FOOTBALL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1879, 16 April 1889, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

TEMUKA Y. DARKTOWN,

The football season was opened in Temuka by a match between the Temuka and Darktown clubs last Saturday afternoon. The match started about half-past three, and was played in two spells of thirty minutes each. G. ”V elvin captained the Temuka Club and W. Dyson the Darktown. Yelvin won the toss, and decided to take the western goal. . Dyson kicked off the ball, but it was soon returned by Mendelsoi into Darktown’s quarters, whei* some loose play was indulged in, the ball being eventually kicked behind Darktown’s line, who, in defence, forced

down. J, Bussell took, the ball out, and kicked it well down the field. Darktown, rushing it up well, soon had Temuka in trouble, who in their turn were compelled to force down. Prom the kick out by J. Yelvin, the play was confined for a while to the centre of the ground, but G. Yelvin, getting on the ball, took it to the Darktown line, where a scrum was formed. The ball was then rushed by Pitzgerald and Gaffaney into Temuka’s quarters, but it was again quickly returned to the Darktown line, who were again forced down. Shortly after time was called, with the ball well in the centre of the field. On changing sides, Mendelson kicked off for Temuka, and, the men following the ball up well, a scrum resulted in Darktown’s twenty-fives; but Polaschek and Greaves got a good dribble on, and took it back to the centre of the field, where a series of scrums followed, in which Carr and Stewarts (2) worked hard for Temuka, and Findlay, Gaffaney, and Austin for Darktown. Prom a scrum, G. Yelvin got possession of the leather, and, getting through the Darktown men touched it down amidst great excite-,

m A ment. Mendelson took the try, but failed to increase the score. J. Russell kicked the ball off, and the Darktown forwards rushed it on to the Temuka line, when li. Lavery relieved his side by a good run into mid-field. Here some loose play was indulged in, and McLeod (Darktown) securing the ball, made a good run, and, passing it very neatly to Gaffaney, the latter managed to get across the Temuka line. Russell took the kick, and converted it into a gaol. No sooner was the ball kicked off by Carr than, with a rush, FitzgqralcL had it back over the line. again took the try, but failed. Being kicked out by Mendelson, some loose play was indulged in. Darktown, however, soon had Temuka in trouble again, for Gaffaney, by a neat dribble, took the ball over the line, and secured a try, which Dysdn converted into a goal. Mendelson again kicked off for Temuka, and sent the hall well down the field, but it was quickly returned by Russell, who was playing a good game. From a scrum in the centre of the field, Dyson, by excellent dribbling took the ball, right behind the Temuka, line and landed it safely behind his opponents’ goal-line, which was the fourth try obtained by Darktown- No goal resulted from the kick, which was taken by Dyson. On being kicked out again, McLeod got possession of the leather, and, by a good run, took it to within a yard or two of the Temuka line, and Fitzgerald was again fortunate in getting behind, bat Russell failed to convert the try into a goal. G. Yelvin kicked out, but Storey, getting possession of the bladder, soon returned it, and, by a good dribble, managed to add another try to the score. The kick, which was a difficult one, was entrusted to J. Oliver, who failed to put the bal over the bar. Time was then called the game resulting in a win for Darktown, by 10 points (2 goals and 4 tries) to 1 try. The Darktown team played a remarkably good game throughout, and it would be difficult to single out anyone as having played better than another. For Temuka G. Yelvin, Mendelson, Oarr, and Stewart (2) deserve to be mentioned for their play. Messrs J. Heap and T. Gunnion acted as umpires for Temuka and Darktown respectively, and Mr J. L. Flint as referee, whose duties were hard to fulfil, as this is the first time these clubs have played since the new Rugby rules have come into force. He, however, fulfilled his duties to the entire satisfaction of both clubs. After three cheers had been given for both teams; their captains, and the umpires and referee, the men dispersed. It is expected that the return match will be played on Saturday, the inst. jt\-

Earlier in the afternoon a match was played between the first fifteen ®fthe Temuka District High School and the first fifteen of the Timaru High School. The visitors kicked off, and in the course of the first spell secured three tries to their opponents’ two. In the second spell Timaru secured a goal, kicked by Collins. The game was well contested throughout.