FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2187, 11 May 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY COMPETITIONS. WEST END V. IvA'ITiTOITY. Tho football season proper commenced on Saturday afternoon, when tho above teams met on tlio \ ictona Domain. There was a very good attendance, including a fair number ol ladies. Kaiti-City won the toss and attacked the town goal, having a strong breeze behind them, in the absence of Howe, through indisposition, Kaiti-City were led by B. Lowe, while J. Newton captained West End. From the commencement play was fairly fast and both teams were penalised for off-side several times in tho first few minutes. Aided by the wind, Kaiti-City pressed, and the Blacks defence was severely tried to keep thorn at bay. \\ est End were penalised in their own twenty-five for their full-back, Gerard, hitting the ball, but Tate failed with the kick fit goal. Loose .winy in mid-field followed and Heke broke away and kicked well into touch. The West End backs .got going and Hooked like scoring, but Grenfell intercepted a pass neatly and Lowe obtaining possession, dribbled right on to his opponents’ line, \Yi Rep a saving brilliantly just in the nick of time. Kaiti-City returned the attack, and Graham, who was playing a splendid defensive game, forced. After this West End were penalised repeatedly and Scott and Lowe each had a resultless kick 'at goal. Kaipara, who was a tower of strength to bis side, broke clean away and an almost certain score -was spoiled by a forward pass when close to the City line. Scrums followed in tho West End territory and a free kick was awarded to City for Graham picking out of the scrum. Viallance was given' the chance this time anti made no mistake with bis kick giving Kaiti-City a lead of 3 points. The West End men attacked for a brief space and Kaipara put in .a very tricky run, but a likely chance was lost when Olsen failed to take bis pass. GrMinton had a clear opening shortly afterwards, but instead of picking up the ball, he kicked wildly into touch. Hallf-time _ was then called with the score, KaitiCity 3, West End nil. After the usual spell, which was evidently appreciated, by tho players, City kicked off and after a period of give and take play Heke*obtained tho ball and ran right through his opponents, but lie had extremely hard' luck in losing tile bald on the line, and City forced. West End were making strenuous efforts to score and 1 were very nearly in when Gillies picked up cleverly and kicked well up the field. Returning to the attack Wi Repa had a shot at goal from a penalty, and, although many thought that the ball had gone over the bar, the referee ruled otherwise. Not to be denied, however,, the Blacks continued to press and Wi ißepa obtained the ball!. After a short run, lie transferred to Kaipara who in turn transferred to Miller. The latter player completely beat his opponents for speed, and raced round behind the posts, scoring a brilliant try. Wi Repa converted. West End o, Kaiti-City 3. .Play now became fast and furious, the ball travelling up and down tlio field at a great rate. (Malloy secured after a dangerous rush by the Blues front rank, and made a good run giving Miller a timely pass, which enabled that player to score his second try. Wi Repa made a

good attempt at a goal, just missing the uprights.--West End 1 8, Kaiti City 3. From this out West End took 'complete charge of the game and further tries were obtained by lleke, Paaka Turci, and Malloy, but in each case Wi Rapa failed to iadd tho extra points. Tho whistle finally sounded for time with the scores: West End ... 17.

Kaiti-City

During the second half Hart, who had been playing a good game at half for Kaiti-City, suffered l an injury to his shoulder. It was at first thought that his collar-hone was broken,; hut medical examination showed that he was only suffering from a had bruise. For the winners Kainara, Graham, Malloy land Miller were the pick of the back division, while in the furwards Newton, Heke, Murray, and Tnrei showed up prominently. For tho losers Tate, Grenfell!, andVallace in tho rearguard were the shining lights, while Scott, Lowe and Nicholas worked hard in tlio serum.

(Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 9. The second series of matches in the first round of the Rugby Football! District Championships, was played here to-day. .In the senior grade, • the City’s last years champions were beaten in the most brilliant exhibition of dub football seen here for many years, by Ponsoniby. The scores being, Ponsonlby 25 points (five tries 2 converted from marks) to 3 (one try). The University heat Newtown by 10) (two converted tries) to 9 (three tries), and North Shore heat Parnell by 17 (five tries, one-converted) to 3 (one penalty goal). There was a very large attendance at the Alexandra Park’ numbering 7000. A PRO-BLACK VICTORY. United Press Association—Copyright (Received Mav 9, 7.20 n.m.) SYDNEY, May 9. New Zealand defeated Australia by 11 points to 10. (Received May 10, 8.20 p.m.) Tile Pro-Blacks redeemed their dual defeat by New South Wales, scoring a. victory over Australia by eleven points to ten points. The visitors play was much improved in all departments compared with the previous matches. There was fine weather and a big attendance of the public. Tho teams were : New Zealand: Full-back, Turtill; three-quarters, Baskerville, Wriglcy, Kelly ; five-eighths, Tyler, Barber ; half, R. Wynyard; forwards, Mackrell, Pearce, Trevarthen, Cross, Johnston, Byrne. Australia: 'Full-back, Medley; threequarters, McLean (Queensland), Messenger, Devereux, Cheadles; halves, Rosenfield, Dore (Queensland); forwards. Graves, Hennessy, Rosewcll, McCabe, Hudge, Lubmann (Queensland). Turtill captained the New Zealanders and Hennessy the Australians.

The visitors made the pace warm from the outset, and had the home team in trdublo on tlio extreme right corner, where the ball hung for many minutes. Messenger relieved, but the Blacks continud to storm the line repeatedly, and several times were almost over. The Australians offered stubborn resistance, and the game was stopped for a time owing to Henuessy being struck on the face by one

of the Now Zealand* forwards, who was ordered oil. tho field. On resuming, Doro was penalised for coming too quickly round the pack, but Wriglcy’s shot at goal laded. Now Zcalami kept, their opponents on tho defensive, and McCabe hero retired. First blood came from a scrum. B ynyard jumped away, and got over. Iho try was not converted. Now Zealand 3, Australia nil. After a low lively exchanges in centre-field, Baskovvillo picked up in tho open, and boating Hedley and Chenille, scored in a good position. B’rigley converted. New Zealand 8, Australia ml. Jho Australians at this stage wore outclassed, and boaton for tho hall in every scrum. A bit of smart play resulted in tho Blacks again scoring, B’rigley taking olio of Messenger's returns to half-way, and passed to Fierce, and then to B’ynyard, who scored at tlio corner. AVrigloy missed . tlio kick ivt poal. Now Zealand 11, Australia ink After tlio kick-out, Dovcrcux almost immediately marked, and Messenger placed the first two points to tlio credit of Australia. Tho homo team s play livened considerably. Beloro half-time Messenger had two shots at mini from mai'ks, both of which failed. At half-time tlio scores were— New Zealand eleven, Australia two. In the second half the Australians wore soon in trouble, hut Hedley relieved. A series of scrums followed, tho Australians now showing better form. Twice the visitors were, forced, once by a drop-kick by Mossengei, which went wide. Shortly a tor no had another shot but missed. Messenger, in quick succession, had* two inoro unsuccessful shots at goal. More lively play followed, and towards tho‘end there was a general mix-up. Turtill marked, but B’rigley missed tho goal. The Australians wore now playing a vigorous game. A brilliant score resulted. Messenger, feinting cleverly, raced on attended by Jones, who mulled the pass, lint Hu cl go, gathering the ball in, scored at the corner. Messenger s kick was unavailing. New Zealand 11, Australia 5. Encouraged by their success, tho Australians continued to prc“s. They had another unsuccessful try at goal, and the New Zealanders being a little late in taking the hall, it rebounded across the line. Rosenfiold sweot in, snapped it up, and scored. Messenger converted. New Zealand 11, Australia 10. In the few minutes remaining, the Australians made a strenuous attempt to win, Messenger twice again essaying goals. The visitors’ fine defence, however, prevented an increase in the score, and the game ended in Nw Zealand’s favor by one point.

(Received May 10, 4.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 10. Twenty.,thousand spectators attended the match. Johnston claims that Henncssy’s injury was the result ot an accidental blow during the piogress of the play. Hennessy received a nasty cut above the eye. His place was takcii during the remainder ot the gamo by Davis.