FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3828, 8 June 1891, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

MASTERTON V GREYTOWN.

Thefootball match between tlie first fifteens of theMasterton and Grey town Football Clubs, 'which has been looked forward to with no Bmall degree of interest since the opening of the seasod, was played on the Greytown Re-, serve on Satarday last, and resulted, after an exciting contest, in a win tor Masterton by four points (n goal and a try) to nil. The match was witnessed by several hundred spectators, a large number of whom hailed from Masterton, and betting on the result was freely indulged in. As the game progressed a considerable amount of feeling was introduced, and it was thought at times that the contest would resolve itself into a free fight between the two divisions of the " barrackers." Fortunately, however, the excited backers allowed their better judgment to rule their tempers. As for the game itself, a better display of football could not have been made. Each team worked their yery hardest to win, and although the circumstances were not the most favorable, the ground being exceedingly slippery and heavy showers of rain falling at intervals, the excitement as each team gained a temporary advantage, ran very high. The visiting team was weakened considerably in its forward division by the absence through illness of Day; whilst, the home team was likewise handicapped by the unavoidable absence of Ingley. The yellows were skippered by Whatman and the blues by Nicholls. Shortly after three o'clock the ball was set in motion by Udy, who kicked off for Greytown. The wind afforded very little advantage either side, as it was biowiug straightacioss the ground. The leather was carried immediately into touch at thg centre of the field. From thence it was taken into Mas terton's twenty fives, but was soon afterwards returned. A packed scrum ensued, and the Masterton forwards transferred the play into their opponents' twenty fives. By a pretty hit of play oo the part of

Baumber the position of affairs was soon altered, and the Masterton < territory was the scene of action, A splendid rush was made by the Greytown forwards, and D'Arcy {ailing to kick, the visitors were forced down. The territory of the blues was then invaded by combined rushes on the part of the visiting forwards, and Masterton obtained a free kick, but could not scorn. Nicholls and beard marked for Greytown in succession, but the advantage gained was oniy temporary. The Greytown goal line waa afterwards in danger, and the visitors looked like scoriug, but by excellent play tho situation was relieved. Some off side play on the part of Greytown resulted in several free kicks for the visitors, but their efforts to score were frustrated by the splendid forward rushes of the home team. ' Nicholls marked in Masterton's fifteens, and Udv had a kick at goal, but failed. The blues at this stage did some excellent passing, and looked very much like scoring, but Thompson saved his team by kicking into touch at tbe centre of the field. Thompson and M'Carthy had a little game between themselves, kicking up and down the field several times, but Harry Parry secured possession and by a dashing run got ou to the very line itself. Being collared by Lucena, he passed smartly to Gray, who ran in and secured a first try for Masterton amidst great cheer ins. The try was disputed hy the Greytown umpire, who maintained that the ball was dead before being The referee, however, gave hia decision in favor of the visitors. Th& kick was taken by Thompson, who placed a pretty goal. Throughout i the remainder of the spell Greytown had a decided advantage, forcing their ; opponents down several times. When i half time was called the play was in , the centre of the field.

The second spell was commenced by D'Arcy kicking off. The home team then went at it in desperate earaesi, and the Masterton territory was almost immediately invaded. By a grand loose rush, however, the position of affairs was reserved. The visitors were awarded a free kick tHrough a Grey town man lying on [the ball, but failed to score. Masterten was soon afterwards forced down, and whilst the play was in their territory A. Udy obtained a mark, ani it looked as though the home team were going to score. E. Udy, who took the kick, did not, however, allow for the wind, and a failure resulted. From this out the home team had all the beat of it, and it was only by sheer " hard luck" they did not score. Masterton was forced down several times, and Greytown obtained a number of free kicks, but it appeared as though fate was against them, for they could not score. As they rushed down upon their apponents time after time, the greatest excitement prevailed amongst the spectators. Towards the end of the game'the Masterton forwards rallied, and gave thei home team?" a lively five-minutes,-the result being-that Joe. Pjerry got? possession, and making a fine run, secured a second try for ' Masterton. l'he tick was a failure. "No side" i was then called, aud the game ended, Masterton four points, Greytown nil. The play throughout'was. very ropgh, and Beveral of the players received nasty cuts and bruises; The Greytfwn team was undoubtedly the 'stronger in most divisions of the game, more particularly in the scrums. Their passing was also good, and on the line' out they displayed a lot of skill. For the victors the best forward players were perhaps Gray, Watson, and Boulcott, and behind the scrum, Harry and Joe Perry and Wallace. The pick of the Greytown forwards were Baard, Amos, Mitchell, and Tyler, and:of;the backs Bantntor, Nicholls, and M'Carthy, the litter distinguishing himself in particular. Messrs R. Hirschberg and Webster acted as umpires, whilst Mr W.' McKenzie (of Carterton) referreed.

The Star second defeated the Carterton Rival second on the Park. Oval on Saturday by seven points to nil. The game throughout was in favor of the Stars. The play, owing, to the slippery nature of the ground, was'nob very brilliant. c •

The Te Ore Ore second met the Grey town Fire Brigade on the Workop Road ground on Saturday, and defeated them by four jpoints to love.

" Taihoa" in the Catholic Times says i —Wairarap* is likely to have .a very strong representative team this year. Wellingtonians had a chance to see of what stuff Greytownites were made of when they defeated the Athletics on the Queen's Birthday, and when it is stated that Greytown went down before the Red Stars, who in turn were defeated by Masterton, it will be seen what we may expect. The latter club also which defeated the Wellington's first by 12 points to three, is looked upon as one of the best in the Colony, and I understand that a loca enthusiast is willing to back it against any Wellington Club, offering 6 to 4 in " tenners." It comprises a lot of men well-known to the Wellington public: Whatman, the Perrys, Bob Thompson, the Bannisters, and Watson. Father McKenna, who some years ago ; played . for St Patrick's College, is their centre three-quarter, and his brother, Father Tom McKenna is amongst the forwards.

The following team will represent the Red Stars in the Cup match with Masterton on Saturday next: —Hill, Pelling, Hawke, Richards, Hoar, Hansen, T, Thompson, Iggulden, H. Wilsone, Morris, W>. and T. Welch, Hudson, J. and (). Percy. Emergencies—Emmett, Campbell, and J. McKenzie.

The championship match between the Wellington and Melrose Clubs, played on Saturday, resulted in a win for the former by a gaol to a try.