FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1999, 26 May 1885, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Union F.O, v Mastbhton LimitWeights,

Tliia match cams off yesterday afternoon in the presence of about COO spectators, who appeared to take great interest 111 the contest. The ground was in splendid condition, and during the matches was kept well cleared of intruders, thus allowing both events to be played without the usual interferences of an excited public, The following team represented the Union's (Full back) Mclntyre, (half back) Kilner, A. Jacka (captain), quarter backs, E, Smith, C. Reid, A. Osborne, (forwards) 6. Little, E, Hawthorne, Loasby, J. McDonald, G, Skinner, 6. Hill, H, Mountier, A. France, M. Hyland. (Umpire) Mr Armstrong. Masterton, (back) Murray, (half backs) C. Perry, Karaitiana, (quarter backs) F. O'Connor, and J. Perry, (forwards) J. Bannister (Captain) Young, Kibblewhite, Ewington, Plolmwood, F. Perry, Ingles, Ohennells, and James. (Umpire) Mr W. McKenzie. It was decided to play two spells <)f 3Q minuter Mountier kicked off, and things wore a dangerous appearance through the fumbling of 0. Perry ; i)i|t by some tight scrimmaging along the touch line, in which O'Oonnpr more tjian once distinguished himself by some good dashes, tho leather was worked back to the centre. J. Perry essayed a run, was well collared, but passed wild, the sphere finding neutral territory, .On its being

thrown in, the light weights got away with a loose scrimmage,. and the Union goal stood in great danger, a fierce scrimmage under their bar causing great excitement, This was relieved by a judicious punt of Mclntyre's, who followed it up shortly after by another into touch. The throw in was followed by some very wild passing of the Union backs, which enabled W. Perry, who was following up well, to run in and secure first blood for Masterton, Reid making ■ a desperate effort on the line to prevent the score,. Murray took the kick which was a good one, but through bad placingit wasa miserable failure. Scrimmaging in the centre followed.the kick off, when the light weights got another rush on, which was. well stopped by the Union half backs, and was. followed up by a good dribble by their forwards, which was abruptly brought to an end by 0. Perry kicking into touch. From the throw in the Unions worked vigorously and got the ball to within a few yards of their opponents' goal-line, when some wild passing again gave the Light weights some relief, and' the .play was taken to near the centre of the ground, where J.- Perry-got possession and made the rim of the day, getting through all his opponents in excellent style,' witlrthe exception of the'' full back wlioj grassed him just in the nick of time.. An interchange of drop-kicking now came off between Kilner, Karaitiana, and C. Perry, some very good : kicks resulting, Kilner finishing the long shots by dropping it into touch. 'When time was called play was in the centre of theield, the score being one try to love, F.. Perry kicked off in the second spell; Jacka returned the leather, and W. Perry punted into touch. The Union trouble now commenced. The liplifc weights were playing well together, and from the throw in O'Connor came through with a rush, being well backed up. Some really dashing play resulted in his securing a second try. 0. Perry took the kick,, but failed to lift the leather the required height. C. Perry returned the ball from the Union kick off, nicely into touch. On it coming into play some very wild passing of the Union enabled W. Perry to get over the line, and secure his second try, from which Ingles made a good kick, but no score. Scrimmaging in the centre followed the kick off, the strength of the light weights showing up to great advantage. Ohcnnells made one or two good dashes, bringing the sphere through at his toe On each- occasion. This play compelled Kilner to touch down in defence. Scrimmages appeared to be the order of the day. The Union forwards, by dint of desperate play, worked their opponents back to their distance flag, when the light weights got the neverfailing loose scrimmage on, and carried the leather clean over the goal line, James being rewarded for his good following up by securing the fourth try for the light weights. Ingles again failed. The Unions now set to work determinedly to retrieve their laurels, C. Perry next essayed a run, but the opposing forwards were not to be denied, and again carried it back from whence it came, but although they did their utmost they could not succeed in passing their opponents 25yd flasj. When "no side" was called tliey were scrimmaging near the centre, the score being Masterton, four tries, Unions, nil, Red Stabs (Masterton) v White Stars (Wellington)

The boys took possession of the ground. immediately aftw the above matoli. Martin was Captain of the Red Stars, and Emmett of the Whites. Two spells of 30minuteswereplayed, Messrs McKenzie and C, Bannister umpired respectively. In the first spell some very fast play was put in, the teams being well matched. Baumber distinguished himself by finishing up a run wjth a pot at goal,-which was successful. This put the whites on their metal, and they answered by carrying the leather over the line, and Barnard secured the coveted try, Campbell tried the kick, but failed, The reds were forced down once, and no further score was made during this spell. The whites succeeded in getting over the line, but only a touch-in-goal resulted. The reds responded and forced their opponents down, and but for the timekeeper's interference would have scored at the finish of the game, " no side" being called while the boys were running with the ball. This caused some of the players to stop, and the try obtained was disallowed, the score being, Reds, one goal, wh tes, one try.

The annual match Christchurch v Wellington was played on the Newtown Park, Wellington, in the presence of a large number of spectators, yesterday afternoon, and after a close contest, resulted in a win for the latter by two tries to nil,