. . WAIRARAPA . . Football Jottings . .

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 152, 30 May 1903, Page 16

. . WAIRARAPA . . Football Jottings . .

FBy a Mastertonian.]

In comparison with last year, when only six teams were engaged in Wairarapa Saturday football, the local union has made a most satisfactory start for the present season, and hat> now under its 1 control four additional teams. A third-class championship having been instituted, at the mstiga.tion of the Masterton delegates, three committees got to work, and arranged a competition for the same number of teams. * • • An insurance scheme was also inaugurated much to the delight of club secretaries, but owing to the fund being on the young side the committee of the union is praying very fervently that accidents will be "off." About three broken legs would exhaust the chest. Some of the younger clubs are of the opinion that insurance against injury on the football field is a matter of small concern, but let their leading members take it from me that they run as big: a chance of getting hurt as their older comrades. * * * Masterton's senior team shows a decided improvement on that of last season. Its ranks have been strengthened by Logan, Oonian, Kelliher, and Collerton, of College fame, and Marsh, a late Oontingenter. Conlan and Collerton made their appearance last year as also did Lambie, our best froni>ranker, but their zeal was not +o be compared with that which they promise this season. Williams (captain and centre three-quarter) is undoubtedly the safest full-back in the district. His collaring and line kicking are of a high order. • » • Carterton is little changed from previous seasons. Its back division includes new blood, but not of an improved strain. The vanguard comprises the two famous wingers, Armstrong and J. McKenzie and the same pack of big-boned, beefy members, the one alteration being McMinn, a forward rf fine promise. ♦ * • Greytown has had a harder struggle to raise, even an average senior team than hasTbeen generally admitted. The

only back likely to be worthy of a place in the forefront is P. Rogers,, who, it will be remembered, captained our junior representatives which caused a break in Wellington's long record of wins in 1899. Udy, Workman, Jury, and Ahipene are still to be found in good going order, but the rest of the forwards are somewhat on the new side, or else out of date. Udy's companion in the front row may be the one exception. Beard, at full-back, justified his promotion by a capital performance against Carter-ton last week and should improve as time wears on.