FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4395, 17 April 1893, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

BY DAMOCLES. Greytown ut. Stars, The first football match in tho Wairarapa tbis season was played in Greytown on Saturday last, when representatives of tho above clubs tried conclusions. Tho Bed Stars repeated their performance of last year, four of thoir picked men not rolling up, and, needless to say, were beaten. It was an unfortunato start, as I feel confident had the chosen team been on the ground, tho tables would undoubtedly have been turned, .To fill tho vacancies, men had to bo placed in who wore out of form, and in one or two instances had they left them out altogether, the remainder could have got on better, Tom Welch, the best forward in the club, could not don the jersey owing to a sprained leg, and his loss was greatly felt, whilst the inclusion of Robinson, Cashion and Gardiner would certainly havo mado all the difference.

The team the Greytown Club placed in the field was a good one, and although one or two picked men were absent, there were plenty of players on the ground to take their places. The home team was much heavier than the visitors, and were in better form, for whilst the Stars lagged in the second spell, Greytown were at their best, as the scoring will show. A good number of spectators were present, and the " barracking ''wasimpartial,although as a matter of course, Greytown had the preference, Sid Nicbolls acted as referee and an excellent one he made; giving his decisions to appeals in a prompt and decisive manner, that left no time for questioning, Messrs Webster and Welch were the line umpires, Owing to the late arrival of the Stars two spells of thirty-five minutes were played.

Greytown won the toss, electing to , play with their baoks to old Sol, and ' the Stars kicked off. For the first ] quarter the play was dull aid unin- | teresting, the ball being kept chiefly ] among the forwards and a lot of | sorummaging taking place, in which ■ Greytown were tbo Btrongest. Towards the latter end oi the spell, however, it became^factor, and - tho Stars had all they could do to; prevent a 1 me, Several times the forwards of 1 the Stars would in a loose-rush; carry ItliebaH Qittjif.Sanger, bat'owing 1

principally to the splendid play of the Greytown baoks it would return, and the Stare were forced several times. No soorce was made in the first spell, and when they changed enda it was thought the team in the best form would win.

The first few minutes saw the Stars invading their opponent's territory, and tho game was getting exciting and fast. The Star forwards played a rattling game, and edged on by their fine little halves, were making affairs very interesting, The collaring of the Greytown baoks was faultless, Gage, Falkner, and Tate and it was principally efforts that the victory was gained. Greytown now commenced a neat passing game, the forwards, MoKenzie especially, feeding Gage and Falkner in fine style, and by this means the Star goal line was placed in jeopardy. From a throw in near the line Leech took the ball in grand style, and fell over, scoring the first try. Jackson placed an undeniable goal. The Stan again rußhed down, and Igguldea marked, and from a place E. Thompson failed to register the trial for goal. Soon after, owing to the splendid passing of the Gage made a dodgy run, ans«k bravely collared by Wrigley onraa line, a try being narrowly scored, Jacksou failing in the kick. The Stars were falling away, and Greytown had all the best of the play. Just before the call of tine McKenzie obtained a olean run In, and placed the - leather behind the posts, placing the , goal himself, bringing up (lie score to twelve points (two goals and a try to love.

Gage and Falkner were far and away the best of the winners, their running being excellent, passing unselfishly and correctly: Tbey are a tower of strength to Greytown, and would bo hard to beat in any team. McKenzie did not shine any way conspicuously, confining himsejwgHMi pally to feeding his backs fraRBP line out, and this excellent game 11 oame off" on Saturday to a marked extent, teach is a fino forward, and Magnire and Tate very smart in tbeir places. The Udy Bros, were all there, and proved dangerous customers, 11 J umbo" is a full-blown forward now, and leaves " his mark " in a good many places. Full-back Udy played with excellent judgment, and is the right man in the right place. They havo other men of excellent quality in tho team, and under tho goidanoß of suchmenasNichollsand Gage.will make things hum before the season is completed.

The Stars played througliouk with great earnestness, but were far from faultless, and need a lot of training before they aro perfect. On Saturday they had some very faflt backs, but throuubnot passing and feeding,many a good chance was lost. A lesson should certainly be taken by them from _tbe way Gage vraa fed, and do likewise. The Thompsons' did not get a chance to shine, although the ground was just suitable for" Bob's" naunl dashing play. Do Joux, for tho first garao of the season played prettily all through, surprising all with his cunning tricks and devices, and the other backs did their work splendidly, although they had far too little to do. Harry Wrigley played coolly and smartly as. several times put the imminent danger. Renall, HanscttaSS T. Thompson worked hard, the latter especially running and tackling well. Wilsono, Morris and. Hudson in the forwards kept the ball rolling with some fino loose rushes, while Iggulden and Bernini worked hard at scrum work.

l'lio return match will be played on the Park Oval next Saturday, when a more evenly contested game may bg anticipated. If tbo Stars faavo their beat team for that occasion they should just about win.

The championship matches in Wellington will start on tho 6th of May. They will in all probability play for r banner this season, and not only for" honour," as heretofore,

Mr J. P. Firth, principal of the Wellington College, is to be askod to deliver a lecture to footballers, for the purpose of explaining tho new rules, Tho Sydney Bulletin naively roffiav marks" Glove fighting is doomau in Australia. Pugg, howev'erjffll have football—that grand gamL^MT — paying off old scores."

A Maori club under the southern Taranaki Union rejoices in tho heathenish name of Taiporohonui.

Tho following toam will represent tho Orientals in their matoh against Oartorton on Thursday afternoon next: —Back, J. Wiokens; threequarters, Bennett, Bowser, Jaokson, Richards; halves, Galloway, King; forwards, Doughty, Fleming Marsh, Gardiner, Henry, Bayers, Wellington; emergencies, D'Aroy, Follingham, Eeynolds,

Tho Orientals will bo the first team in tho district to try the four threequarter system, Unleea they go in for tho passing gajne, however, it will prove a failure, but with feeding halves and unselfish three-qnarters it should prove a success, I shall note the trial on Thursday to see if it will work for our senior teams,

Six members' of the Wakefield Trinity team-a few yoars ago one of the strongest teams in Yorkshire- " struck" on tho eve of a match against Batley. They wore promptly expelled from the olub, although thoy comprised some of the smartest players in the team. The circumstances of the" strike" are said to have been most aggravating.

The rules of football are now becoming so Btringent that half the battle in a match is to avoid breaking them. According to the Athletic News, a referee in Liverpool in the match New Brighton against Birkenhead, was called upon and stopped the gamo no less than oixty-uine times ifij| thirty-five minutes. The referee til certainly the best of the gamo on this occasion, and ho must have had a very lively innings.

The members of tho South Island Unions are very strong in their arguments against the New Zealand Union, and reckon it cannot help making professionals of playersohoscn to represent it. At the Christchurch meeting last week, one champion of amateurs alluded to the Union as a " one horse show." The Wellington Union has decided to suggest, fttthe New Zealand Union either that two of its members, should visit the'chief, centres in tho Colony, for the putMsiof selecting a> Colonial

team, or tliat eaoh Union should send their representatives to boim centro in order that tho boat solcotion might bo made.

W. Pearso, a rattling good forward, who cornea with a splendid South reputation, has joined tho Stars and will play lor tho remnindor of tho season,

The feeling is growing in the South of England that football is being greatly overdone, and people aro asking in nmsiement how it is that a Yorkshire working man can atlord to forego his wakos and leave bis work tjttjpelllics, perhaps twice or tErco'Tiaiesevery week, Wo confess (Says English Sport) that tho question is a very difficult ono to answer, j

Dcnedin, April 16. Tho annual meeting of tho Rugby Union was attended by 39 delegates, Mr James Allot), m in tho chair, and Mr McKenzie, ,M,H,K„ sooondod tho adoption of tho report, Mr Bruce proposed an amendment to tho effect that the paragraph relating to tho Now Zealand Union . should bo referred back,-but this was lost by nn overwhelming majority, only three VotineJor'it. Mr Robert?; Chisholir waijqpked president, and mcst of the retiring ollico-boarers were •re appointed, Tho incoming committee were instructed to suitably recognise in a substantial mariner tho' ; Borvices' of tlio retiring treasurer, Mr J. 11. Chapman, A resolution '-.Mpressirig sympathy with the Saturday half holiday was passed.

A meeting ofj the Groytown Hard Cases was held in .the Fire Brigade Hall Inst Saturday evening, at which there was a large attendance. Tho Secretary, Mr J. K. Hornblow, reported that Mr J, Hillier had presented'.! a liandsomo silver medal for tte best allround man in tho Club, also ■.that' Mr T. J, Wright had given tho Glub a referee whistle. . .ofBMBAft :thero.

PWPFFor ■ tliiirl generosity; It. was decided that the Club this year bo an independent ono, and not join the Union. Other business of # routine nature was gone through niid the. meeting terminated.

Tho Match Committen held a meeting at the conclusion of tho general one and decided to arrange a match with either Featherstoa or Carterton for next Saturday when the following team will represent the Hard Cases:— Full back, W. Hawkins three-quar-ters, W. Smith, J, Jackson-asd J, Brunton \ halves, F. Meson, fd. Hawke (akippor), and J. K. Hornblow ; forwards, F, and 11. Haigh, A, Gregg, E, Eaisen. /W. Jackson, T. Merson, E. Cook, and Doncliff. Emergencies: L. Royahouso, J. Cross, and Ei Dcckerj.