FOOTBALL.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 149, 10 June 1892, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

MEETING- OF N. W. RUGBY UNION A meeting of the N. W. Rugby Union was held in the Knights of Labour room, Kopuru Hill, on Tuesday evening. Mr George Meredith, Vice-president occupied the chair, and the following delegates were present—Kopuru F. O. Messrs F Ross, Jas Molloy and C. Matthews ; Aratapu F.C. Messrs W.Bonelia, E.Bassett and T. Keane ; Mariopu F. C. T. Nield. The first business was the Kopuru —Maropiu Seconds match of May 27th. The Kopuru Club claimed this match by default as the Maropiu team did not put in an appearance. The Maropiu delegate explained that his Club only received notice of the fixture on the day previous to the match and was quite unable to get a team at such notice as their members were very much scattered over bush country. A good deal of discussion ensued and it was decided to refer the dispute to the Auckland 11. Union for settlement. It was then resolved that the N. W. R. Union affiliate with the Auckland Rugby Union, and that the Secretary make application forthwith. It was also decided to ask the Auckland Union to send a representatives team to meet the Wairoa representives in this district. The matter of the proposed Aratapu—Ponsonby match was brought up. It w. s considered right that Clubs should arrange their own outside inter-club matches, and the Union would look after tire arrangement of inter-Union matches. The matter of a return visit to Helensville was deferred to a future meeting. It. was decided that iu the event, of the Auckland Union declining to scud a (earn to the Wairoa, the Wairoa Union will endeavour to send a representative team to Auckland. Should any representative matches be arranged it was resolved to allow local Cup fixtures to give place to them and also to practise for same. Iu reference to the complaint made

by the Maropiu Club against the Kopuru [[First foroff-side play and a desire to quarrel, neither the Maropiu umpire, Mr Parore or the referee, Mr Stall worthy, saw an}' just cause for the charge and it was dismissed. It was agreed to allow clubs eighteen ticke's for the admission of teams and umpires to each match in which they are engaged. Tomorrow’s match between the Kopuru and Aratapu Clubs is attracting a good deal of attention in Auckland football les Th - ilt ARATAPU II v KOPURU it. Tills match was played on Saturday on the Aratapu ground which was iu first class order. The interest in the match was somewhat lessened by the inclusion of several First Fifteen players in the teams. Kopuru were unable to place their chosen Seconds in the field so filled up with T . Elliott, Tidmarsh, Cunningham and C. Matthews, and to counterbalance this Aratapu played ASmith and Veale. Aratapu won the toss and chose to play with the wind, a strong one. Messrs J. Smith and F. Rutland were the umpires and Mr Kilfoyle of Auckland, kindly acted as referee and carried out his duties in a most satisfactory manner. Kopuru kicked off and the ball being sent back, Kopuru were at once placed on the defence. Almost throughout the spell the ball was kept close to the Kopuru lines ; kicking and passing was quite impossible against the high wind and Aratapu seemd to have the advantage in dribbling and running. The lnt.ter relied too much on this sort of work and failed to give A. Smith a chance to pot. Jamieson, who played one of the best of games, made one attempt but failed. Veale picked up the ball about tea yards from the liue and made one of his famous ru-T- s

for home, but Davern downed him almost <u the line. Higgins however was there, and taking the pass from Veale scored first try. Smith’s shot at goal missed. T. Elliott got on a run which led to a good rush by Kopuru, Matthews leading, but the ball came back with Phelan, Veale and Keane on it. H. McLeod scored the next try and the kick again failed. Tidmarsh, Matthews, Jamieson and Phelan showed up well and Paki took the ball into touch in g-oal. Davern saved his goal in fine style on several occasions, but he was just too late to prevent Paki from running in and scoring third try for Aratapu, and the spell closed Aratapu 0, Kopuru nil.

The second spell wa; a hard one for Aratapu and though the ball did not hang to their line so much as it had done when Kopuru fought against wind, yet it was continually brought to it. In kicking and passing Kopuru showed superior to Aratapu whose backs were weak when pressed. T. Elliott, was well looked after and did not show to advantage. From a pass A. .Johnston potted a neat goal, thus scoring 4 points. C. Matthews did good work and repeatedly dribbled ball to liue. Tidmarsh made a fine dash from close to half way and following the ball to the line took it from under A. Smith and scored a good try near the goal posts. C. Matthews converted it, Kopuru 9, Aratapu 6. Another force or two took place and then Matthews scored a try which was not converted, and the game ended Kopuru 11, Aratapu 6. The utmost good feeling between players prevailed throughout the game which was well fought out. For Te Kopuru Matthews was ahead of all others, Tidmarsh coming next. Davern and Sotvter played very well and so did Nolan at centre half. We noticed O’Neil at times but his game would be more serviceable under the old rules. For Aratapu Jamieson, Keane and Hammond amongst the backs and Veale, Ueywood and Phelan of the forwards were the most useful.

In the Auckland Cup matches on Saturday, Suburbs defeated Ponsonby by 12 points to 9. Hcrrold played a great game for the winners. The l’arnell —Newton match ended in a draw, each side scoring two points. Jim Lowiie played amongst the Newton forwards. Grafton surprised everyone by putting the City down to the tunc of 21 to 2.

The recently formed Now Zealand Rugby Union are endeavouring to arrange an English tour for a representative team. It is proposed to send 25 men to England at the end of next season to play twenty first class matches in three months. Our Wairoa reps must have a dash at Auckland and perhaps some of our boys might get a trip home. It would just suit Ticket and a few others.

The Aratapu boys evidently intend to put their football ground in good shape. They have already spent .-£lO on fencing and this afternoon several enthusiasts have passed down armed with hammers, saws and spades ; their object being to erect a substantial dressing room and to open out the drains. The football fixtures for tomorrow are Maropiu v Dargaville on Mr Moras’ ground, and Aratapu vTe Kopuru at Aratapu, Interest is centred in the latter match and if the weather is fine there will be a large attendance on the field. The game should be the most interesting of the Cup fixtures, for both teams are good ones and well acquainted with the rules. Some people seem to anticipate rough play, and our contemporary considered it necesssry to impress upon players to keep their tempers. For our part we anticipate ttie most friendly and best contested exhibition of the season, and venture to predict that if any bad feeling is shown it wilt only be amongst spectators. Old footballers soon learn that nothing is to be gained by spiteful play and that to stop and argue only gives opponnets an advantage. The players chosen to represent Kopuru tomorrow are: —Walker, full back ; Legge, Elliott and J, Smith threequarters ; Nelson, Lowrie and Tidmarsh halves; Charles, Joseph and Frank Molloy- Elavel 1 , Bleaklcy, Keegan, Ross and C, Matthews forwards. Emergencies, While, Cunningham and O’Neill. Aratapu will be represented as follows."—fulL bock, Lionel Kite ing ; J. Morrison. tSutland and W. L'hulan. threequarters; Len Kitching, Morgau and A. Smith, ha,j.y:es-; Veale, E. Ba - se'!., Bonella, Keane, E. Phelan, J. E. Elliott and U. Nietfi foSjwards, On Jane 18th the Aratapu and Maropiu boron Is meet on the Mawgawhare ground.