FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5034, 25 May 1895, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

[BY DAMOCLES.]

The Queen's Birthday, being the only full holiday in tho wintered months, is the great football day the Colonies, and there were probably some thousands of players romping around tho field at the same time yesterday, in different parts—all striving to uphold the honor of their respective Clubs, In Masterton, we had our full sharo of the sport, and four matches against visiting teams, is not a bad record. Great disappointment was, however, expressed at no senior matches being played, as the Masterton and Star teams were idle, and the day was a perfect one for football. The inability of the Melrose to send their teams, made the attendance much smaller than otherwise would lmve been the case.

The Park Oval was, however, very well attended, but the day being so beautifully fine, the Grand Stand V 'was but poorly patronised. The new structure was very favorably commented upon, and had a vervt. imposing appearance from the fielcK On a wet or cold day, it will no doubt be occupied by great numbers, as a welcome shelter from the wind and rain.

Tho first teams to make their appearance on the field were tho Wellington and Masterton Orientals, our boys gaining a victory by some 14 points to nil, Immediately after a scratch team of Masterton and tho first of Wellington Orientals took tho fiold, the city boys turning tho tables by winning easily by 18 points to three. After these two matches were finished, the Star Club put two teams in the field, and had a regular ding-dong practice for about an hour,

The following is a brief account of the matches, pressure of space in our columns preventing a more extended account: — ijk. WELLINGTON V. MASTERTON ORIENTALS

Wellington won the toss, and took adyar.iage of a slight beeze blowing clown the field. This had very little effect, however, as soon after the start, the local boys assumed the aggressive, and maintained it with more or less success throughout the wholtgamo. The Mnstorton team played well together, the backs passing well, although on many occasions they lost chances by passing too high and slow. Bennett secured the first try, taking a welldirected pass from Marsh, no advance being made by the shot at goal. Harsh next came to the rescue, and in the nick of time, snapped the ball up smartly, and gained the line, Harland was entrusted with the kick, and eight points were registered. Prom a forward rush shortly after, Dupr obtained possession and secured the third try, the kick at goal proving a failure. This all occurred in tbo first spell, and it looked like a record score being mado in tllk second. The city team, howevisjf. were uot yet beaten, and for a time after resuming, made things veiy merry. The defence of our backs was extra good, they kept their opponents at bay in fino style. Harland mado the only scoro in this spell, after a pretty piece of play, and the gaino ended in favor of the Masterton Orientals by 16 points to love. Mr 'l'. Wrigloy acted as referee.

Oriental Ist, r, Master™ 2nd. A scratch team mado up on the ground, took the field against the Wellington Orientals, and the latter compact and fast team, wore greatly the favorites. The game was made fast and merry from tho outsot, and the local men played far better than was expected. They kept the play in the centre of the field for a considerable time, until the combination of tho City men wore thw down, and their pretty and con|ft passing was a treat to witness. All Tong, a swift and dodgy threequarter, secured tho first try, after a smart run down the field, outpacing his oppouents. Masterton again worked well, and took tho play to the other end, whero Tyke obtained one of the very fow chances and made for the Wellington line at a tremendous pace. He soon left his followers far behind, and scored between the posts. Jumbo made poor attempt to convert, and the; local team were soon again in troublev They managed to keep their opponents oil, however, and at half time, the scores stood even. In the second spelj Carter obtained a pretty f try, Page potted a goal, and his brother secured a try and Simpson gained another; making in all a score of 18 points. All this was was obtained by fine passing, all the team working well together, and playing urejfe lislily. Mr F. JlcGovern maSsW.!' 1 very efficient referee.

Oriental 2nd v, Amiamiiha., i Tho Alhambra (Wellington.) team i ™' e defeated by tho l^erton Oriental second toam by 18 nninfn ; toB. ThetnatchwaspVlJuthe ' Hospital Ground, an<l lvas a very ' interesting game from start t O . finish. Mr George Hanson was chosen referee. Tho local boys were far too cleyer for their city cousins,, ■ and although the pace was made • warm at tho commoncoment, they soon had the gnmo in thoir own hands, and ma<le the best' of their advantage. Iu the winners team, Payton, King, Johnston, Mandeland Marsh played excellently, but all tho players did an equal share in working for the rictory. Thompson, Jeffries, Hansen, and Clark were among the best of the Alhambraa.' The scorers for the Orientals were Owon, Corbett, Marsh and Bagge, one try of which was converted by: Johnston, who also potted a pre to goal. Hardhum gained the oi|w try for the Alhambras, which was converted by Thompson. Jeffries " also kicked a splendid goal from & kick. White Stars y, Ejetahvxa Rivai,",. ; This match was fought ont on t-)he White Star Ground, and' was o D9 ■ of the most interesting matcb' 4s 0 [ the day, The Rivals sent down a strong team to do battle f jol . e j r colors but the compact li'.tlo White , Star team proved too, much for them, and ultimately u v 11 of Richards went, a , towards winning nd { .s McCorkindale, and Roy-' . ?l ssc °r edf o^l ie Stars, Richards L forEk X playerto(!roßs th * line for iiketahnna. Mi' Tom Fit*- ■ simmons officiated as referee.

y. Athletics. tJ™ ¥ ween tho second mmpwas played first, tlie Athletics. j V ® ood ani Dansev eaff scored two tries for the winners;' J-ne senior match was also worn °J the city toam by 18 points 'to S. ~ Maguire scored for Greytown. wlio by ■ McKenzie, Shore " andßaumb^'offeioii^^^liei;-

Swindley (2), Lang, Kelly and Pauling scored trios for tho Athletics, none of which wero converted. Wemingtox v. Carterton. n A very close match between the " above teams resulted in a draw each scoring 11 points. Bridge and Telford (2) scored for Carterton,one I try being converted, Hallamore, Stuart and Home scored for Wellington. Featherston v. Selwyn. Foatherstou beat the Wellington Selwyns by 12 points to nil. The game was a very good one, and was watched by a large number of spectators. In the evening, the visitors wero entertained at the Empire Hotel, where a pleasant time was spent. Pahutua Footiuu. By Telegraph—Own Corrcspomknl, The Queen's Birthday in tho Bush 'V was wholly devoted to football, and several matches wore played, Pahiatua Seniors beat Woodville x, by U points to 5. n Pahiatua Juniors defeated Tutae- ' kara Juniors by 8 points to 3. The Eketalinna Standards beat tho Pahiatua School toam by 10 to nine. Tho Pahiatua Football Club's concert and social held in evening was a grand success in every way.