FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3886, 14 August 1891, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

|"B? Diogenes.] The representative football match between the Wairarapa and Bush Rugby Unions is to be played on the Masterton Club's ground to-morrow. As our bush friends have a strong team, the match should be interest* ing.

In view of the forthcoming match with the Alhambras, the following reference to a match between that Club and che Unions of Dnnediu may be of interest to the Masterton Club : —The objectionable and illegal practice of " blocking," which the wing play, as practiced by the Alhambra team and to which some of the teams opposing the Alhambra resort, leads to, has been the subject of protest on more than one occasion. It was greatly in evidence again on Saturday. Baker hardly appeared to be such a sinner in this respect as his club-fellow, Robertson, and thelattei had a worthy rival in Grieve, but after a free kick had been granted against the Union on account of "blocking" by Grieve ihat player was not such a noticeable offender. It is high time that a referee was found with sufficient firmness to take a stand against this " blocking," tLe practice of which clearly brings a player within the operation of the provisions of no fewer than three of the laws of the game, these being laws 29, 42, and 46. Baker, who of course, as a wing player, had opportunities of distinguishing hicuaalf that were not open to scrummagers, was the most prominent of the Alhambra forwards, but of the workers Esquilant and G. M'Laren were about the best. The Alhambra backs succeeded better with their passing tactics than would bave seemed possible with a greasy ball, though there were some glaring instances of passing forward, chiefly on Crawford's part. Restieaux is entitled to considerable credit for the way in which he passed out, and his play all round was an improvement on most of his previous efforts of the season, while Crawford's was about correspondingly inferior to his recent performances. Of the three-quarter backs Cunningham had little to do and Noel was never allowed to get away. Downes played well in the centre, but sacrificed some good opportunities to the desire to kick goals from the field, and Ross performed creditably at full back.