FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2291, 10 May 1886, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Grkytowb,-v Masterton, The firsfc'matohes of the seaeon between the above clubs came off on Saturday last at Greytown,- when .first and second fiftoeris from each club contested. The weither was everything, desirable for football, but the'attendance of visitors to the contesting ground was not so numerous as is usually seen on a Greytown football sjroutid when important matches are being played. The visitors were conveyed to Greytown in "Neill's" bus, with fivo horses attached, but owing to sundry mishaps in the shape of smashing swingle trees, they did not arrive till about a quarter to threo consequently it was three o'clock before play commenced. Mr Maguire umpired for Greytown, Mr McKenzio for Masterton, Mr W. J. Jackson, of Greytown, being appointed referee. It was decided to play Second Fifteen

match first, D. Cainoron and J. Emmett captaining the home team and visitors respectively, Tho game; whiclSwas played in two spells of twonty minutes 'each, was well contested, the scrimmage power of the teams being about equal. The visitors were superior in the back "play, which-was counteracted by the fast following up of the opposing forwards. No score was made on either Bide, and when "no side" was called, the visitors had succeeded in forcing their opponents down hve or six-times, and had to accept the inevitable twice in return.

■'■ First Fifteen. The following are the teamß, and the positions in the fieldMasterton—Back, Pelling; half backs, T. Bannister and Cliff ; quarters, O'Connor (Captain), Hounslow, and Holmwood; forwardaRanganui, J. and C, Bannister, Welch, Thomas, Jamieson, Kibblewhite, Day, andßlinkhorne. Greytown-Back, Day; half-backs, Roydhouse and A, Udy ; quarters, Webster, J. Humphries, and J. Terry.; forwards—H. Udy (Captain , C. and J. Beard, E. Udy, 0. Udy, F, Tully, G. Humphries, W, Humphries. Two spells of thirty-five minutes wore decided on, Maitercon took the kick off, and the nature of the game booh became apparent, the forwards were determined that it should bo their game, and scrimmaging was the order. Each side was in turn menaced; till at length, after about a quarter of an hour's play, tho ball went into touch near the Masterton goal lino, It was thrown in opposite the goal, when Tully got possession, and with a vigorous rush managed to clear the coveted line, and succeeded in getting a try after a short maul with Pelling. The throw out was the subject of a protest, which was Jiot allowed, and the Greytown captain placed a stoal to hiß credit. From the kick ofi the' play was confined to the Greytown territory, some very heavy forward work being put in, when the monotony was relieved by Blinkhorne Coming through-with the leather at his too and passing all but the back, when, by an injudicous kick, ho spoiled what appeared a good chance for scoring, As it was Greytown averted the danger by Terry forcing down, after a run with Hounslow. The socond spoil was commenced, as tho shades of evening were falling fast, by Udy kicking off for a dribble, which was the signal for some fierce scrimmaging, Whilst the ball was kept in among the forwards, neither side gained any material advantage, tut in the loose play tho passing and well judged punts and kicking of the honio>team shewed their superiority in this branch of tho came, or rather the' mult of practice. It now became too dark to distinguish the players from where the Bpectatora stood, and the umpire and referee had a great difficulty to contend against in consequence. The play was in the Masterton twenty-five, when, from a throw in, some loose play ended in Royd- 1 house gotting possession, and securing a second try to Greytown. Another protost was lodged on account of off-sido play, the ball having been thrown forward, although tho player that took it ran up from behind tho ono that threw it. The referee nut having seen the play in question, 'ruled that it was a try, and Udy placed another goal to his crodit, It being too dark to play with any degree of Bafety, tho game was abandoned, only, twenty minutes of tho spell having' been played, Greytown thus winning by two goals to love. Cheors were exchanged, and. visitors and vanquished l!oat'a hasty retreat. The victors played football to the letter, the forwards to a man working from the start to'the finish of the' g&mo, H. Udy and 0. Beard if anything excelling themselves in this branoh of tho play. The backs, especially Roydhouse and ■ Udy showed great tact and precision in all their movements, they passed with surprising accuracy, and run and punted like old players, saving all that was possible for their side, and neutralising lots of the hard work of the opposing team, Masterton with their proverbial luck had to dispense, tkrough accident, with the services of J. and W. Perty, and tho Brothers Whatman, these added to the loss of Chennslls, Inglis, and Boechy, made the team a thorough scratch one, but the play showed that they possessed the grit to develop into a team, with plenty of practice. The forward play, considering the skill-of their opponents, was rather surprising as they held their own, and at times forced their antagonists to relinquish their ground. The backs, having been placed on the spur of the emergency were not, consequently, equal to the occasion, in fact, save one or two runs by Pelling, scarcely anything was done by them. Hounslow; O'Connor, and Holmwood worked very hard close up to the scrim, but the chance of distinguishing themselves againat thfir wellpracticed opponents was very rare. As young players, Blinkhorne'and Kibblewhite deserve especial mention among the forwards, They were both conspicuoub by their persistent play, and the only dribbling of note was done by thorn. Tho former played in both matches, and will, with attention to practice, develop into a first-class player.

The Secretary of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union is in communication with the proposed Sydney football team with a viow to arranging a match on thoir visit to the Colony, Wairarapa v. New South Wales.