 2. * Captain Harding, of tho AngloWolsh football team, telegraphs to tho New Zealand ‘‘Times” contradicting tho Press Association message from Napier to tho effect that tho tour lnd been badly arranged and the team compelled to do much more travelling than necessary. Air. Harding says: “Have not criticised travelling arrangements; report untrue.” BRITAIN r. -POVERTY BAY. Excitement is growing intense as the day approaches when our local representatives will he pitted agiinst the touring Anglo-AVelsh combination. Not alone in town, but-also in tho surrounding country districts great interest, is being taken in the fixture, and given fine weather there is practically certain to be a record itteiulance at tho Domain to-morrow. The visitors are duo to arrive by the s.s. Ta'.une t-o-niorrow morning earlv. and arrangements have been made for their accommodation at tho British Empire, Alasonic, and Coronation Hotels. In view- of the match and races next week. accommodation is taxed to its utmost limits, and outside visitors who have not already done so will have difficulty isecuring accommodation. Strong contingents of country folk are coming in from all quarters to see the match, and it is to bo hoped that tile weather will he fine, as otherwise nianv will be bitterlv disappointed. . ...

The Poverty Bav representatives have been putting -in some solid trlining; during the week, and at the conclusion of the match on the Domain yesterdav a number of them joined in and had a useful practice against the Thursday representatives.