Football Match.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 968, 10 August 1881, Page 2

Football Match.

GISBORNE V. NAPIER. The annual match between the above Clubs took place on Saturday afternoon last, in Captain Tucker’s paddocks at the Waikanae. Considerable interest was manifested in the result, and a very large concourse of people, including several ladies, assembled to witness the play. The Napier Captain, Mr. Mowbray, kicked off. : In the first twenty-five minuter the visitors apparently had the best of the game, keeping the ball well down their opponents goal, but, to the initiated, it was evident that Mr. Berry, Captain of the Gisborne team, was husbanding rthe strength of his men. When time was called no advantage had been gained on either side. After the usual spell, the Gisborne team went to work vigorously, and their superior weight told. In this bout the playing of Berry, Bloomfield, and Mills, was admirable, and the latter received high encomiums for his brilliant and effective collaring. Berry made several good runs, but one was magnificent, and it gained for him a well-earned touch-down. Cook essayed to obtain a gaol, but failed. Shortly afterwards Berry cleverly obtained two touch-downs. After another rest play again commenced, and Berry once more distinguished himself, as he again touched-down and then kicked a gaol. Some spirited play followed, during which Cook made a magnificent kick, Berry secured the ball and for the fifth time obtained a touchdown. In trying for a goal, however, Cook kicked a “ poster.” In the next rally no advantage was gained, and the game concluded with Gisborne victorious, scoring a goal and five tries to Napier’s nil.

. The usual cheering for the winning and losing teams having been given, Mr. Berry was mounted shoulder high and carried to the dressing ground. The playing on the Gisborne side was really good, and in addition to those already mentioned, the two Pavitts, Wyllie, and J. White did excellent service. On the Napier side Potts, Waterhouse, Begg, T. Bostock, Whitcombe, and Gibbons played extremely well, and struggled gallantly in the up-hill fight they were contesting. The utmost good feeling prevailed throughout, and there was a pleasing absence of that wrangßng and bickering which sometimes mar the pleasure of a football match The following are the names of those in the teams, and their positions : —Napier: Mowbray (captain), back; Gibbons and Begg, three-quarter backs ; T. Bostock and St. Hill, half-backs; H. Bostock, Davis, Edwards, Gracie, Pott, Parker, Prain, Lanauze, Whitcombe, and Waterhouse, forwards. Gisborne: J. Berry (captain), and Mill, half-backs ; Barnes and Bloomfield, three-quarter backs ; Bourne and Cook, backs ; Albert, Day, Ewen, E. A. Pavitt, E. H. Pavitt, Te Kani, White, White, junr., and Wyllie, forwards. The Dinner. In the evening the visiting team were entertained at a dinner in the Masonic Hall. In all sopie seventy persons sat down to a substantial repast prepared by Mr. Allanach in his usual excellent style. Captain Winter occupied the chair, and Mr. A. C. Arthur the vice-chair. It is almost unnecessary to state that the repast was vigorously attacked and its consumption fully appreciated. After the inner man had been satisfied, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given. A number of “ healths were drank, amongst which were: “ The Napier Team* “ The Gisborne Team,” “The Army and Navy ” coupled with the name of Major Richardson, “ The Ladies,” “ The Press,” etc. During the evening songs were given by Messrs. St. Hill, Ratcliffe, M. H. Smith, J. Berry, F. Arthur, Bostock, A. C. Arthur, and others. The utmost harmony prevailed, and as the impatient whistle of the Kiwi was heard angrily declaring that the hour of embarkation had arrived, those present sang “ Auld Lang Syne,” and then moved for the wharf. Cheer after cheer having been given the visiting team started on their return trip.