FOOTBALL.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 150, 17 June 1892, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

In the Auckland Cup matches last Saturday Ponsonby scored a victory against Parnell by 9 points to 2 ; Gi aft-on defeated Newton by 14 points to S ; Suburbs scored 19 points to 0 before North Shore left the field disputing, The Maropiu and Darg-aville Clubs met on Moros’ ground last Saturday when Maropiu scored 8 points (four tries) and Dargaville 5 points (a goal from a try). Neither team was fully represented ; had they been so Maropiu would probably have made a more decisive win. The Aratapu E. C. have received a challenge from a Mukiaug-a Native team for a game to be played at Aratapu on July 9th. The Committee have not yet met but the challenge will most probably be acceptod. ARATAPU and KOPURU

met on Satsrday last for the first time this season. A great deal of interest was taken in the match and between three and four hundred people witnessed the struggle. The Kopuru team, only included seven of its hist year’s members and was much strengthened by Cunningham, Flavell, Bleak!ey, J. Smith, T. Elliott and Tidmarsh. The only new 7 members among,st the Aratapu players were Morrison and JA. Smith, both of whom previously played for Aratapu for many years. Saturday's game was a noisy one, though perhaps not ill matured. Messsrs Parore and Nelson were the umpires and Stall worthy the referee. The latter got a warm time from some who were beside themselves. We could name some who played well and quietly, but in doing so we might feel disposed to bo rough on others so will simply give our reporter’s account of the

Kopuru won the toss and chose to play with trie wind which was strong. Butland kicked off and the ball soon went out. A little scrummaging, and Morgan kicked out. Kopuru gained ground and Smith stopped a rush by sending tireball out. Aratapu then got a rush on and carried the ball to Kopuru 25. Elliott to the front. Kopuru worked it down again and Lionel kicked out. Aratapu worked up and the ball was sent out near Kopuru goal line. Kopurn took it back to their 25 where they secured a free kick. Veale ran ball to Kopuru 25 and it was sent out. Play hung near Kopuru goal line till Lowrie threw Phelan outat 25, Kopuru got a rush on and reached Aratapu’s 25. Veale carried to half and the ball went out. Aratapu got a free kick but Kopuru returned and play was in Aratapu 25. Keane and Elliott dribbled to centre where Matthews stopped them and Butland kicked out. Prom the throw in Matthews took the ball very close to Aratapu goal line when Morrison kicked out. Aratapu were kept lo their lines till Veale relieved by a run to the 25. Butland kicked and Aratapu rushed the ball out near Kopuru

goal line J. -Smith ran back to 25. T. Elliott kicked out at half. Keegan all there and the ball went out at Aratapu 25. Tidmarsh, Matthews and others rushed the ball over the line and the former secured a try. Flavell failed at o-oal. T. Elliott and Morrison shone out arid E. Phelan gained ground with a kick. A Kopuru rush, JdL. Lowrie marked and Butland kicked out at centre. J. Smith’s run ended in grass, and Aratapu sent out at Kopuru 25. Woollams dribbled to goal line an i Legge seut out. Bonella passed to Butland but he was collared. Kopuru took play to Aratapu 25 and Smith kicked out. T Elliott kicked over line and Lionel forced. Aratapu took play to centre and the bad went out. Morgan kicked and Aratapu o-ot past 25 Kopuru worked back. E. Phelan passed to Ler who missed. Morrison made a o-ood run aud Kopuru kicked back. Kopuru rushed down but Lionel kicked back. .T. Smith was grassed by Len and half time was called. Flavell kicked off for the second spell. Elliott and Keane took ball on and Kopuru were forced Legge kicked back over line and ball was called back. Aratapu agaiu got close up but Legge relieved with a kick: East forward play on both sides. Morgan marked and Butland took a place. Kopuru forced T. Elliott made a run to centre. J. Smith kicked and Len returned. Ivopuru rushed and Lionel kicked back. A scrum near Aratapu line and ball was worked out at centre The ball travelled to Kopuru 25 and from scrum Bonella kicked hard over line and Kopuru forced, Bassett and Woollams again worked down and Lowrie kicked out. Elliot kicked out at Kopuru 25. Kopuru came back but Morrison returned again and Morgan took further still. Tidmarsh and Cunning-ham got past centre and Aratapu got a free kick. E. Phelan ran and passed to Len who was thrown out near goal line. Cunningham and C. Moiloy rushed ball out near centre. Some fine passing and A. Smith made a good pot but the ball struck an opponent. The bll was taken to near Kopurugwil il , ■ d(Legge kicked hin t o force and Veale scored a try .i..:0, :ii.l a half before time- Great

excitement and talking followed. Butland made a fair kick but no goal and the game ended Kopuru 2, Aratapu 2.