FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2247, 20 July 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY COMPETITIONS. The championship fixtures were continued at. the Domain on Saturday, when tho old. rivals, Kniti-City anil West End, mot. The weather was bitterly cold, and tho match Was played in showers of driving rain. The ground, in places, was just a sea of mud, and thero wero several largo pools of water on tho surface, and the ball being very greasy prevented anything like a good exhibition of tho game. Neither club was fully represented, West End boing particularly handicapped by tho apsenco of some of their .most prominont players. Notwithstanding, tho adverse weather conditions, tho game was fast, ■and there was a good muster of spectators. Mr. W. Hay controlled the game.

KAITI-CITY 6’ V. WEST. END 0,

West End won the toss amt Lowe kicked off for City. Play centred in midfield and then tlio Black’s backs became agressivo. A Vi, Repa. took welt from Brown .mil gave to Miller, but the latter was well taken by-Somer-vell. The Blues, were penalised three times in succession, and heavy scrum work took place in their twenty-five. Brown got right through tlio ruck a few moments after and looked dangerous but was well taken by Rowe. Keeping up the 'attack the Black's backs got going and Hakiwai picked and passed to Kad para. Tho latter made a short run and transferred to Malloy who found tho line at the corner. The Blues’ forwards relieved with a good rush to mid-field where Brown was again prominont in somo fine defensive work. From some loose play in midfield tlio Blacks had a good opening but a faulty pass from Hepburn., to AVi Repa. spoiled tho chance. From a kick by Tato, tlio Blues were penalised for ofi-sklo and: Ivaipara kicked over tho lino, Gillies forcing, from tho kick out Brown obtained and found the line with >a. pretty kick. Even play followed; neither side being able to claim any material advantage. A loose rush of tho Blues’ forwards looked like a score and Miller and AA’i Repa missed tlio ball from, a kick, but. Malloy saved the situation, by picking up and sending into touch. The Blacks wero now penalised twice for oif-skle play and City pressed hard. Wi Repa saved nicely with. a. long kick to Gillies, who, after a short run, was well taken by Newton. A passing bout amongst the West End backs ended in Millar getting clean through the opposition, but he was re-called by the whistle for a forward pass. The Blues now had the best of the game and attacked strongly, but a penalty saved the situation for West End. Almost immediately afterwards the Blacks w'ere penalised in their own twenty-five for putting the ball unfairly ino the scrum, but the kick was disallowed by the referee on account of the kicker touching the ball after it hid touched the ground. Keeping up the pressure, the City forwards oore down on their opponents line, and once again a penalty to AA’est. End saved an almost certain score. Tate was conspicuous a moment’ later by stopping a forward rush of the Blacks in fine style, and the Blue 6 forwards transferred play to the other end where Miller was instrumental in averting a score. Even play followed, and half-time was called* with the scores: Kaiti-City nil, AVest End nil. From tlie kick-off the Blues commenced to attack and kept AA’est End busily, defending for a. time, AVi Repa bringing relief to his side with a mice line kick. Ivaipara dodged* right through the opposing ruck and passed to Brown, but the latter was thrown into touch by Lowe. The Blues continued to press and play was chiefly confined to the Blacks’ quarters. A AVest End forward was penalised for off-side, but Tate made a poor attempt at goal and Malloy forced. After the/kick-out McPherson obtained a. mark, from which Brown missed taking the ball, letting the Blues forwards down on the Black’s line mg tin. Ivaipara, however, was to tho fore, and picking up cleverly, kicked well up the field. Hart got posjession at the twenty-five 'and from a :erum near the line Rowe obtained and gave to Gillies who got over near the corner. 'Lowe took the kick, but failed. Kaiti City 3. AA’est End nil. ' After the kick out Gillies stopped a good rush of the Black’s forwards, and his kick was marked by iSmith, who found the line near 'Halfway. The Blacks’ were trying hard to equalise matters, and good runs were made by both AA’i Repa and Brown, but a penalty kick brought timely relief to tho Blues. Smith stopped a good rush of tho opposing pack in good style, but the Blues returned to tho attack and- play centred in West End’s twenty-five. Miller and Wi Repa broke away from some loose play, but Hart stopped their career •with a lucky “speculator” into touch. The Black’s now pressed hard. Charters showing up prominently with the forward division. Kaipara obtained and gave to Malloy, who made for the line, but was well taken by Gillies when nearly over, and the ball went into touch-in-goal. From the resulting twenty-five kick, Malloy made a good run, but was tackled by Rowe near the line. Mullaney kicked well clown the field and defence was turned into attack by the Blues. AA’est End w ere hard pressed, and AA’i Repa foolishly kicked across the field in front of .his own goal. Gillies* ran for the ball and kicking it over the line followed up and registered his second Try. Scott took the kick but failed to add the points. From this point onwards no alteration took place in the score and the, game finally ended with the Blues on the attack.

Kaiti City 6 West End- nil. OTHER MATCHES. Kaiti-City juniors won by default from ’ Takitimu juniors, who failed to put . in an appearance. "■ Kaiti-City- third fifteen had a victory over West End thirds, after a good game, by 8 points to nil. . The school cadets proved too good tor the town cadets, and won, their game by 8 points to 3 after a very even contest. THE BRITISH TOUR. AUCKLAND BEATS VISITORS. [Press Association.] AUKCLAND, July 18. The Anglo-Welsh footballers met the Auckland team at Alexandra Park to-day, glorious weather conditions prevailing. Some 20,000 spectators attended, stand accommodation being provided for 14,000. The ground was dry and the game was fast, and fairly interesting. Britain was without the services of several of their “cracks” through injuries. Their team was as follows: Full-back, Dyke; three-quarters, Chapman, Vassull, “Tuan” Jones, and MAEvedy; halves, Laxon and J. L. Williams; forwards, Harding (captain), Dibble, Morgan, Down." Hind, Snutli, J. F. Williams, and Thomas. Auckland: Full-back, Renwick; three-quarters,. Wilson, Magee, and Murray; five-eighths, Morse and Bafcer; half, Kiernan; forwards, Gillett (captain), McGuire, Herring, Cunningham, Francis, Nicholson, Seeling, and Hayward. The pace set -was furious at: the outset, but the Britishers were not allowed to get their backs in motion, Gillett doing a lot of “spoiling.” Five minutes after the kick-off, Bater unexpectedly broke away in midfield, and raced for tho line, with three British backs in pursuit. Dyke caught him a few yards from the line, and in tho ensuing scramble the ball rolled over the line, and ’Hayward pounced on it, drawing first blood for the homo team. Iviernan’s attempt at goal proved fruitless. On resuming, the Britishers became aggressive, and forced play into Auckland’s territory. The backs, however, owing to the excellent defence, never got out of hand, Seeling, Francis, and and Gillett, being most prominent in nullifying their attempts. At times the Britishers got within striking dis-

tanco, but Auckland’s lino was novelseriously endangered. The spell closed without further score, tho visitors having tho bettor of tho piny. . The second swell opened without much incident, play being fairly even for the first twenty minutes, when the Britishers showed signs of going to pieces. Half way through tlio spell Bnter cut off a pass from Hording and ondnngored tlio British lino, and immediately nftonvnt'ds, Gillett, from a line-out, whipped tho leather smartly , away to Herring, who raced across without much opposition. Francis’ kick wont wide. Auckland G, Britain nil. Tlio subsequent play was very lively, the Auckland backs entering into the gaino with great spirit. Morse and Bator got well away shortly afterwards, but a had pass to AA’ilson, a fow yards from tlio lino, robbed Auckland of an almost certain score, and the Britishers made the most of the mistake. No respito was given, however, and at length Murray snapped up tlio ball from tho loose at the twonty-five and scored a fine try. Dyke tuck led him, hut he WTenchod himself froo, and struggled ovor. The kick was a fairly easy ono, and Magee placed a nice goal. There was still fifteen minutes to go, but the visitors’ subsequent play lacked heart, and they were never dangerous. Auckland lostsovora] fine chances through over-anxiety, and the game closed without further incident, save that Britain was forced shortly before tlio call of time. Final score: Auckland 11, Britain nil. Tlie feature of tho game was tho fino defence of and deadly tackling of tlio homo team, which never allowed the 'British rear-guard* to make much headway. Mr. Angus Campbell, _of Auckland, acted, as refereo, giving ©very satisfaction. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. CANTERBURY BEATS AVAHtARAPA. [Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, July 19. The first of tho senson’6 iutorprqvi.ncial matches was played this afternoon, when. Canterbury and Wairarapa met at Lancestor Park. As tho result of tlio rain during tho week ■and to-day’s showers, the ground was in a very bad stato, and tlie game was spoilt to a largo oxtont. All tilings considered, however, it was a much better display of football than is usually witnessed under similar conditions, and judging from the form shown, it would have been a very interesting match on a dry ground. In the first spell, with tho advantage of the wind,, the Canterbury backs played a remarkably good game. They handled tho greasy ball in fino style, and some of their passing rushes were extromely pretty. In the second half tho AYairarapa forwards played a much brisker, game, and in the loose work they were much superior to their opponents. The Canterbury forwards seemed disinclined to put tlie necessary amount of boot into their work, and their rushes were easily checked. The result was that in the second 6pell the local backs were compelled to act on the defensive for the greater part of the game. The match resulted: Canterbury 15, JVairarapa 5. AA’AIKATO BEATS AUCKLAND. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 18. AYaikato ..defeated Auckland B by 9 points to l nil. AVAIRARAPA-OTAGO MATCH.

[Press Association J DUNEDIN, July 18. Tlie following team 'will represent Otago against Wairarapa next Saturday: Full-back, Kindley; three-quar-ters, O’Sullivan, Bennett, and Stalker ; five-eighths, McLeod and Eckliold; half, Sutherland; forwards, S. Casey, Fitzpatrick, Baton, Ivirney, McDonald, McKenzie, Johnston, and M. Casey (wing).

BANNER MATCHES. THE’GAME IN OTAGO. [Press Association.] DUNEDIN, July 18. The senior matches were played today in fine weather, but the grounds were heavy, after tlio recent rains. Alhambra 3 [mints drew with Dunedin 3 points, Southern 21j points beat Zingari-Riclimond nil, Kaikorai 13 points beat Port Chalmers nil, Pirates 11 [mints beat Union nil. Taieri Rovers secured a win against University by default. INTER-STATE MATCH. N.S.AV. A’. QUEENSLAND. United Press Association, Copyright (Received July 19, 10.3 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 18. New South AVales defeated Queensland by 17 points to 10.

THE MAORI TOUR. FINAI, TEST MATCH. United Press Association, Copyright (Received July 19, 10.3 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 18. The weather was fine, and the attendance was about 8000. The game was fast arid exciting. In the early part tho Maoris carried all before them, placing ten. points to their credit before Australia scored. Tries woro obtained by Haira arid Papokura. The latter try Asher converted, and he also kicked a penalty goal. The Australians levelled the scores by half-time to ten all. The second half was marked by many fine rushes on the part of the Maoris, but they failed to penetrate the defence. The visitors tired towards tho finish, tho homo team adding two more converted goals. The game ended: Australia 20, Maoris 10. , - TROUBLE IN THE TEAM. United Press Association, Copyright. SYDNEY, July 18.

There was at one time a probability of two Maori teams filing on to the field to play tho Australians in tlio final test match to-day, which arose through dissension over the selection of the team. Officials picked one team and dissentients another. After some difficulty the dispute was settled. '