MASTERTON V WELLINGTON CLUBS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2644, 11 July 1887, Page 3

MASTERTON V WELLINGTON CLUBS.

Tlio match Masterton v Wellington Clubs at Newtown, on Saturday last, resulted in a draw after a very tough struggle, says the New Zealand Times As might have been expected, the ground was in a terriblo couditionsoffc and muddy- everywhere, and ankle to in slush in patches all over the Iwq. The weatbor, too, was not very favorable, for although littlo or no rain foil during tho afternoon, a sharp, cold wind blew across the ground, and bad tho effect of limiting the number of spectators, The Masterton mon arrived in town at mid-day "with a rather weak team, four of tho men Belected (Roydhouss, W. Perry, Hounblow and C, Bannister) being unable to play. In the.first spell both sides were forced down twice and Faii'brotber got over the. line, but lost the ball, aud Kibblewhite also got ovor and touched jdown, but the try was disallowed owing to his having gone into touch. In the second spell tlie ball was kept in the Wellington twenty-five tho wholo time. The Masterton forwards played a brilliant game all through, aud had their backs been as good as those of their opponents, ;or even a «e better than they were, they would ainly have had hard luck if they'■ did not win. Their backs,' however, were very weak indeed. F. Perry, who played full back instead of forward did very well, and 0. Perry played a dashing game at three-quarter back. Steward and Hohnwood played very well indeed at half- Of the forwards, Felling played splendidly 011 the wing, showing a deal of snmrtnoss and au ability to play well on side, which might well bo emulated somo of our wing celebrities. The feature of the forward play, however, and perhaps the feature of the game, too, was Day's form. His great strength enabled him to break up the ecrimmages time aftor time, and the quickness and completeness with which he smothered the Wellington backs was something to be remembered., _ Though not particularly fastlie is still not at all slow, and his inclusion' would materially improve the , best forward team that could be •'tftiked in Wellington. Cox, Whatwtn, W. Welch and Kibblewhite, also played very well.