FOOTBALL.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 155, 22 July 1892, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

Last Saturday saw the finish of the Seconds matches, only two teams having been engaged throughout the season, namely Kopuru and Aratapu. These teams met for their second struggle on the Aratapu ground and after a good contest victory rested with Kopuru by 8 points to nil. Messrs Butlaud and T. Elliott were the umpires and Mr A. W. Legge the referee. The game was a varying one, especially in the first spell; in the scrums and open rushes Aratapu often shone but in the kicking and line out they were far behind Kopuru. J. Johnston did a lot of good v> ork but his play would have been much better if he had done less running and more kicking. Kopuru were several times forced in the first spell and on one occasion only saved by kicking through the fence. H. Leggo led a rush down the field to Aratapu 25 and from the throw in F. Little ran close up in front of the goal. A scrum was formed almost under the bar and Nolan passed out to A. Johnston who potted a neat goal without any opponent attempting to stop him, —Kopuru 4. Aratapu slow. Masefield at the head of others rushed the ball down to the Kopuru 25 where several scrums and throws in took place and then the ball was dribbled over the Kopuru line »nd Masefield fell on it but failed to get his hands to it. A Hammond was of great service to his side all through the game, his collaring was perfect and his kicking very good. Jamieson was good at times but seemed not quite equal to the pace in returning from a rush. Arthur Johnston was the pick of the Kopuru backs; his work was done with skill and judgment. P. Matthews -was often to the front with a useful dribble. The first spell ended with the ball on the Kopuru goal line and the score at Kopuru 4, Aratapu nil. In the second spell Aratapu seemed to be much weaker and were very slow in getting to the line out. C. Nield kicked the ball into A. Johnston’s hands •within thirty yards of the goal and P. Matthews took a place kick which sent the ball just under the bar. F. Little secured a try near tbe post but it was not converted and P. Matthews afterwards secured a try with like result. J. Johnston got a run on and looked dangerous, but Hammond overtook him and shoved him against the 25 post breaking it right off. The game ended after a lengthy second spell with the score as stated above. Aratapu were weak behind the halves and the ball very seldom went over their line without the try being got. Besides those mentioned Stewart, Alcock, Leabourn, and O’Neill were noticeable for Kopuru and Hey wood, Watakina, Keane and Harrison for Aratapu. ~ About the oldest player engaged on Saturday was F. Little and he showed some of the vounger ones his heels many times. Umpires should always keep cool and remember that they have no right to raise a

flag for off sido play unless an appoal is made, nor appeal at the kick out when any player is in front of the ball. It is a pity, that excited spectators cannot see themselves as others see them. The conduct of some of these is to say the least foolish and absurd not to say unlawful and evil; but as one gentleman said “ If it were notin them it would not come out.” A gentleman, for such wc judge him to be by the position he occupies,surprised us by repeatedly shouting out to the players on Saturday “ Choke that b y Maori.” For language very similar and not a bit more obscene we recently saw a man sentenced to a term in Mount Eden, and for his first offence, too. The ladies, too, often forget themselves as may be judged by the following remark which we are informed one of the gentler sex used “ Oh, the beast, I’d like to put a spud in his mouth.” Tomorrow no doubt there will be a good deal of excitement but we would ask spectators not to spoil an enjoyable sport by ungovernable tongues. Several persons are going to make it a speeial point to watch spectators and we may possibly have a choice collection of venom for next issue. The Senior Cup matches may possibly be decided tomorrow and the greatest interest that has ever been taken in a game in this district has been roused over the KOPURU—ARATAPU match which takes place tomorrow afternoon on the latter’s ground, When these Clubs met in the first round this season the match was a tight one and ended in a draw. Opinion seems t® be pretty evenly divided as to the chances of each team in tomorrow’s game and we are sorry to learn that a lot of betting has taken place over the game. The attendance tomorrow will he very large and excitement high and it might be advisable for the Union to secure the attendance of all ths available police to ensure order. The Auckland Union in response to the request of the local Clubs have sent Mr T. Neill to act as referee for the match so that spectators and players may rest satisfied on receiving fully unbiassed decisions. The Aratapu Club intended to remove the fences behind the goals in order to give more room, but as the Kopuru Club objected this will not now he done. Both teams have been in active training this week and a really good game may be expected tomorrow. Some slight changes have been made in the positions of players as will be seen by the names as given below. Aratapu will be represented by—A. Smith, fullback ; A. Hammond, Butland and Morrison, threequarters ; Len Kitehing, Morgan and Lionel Kitehing, halves; E. Bassett (capt), Bonella, T, Keane, Yeale, J. Elliott, Woollam, E. Phelan and G. Nield, forwards. Emergencies, R. Masefield, Jamieson and A. Keane. The Kopuru representatives are, —W. Holford, fullback; Elliott, J. F. Smith and White, threequarters; Nelson, Lowrie and Tidmarsh, halves; Cunningham, Ross, F.and C. Molloy, C. Matthews, Flavell, Keegan and Bleakley, forwards. Emergency Jno. Johnston. The Challenge Cup presented by Mr F. W. Matthews to the Wairoa Rugby Union is now on view in Mr Jones’ window at Aratapu. It is a vex-y handsome one and well worth seeing. At the last meeting of the local Union Mr F Ross brought forward the question of umpire,s'and desired the Union to frame some resolution to meet his complaint. He said that some teams considered the umpire should be a sixteenth man for his Club and not a faii-play man for both sides. This and many other questions might well fee taken up by the Union, and we might suggest the advisability of action being taken after the work of the present season is ended, to place the Union on a sound and well understood basis in readiness for the next season. To us it seems desirable for the smoother working of football matters that the management should be placed more in the hands of the public , and non-players than at present; not that players have acted unfairly but because there appears at present to be a suspicious or uneasy feeling between those engaged in carrying on affairs.