FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5053, 17 June 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

STARS v. FEATH3RSTON.

£r [BY DAMOCLES.] ."-' The only match of any interest ir the Wairarapa, on Saturday, was that played at Greytown befcweor the second Stars and the Featherstoi team, and resulted, after by far tin best junior game witnessed, this season, in a victory for the Stars bj tbreo points to nil. Featherstoi' were strong favourites with tl« 1 large number of spectators, thoii team including several old sonioi playors, and others who are ccrtainl) fit for any fifteen in thoYalloy, A: the team entered the field, the Stars looked Gxtrcmly light in comparisor to their opponents, and the state ol the ground—tho surface of wliicl: was very slippery after the recenl rain—mado Featberston's ohaucesall the better. Tho Stars meant business however, and were not to be frightenod into submission without showing a game fight, and the way they Jfclayed throughout, was a credit tc *Wuemselves and their Club. Com- ' bination certainly won the game, and they attained it by playing consistently and unselfishly. Iu the first spell, each team had its shows, aud play was up and down the field in rapid succession. Both territories were continually invaded, the heavy rushes of the v Featherston forwards oftentimes placing the Star line in imminent danger. The tatter's backs, however, were playing a splendid defensive game, and when Featherston would appeartobenearacertain score, some rattling individual play would come to the rescue, and the ball woidd v again be sailing down the field in pretty style, Tho passing and running of the Star backs was veiy creditable, and Stoddart, Jackson, and D'Arcy were each stopped in *nick of time from gaining the w ). The first spell ended without a scoro, not even a force down on either side being registered, The second spell opened more interesting than ever, and for the first quarter of an hour the Stars had a lively time of it defending their line. Smith had two shots for goal from free kicks,but the distance each time proved too far. McCarthy, Hyland and Sullivan each made desperate efforts to score, but the collaring of the Stars was faultless, and every man came down. Towards the middle of the spell, the Stars made a grand struggle for supremacy, and the ball coming out from the serum on every occasion, their fast backs made things very merry. 1 Jackson made the run of the day, eluding his opponents cleverly, but was thrown into touch in goal after crossing the line. Soon after, the • result of pretty passing between King, Hoar and Stoddart, little Fellingham obtained his show, and dodging between the Featherston backs, touched down amid great Statement. Stoddart made an excelrenfc shot at goal, but the ball fell short. From this out, the Stars had the best of the game, ami Featherston had all they could do to keep them from crossing again, The play throughout was fast and ' at times brilliant for juniors, and the winners deserve credit for their win. The barracking was on the whole extremely impartial, and unusually rowdy, a great interest being taken in the game, and the win of the Stars against such odds being very popular. < For the winners the backs played splendidly, both on the aggressive and defensive, and with the help of the forwards in the scrum, were kept going from start to finish. King sent the ball out very correctly at half, and Hoar at fiveeighths was the main-stay of the 1 team. His pluck in stopping the heavy rushes of the opposing for«ds was very serviceable, All three-quarters played well, Stoddart, Jackson, and Fellingham playing into each other's hands in tinestyle, Thelatterfills Galloway's place to a nicety, and properly fed | ■* will be a great help to the scoring i element of the team, D'Arcy played ' three-quarter in the first spell, and ' full in the second, and in each place put in some fine defensive and aggressive work. Among the for- , wards, although all worked like < Trojans, Jeffries, Cameron, Welling- I ' ton, Doughty, and Westbrooke, ' shone at all times conspicuously, j Cotter saved his team on several occasions by popping up in the right place at the right time, a very pretty 3 piece of play being shown when [ Cotter came to tho rescue after a s x fino dribble by Sheen and Hyland ' had passed tho Star full-back and a ( score seemed imminent. The Dorsets • and-Pike were severe on the Fca- ( ■Wrston backs, the fast following up : ofthese men proving very effective. : The Featherston team individually ( was a really splendid one, but they i < lacked in combination, and the Stars 1 heat them in the tricky points of the ( game, When such players as "Jack" ' Lucena, McCarthy, Cress, Sullivan, J Smith, Hyland, Burch, and Sheen, s are included in a junior team, and I other equally as good but younger : players, it is rather a wonder that f any other Wairarapa second-rate teams had any show at all. But although they have excellent material, they shine individually and not collectively. Had the threequarters received the proper attention from the half, a different state of affairs may have been chronicled. \ The forwards on the line out were too much for the Stars, but the passing among the backs was slow and irregular, and more often mulled in transmission than otherwise. Although their forwards had the advantage in weight, they packed awkwardly, and tho lighter wtopact team carried affairs beforo '■? Siem. Lucena played full, and was brought up to half at the latter portion <tf the game. He would have been far more useful closer to the scrum in the early stages. Hyland was the best of the three-quarters, his smartness in picking up the ball | beinggreatly admired. McCarthy y was in excellent form, and his fine kicking was a great saving to his team. He was carefully watched, and his progress always effectively stayed before becoming dangerous, The other backs were poor in comparison. Barch played a rattling wing game, and often caught his < opponents napping. B. Sheen tried to do too much, and did not shine bo brilliantly as usual, although his play on the loose was up to senior form. Cress is a big help to the team,andheusedhisweighttoadvantage. Soveral of the othor forwards have a lot to.learn, but with proper fi- coaching would blossom forth into . good men. Mr Card acted as referee ! in hia usual strict and impartial ! ,-v manner, Messrs Cochrane and Sulli- " being the touch judges. • Tf- NOTES. ( s A meeting of tho Wairarapa -.; Rugby Union will beheld at Carter- , ton to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, The principal business being Mr Jeffries' motion in reference to the

residential qualifications of now playors, Tho second round of tho Senior Championship commences next Saturday, the fixtures for that day being Greytown v. Masterton at Greytown, and Carterton v. Stars at the Oval. Both matches should he exceedingly interesting, aud tho result of the former will probably disclose the winning team for the Banner. A mixed team of tho Stars will probably visit Pabiatua shortly, to meet the local kickists. Matches between the Bush and Masterton teams, should be more frequent, and it is to bo hoped annual fixtures will bo mado, It has bcon suggested that an interesting match could be arranged between the Bush representatives and tho winning senior team of tho Wairarapa championship this season. The Junior fixtures for next Saturday are: -Kolahitangi v. Greytown, at, Papawai; and Feathorston v. Masterton, at Carterton. The Stars have no engagement for that day. For the Thursday competition the matches fixed for next Thursday are {—Orientals v. Hovers, at Masterton ; and Stars v. Parkvalo, at Parkvalc. The Masterton and Star Clubs held a combined practice on the Oval on Saturday last. Tho following is the Star first to play Carterton on Saturday next:— Agnew, Hoss, Wriffley, Owen, Thompson, Tyke, Noi ton, Wrigley, Morris, McKillop, Percy, Stone, Remeni, Brnggins and Cochrane. The full team is requested to meet at White's on Wednesday evening. The 'Wellington representatives defeated Hawko's Bay on Saturday by 15 points to 8. Campbell, Lusk, Bennett scored tries for the winners, and Roberts potted a goal. McDonell and Jago scored tries for Hawko's Bay, Tutero placing the goal. Wellington played a brilliant game, and their opponents only obtained , the ball on one occassion from the scrum throughout the whole game. Tho following term will represent Masterlou against Greytown, on Saturday next, at Greytown, the ; drag leaving Masterton at 1 o'clock sharp:—Broad, Thompson, Mc- i Govern, Dowser, F. Johnston, Perry, Mowlem, Gray, Emtnctt, Holyoake, Whatman, Yales, Day, Fowler and Watson. Emergencies: Fleming, Voyce (backs), Williams, G. Johnston and -Anketell (forwards). The 1 above are requested to roll up at the Drill Hall for practice on Wednesday evening.