FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5077, 15 July 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL

KOTAHITANGIv. JUNIOR STARS. [I!Y DAMOCLES.] An exceedingly interesting but unduly rough game was fought out between the above teams on the Park Oval on Saturday last in the presence of a large crowd of spectators, natives from far and near being prominent. The strength of tho stalwart I'apawai players proved i too much for the boys, and although the Star line was never crossed, victory was awarded to the visitors by eight points (two potted goals) to nil. The Stars played a real plucky ganio from start to finish, and it was only by their splendid defence work that the scare was kept down. Several of their players were crippled during the prostress of the match, and it was ■Birprising to the spectators, that the • " lew sound players held their opponents the way they did. Early in the first spell, Jackson, probably the best back in the Star team, made a dashing run nearly the whole length of the field, and when on the point of scoring, had the misfortune to collide heavily with the Native fullback, breaking hiscollar-bonc. This left tho Stars with fourteen men, the Natives refusing to allow i another player to be taken on, The play became so rough at times, that the referee had to threaten to .send several of them off the field, and even the policeman present, found it his duty to caution one or two of the Maori offenders. The visitors had tho best of the game throughout, although several times the Stars would make brilliant dashes down the field, and woreon the vorgo of scoring. Falkner made a name for himself by potting k a pretty goal in eacli spell, one from nearly half-way,in addition to several excellent attempts. The collaring of tho Stars was excellent, and they «Jod plenty of work to do, the Native JB-'ani doing some fine passing among the backs at different portions of the game. .For the winneis, Falkner, Jaro, Danger, Jonah and Rutiue played about the best, whilst Wellington, Cameron, Westbrooke and Doughty, i were mainly conspicious in the forward division for real hard work. All the backs played with great pluck aud determination, and had to stand many hard knocks and kicks, Mr A. K. D'Arcy officiated as referee, and had a deal of trouble in keeping the players within bounds. XOTES. Tho Junior Championship for the season is now virtually won, the » Kotabilangi team being declared the winners. Tho Secretary of the Star Club is arranging matches with the Palliatua, Woodville, Feilcling and Palmcrston Clubs, to be taken on their tour in a few weeks time, I have received several criticisms anent the " rep " team published last week, from enthusiasts in the game. Jf bile agreeing in the main with my '■lection, one correspondent would rate to see W, Thompson included cither as five-eight or wing threequarter ; another thinks Mitchell the best wing forward in the Wairarapa, and fancies Moore should take his place in the scrum; yet another, more easily pleased than tho rest, reckons that the majority of the Greytown forwards, with tho inclusion of Watson and Cochrane, and tho Star backs, with McGovern and Maguire, would make a team strong enough to meet anything this j season. 1 -' "Touchlino," in the Obscmr,k exceedingly wrath over my criticism of the principal players in tho district likely to be included in our " rep. team," which appeared the other day. 1 may inform my humble friend that I have no desire that tbo Match Committee should endorse my selection, but rather that each man may be chosen upon his true merits, The names of the V Cfcßtoitteo —Messrs D'Arcy, Beard, I BSrbrother, Wilsone, and Pratt—i should bo quite sufficient guarantee for any sensible person that the gentlemen will not be prejudiced by what thoy see and hear, but that the best possiblo selection will bo made, and eyon then, I venture to assert, it will meet with opposition from some quarters. Perhaps Carterton should bavo been better represented, in tho opinion of "Touohline," Tho Potono v. Athletic match, »• played at Wellington on Saturday, resulted in a draw, each team ncoringatry. Poueke defeated Wellington by W points to nil.