FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5030, 20 May 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

', [llY DAMOCLES.] GHETTO TO v. MASTERTON. . The match between tho above teams, played on tho Oval on Saturday, ended in a draw, and was about as evenly contested a game as one could wish to see. Doth Clubs placed strong teams in the field, and the great muster of spectators present, witnessed a really excellent match. Grcytown had the wind in their favor in tho first spell, and this, aided by their splendid forward division, kapt the play in the Maslerlon twenty-lives nearly the whole time. The game was very exciting, and each conspicuous bit of play by either team, was applauded by the crowd in true and impartial style. Dockery had several shots at goal from marks, but failed on every occasion, The game was a forward one, the looso rushes of both teams being admirable. In Ibe scrum, Grcytown were superior, and' had the ball heeled out more often than Mastorton,

With tho wind in their favor, Masterton were the favorites in the second spoil, and turned the tables by penning Grcytown to their line, the visitors working their utmost to avoida score. Their backs, however, proved equal to the-occasion, and collared in splcndidslyle. McGovern and Dowser, Gray and Watson, tried time after time to gain the coveted line, but were each time laid low. Towards tho latter end of the spell, G rcy town again came to the fore, and the borne territory was dangerously invaded. Great excitement prevailed among the spectators,and the cheering and counter-cheering was immense. The visitors played with a- tremendous amount of dash, and Masterton had all they could possibly do to save their line. Tho whistle went, without a point to either side, and the next match between the teams will becvonmoro interesting. For Masterton, McGovern played a perfect game, but being' singled out for special care, was too well marked to do his usual scoring. Boyce at full, played very carefully, and got bis team out- of some narrow escapes by line defensive play. 11. Perry also passed and collared in fine style, and bad plenty to do in stopping the dashes of the opposing forwards. Gray and Watson were, as usual, the main-stay in the forwards, Holyoake, Mowlem, and Miuinett also doing useful work. Maguire was the best back on the Grcytown side, and all through the game did about two men's work. His intercepting of his opponents' passing was very tine, and marked him as a dangerous man to deal with. Knowles had plenty of chances of making a name as half, his for-

wards working like clock-work in front of him, but lie seldom made a clean pass. The other backs were not brilliant, although they, one and all, did useful work. In the forwards Greytown shines, and it is hard to say who did the best. They are, indeed, a splendid set, and with an equal back team would not be beaten in the Wairarapa. Cress and Mitchell on the wing kept the men splendidly together, and both did an uiiusuiilamomilof work, Cress also made some line runs and showed excellent defence, and is a great acquisition to the team, The others fo a man played we'll, and if, would be unfair fo single oat anyone for special mention.

MrC, Pratt made an excellent: referee, his decisions never once being brought info dispute. Messrs C. Heard and Holinwood acted as line umpires.