LATE FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9163, 10 August 1908, Page 5

LATE FOOTBALL.

THE STRANDED MAORIS

Received August 10, 12 45 a.m. ' SYDNEY; August 9. A meeting of footballers representing the Rugby Union and the League of (he British Association and Australian games after hearing the explanation of the manager of the Maori team regarding their financial position. ,It was decided |o combine and play a "natch for the benefit of the Maoris on Wednesday. It was also decided to start a Maoii benefit fund, and appeal to the public for subscriptions.

ASSOCIATION MATCH

MASTERTON v RAMBLERS. A match was played at Lansdowne on Saturday afternoon between the Masterton Association football team and the Ramblers (Wellington) 1 . The leather was fine, the ground in good order, and there was a large attendance of the public—quite the biggest crowd that has attended an Association match in Masterton. The visitors won the toss and played with the sun at their backs. Almost immediately Masterton attacked, as the result of some clever footwork by Robertson, Holmes and Glen. Smallbone (Ramblers) got cleverly away with the ball and removed play to the home team's territory, where the visitors forwards set up a determined attack. However, Smith and Lawrence saved in good s yle. Almost immediately the visitors were r again round the home goal, and Smith was kept busy defending, but, eventuaily, with a well directed kick he removed play to half way. Masterton now livened up, and for the rest of tha spell ht Id the upper hand. They notched'two goals, while Ramblers registered one goal. In the second spell play was of a more exciting nature, and the Ramblers ma.ie desperate efforts to equalise the scores. For a time they kept Masterton busy defending, and .-everal timed threatened the home goal, but Smith put in some capital work, repeatedly saving his side. Masterton gradually worked the ball down the field, mainly through some clever footwork by Robertson, Sheppard and McDougall, and good kickin? by Lawrence and Smith. Play became very fast and, both sides showed excellent football. Tricky passing, kicking and heading was now indulged in more than previously during the game, and the fine work of both teams aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators. The full backs and goal-keepers on both sides were kept busy in their turn defending. Masterton were only able to break once through the visitors' defence and score, while the Ramblers found the Masterton fullback-line and the goalkeeper too good in defence. When the whistle sounded time, the score stood Masterton 3 goals Ramblers 1 goal Nixon, McDouall and Hilmes scored the Masterton goMls, and Br,Hlford, ,the Rambler's efntre forward, sored the goal for his team. Mr Lejghton made an excellent referee. The visitors returned to Wellington by the 5.30 o'clock train.