FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10250, 29 May 1911, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

WAIRARAPA RUGBY UNION,

CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS

A large number of spectators witnessed the two senior football matches on the showgrounds 011 Saturday afternoon, under the auspices of the Wairarapa Rugby Union. The weather was favourable, but the grounds were, if anything, a little slippery Following are the results: 1 SENIOR, CARTER TON (11) v. MASTERTON 1 (6). The senior match between Carterton and Masterton was played on the old showgrounds on Saturday, and,was witnessed by a considerable number of people. The result caino as a surprise, to a great many. Masterton, although obviously lighter, and in poorer form than their opponents, contested every inch of t-h.p game. Indeed, in the early stages of tho game it looked as though the redoubtable "Reds" had found their Waterloo. Combination J and weight, however', told their tale, and in the latter part, of the game Carterton had things pretty nearly thenown way. In the first spell Spackman took advantage of a rather bad mulling by the Carterton backs, and scored first blood for Masterton. The kick at goal bv Yates was a failure. A little later Waugh secured a mark in Carterton territory, and Yates just managed to put the ball between the posts. "With six points against them Carterton livened up considerably; and made a series of rushes. Eventually a Masterton back mulled the ball, and Carmine getting possession, ran in and scored for Carterton. N. M'cKenzie took the kick, and placed a nice goal. With the score at 6—5, Carterton assumed the aggressive in the second spell. They made a series of passing rushes, and on several occasions looked like scoring. The defensive plav of the Masterton backs, however, was good, and the fine line-kicking of Yates frequently saved the situation. Carterton was awarded a penalty kick fin Masterton's 25's, and McKenzie succeeded in placing another goal, the ball striking the outer post, and just falling .inside. This gave Carterton a lead of two points. The play became very exciting from this out, and both, lines were successively in danger. Carterton had hard luck in not scoring on two or three occasions. Masterton made the best passing rush of the day, and carried the ball to Carterton's line, but the situation was relieved by one of the Carterton backs marking. Just on the call of time Carterton made a forward rush and swept down the field. The Masterton backs failed in the attempt to save the line, and Barry secured a somewhat easy try. McKenzie failed to increase the score, and the whistle went immediately after, the game ending—Carterton, 11 points; Masterton, 6. There can be little doubt that the strongest team won. For the winners, the brothers McKenzie were a tower of strength and the backs played very well throughout. Mat-son was injur- ! Ed towards the end of the first spell, and Fairbrotßer, who took his place, put in several fine runs. The most conspicuous players for the losers were probably Spackman and Iggulden in the forwards, and Waugh in the backs, the lino kicking of Yates being also very good. Both teams frequently transgressed the rules for off-side play, and penalty kicks were numerous. Mr Charters gave every satisfaction as referee.

RED STAR (11) v. GLADSTONE (0)

The above • teams met on No. 2 ground, when an exciting match resulted. Stars won the toss, and Gladstone kicked off. The former commenced attacking' immediately, and in less than five minutes from the s'.art a clever bit of passing resulted m K". Welch crossing the line near the corner. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. Stars still continued pressing hard, and in a very short time Gladstone were twice compelled to force. Gladstone now took charge, and rushed down the field. From this stage until half-time the game continued fairly even, each side having the advantage in turn. The second half was opened just as the first was, and the Star forwards, among whom A. Miller was? prominent, pushed their opponens on to the goal line. From a scrum B. Welch.succeeded in scrambling over the line. The try was converted by K. Welch. For some time Gladstone worked hard to equalise matters, but they were Drevented by the defence of Flaws, Vallance, Ball and K. Welch. Chances .to score were also lost owing to breaches of the rules, resulting, in free kicks being awarded the Stars. Tori Ratima was the mainstay of the Gladstone attacks. A rush, inaugurated by Miller, and supported by Vallance. enabled Chamberlain to score another try for the Stars. The attempt to convert the try was fruitless. Shortly after K. AVelcli made a great run and crossed the line in the corner, but he was given out of bounds by the line umpire. Gladstone attacked again, and were pressing their opponents, when the game ended with the scores Red Star. 11: Gladstone 0. The game was controlled in an excellent manner by Mr E. McKenzio JUNIOR. CARTERTON (32) v. MASTER.TON (0). This match, played on the old showgrounds, proved a very poor exhibition of football. At the commencement of the game it seemed that Masterton

would hold their own, but the weight of tho opposing forwards, and the combination of their backs, soon told on the home team. From a passing rush, initiated by Udy, Hall and Burns, of Carterton, the last named secured, and with a pretty run scored a try, which was not converted. Filled with success the heavyweights bore down on their opponents, repeatedly crossing tho line. The following scored —Burns (3), Hall (2), Beard, Baillie, Henderson, and Nix. Beard converted one of the tries, and kicked a penalty goal. LIBERAL (11) v. RED STAR (0).

The Liberal juniors defeated the Red Star juniors at Carterton by 11 points to nil. The play was fast and open, and the score is no indication of the quality of the teams. Stars made repeated forward rushes, but the opposing backs played a splendid defensive game. In the first half a try was scored by R. Tocker and converted by Kempton, who also kicked a penalty goal. The only score in tho second half was a try scored by Stringey. Stars had slightly the best of the spell, but they could not pass the Liberal backs. THIRD CLASS. RED STAR (16)~v. LIBERAL (0). Red Star 111. had a somewhat easy victory, defeating Liberal by 16 points to nil. The score was made up of tries obtained by McEtattie, Dixon, and S. Hoar (2), two of which were converted by J. Ewington and E. Wickens respectively. I CARTERTON '11) v. MASTERTON ! (0). Carterton defeated Masterton, after a hard game, by 11 points to nil. NOTES. Owing to the fact that the Friendly Societies' seven-a-side tournament takes place on Saturday next, all matches under the auspices of the, Wairarapa Rugby Union will be postponed until the following Saturday. Tho weekly inside practice of the Red Star Club will be held in the Drill Hall to-morrow evening. The positions of the senior teams in tho . competition are as follow : Carterton 6pts. Red Star 4pts. Gladstone 2pts. Masterton Opts.