RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3979, 12 July 1915, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

VISIT OF TE KARAKA TEAM

VISITORS WIN BY 11 to 3,

On Saturday last a Te Karaka team journeyed te Gisborne to try conclusions with a town team. The game took place on the Victoria Domain, sides putting a full fifteen into the field, hut owing to rain commencing just as the ball was kicked off, only a very poor exhibition of Rugby was seen by those present. The bail got very slippery and early in the game was almost impossible to handle.- The attendance of spectators was very sparse owing to the climatic conditions, which rapidly grew worse as the afternoon progressed, and just before the final whistle blew the rain was coming down in torrents. Gisborne lost the toss, and kicked off from the town end of the ground. Give and take play in midfield ended in tli-ei ball being kicked out at the Country 25. Spasmodic . attempts were made to relieve, but owing to the wet state of the ground and a slippery ball neither side were able to gain any great advantage. Finally in a dribbling rush a To Ivaraka man got offside and his team were penalised, T. Gray drawing first blood by kicking a goal. 3—o. On the hall being kicked off a scramble ensued in midfield, hut eventually found the lino in the centre of the field. A long kick by Te Karaka found Gisborne in trouble. Chrisp attempted to take the ball, hut it slipped through his hands and rolled onwards towards the Gisborne line. .V. Ruru following up with great pace touched down, the kick failing. 3—3. Shortly afterwards Era Ruru scored from a loose scramble, tho kicW again failing. 6—-3. The referee then blew the whistle for half-time.

Tho second spell was one long scramble, the rain coming down in torrents. Tho country team had tho advantage during the best part of tho second spell, but the football exhibited was of a very ragged order, and was hardly up to' the form to be expected from senior teams. Karaka added a further five points to their score, Era Ruru scoring a well-de-served try which J. Graham converted. When tho whistle finally blew the score stood at 'Te Karaka 11, Gisborne 3.

Mr A. Doran capably controlled the game.

JUNIORS. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL (6) v. KAITI-CITY (5). This game was the second in me Junior Competition and resulted in \ urn for Boys’ High School lm 6 points to 5. Russell and Ellery scored for the School team, whilst Jackson scored for Kaiti-City, O’Grady converting. Mr F. Pudney refereed the game. THIRD GRADE. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL (6) v. WEST END (5). Saturday last saw the commencement. of the Third Grade Competition . Boys’ High School being drawn to meet West End. The game commenced at 1.45 and missed the heavy rain which fell later in the afternoon. The play was interesting, though many of tho players require tuition in the finer points of the game. When no-side was blown the game stood Boys’ High School 6, West End 5. Mr J. Reidy acted as knight of the whistle.