FOOTBALL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1102, 20 July 1882, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Last Saturday’s match in Captain Tucker’s paddock may be said to be a fair test as to the capabilities and strength of our local “ team " in the coming match against Napier next .week and it will not be out of place A make a few remarks on those playout of whom the fifteen are to be finally picked in premising the same with a brief notice of Saturdays

gau-e, Berry had evidently done his best to . get his team together, for out of seventean selected, fifteen put in an appearance, the other two being unavoidably absent. Morgan too, acting as captain on the opposing side had collected a team of no mean antagonists numbering in all twenty three, including eight Maories. As would be hoped for their future prospects “ the team ” were victorious, winning by seven tries to love. _ The game commenced by Morgan kicking off against the wind, and for this 20, as well as the second 20, the “ fifteen ” had all their work cut out to hold their own against the “ all comers,” but it was a good trying 40 minutes, and tested their wind, being very fast, and their “ passing ” powers, which feature of the game was a

great improvement upon last year. Berry certainly strove hard to encourage his men m this respect, but he jsill do well to look to the “ packing ” and “ locking,” which was rather disorganised on Saturday owing no doubt . to the number of opponents. In the ft first 20 White drew blood for his side Kfrom a good bit of careful watching Wand following up, but Berry failed to I convert it into a goal, though the shot ' was a good one. In the third 20, organisation and knowledge of the game told against the “ all comers ” Sherratt here took the corresponding place to Berry, and by-and-by a neat bit of passing chancedto last named, who made good headway before being collared, and then passed to Pavitt, who ran in. A punt out resulted in a try at the goal, and a second failure from Berry. Pavitt senr., again got through the foe, and though the ball was brought straight out from the goal, Berry made a third failure, Soon afterwards Oatridge, who was working very hard, obtained another try which was entrusted to Cook, who, though favored with the wind, failed to secure a goal. In the fourth 20, White ran in, but being collared by Hill and Chrisp, a maul ensued which resulted in favor of the last named, though had Bule 20 been strictly adhered to, or rather properly digested by all the players the result would have different. Berry shortly afterwards made about the best run of tiie day, and succeeded in depositing the ball behind the goal line. White tried the place, but being rushed had no chance of success. Wyllie was the next to score but the place again failed the ball falling short of the cross-bar by about a yard only, the kick, however, was a very good one indeed, as the try was a wide one against the . wind. Shortly before tho finish, Berry in again, and White punted out ball, but the wind spoilt any chance of a try atgoal. There are to be practices Wednesday. Saturday, and to-morrow week, bo our team should give a good

account of themselves next Saturday week. For the “All Comers,” Morgan, Hill, McLean, Parau, Monroe, Pere, and Chrisp (who collars extremely well) played hard and well. The following are the seventeen from whom our representative men are to be chosen:—

Berry (Captain). Not playing quite so hard" as last year ; seems unable to improve his drop kicking; should practice place kicking, and keep his men more closely packed, Barnes.—Much better forward than as baek last year; works hard; should never run in front of his own men when they are running with the ball, but keep just behind and “on side must get into scrimmages more.

Bourne.—Fallen off from last year; is slower, and in trying should to pass should see to whom it is passed, and not throw it wildly back. Kicks too much in scrimmages; wants a lot of practice. Bull.—A new man in the team, and well deserving of the promotion as he is always on the ball. Should be careful in passing, and read the rules occasionally. Cooke.- 1 -Very fair back ; kicks better than last year ; should be careful to always kick into touch, and not lose his drop, a mistake he too frequently makes. When collared, should pass more quickly. Day.—Works hard, and follows up, but rather a wild player, should be careful in passing, and not throw the ball up in the air when collared, and use his head more.

Ewen.—Works his hardest, and gets well into the scrimmages. Runs back too much, and passes very wildly. Should read “ Hints on the Union Game ” and the rules well, and learn to dribble.

Jamieson.—Another new player, and though worker must learn the laws of the game and how to pass tbe ball, and remember not to kick in the scrimmages. Mill.—Unavoidably absent on Saturday, but if as good in collaring as last year too valuable a man to lose. Always on the move, but when collared himself should pass more readily. Oatridge.—Also afresh addition, and about as good either forward or behind as any player in the team, but like all new hands requires more experience and knowledge of tho laws and the game. Should try his kicking powers more, as he is one of the few who are able to drop kick. Must pass more, and be careful when doing so. Wyllie.—A light but useful hard, working forward; greatly improved since last year. Pavitt, E. A.—A capital forward, works hard throughout the game. Pavitt, E. lI.—A good painstaking forward, nearly always on the ball, wants a little more wind.

Sherratt—A new player, very useful, either forward or back, should try and make more way when dodging, and pass more carefully. Te Kani.—Playing back ! this year, and improving each practice, should kick to the side and not run in front of his own goal, or allow himself to be collared before taking his kick. White, J. —An excellent hard working forward, who follows up with great dash, should refresh his memory by reading over the rules, and remember that hacking is a thing of the past. White, C. —A strong and muscular forward, who works hard and follows up well, would be invaluable if he read up rules, played more steadily; and did not knock his own side about so much. Absent on Saturday. Before Saturday, a few general remarks upon the game and play to be observed, will not be out of place to the men to be chosen. “ Oxlooker.”

For continuation of news see 4f/t page.