FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2010, 8 June 1885, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

A match between a Fifteen and allcomers was played on the Park Oval before a considerable number of spectators on Saturday afternoon, The game throughout was moat .exciting, and as there was a great difference in the number'of players, the all-comers at one time having no less than twenty-seven men in the field, public sympathy was entirely, with the fifteen, It was, however/ apparent to players that the all-comers would have been better off had they dispensed with s6me of their supporters, who did a'great deal more harm than good. Ranginui captained the fifteen, and.W. McKenzietheotherside. Shortly after kicking off, the ball was talen close up to the all-comers' goal, only to be immediately rushed to the other end, where Bethune, by a splendid run, secured a try; W.which nothing further was, however, scored. The 'fifteen were then joined by J, and W. Perry, whose back play immediately made itself felt. The ball was kept almost continually in the all-comers' quarters,, and 'though Bethune, McKenzie, and a Maori several times succeeded in getting it away, it was always worked back again. After about twenty minutes' play, the ifteen, got hold of the ball, and forcing his way clean .through the ranks of his opponents, touched down about fifteen yards from the goal, amidst, the applause of the spectators. • The kick was a .very good one, but the'ballpassed about afoot' outside of the post. Shortly after, this a maul in goal occurred, which resulted in favor of the all-cdmers. For some time the play consisted of nothing but a succession of scrimmages ;-, but at last Whatman worked his way through a scrimmage, picked up the. ball, and apparently secured another try; '■■ which was, however, disallowed, The allcomers were forced down several times, but neither side had made afurther score when time was called, and the game therefore resulted in ,a draw, each side having secured a try. For the fifteen,' the play of Whatman stands out above all the others, and his method of playing will, we hope, tell well in the Club matches of the season. The three Perrys, Bannister andßariginui also played exceedingly well. For the All Comers Bethune, McKenzie, Chennels, Simeon (Maori), and R. Thompson showed up best. The match has demonstrated that "Masterton should have no difficulty in putting a first-class team in the field this season. There is plenty of good material, and witli practice we shall be disappointed if the Club does not hold a leading position before the season is over.