FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2227, 26 June 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THURSDAY COMPETITION. Tho matches in the Thursday competition wore continued on No. 2 ground at tho Domnin yestordav a 1 - tornoon. - Tho weather was beautifully lino, and tho ground, notwithstanding the recent rains, was in good order. The football shown in both fixturcs wuti well above tho average, ami the Star-Alhambra game was easily tlio host display soon so fill' this season in tho competition. The attendance of spectators wins fair, but only one of the teams engaged took the field at full strength. ( GISBORNE 11 v. CITY

Those teams limb took the field, and City kicked off against the eastern goal. Gisborne had the best of the opening exchanges, and from a loose rush of their forwards City were compelled to force. The “Royals” still continued the pressure, but a couple of the City forwards broke away, only to bo pulled up by Thompson,, who picked up and sent into touch. From a scrum in City’s twenty-live Grinlintoii- was penalised for off-side, and Thompson placed a nico goal, drawing first blood for Gisborne—3—.nil. Enlivened by this reverse, City began to force matters, and from a penalty Puflett had a fruitless attempt, at goal. Newton bOoke mva» near midfield and just lost tho ball on tho line. A penalty to City brought temporary relief, but lalmost immediately afterwards a passing run between AlcLaclilan, Gibson, and Roderick lokoed like « score. The latter lost tho ball when nearing the line, but Alorse obtained and forced his way over. Thompson added the extra points, Gisborne 8, City nil. On tho kick-off Gisborne returned again to the attack, and from some loose play Newton picked up and passed to Gibson, who in turn transferred to AlcLaclilan. The latter player gave a nice pass to Thompson, who got over. Thompson took the kick at goal and just missed the uprights. No further scoring took place in this spell, and the wliistlo sounded for the interval witli the scores Gisborne 11, City nil.

The play in the second half was almost entirely confined to the Gisborne territory, City making strenuous efforts to register a score. A lot of loose play ensued, and tho City forwards with a fine rush brought play close to the opponents’ line*. Roderick followed up well, and as tlio ball was swept over the line he and Puflett both fell on it,'scoring City’s first try. .Puflett failed at goal. Gisborne If, City 3. City continued to attack, ami wore awarded two freekicks in quick succession, Bayly making good but unsuccessful .attempts at goal on each occasion. So hotly did City now press that Gisborne were .compelled to force twice to avert a score. The City backs were nearly in on several occasions, but the defence of the Gisborne men was ’too solid, and the whistle finally sounded with nlay in mid-field. Gisborne 11, City

For the winners Thompson, AlcLachlnn, and Gibson were about the best of the hacks, while of a hard-working set of forwards Delaney, Seymour, and Newton were perhaps'the most prominent.

Puflett; Grinlinton, and Cramp.in the back division, and McPherson,' Bragge, and .Bayly in tho forwards were about the best of the City team. Air. J. J. Alar tin controlled the game.

STAR 25 v. ALHAMBRA IS

This'was a fast- and exciting game from start to finish, and the issue was in doubt right up to- within a few moments of time being called. Alhambra kicked off towards tho western goal, and play eventually settled in the Star's quarters. A penalty was here awarded to Alhambra, and Tate struck the post high up with a beautiful kick. Play was now transferred to Alhambra’s end of tlio field, and the ball coming out to Kaiparu, he passed it on to Burke, who dropped a pretty goal. Star 4, Alhambra nil. The game was.very fast at this stage, the ball travelling up and down the field at a great, rateNicolas broke through the Alhambra forwards with the ball at liis toe 6, and made a nice dribbling run right on to the line, where Dustin cleverly saved. Alhambra now' took a hand, nd Hart and llrady had a nice combined run. Tlic latter ran right up to the full-back and kicked over his head, following up hard and scoring a clever' try. Tate converted. Alhambra 5, Star 4. Almost immediately after the kick-off, with play in Star’s territory, Tate secured from a long tlirow-in by Brady, and passed to Oman, who crossed the line. Tate again added tho extra points. Alhambra 10 ,Star 4. Star were now showing up better, and a really fine dun by Kaipara,' Campbell, and Burke ended .in) the latter being thrown into touchdn-goal by Dustin. The interval whistle sounded with no addition to the score. Alhambra 10, Star 4. After a short spell Star again sot tho ball rolling, and swept down towards their opponents’ goal, compelling them to force in the first halfminute. Even play followed, but Campbell (Alhambra) obtained possession arid gave to Hart, who streaked for the line, and being badly missed by both .Burke and the full-back, got over. Tate failed at goal. Alhambra 13, Stir 4. With a lead of nine points Alhambra looked likely winners, but Star were evidently by no means out of it, as from a serum Kaipara. sent the ball out to Campbell, who scored after a nice run. Burke kicked a good goal, making the scores: Alhambra 13, Star 9. Scrum work ensued in the Alhambra quarters, and Harwood entile clean through tho pack and fi II over the line. Burke failed a goal. Alhambra 13, Star 12. Encouraged by their success and also by their supporters,'Star kept up the attack; and Campbell had a'splendid chance to score, Alhambra forcing. On the kick out the Allumbra forwards worked their way down the field, and Charters dribbling well took the ball right over the line and scored; Tate added the points again, giving his side a substantial lead. .Alhambra 18. Star 12. The game now became; fast- and furious, Star striving desperately for a• score. Alhambra were penalised in their oivij twenty-five, and Burke dropped a nice goal. Alhambra 18, Star 15. Campbell again missed 3, good chance by failing to pass at the critical moment, but shortly afterwards R. "Wilkinson forced his way over tho line from a scrum, making the scores level. Burke put Ills side in tlio lead with a good . kick. Star 20, Alhambra IS. Just before time was called Campbell, secured near half-way. and ran clean, round the opposition", scoring between the posts. ■ He took tho kick himself, and was successful. Time was called almost immediately afterwards, leaving Star victorious after a hard-fought awl memorable contest. ■ Star 25, Alhambra , 18. For Star. Ivaipaifi, Campbell, and Burke (backs), and Wilkinson, Nicolas, and Harwood (forwards) played well; and the pick of the Alhambra team were;Tate,' .Dustin., and Campbell in the backs, and Briudv, West, ami Wilkinson among the forwards. Mr. AV. Howard was the referee.

N-Z. RUGBY UNION. [Press Asbocxation.J WELLINGTON, Juno !>v. BRITISHERS V. MAORIS. At a meeting of tin? Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night, a letter was received stating that the Young Maori party could not arrange for a match, Britishers v. Maoris, at Rotorua, unless the Union could give some financial assistance. It was decided to advise the Auckland Rugby Union that under the circumstances there was now no objection to the Rotorua sub-union arranging a match against the Britishers* the Rotorua team to be composed wholly of Maoris. The match.is to be an informal, New Zealand Union taking no financial responsibility l( ■ Aj: ; A i

REFEREES. * The following referees were aippointed for matches against the Britishers;—Hawke’s Bay, S. Orchard, of Canterbury; Mn.nnmatu, E. McKenzie, of AVainirapa; Wangumii, Rov. C. CL Harper, of Palmerston North ; Taranaki, A. 11. Charters, of Carterton. \ SECOND TEST MATCH. Thompson (three-quarter), Roberts (half), and Coleman (full-back) arc uniihle to play in tlio test match oil Saturday. Ouuioron, ol f .l.aranaku lakes’Thompson’s place; Burns, of Canterbury, takes Roberts’ place; and a player for Coleman’s vacancy is to bo selected to-morrow.