FOOTBALL.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 214, 8 September 1893, Page 5

FOOTBALL .

All the members of the Hakianga. Rugby Union representative team were strict blueribbonites, and all but three were non smokers. In this respect the Natives show a good example to other players, same of whom may be seen sucking their pipes even during the short breathing space between the two spells of % fast game. The Cup fixtures for last Saturday were not carried out as the up-river Clubs did not put in an appearance. The steamer was sent up as usual but neither the Dargaville nor Mangawhare Club teams appeared, and after waiting some two or three hours the steamer returned without passengers. It is a pity that these Clubs did not send word to the Secretary of the Union that they were unable to send teams for had this been done the expense of sending a steamer need not have been incurred.

# In the absence of any other opponents the Kopuru team held a practice in their paddock, and the Aratapu Juniors played the Seniors on the sawdust, and beat them too. Some of the veterans started in white shirts and parted with thorn as they proceeded. The Aratapu first fifteen held a meeting on Wednesday evening and determined to go into training and practiee for their approaching - match with Te Kopuru. Both the Kopuru and Aratapu Clubs claim last Saturday’s matches by default. The Port Albert footballers visited Pahi on August 26th to play are turn match. The day was very wet and spectators were few,

but a good game was fought out arid resulted in a win for Pahi. In the first spell W. Henry scored a try* for the home team and Mikaka converted it and there was no more scoring. The Pahi and Matakohe Clubs met last Saturday and victory remained with the former by 9 points to nil. Matakohe won the toss and played down bill, but about two minutes after the start W. Allen scored a try. Dawson afterwards made a long run and scored again and so also did J. Connell. Then W. Henry kicked a goal and the game ended as above. to-morrow’s matches. Tomorrow afternoon’s game will be worth looking at, as it is a struggle between Aratapu and Te Kopuru and they are always interesting. At present Kopuru has a win to the good iu both Junior and Seuior matches, and should they win tomorrow they will be the winners of the Junior Cup for this season. The Aratapu II team have, however, had several practices together, an 1 have also been in training with a determination to win tomorrow’s match. Should they do this a third match will be necessary. The Kopuru II have a good team and are not the ones to neglect their training, so that whichever side wins the game will be a fine on j. The match takes place in Mr Webb’s paddock and a charge of sixpence will be made for admission. The teams are as follows: Aratapu 11. Pull-back, C. Nield ; threequarter backs,,F. H. Walker, R. Landrum and W. Harrison; half-backs, Lindsay, Masefield, and Jamieson ; forwards, O’Neill (captain), E. Harrison, Newman, S. Barker, Higgins, T. Nield, G. Elliott, and H. Alcock. Emergencies, H. Phelan, Corkill, A. Phelan and Brown. Kopuru ll—Pull-back, Davern ; threequarter backs, J. M'cllroy, H. Campbell and Cox; half-backs, Lowrie, Bartley, and Sullivan; forwards, McDermott. Hockey, Fowler, Leabourne, T. Smith, G. Stewart, G. Foreman, and J. Anderson. The following is the second round of fixtures : Cup Fixtures—Second Round. Sept. 9fch—Aratapu 11-Kopurull at Aratapu Dargaville - Mangawhare at Dargaville. ~ 16th —Aratapu-Kopuru at Aratapu. ; ~ 2 3rd —Aratapu-Dargaville at Dargaville Kopuru-Mangawhare at Mangawhare.