FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3208, 7 June 1909, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

WAIRARAPA RUGBY UNION. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. RED STAR v. GLADSTONE. The contest at Masterton between Gladstone and Red Star Seniors was one of the most interesting games seen in Masterton for some time. It was a fast game, and the play was of such a nature as to keep the spectators keenly interested all through. The Stars owe their win to the splendid play of their forwards —their brilliant dashes and footwork and sure collaring gaining for them round after roun'' of applause, in the first snell Whirs played against the wind and sun. though shortly after start,'!."- .-i-'ds otscured the latter. There was no score in the spell, but the local team had slightly the best of the play. The wind increased in the second spell, and the Stars made the play very willing. The first score was the result of a brilliant piece ot footwork on the part of Millar, ably, assisted by Collett, H, Chamberlain, Corbett and C. Ross, the former scoring between the posts. P. Ball converted. Shortly after N. Chamberlain dived across and towards the close of the game McLachlan scored a clever try, the whistle sounding "Time" with Red Stars the victors by 11 points to nil.

The following were the teams:— Red Star: Fullback, A. Thompson; threequarters, P. McLachlan, K. Welch, N. Chamberlain; five-eighths, W, Minett, W. Darvill; half-back, F. Ball; wing, R. McKenzie; forwards, A. Millar, '3. Corbett, J. Collett, D. Ross, C. Ross, R. Welch, 11. Chamberlain. $ ,*_,.:: .Gladstone: Full-back, A. Hodge; threequarters, H. Nitz, Momo, D. Thompson; five-eighth, R. Crawley; half-back, K Mason; wing forwards, K. McLaren, S. forwards, G. Sexton, L. Johnson, Hamu, Sunny, Kummer, F. Johnston, I. Norman. The local team kicked off and immediately attacked. Some exciting play near the Glastone line followed. McKenzie got across fhe line, but back. Splendid work by S. Mason, Sexton, F. Johnson and McLaren removed play to the twentyfives. A shot at goal by the Stars was fruitless, and play centred. Momo with a good run moved play into the home team's territory, but Darvill and Ball with serviceable

kicks drove the visitors back. The game resolved itself into a brilliant contest between the opposing packs of forwards, S. Mason, McLaren, Rummer and P. Johnson for Gladstone, and Collett, C. Ross, Corbett and Millar for the Stars showing up conspicuously. JNeither side was able to penetrate the other's defence, and half time was called without any score being registered. The home team commenced operations in the second spell by attacking, K. Welch, D. Ros?, McKenzie and Collett taking the initiative. The Gladstone defence, however, was good, Thompson, Momo, S. Mason, E. Mason and Crawley putting in fine work. The local forwards were now "playing together like clockwork, and repeatedly swept down the field in a solid phalanx, only to be sent back by the timely kick of one of the opposing rearguard. Their efforts were at last rewarded, Millar scoring between the pest?, as the result of a fine piece of foo'.work. F. Ball converted. Tha leal team returned to the attack, and eventually N. Chamberlain scored in the corner, C. Ross failing to convert. The local pack were now running over the visitors, indulging in some fine dribbling rushes, in one of which Corbett was particularly prominent, and nearly scored. Just before the call of time McLachlan scored, but McKenzie failed to convert. The Stars thus won by 11 points to nil. Mr E. McKenzie made an excellent referee, being strict and impartial in all his rulings,

LOWER VALLEY v. GREYTOWN.

The match between the Greytown and Lower Valley Seniors was played at Greytown. The visitors put up a splendid fight, emerging victorious by 10 points to 9. In the first spell they played v/ith fourteen men. The Greytown forwards were disorganised in the first spell, but improved in the second half. The local backs gave a disappointing display, Percy Rogers most of the time having to play the opposing backs himself. On the day's play Lower Valiey, for whom J. Adams, the ex-Red Star player, played a sterling game at half, deserved their win. Willacy scored two tries for Luwer Valley, both of which Cowan converted. E. Skeet kicked two penalty goals for Greytown, and Webster scored a try from a passing rush. Mr F. Roydhouse was referee.'

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. DALEFIELD v. TE ORE ORE. Dalefield Juniors easily defeated Te Ore Ore Juniors, at Masterton, by 28 points to nil. Tries were scored by A. Udy (4), A. Welch and B. Standen, one of which Ashton converted. H. Playls and B. Standen also potted goals. Mr T. Fielding made an excellent referee. Liberal defeated Greytown, at Featherston, and Lower Valley defeated Carterton, at Martinborougn.

THIRD-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. RED STAR v. CARTERTON. The Red Star Thirds defeated Carterton Thirds, at Masterton, by 6 ponts to 3. Welch anJ Ibbetson scored trie 3 for the winners. Mr C. J. Mackellar was referee. MASTERTON v. HJKURANGI. At Clareville the Masterton Third class team defeated Hikurangi by 52 points to nil. For the winners tries were scored by Fisher (7), Carmine (3), Johns (2), Pauling, Billnigton, Rayner and Fly. Fisher converted two tries. DALEFIELD v. TE ORE ORE. Dalefield Thirds defeated Te Ore Ore Thirds, at Dalefield, by 25 points to nil. A meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Union Management Committee was held on Saturday evening last, at Carterton. There were present:— Messrs A. B. Charters (Chairman), B. Chapman, R. McKenzie, H. McKenzie, E. McKenzie, W. Hart and C. Reid. The protest entered by Carterton 111. against the Masterton 111. was dismissed. Saywell, of Dalefield Juniors, was transferred to Dalefield Third-class team. A Carterton Senior player was suspended for three weeks for tripping in a match on a recent Saturday. The following are the fixtures for the second round:— June 19th—Gladstone v. Lower Valley, at Carterton; referee, Mr E. McKenzie; Carterton v. Greyown, at Greytown; referee, Mr A. B. Charters. Red Star a bye. June 26th—Carterton v. Red btar, at Masterton; referee, Mr A. B. Charters. Gladstone v. Greytown, at Greytown: referee, Mr E. McKenzie. Lower Valley a bye. All Third-class matches drawn for June 19th will be played on June 26th instead.