FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1747, 28 July 1884, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Masterton v, Greytown, The first heat for the Cup between the above Clubs was played on Saturday afternoon at Greytown, and proved to be the best game yet played between the two teams. Messrs Udy and F, O'Connor captained the teams, and Messrs A. L, Webster and W. McKenzie officiated as umpires', while Mr W. C. Cuff was appointed referee, but; throughout the game the latter gentleman's services were never required. Two spells of forty minutes each were played. Uc'y won the toss and elected to play with his back, to the sun, . O'Connor kicked off at twenty minutes to four, and the game at once contested though the ground.was too slippery for any very fast play, The game was principally a forward one, the Greytown men making some really fine rushes. The Master ton forwards also several times got good way on, but their loose dribbles were generally nipped in the bud by one or other of the Greytown men falling on the ball. Certainly this is the game to stop a rush, and it the Masterton men had taken a lesson from their opponents, their territory would not have been assailed quite so often. Though the visitors were two or three times forced down, they also on several occasions got very close to the home team's lines, and it was only by the splendid play of the opposing forwards, led by Beard,- Tocker, and Tully, that the leather was taken into neutral ground. When half time was called and no score had been made. on either side, it looked as if there was to be arepetition of last year's cup matches, when the teams played three ties, and, it getting late in the season, Masterton retired in favor of Greytown, and the latter club played a tie with ths Wellington club for the

final. The second spoil proved to be a repetition of the first except that the Grey town men had rather the best of it, the play being more often than not in . the visitbvsbalfof theground, Thematch thus ended in a draw. For Greytown Beavd, locker, Cameron, and F, Tully played a splendid forward game, whileHumphries, McMasteiy and Sommer-' ville behind the scrimmage did good work. For Masterton McLachlan, Eanganni, and the Bannisters forward and the three Perrys, Hawke, and O'Connorbehinddid yeomen'swork, Joe Perry especially playing in grand style. The game was played throughout in the best possible spirit, there being a total absence of talk among the players, the teams apparently, having resolved to leave everything to the umpires. The duties of the latler officers consequently proved to be very light. The Greytown team were without the services of Webster, one of their best forwards. Masterton likewise was unlucky in not having the assistance of Harvey and Bethune, the absence of Harvey especially among the forwards being greatly felt. However, for the next game we - hope both clubs will be able to put their best teams in the field, and it they have as good a game as the one on Saturday afternoon there will be no cause for complaint on either side.' At the conclusion of the game hearty cheers were exchanged by the teams, •

The match Athletics v. Wellington Club resulted in a win for the former by a try to love.