FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2258, 1 August 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY’S MATCHES.

Once again on tho Domain (to-day tlioso old rivals Kaiti-Oity and West End moot in what may be the deciding .game for the championship. Jv.iiti-.City are ait present leading, and if they should win to-day the competition will conclude. If, on the other hand, West End should be succeedul to-day, the teams will onco again bo level, and a deciding match will be necessary. There is euro to bo keen interest into-day’a contest, and both teams are confident of victory. West End are slightly bettor favorites, as they will put a fairly strong team in the field, and it is stated that their opponents will bu handicapped by the absence of ono or two of their leiding players. The match, however, should bo well worth watching, ami a good contest'is assured. The junior match between the same clubs .is also exciting ia groat amount of interest. West End are in 'the lead, luving won the earlier matches ratlior easily. Lately, however, tho Kaiti-Gity team has improved considerably, and won rather comfortably from their opponents last week. To li ive « chance in the competition they must again record a win to-day, and West (End have been making every effort to put in a strong team in the field for this fixture. A rattling good game should onsuo, and tlio find issue is very open. THE GAME IN AUCKLAND. [PnESf Association.] AUCKLAND, July 31. Tho South Canterbury football team arrived here to-day via tho West Coast. Tho team play Auckland to-morrow. The Auckland City Coiinc.il last evening granted tho use of the, Victoria Park for August 22ml for the purpose of lidding a Northern Union match. It. is understood locally that a match Wellington v Auckland will ho played on that day. Tho Auckland team contains seven returned professionals, and it .is said the balance will bo well-known Auckland amateurs.

THE BRITISH TEAM. ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA. United Press Association. Copyright (Recoived July 31, 10.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 31. The Rugby Union welcomed the English team. , Harding, an an interview, said that tho team had' been royally treated throughout New Zealand, and were given a really good time, hut they had been dogged by bad luck, to which was attributed the loss of several matches. Then, too, tho men had sustained a remarkable number of injuries, limiting tho selection, particularly as regards the test matches On the. first and third tests England had been badly beaten, were undoubtedly outplayed and outgenernlled by the New Zealanders, wlio were magnificent footballers. He would like to dispel any impression that tlio Englishmen’s casualties were due to tlie roughness ol the New Zealanders. They play a very willing game, but not. a rough one, and (the idea that their, roughness was responsible for tlie Britishers’ injuries was certainly a wrong one.