FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3894, 24 August 1891, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Poaeko ▼• Bad Stars.

[Br Diogenes.]

The Bed Stars journeyed to Wellington on Saturday to do battle with the Poneke Club, and after a wellcontested game were defeated by two tries to nil. The match took place at Newtown Park, but owing to the terrible weather, the public did not muster in great force. The afternoon was a miserable one, heavy cold rain falling throughout the game, making the ball and ground very slippery. The Stars sent down a fairly strong team, and on entering the ground their fine lot of nuggety forwards were the subject of much comment. The Ponekes had to fill the places of absentees with Hyland (Athletic) and * Pudney (Pirate), and had a heavy team. Cheers were exchanged on the teams taking their places and Sim kicked off for the Ponekes. After a series of marks McKenzie (Star) made a splendid run through the Poneke backs and got over the line at the corner. He had the misfortune, however, to lose bis hold of the ball, and it was sent through the ropes. After a lot of scrummaging, in which the Stars were seen to advantage, Thompson ran well and Roberts returning well into touch. White got away, but Pelling sent him ' out. The Stars had all the best of the play, and made desperate efforts to cross the Popeke line, but the defence of the opposing backs was too much, Roberts, Sim, and David** son repeatedly saving what looked like certain scores. Pelling once got away, passed to Thompson, the latter sending it on to Renall, Hawke, and Richards, the latter spoiling.a splendid chance by holding on too long. Galloway marked in the Poneke twenty-fives, ■ and Pelling made a splendid Attempt to place a goal, the result being a poster. M'Kie mulled the return, and Thompson was within an ace of scoring, Davidson forcing down. A fine rash, in which Mclntyre, Hyland, Stuart, and Blacklock were conspiououa took affairs to the eentre Of the field, from which T. Welob neutralised matters by a splendid run. McKenzie got away with a fine run, and another sure chance was lost by reckless passing. Half time was called with no score. Soon after commencing the second spell, Pudney made the i run of the day, and Richards not being in his right place, with no one near him, a brilliant run ended in a score, no goal being kicked. Broderick from a forward rush tell over immediately afterwards, and scored a seoond try, M'lntyre failing to convert. This was about the only time the Stars were penned in, bat the Ponekes bad made good übe of their time. The Stars now played a> rattling game, and their forwards were frequently cheered for their brilliant forward rashes. They had the ball on the Poneke line all the rest of the spell, but get over tho line they could not, hard luck being experienced right through. The defence of the Poneke backs waff splendid, and the game ended with Poneke winners by two points to nil.

The game was principally a forward one, and in this department the Stars were decidedly the superior, but their back play was weak, some of their men passing Terr recklessly, and spoiling aplendicl chances to score. Felling, Haw4fc» and Thompson were the best of (lib backs, the latter particularly doing a lion's share of the work. The Start forwards worked splendidly, and were greatly admired by the onlookers, M'Kenzie, Hudson, T. and W. Welch, being hosts in themselves. The Ponekes backs were far superior to ours, and Sim, Roberts, Davidson, and Pudney, were good on the defeneive. Of the forwards Stuart, Hyland, M'lntyre and Blacklock played well, and the passing of their players waa a treat to witness. Andy Thomat was chosen referee, and made hiß decisions in a very impartial manner.. The Stars were treated well by too Ponekes, being met and driven oat to the ground in a drag, and were sent home by the five train by all their opposing players,,. They are. well satisfied with the trip, which WAV a very enjoyable one.

There is great talk in Wellington about the Masterton Club, and the enthusiasts are very anxious to sea-*) the Wairarapa veterans play. If they - resolve to meet the Alhambra team in the city, great interest will b& dis* played in the match, as it is thought the Masterton men will prove the victors.

The Wellington representatives were defeated by Canterbury on Sat* urday by sixteen points to one. A match between the Maaterton Violets and the Greytown "Hard Cases" was played on the Park Ovai on Saturday, which, after a very exciting contest, resulted in a win for the former by three tries to love, Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the running for the medal presented to the Masterton Club by Mr J. Williams was postponed till Saturday next. It is expeoted that the match between the Wairarapa and Manawatu representatives will be played on the Park Oval on Saturday week.