FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9528, 28 June 1909, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

WAIRARAPA RUGBY UNION. r " SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. RED STAR v. CARTERTON. A match was played on the Mastertcn Showgrounds, on Saturday aftennoH last between the Red Star and Carterton Seniors. An interesting game was anticipated, and consequently there was a large attendance of the public. The ground was in good order, despite the recent rain. The principal features of the first spell were the poor display of the home team, the questionable tactics of one cr two Carterton players, and the regularity with which the game was stopped in order that some Red St player who had been knocked out by an opponent might be brought round again sufficiently to allow him to resume play. The whole spell was a dreary exhibition of football, the home team in particular being to blame. Carterton ran up eight points cue mainly to Ihe blundering of their opponents. Fairbrother registered a try, which Masson converted, and H. McKenzie kicked a penalty goal. ■Red Star infused a lot more life into thtdr play in the second spell—in fact one would hardly have recognised them as the team that had blundered through the first spell. The forwards played splendidly together, and smothered the retui is of opposing backs in great style. The home backs, too, handled the leather better than they did in the first half. The Red Star forwards took charge of the game early in the spell, and practically ran Carterton to a standstill. The visitoi-3 made poor attempts to stay these onslaughts and eventually K. Welch scored. Ball converted with a beautiful kick. The vigorous rushes of the home forwards appeared to demoralise Carterton, and it was only the good kicking of Masson, Groube and N. McKenzie that saved Carterton from having a big score put up against them. Then a free kick some considerable distance from the goal gave Red Star an opportunity to equalise matters, and Ball kicked a magnificent goal. For the remainder of the spell Red Star held the upper hand, but there was no further score, and the game ended in a draw. Mr A. B; Charters controlled the game in an able manner, giving the utmost satisfaction. The Red Star forwards outclassed the Carterton pack in the seco r.d spell, beating them for the ball in the scrums, having the best of the

„ ine-out work, while their rushss | showed more dash than those of the Carterton pack. It was something new to see the home team secure the ball in the scrum, **nd this was lr'-gely due to the splendid work of one of the junior hookers (G. Allen) who filled a vacancy in the team at the last moment. The kicking of the Star backs was poor, and it was this resnect that Carterton excelled, their backs finding the line in capital style each time. Masson. C. Groube and N, McKenzie played splendid g mes among the Carterton backs. Cf the Star backs Ball stood out as probably the Lest back on the

ground, his kicking, collaring and stopping of bushes being a treat to witness. Darvill and K. Welch were the pick of the others. GREYTOWN v. GLADSTONE. At Grey town the local seniors defeated Gladstone seniors by 11 points to 8 after an exciting game. The game was an interesting one. Greytown had the best of the first spell, but in the second half the visitors kept the home team on the defence practically all through. For Gladstone Thompson and Hodge scored tries, Mason converting Thompson's try with a splendid kick. Gladstone were not represented by their strongest team, and in the second speil spoilt a number of good opportunities to score by over-eagerness.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. DALEFIELD v. CARTERTON. The Dalefield Juniors defeated Carterton Juniors, at Carterton, by 14. points to 6. THIRD-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. RED STAR v. DALEMELD. Red Star Thirds defeated the Dalefield Third-class team, at Dalefield, by 3 points to nil. Morris kicked a goal winners. CARTEEtTON v. HUKURANGI. Carterton won from Hikurangi by default.