FOOTBALL

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 164, 23 September 1892, Page 2

FOOTBALL

The Probables—Possibles match last Saturday, at Aratapu, was a good and well contested game. Only three of the chosen Possible forwards turned up and the team had to be made up on the field. Lowrie was absent from the Probables and the following were the teams, — Probables: A. Smith, Morrison, T. Elliott, Butland, Len Kitching, and Tidmarsh, backs; Bassett, Molloy (3), Yeale, Woollam, J. Elliott, Bonella, and C. Matthews, forwards. Possibles : Lionel Kitching, J. F. Smith, J. Johnston, Legge, Abeoluru, Hammond, and A. Johnston, backs; Keegan, T, Keane, E. Phelan, Paki, F. Little, Holford, Jamieson, Watakina, and J. Brown, forwards. Contrary to expectation the Possibles proved themselves more than a match for the Probables and gained a victory by 18 points to 11. Very poor form was shown by the latter ; T. Elliott was the only one who played up to his reputation. The'Probables were playing without a centre-half, a new departure for them, and that may have had something to do with their weakness. From the line out for the throw in, the Probables continually lost ground and seeemed quite unable to take the ball; and again in the open they seemed all at sea, showed no combination whatever but rather got into each othei*s way. Of course tha forwards occasionally did a little good play to relieve the general disorder. Tidmarsh hung to the ball very much and often lost ground, we have never before seen him to such disadvantage as on Saturday. T. Elliott played a a good game at centre three-quarter, taking the ball clean and kicking well. Smith at full-hack played without bars to his boots and was weak. Ho gave Keane a very soft try, and many limes was very slow in taking tho ball. The Possibles on the other hand played very much better than usual and deserved their win. Keane was most conspicuous as an open forward, and Keegan was always at good work without much show. Jamieson was conspicuous at times, and Phelan made a good run and was all there till he retired hurt. Little and Paki also worked well and hard. Amongst the hacks Absolum played strongly and with good effect and J. F. Smith played one of his best games. Kitching at full was also good, and the same might well be said of 4.. Johnston. The scorers for the Possibles were Holford a try which A. Johnston converted. Keegan a try, A. Johnston a potted goal, Keane a try which Lionel Kitching converted, and Absolum a try. For the Probables the scorers were, Len Kitching a potted goal from a pass by Woollam s, F. Molloy a try which Matthews converted and Yeale a try. The Probables played in the Union colours for the first time but made such a poor exhibition that the spectators frequently cried out: —“You have got the jerseys on the wrong men.” After the game the Selection Committee met to make a final selection of representatives. It was felt that considerable change was necessary in the team after the poor display made. It was decided to play with a centre half against Auckland and the following players were chosen to represent the Wairoa Union. Full-back: A. Smith; Thiee-quartwrs: Butland, T. Elliott, and Morrison ; Halves : H. Absolum, 11. Lowrie, and Len Kitching ; Forwards : E. Bassett, T. Keane, Keegan, F. Molloy, Jos. Molloy, W. Woollam, C. Matthew's, and J. E. Elliott. Emergencies, Forwards : W. Yeale and C. Molloy ; Backs : J. F. Smith and Tidmarsh. The names of the Reps, were eagerly enquired for on Saturday evening by' the football public, and when given out were received with doubt and surprise. It was hard to believe that Veale had been left out, and public opinion (ladies included) is almost unanimous that the Selection Committee have made a great mistake in placing him only as an emergency. Opinions, however, differ as to the one whom he should replace. Several selections were made by individuals, but few, if any, were identical. The reps, have been busy during the week getting themselves into condition but have had little opportunity’ for practice, Giving to the distance which separates the individuals of the team. Thirteen of them put in an appearance at the Aratapu Rink on Monday evening and had a spin round. Our opinions on the members of the team individually and as a whole, as well as other particulars concerning to-morrow’s game will be found in another selmmj,