FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5024, 13 May 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

MASTERTON v. CARTERTON. [by damocu:s.] Tho Masterton team opened tho season well on Saturday by defeating Carterton to tho tune of sixteen points to nil. The visitors brought up a very weak team, and played throughout with an unusual lack of dash and energy. The Oval was in a very slippery condition, the number of surface pools being the cause of no end of merriment to the spectators. Masterton was represented by a good all-round team, and some excellent passing among the backs—considering the state of the ground—was witnessed. McGovern scored first, taking a clever pass,and planting the leather safely between the posts, Einmelt hud no difficulty in negotiating. Watson then scored twice in succession, the result of mulling among tho Carterton bucks, one try of which was converted, making thirteen points in the first spell. In the second spell McGovern gave Thompson an opening, and another try was scored.

Tho game was not a good one

[ froma|football point of view.lhe slate of the ground spoiling any chance of brilliant play. McGovern kept his hacks at work throughout, and had the game well in hand soon after the start. The weakness of the Carterton team was very apparent, and the local men did not have to show ail) very great form to secure a victory. A more equal game between the teams is promised when they meet again in Union contests, and the lif-

teen to represent Cartel ton next Saturday on their own ground is built of very different material to the scratch one of last week. They are deficient in fast and scoring men and go in very little forrunning ami passing. Booth played full-back but faifed to help his team to any degree," prospecting" most of the kicks and giving his opponents shows which they were not slow in taking advantage of. Little Allen played the best back game, while Telford, Kiddie aud Moore put in useful work in their departments. Mr A. K, U'Arcy made a very fair and impartial referee.

The championship fixtures commence next Saturday, when the following teams meet in competition : Seniors—Masterton v Greytown on Oval; Carterton v Stars, at Carterton. Juniors: Stars v Masterton, on Hospital Ground ; Featherston v Greytown, at Featherston.

Alex. Stewart, who has played for Tcnui, is playing for the Greytown Club and displaying excellent form at threequartcr back, ft is rumored that McCarthy, of Featherston, also intends to play for Greytown, and the latter look upon their chances this season as exceptionally rosy. Holyoake played an excellent forward game for Masterton on Saturday, and will be a great help in that division. Another new man to the district, Boyce, played full, but was not called upon to display much defence, so that his form could not he criticised.

The Sehvyn Club (Wellington) will send a team to Featherston on Queen's Birthday, to play the local men. A dinner and smoke concert is to be held in the evening. The following team has been chosen to represent tho Masterton Club in the Cup match against Greytown on the Park Oval on Saturday next, 18th inst.:—Backs, Thompson, Boyce, McGovern, Broad, H. Peiry, Goring-Johuston; forwards, Gray, Monlom, Holyoake, Emmett, Yates, Johnston, Watson, Fowler; emergencies, Joe. Biown,Gillies,W. Johnston.

The mouthers of the Masterton Football Club arc requested to attond practice at the Drill Hall on Wednesday night.

The following teams will represent the Star Club in their fixtures for Saturday next:—Seniors v. Carterton: Agnew, Ross, H. Wrigley, Renall, Thompson, Tyke, Norton, T. Wrigley, Cochrane, Morris.Stone, McKillop, Doughty, Reracni, Randall. Emergencies: Jackson,D'Arcy, Dorset, Westbrooke. Juniors v. Masterton: Hunt, Jackson, Cootc, Wellington, Jeffries, Westbrooke, Dorset, Wise, Pike,Cameron,Jenscn. Emergencies: Eitzsimmons, McKenzie,

The Star teams as chosen, contain several new men to their ranks, seven only of last year's seniors being included in the first, and six of the juniors in the second. The Match Committee have only chosen men who have shown l'oini in practices, although several of last year's players are willing to again fight for their colors, if tho teams are found too light. It is more than likely that the first backs will be strengthened by two "rep" men for the Queen's Birthday match. The Bush Rugby Union have written to the New Zealand Union, complaining of the Wairarapa Union's non-compliance of a demand made by the higher Union re tho New South Wales-WairarapaMatch,

A cable message to the Australian papers, states that the English team will visit the Colonies this year,

The football season is now in full swing in Dunedin, and players aro rapidly getting into form, Now that Otago has joined tho N.Z. Rugby Union, and a premiership is recognised, it is expected that football will go ahead faster than it did last year.

The Athletics beat the Melrose on Saturday by a try to nil, after an oxcellent game in which the losers had tho best of it, Petone defeated Wellington by nine points to nil. Skinner, who played for the Red Stars last year, scored two tries for the Sehryn Club against the Wellington second on Saturday.