FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5041, 3 June 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

MASTERTON v. BED STABS. l, A DRAWN GAME. [ilY DAMOCI.ES.]

Every season as the day comes round for the mooting of the Masterfon and Star teams, everybody in town and country talks football, and the one thonie of conversation to be hoard on every side is, " Who is going to win ?" Among local enthusiasts, all other matches duringthe season sink into insignificonco beside this all-important fixture, and the players themselves look npou a victory upon such an occasion as tho crowning point in their football career. It is noticeable that as year after year arrives, the teams becomo moro evenly matched, and tho exciting and brilliant games ( that have been witnessed in the "})ast between the local representatives, are the causes for such an interest being taken, and tho merits ofilie men being so discussed, ffclturday last proved a fine day fur football, tho weather being cool, and the ground in line condition. Tho town was practically deserted between three and five o'clock, and during the progress of toe match, business was almost at a stand-still. Even staid employers could not resist the temptation, and excuses were many and varied for getting away from trade for half an hour or so. Crowds of people wended their way to Oval, and as the play became more close and intoiesting, excitement among the majority knew no bounds, and the yelling and cheering was immense, the utmost difficulty was experienced nt times inkeepingthelinesclenivuidthcgame bad to be stopped several times' whilo tho spectators were driven back to the fence. •ch team had heaps of suppor.ers, colors " in the shape of rosjttes and hat bauds being very conspicuous all over the ground, especially among the ladies, who era j year take a great interest in this fixure, and attend in numbers, Mr C. 1 ■ utt was chosen referee, and Messrs J. McKenzie and T. H. Thompson acted as lino umpires. It was not before half-past three ; that the teams filed on to the ground, both being strong combinations, and each determined to make a bold bid for victory. The Stars gained the toss, and had the advantage of a breeze in the first spoil. Masterton opened up, En-mett kicking off, and Agnew returning. For a time the play hovered around the centre, the over-anxiousness of both teams being yery appareut. Scrum work occupied a poition of the time, and the heavy forwards of Mastodon carried the play before them. At hist the hall was relieved from this rather monotonous procedure and play became more open and merry. On the loose tWStars shone conspicuously, and tKMasterton line was soon in danger. From this to the end of the first spell, Masterton were in severe difficulties, the play only being in the Star twenty-lives on one or two occasions and then only for a very short space of time. Rush after rush was stopped successfully by the exc3llent defence of the Masterton backs, McGovorn, Johnston, and Voyce being called upon to show theirutmost ability in this department, Six limes running Masierton were forced, scoring being narrowly averted on several occasions. Some pretty passing was shown between Tyke, Thompson, Wrigley, Ross and Owen, but the collaring of Masterton was peifect, and the fast backs were always stopped in the nick of time. On one occasion W. Thompson made a grand attempt, out-pacing his opponents in pretty style, but aftc ; crossing tho line he lost possession of thttkll and tho referee who was not cHgQ enough to see if he had touched down, gave the benefit of the doubt to Masterton. Again Ross after a brilliant run was within a yard of tho line when he slipped and lost another chance. From a loose rush in which McKillop, Norton aud Braggins were prominent, the latter just missed the ball after crossing the line, by an hair's breadth. The first spell ended without any BCore, and with the ti'vit of tide Masterton supporters expected a victory ironi their team, who now lad the wind behind them, They commenced well, and Gray, Watson and Holyoakecamo down with agreat rush, penning the Stars to their line. Time after time danger was averted, and play removed to neutral territory, but with a persistance that did them credit, Masterton were equally determined, and kept the Stars playing all they knew. The backs wntequito equal to the occasion, and if they arc a brilliant attacking set, they show considerable superiority on the defence, and the way they kept the dashes and onslaughts of the veterans in the opposing team from becoming more than dangerous was certainly a marvel. Mowlem started several passing rushes, and the ball shot quickly from Perry and Johnston to McGovem, but the latter, who was watched with especial care, was always pounced upon before he became dangerous. The only real chance Masterton had of scoring was obtained about this time, Johnston making a splendid mark within easy range of the Star goal, amidst great applause from the spectators. The hearts of tho Star supporters fel l , as Emmett was called upon to win the match, To make matters worse for the Stars, no charge was allowed, and at tie feet of that usual fine placekicker, the result was never in doubt by the majority. Silence reigned supreme for a few moments, Iraf was turned into ringing cheers aajtoo ball was carried on its errand two yards from tho'outer post. The narrow escape livened the Stars up again, and from this out, Masterton bad scarcely another show. Play was taken to the Masterton twentyfives, and some of the best play of the day was witnessed. The Star forwards obtained the ball from the scrum on nearly every occasion, and Tyko sending it out to Thompson in fine style, Owen, Wrigley, and Ross made several gallant attempts to reach the covertcd line. From a pretty passing rush Owen crossed the line, but'was called back on an appeal for a pass forward, It was now getting dark,and the spectators were at a high pitch of excitement, which only culminated • when the whistle hlew,and the game declared over. Hearty cheers were exchanged, the players retiring the lest of friends. The decisions of the referee were always accepted without a murmur, and Mr Pratt noted throughout in a very fair and impartial mannor, rk/io individualize the play of the sjtsterton team is not a difficult matter, as some of tho players fairly out-shone the others. Watson, for instance, played without doubt the best forward game evor seen on the ground, He was tho main-stay of ike team, and in every scrum, in

[ every rush, and on the lino-out ho was invincible. Gray was almost as good, and at all times the pair of N.Z, reps shone conspicuously, Holyoake, Emmett, and Yates also did their utmost, and the two former being tho front men in tlio scrum, had a terrific amount of hard work to perform. Mowlem and Johnston played well on the wings, but were overmatched by their oppononts,aud the Star half had littlo trouble to get his ball away. H. Perry pluckily stuck to his post as half, and had a lot to put up with, having fast men to deal with in passing his ball out. Johnston was in belter form than in the last mulch, and was especially good on the defence. Of tho threequarters, McGoveni was undoubtedly the best, hut his usual dash was spoilt by I lie fast following up, and he seldom put in a clear run. Voyce, at full, fairly upheld his reputation, and made no mistakes, although his kicking was several times at fault.

Among the Stars it is much more difficult to place the best, as the individual players are moro on an equality, and every man in the team deserves credit. Aguew had comparatively little to do, tho excellent three-quarters saving him no end of work. The trio, Owen, Wrigley, nnd Ross, could not be improved upon, and played from start to finish with such unselfishness and cleverness that was a pleasure to witness. Thompson was seen at his best at live-eights, and tho fast aud tricky little player earned unstinted applauso from the crowd. Tyko must be singled out for his brilliant play at half, proving himself the main-stay of the back division, and was a severe thorn in the side of the opposingtcam. Norton and I Wrigley on the wings, proved too I much for the Masterton men, and the yellow backs suffered seriously in consequence, All the forwards were a success, each one shining individually, and as a combination would be hard to beat. Braggins is an improvement to the team, his heavy weight and lino play on the line-out being very serviceable. Kemeui was never in better form, and McKillop, Moris, Percy, Stone, and Cochrane were at all times noticeable.) he laticr being especially good in his following up tactics.

NOTES. I am sorry to say a lot of ill-feel-ing seemed to be displayed in tho Masterton-Star match on Saturday, and the old enmity in the football field which caused such a lot of trouble years ago, is again cropping up. With all due respect to the Masterton Club, I must say two or three of their members show an unnecessary amount of roughness, aud the spectators could not help making uncomplimentary remarks. Tyke received a nasty fall in the first spell, and the referee had to caution the Masleiton offender. Willie Thompson was also kicked in the head, causing a severe gash, which made him see stars for some time. Gray was also one of the unfortunates, and camo to grief at tho latter poition of the game. A collision between Tyke and Emmett inflicted painful cats on both the players faces, which had to he sewn up by the doctor afterwards. Veryfew o? the players on cither side (escaped injury, and on Saturday evening the amount of limping and bandages among players plainly showed what a tough battle had been fought, It is to bo hoped the captains will urge their men to play a little more mildly when they meet again, Out of tho four senior matches played for thoWairarapa Championship this season, three have been drawn, and Carterton is the only team that has scored a try, They are, therefore, leading for the Banner by half a point. The teams have not been on such an equality for many seasons, and it is hard to say what the result will be.

The Star first will bo represented at Greytown, next Saturday, by the same team that played Masterton. The matches arranged, under the Thursday Union, for next Thursday, are as follows:—White Stars v. Eovers, at Masterton, Feathcrston r. Parkvale, at Feathcrston, Orientals a bye. In the senior match, Carterton v. Greytown, played on Saturday, the game resulted in a draw, neither side scoring.

The Star second were defeated by Kotahitangi on Saturday, alter an exceedingly close gamo, by six peints to three. The Stars were' mucli lighter than their opponents' but played a really splendid game, showing some brilliant piny at times. Joe Brown and Frank Falkncr scored tries for the winners, and Cotter did likewise for the losers. Considering this was the first game the Star second have played together this year, they did wonderfully well, and a successful season is in store for them. I understand Joe Brown has not obtained his clearance from the. Masterton Clnb, and was therefore not qualified to play for Kotahitangi. The Greytown Club sent their second team to Masterton on Saturday to play tho Masterton second, and only two of the local men turning up, the match was forfeited. It was rather annoying to the visiting team, to be treated in such a manner, and does not •rellcot much credit upon those who were chosen to play. Surely someone could have wired to Greytown in the morning, when it was known a Masterton team could not be raised, and have saved the unnecessary expenso and annoyance of a travelling team.

The senior fixtures fornextSaturday are:—Masterton v. Carterton on the Oval, Greytown v. Stars at Greytown. In the juniors the matches arc-.—Greytown v. Stare at Lansdowne, and Featherston v, Kotahitangi at Feathcrston, Masterton a bye.

An effort is to be made to secure the service of Mr Card, of Featherston, to officiate as referee in the Greytown-Star match on Saturday next.

All football matches wero post' poned on Saturday in Wellington owing to the rain. In Dunedin on Saturday Dunedin boat Pirates by ID to 6, Kaikorai boat University by 22 to nil, Zingari beat Union by 6 to nil, and Alhambra beat Caversham by 13 to nil, The following are the local teams for next Saturday's engagement! : Masterton v. Carterton. Voyce, Thompson McGovern, Fleming, W. Broad, Perry, Johnston, Holyoaks, Gray, Anketell, Yates, Whatman, Fowler, Watson, Emmett. Star Ist v. Greytown.—D. Agnew, Jta, H.Wvigloy, Owen, Thompson, Tyke, Norton, T, Wrigloy, Mom's, McKillop, Remeni, Braggins, Stone, Cochrane and Percy. Emergencies Wiso and Coutts, Star 2nd v. Greytown. D'Arcy, Fleming, Stoddart, Jackson, Fcllinghdm, King, Cotter, F. Dorset, Pike, Doughty, Wellington, Cameron, Wise, Jeffries, and Westbrook, Emergencies-Hunt, Dorset, Jensen,