FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1372, 7 May 1883, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

R match of the.seasbn between if |ibßf as])layedM(Jreytown BriJay last, and reisulWd iha win [ I liohie ■ one .try to. love fe, of the best : and xcitingly finished games-played ~..,., . Wairarapa.; : Tip ,to s the last klf-miuute no score bad been gained on either side, and when Hirschberg succeeded in-getting the coveted-"try for Greytown the excitement was': intense. The feather was favorable for .the match,- but "tho ground:-was very wet-and slippery, -rendering the movements of the ball and the .picking up very uncertain. It was decided to play two spells of lialf-an-hour each. The following were the teams and" their respective places i-Greytowa—Back W. Biirch,- half-backs.;G. Saywell and W. Somerville, quarter-backs McMasteiyß.; Hirschberg, and Wenheim, forwards, Udy (captain), Beard, Cameron, Desmond, J. and H, Humphries, Webster F.Tully and'Tockeiy Umpire W. C. Cuff. Mastertonback 0. Holmwood, half-backs W. and 0, Perry, qtiarter-baoks J.. Perry, . Ellers, and DeC'astro, forwards Morison (captain), * McKenzio, McLachlan, W. Harvey, JRoss, J. and 0, Bannister, B. Perry Wickerson, Umpire, "VY. Wardell. Greytown won the toss and elected to kick off, they went away as usual with their Very determined rush, and succeeded in a short time in forcing the visitors down. A dispute arose as to whether it was a try or nat, it was however, decided in favor of Masterton. Morison kicked off at 25 yards, and getting his men well together took the ball into Groytown territory, when from behind a scrimmage near the goal line some smart passing was done by which Idlers got the ball and mado a capital shot for goal, missing by about a foot. This play rather staggered the home team, as it was not in the aunals of football that they had been pressed by a Masterton team. Finding what they had to contend agAinst, Greytown set to work from their 25 yards kick off, and by dint of hard work succeeded in getting the ball out of danger, and by some dashing play again succeeded in getting it behind their opponent's goal line. From their 25 yards kick off Masterton by a series of well-worked loose scrimmages took the ball up to Greytown 25 yards distance flag, where some capital by-play was shewn on both sides, when Ellers took another pot at goal. It touched one of the opposite sides, and fell into the hands of JBurch, just in front of the goal, who thought he was entitled to a mark, but it was disallowed. The home team again set to work, and some rather vigorous play was shown on both sides, and when time was called the ball was in the centre of the field. As neither side bad scored, the game became very exciting as the men took their places for the second spell. Morison kicked offhand the determined manner in which Greytown met the charge shewed that some hard work would have to be done if a score was made. The'ball was continually worked up and down the Held, dribbling being the order of the day. Now. and then the quarters on either side would make an attempt at a run, but would as soon be brought to earth, McMaster's dribbling and Hirschberg's dashes were very conspicuous, as was J, Perry's and DeCastro's play, the former in his run ning, Greytown was forced down once through Ellers taking a rolling kick for goal which he missed, They, however, repeated the dose on Masterton. As Morison brought the ball out, it wanted half a minuto to time. He kicked off at 25 yards and a scrimmage took place in the middle of the field when Tully and McMaster got away with a good dribble, and being well backed up by Hirschberg they carried it over the goal line, and the latter secured a wellearned try. Saywell took the kick and failed. No side was then called, Score Greytown 1 try to nil. Being the first match of the season the play throughout was very good, The passing at times was wild, but that was in some cases due to the greasy nature of the ball, Off-side play was noticeable on both sides, and unless the ponalty for this is pressed, viz., a free kick, the evil will increase lo the detriment of the game. The winning team played with all their old dash and fire, but were sadly disorganized and showed the want of practice, and if they had been beaten it would not havo been through their bad play, but through -the fault of holding their opponents too cheap. It is pretty generally known that they lost the Association cup last season through the same fault, for they were undoubtedly the best team that competed. It is to be hoped they will now settle down to practice and shew their last year's victors how to line out at their own goal line, The play of the visitors was a great surprise, and notwithstanding they had to play with two substitutes C, Perry, and C. Bannister, gave the home team a deal of trouble. If they go in for steady practice they may yet hope to rank among the winners in this yoar's contests, for they proved on Saturday that there is the making of a good team yet in Masterton. They were congratulated by the victors as being one of the best teams they had met, and certainly the best that had come from Masterton, and the good feeling that existed during ~ and after the match proved that they recognised in them foemen worthy of their steel. It is expected that a match will be played between the two clubs before the Queen's Birthday, which will be looked forward to with interest.