FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2933, 25 June 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL

Junior Cup Match.

Disgraceful Proceedings.

The drawn match between the Masterton Club's second fifteen md the Red Star's first team was played off on the ground of the former on Saturday afternoon, andresulted in a doubtful win for the Star's by one point to nil, after one of the worst matches both for play (?) and conduct yet seen on a Wairarapa ground. The Masterton team was captained by F. O'Connor, and the Stars by J. Emmett, the umpires being Messrs Wickerson and , P. Pelling, and the Referee Mr H. Udy [tertius]. From the kick off it was seen that the Stars had made up their minds to take every advantage possible of the Umpires and Referee and consequently appealed for everything that tended to favor their side, whether the appeal was warranted or not. This was specially noticeable-within a few minutes after play began, and when they were being forced towards their line. The Captain appealed to one of the Umpires and as the latter did not acknowledge it, made use of most filthy and disgusting language towards him. s This ot course put a stop to the game until an ample apology had been rendered. Soon after play was commenced again another of the Star team distinguished himself by swearing at his own Umpire for refusing to give a decision in favor of them against his conviction. As these interruptions by the Star players were numerous and several spectators left the ground, some idea of the kind of game indulged in can be surmised. One of the Star team justly termed it a" scrimmage and swearing game," and expressed himself highly indignant at the conduct of some of his fellow players. The first spell ended without a score, and in the second the appealing tactics of the Stars came off so far successful as to have a very doubtful point given in their favor. It appears they were well down towards the Masterton line the ball being in touch. Thomas [Stars] threw it in, but not being straight an appeal was madeand acknowledged by the Umpires. The Referee, not noticing the appeal allowed the play to proceed, when an appeal for "dead ball" was made under the Masterfcou goal. He blew his whistle, ordered a scrimmage, and while a third of the players, including Thomas, were waiting on the line, the ball was touched down by one of the Star forwards. The rest of the game was fought out in the Star's 25, they having to force down several times to avoid a score, During their football career the Masterton Club have gained a name for genuine play and it is only fair to add that they upheld their reputation in -Saturday's match and played from start tQ finish without a

wrangle. On the other liand the Stars, with one exception scarcely , played a match without either insult, ing the players of the opposite side or|&. the referee engaged in the matches, p and from the opinion expressed since Saturday's match they have well nigh run through the list of gentlemen eligible for the offices of umpires and referee who would care to risk being insulted by acting for them. Football has been raised to a high standard by the senior clubs in the Wairarapa, but a repetition of Saturday's match would in a great measure tend to sink it very low in the scale of games. We trust that some of our leading Junior teams. instead ot setting examples, will take lessons from the senior players of the district, for we are sure the lesson would not only improve thenV hutgive the grand old Eugby game-as it richly deserves—the leading place in Wairarapa Sport.