FOOTBALL NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8446, 22 May 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALL NOTES.

(By All Black.) The followng are the positions of the teams competing under the auspices of the Wairarapa Rugby Union :- SENIOR.

Carterton 1 1 0 6 15 0 The match on Saturday between Ma&tertun and Gladstone was very one-sided. The visitors had the upper hand for about ten minutes at the start of the game, and for a short period in the second spell. Masterton out-classed their opponents in all departments of the game. Judging by Saturday's match Masterton is a "two-man" back team. J. O'Leary and Logan played sterling games, but the other backs did not impress one. Probably the state of the ground had something to do with their play. J. O'Leary, as usual, seemed to be everywhere at once. He ran, kicked ai?d collared in good style, and accounted for 16 of the 31 points scored by Masterton. Logan shared with O'Leary the honours of the day. His trickiness completely non-plussed the Gladstone players. Some of his dashes were/ brilliant, while several dangerous Gladstone rushes were nipped in the bud by him. Masterton indulged in two or three pretty passing rushes. The passing between O'Leary, Garnett, Barry and Logan, from which the latter scored, was the best bit of work during the day. The forwards did some splendid work at times, and their rushes were a feature of the game. The formation of the scrum appeared to be a weak i point. Gray and C. Ross were particularly prominent all through the game, and iheaded most of the rushes.

Riley played with dash and was always on the? ball. Barry was noticeable for his fine footwork. Mackellar, Chapman and A. Ross put in capital work in the "solid." Lyall and Fielding did a lot cf good work. J. O'Leary has been elected Captain of the Masterton Seniors. The Red Stars played a good game against Greytown, at Greytown. They never left the issue in doubt, and had the ball not been so greasy they would have considerably increased their score. The outstanding feature of their play was the forward rushes. Led by Todd, Clarke, Collett. and Scorrar, the forwards would sweep right down to the'line time after time, but Greytown would save themselves by forcing or a timely kick. I

Todd was the best forward on the ground. This player \va3 first emergency for the New Zealand team that played Australia, at Dunedin, a couple of seasons ago. It was generally admitted at the time that Todd should have been'in the New Zealand team. He proved a tower of strength to the Stars on Saturday.

Clarke was the next best forward on the Star side. This player, who has been laid up with an injured leg, played with great dash. jCollett, Scorrar and Corbett were good in the loose and followed up well.

The rest of the forwards worked hard, and were always on the ball. The backs played a safe game. Marsh was injured when he scored, and had to retire. The Stars played With 14 men during the rest of the spell. In the second spell, Norman, who stood out of the team on account of a poisoned hand, came on. Chamberlain was shifted back to the threequarter line, and McLachlan went up to five-eighth. The backs were never very hard prassed during the game. Wrigley, as usual, was in good form, and ran and kicked with judgment.

Willoughby was very safe on the defence, and took the ball well. P, Rogers, Stevens and Pamilton were thejpick of the Greytown back?, juid Wines, J. Workman, Raison and Hastings, of the forwards.

The two back row men of the Star scrum do not pack in properly, and until they do the scrum will not be what it should be. Another hint to one or twd Star forwards: there's a difference between dribbling and kicking! Learn to dribble. Hard kicking lost the team one or two certain scores at Greytown. The Red Star-Carterton Junior match was an interesting one. The local team had the best of the game all through. Noticeable features of the game were the fine forward work of McKenzie in the Star forwards, and Ball in the Star backs. Kingdon and K. Welch were also noticeable in the Star forwards, and W. Flaws and Bannister in the backs. Carterton were a") even team. One or two of the Star forwards are on the light side, and there is no question but that heavier and better men are available if the Selection Committee will only pick them. ' Masterton 11. had no difficulty in defeating Featherston, being superior in all departments. Daniell struck one as being the best forward on the ground. The others were an even lot, while ' the backs were safe and attacked well. The match between the Masterton and Ruahinc Juniors should be particularly interesting. In connection with the close of the Dunudin-University football match on Saturday, a peculiar incident occurred. Paton, for Dunedin, failed in a shot at goal just on call of time, and as the ball fell over the goal line the bell denoting "no time" sounded. Adams, of the 'Varsity team, instead of forcing, whipped the ball up and began to streak towards Dunedin's line- He was well on his journey when the referee blew his whistle, but Adams went on and touched The 'Varsity team claim a win by a try to nil, which the Dunedin team disputes.

Mr J. D. Avery, Secretary of the Wellington Rugby Union, has been appointed Secretary to the New Zealand Rugby Union. The Red Stars will probably have, the services of Adams, who last year played for the Melrose Seniors, in the match against Masterton. This player is out in the country, and has been unable so far to get into Masterton for the matches. He will be taking up his residence in Masterton shortly. The Stars have secured A. Chambers, the ex-Welhng-ton representative, as coach, and under his tuition they should show improved form.

c •£ . h tot. . i i «s < $ £ Cm o W « CO 05 M +J +j j* Q CM Cm O Carterton Masterton Red Star Greytown Gladstone 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 14 0 1 0 31 3 1 0 9 14 1 1 0 9 i 1 3 31 J i JUNIOR. Masterton Ruahine Martin borough Red Star 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 45 6 2 1 6 0 U 1 23 3 1J 0 15 23 1