FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5065, 1 July 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL

MASTERTON V. RED STARS. THE STARS VICTORIOUS. 4L [I!Y DAMOCLES.] '"For tho second time this season the representatives of tho Masterton and Red Star Clubs looked forward to a great contest on Saturday last, and the woathor throughout the weok was watched carefully in consequence. It is generally recognised j that on equal conditions there is

nothing to choose between the local teams, Masterton being tho favorites on wet ground, and the Stare on dry. Although tho latter end of the week was beautifully fine, the Park Oval had not time to thoroughly dry, so that the teams met on more even conditions than was expected, and h tho result was recognised as a very open one by all enthusiasts, The attendance of spectators was very large, great numbers being present from all portions of tho district, country residents boiug especially well represented. The games between thoso teams | havo for years past been the most I exciting of the season, and spectators j are always confident of receiving the

«nost value for time and expense in ending. Never before have tho indies taken such an interest in the game, and on Saturday the colours of the teams were to be seen in every direction. Rosettes, badges, aud hats trimmed with the contesting colours were very conspicuous, and when the Stars were declared the victors, the excitement of the wearers of the red and black knew no bounds, and cheers went up from numerous knots of the fair ones around ihe ground,

Soon after three o'clock thophiyers lined on to tho held, the Masterton teambeing undoubtedly the strongest selection they have placed in the iield this season, and the Stars being represented by practically the same fifteen that has done battle for their colors all the season. Gymnasium work and bard training had placed tho men in the best of form, and as tho referee, Mr C. Pratt, took up his position, and blew his whistle for I commencement, nil wereon the tip-too | of oxcitement, The Stars won the toss, but as there was no wind, and Ae sun was obscured, not the Wghtest advantage could be gained Ijy either,

Emmett kicked off for Masterton, Ross returning. For some timo the play hovered around tho centre, "with no advantage to either side, Both teams were playing carefully, being npparently afraidof each other's scoring abilities. As timo went on, the players wanned up to their work, and the game becatno more and more fast and interesting. Ono minute the play was stationed in the Star twentyfives, only to he removed next to tbeir opponents' territory. Half the first spell, the forwards had the game amongst themselves, a trial of strength in this department being apparently resorted to by the players to see how the game should be fought out-by the forwards or backs. Not much satisfaction was, however, gained, as tliey were both on an undoubted equality, and a change of tactips was tried. The Star backs ,Jlere called into roquisition,with the Asult that W, Thompson, after a clover run down the Kelilpunted over the full back's head, and a certain

More was avoided by Woon blocking his progress. Jlasterton then cemmenced their back play, and Perry sent some very clever and pretty passes out from the scrum. Woon, JlcGovern,and Thompson weregiven several shows, but the faultless collaring of the Stars prevented any extreme danger presenting itself. Watson and Gray also mado terrific dashes for the line, tho former especially playing brilliantly. After ono strong run along tho line he was

only scut over the comer flag by Agnew in the nick of time. The play was now becoming furious, and when Jimmy Owen received a pretty pass from W. Thompson, and made a bee lino for the Mastertou goal, tho sheers were immense, He passed his men in fine style, but in dodging tho full back,rauintoThompsoii,wbo pluckily brought his man down, and f saved a score, The spell ended soon after this, with no score to either team, and honors even as far ns play JkTas concerned, Very little time was given for a spell, everyone appearing anxious for tho fray, and tho Stars kicked off. Mastertou went away with tho play, and for some minutes the Star lino was in imminent danger. Excellent defence work came to the rescue, aud soon after the red and / blacks made their successful effort. Near the half-way Hag, Thompson obtained possession, and drawing his opponents, sent a grand pasj to Ross, who taking it at full speed, was nover caught, and ran behind the goal amidst frantic cheering and excitement. Wrigloyhad no difficulty in increasing tho score, and the Star supporters were jubilant. Mastet'ton now seemed to fall to pieces, and for some time the Stars had i Diteh the best of the play. Owen \ mado~fl n °ther splendid run, and ie whistle The back eriod was ime grand shorter, the play is had the Emmett rom free | distance irs played li Watson, had them they were , and the coverted , Masterd be conind game i dashing wis, as a leir most lgh there i division, Cochrane ously. As n the line p, be was is play on >hold his most brilrairarapa. cial mendtivo has dvantage. ards are tar, and a team it .together, md faithrnistakes, iiit judg-' jam, how. gley,who ayedpero the fore eked and ivitliwelk hie grand i. witness.

" Harry" is proving himself one of the best footballers this district has ever produced, Ho bad excellent men on cither side of him, in Ross and Oweu, and their fine dei'onco and aggressive play throughout, could not be beaten. The score made by Ross, was extremely popular, and | he is certainly proving of more valuo to his team in every match, W. Thompson is another sterling little player making a namo for himself, and at five-eighths is a startler. His lleelness of foot is of immense service to his team, and the pluck and endurance he showed throughout, was a marvel. Hudson at half, had his forwards in great trim, and put in a lot of headwork in keeping his backs on the move. T. Wrigley and Norton wore splendid on tho wing, the former proving quite a match for the redoubtable Woon in the latter half of the game. "Gus" played his last game with the Stars, and used his speed to more advantage than I have hitherto seen him.

Masterton undoubtedly had a grand team, but the recent changes of their men proved disastrous. The backs had a haul game to light, and (lid it manfully. Fleming is a success at full, although the fast following up of the Stars, was against him appearing at his best, he rarely having time to judge his kicks. Johnston and Thompson 'played well throughout as wing j three-quarters, the hitter playing , wilb far mure dash than of late.; Metiovern was in excellent form,' and did some really tine and useful kicking. He also passed very: prettily, but had few chances to • I show his usual dodgy running; i powers. Woou was not a success at j : Bye-eighths, and was more hi home I ;on the wing, in the second (poll. In! ! tho latter position, lie will prove a '. ;great help to the Yellows. Jt.| Perry at half, was greatly in! evidence, and his passing out from: the sciam was perfect. "Harry" is ■ making a buhl bid for" rep" honors ] this season, and after his display! on Saturday, his claim cannot be I overlooked, Modem did well in a; new place as live-eighths, and started; some pretty passing rushes at the j latter end. The best of a line div- j isionof forwards were Whatman, I Day, Gray and Watson, whilst Yates! on the loose was always to the fore I with excellout footwork. Thescrum men of both teams were evenly matched, and some tremendous struggles in this department were witnessed. The game was finished iu the dark, and the ball and players could scarcely bo distinguished by the spectators, JOTTINGS. A good move was made by the referee in clearing the line nf excited spectators at the match on Saturday. After futile efforts had been made; to keep (ho crowd outside the Oval j fence, the game was stopped, and the thirty stalwart kickists came across the ground, and cleared it very effectively. The ground was left to the footballers after this! There was less roughness shown about the match than has unfortunately oecurralon previous occasions, and the game was fought throughout in the best of spirit. Cochrane j and McGovern received nasty spills at different portions of llieganie.aiid play had to be stopped in consequence, On resuming play, both received cheers from the crowd.

The hero of the day, " Toby " Ross, was carried shoulder high by his comrades to the pavilion at the conclusion of the game, amidst the ringing cheers of the crowd, and received hearty congratulations from both friend and foe. The llastei'ton players also sent up a great cheer for Ross after the game was over, 1 am glad to hear that Mr F. Butement has decided to retain the Secretarial duties of the Star Club at the iirgeiitrequestof the members. A protest was entered before the match on Saturday, against Masterton playing Woon, who it is alleged, has not been a resident of the district for the specified time. 1 understand, although the Stars won the game, the protest is to be carried through as a precedent,

Mastertou meet Carterton ill Carterton, and Groytown play the Red Starsnt Mastcrtuu on Saturday next, and the latter will be another match worth going a long way lo see. Points for the Championship now stand: —Greytown 3J, Mastertou iii, Stars 2,j, and Oarterfon If. The end o( the season promises to he particularly merry.

A writer in the il/oi7 says Alaguirc, of Greytown, is shortly to take up his residence at Petone. If tho statementis correct, the Wairarapa will lose a sterling player in the genial " Mac."

The Jlaslcrton team showed real sportsmanlike conduct on Saturday by heartily cheering their opponents at the end'of the game, and acknowledging openly that the win was deserved, and that they were fairly beaten on their merits.

The Athletics defeated Poueko on Saturday by 18 points to nil, the largest score ever recorded against them. Melrose beat Petone by 6 points to nil. Greytown dofeated Carterton in the championship match on Saturday, and are therefore leading for the Banner by a point over the other clubs.

Tho following team will represent Mastertou against Carterton on Saturday next:-Fleming, Thompson, Johnston, Mowlem, Perry, Wood, Gray, Emmett, Holyoake, Fowler, Day, Yates, Watson, Whatman; emergencies: Anketell, Williams, Johnston, Voyce.