FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2275, 21 August 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THURSDAY COMPETITION. Although tlio majority of the spectators present at the Domain yesterday were watching tho Indies’ hockey mutch, one of (lie best games seen in this competition was played between Star and City, resulting ill a win by a narrow margin for tho latter. The weather was line, and the ground in good order, but there was a strong wind blowing right down the field.

CITY 3 v. STAR nil. City won the toss, mill taking advantage of tho wind, attacked the eastern goal. They had the best of tlio opening exchanges, and eventually play settled in midfield. City worked their way into tlio Star territory. blit good defensive olav by Campbell, Knipara, and Mukouro saved tlio situation, mid pl.iv tins transferred to the City twenty-five, where a misunderstanding betvoen tho backs nearly let the (Star backs over, but Malloy picked up well, and returned the bill to midfield. Star continued to hold the upper baud, but Puflott broke through, ami with a “speculator” again relieved the pressure. Soon afterwards, Campbell lost a splendid ehanco of scoring but failed to pick lip the hill. Tho City backs relieved the pressure, and play settled in the Star twenty-live. Here the defenders were penalised, and Puilett made an excellent attempt at goal, tho bill striking tlio cross-bar and rebounding into play. Shortly after Sharp made a good attempt to pot,the ball striking tlio post. Star came away with a rush and Kaipira gained a lot of ground by judicious line-kicking. On the City line Puilett. and Sharp broke through tho opposition, and raced down the field, where Malloy got possession and centred the ball high. Bright rnced up and taking tho ball well dashed over the lino, scoring a good try. Puflott failed at goal. Tho spell ended with no further score. Stnr had considerably tlio best of the opening of tho second half, and kept City penned in their own quarters. Good passing ensued botween Kaip ira, Karnka, and Campbell, and tho latter lost an almost certain try by failing to hold a pass. Keeping up the attack, Star were nearly over on several occasions, and Cjty were forced. Loose play followed in midfield, and tho Star backs got going, Campbell making a good run to near the line, where ho was well taken by Fitzgerald. Mikonre got in a good run, but was also stopped by Fitzgerald, and a loose rush of the City forwards carried play well lip to the centre flag, but good passing by the Star h icks again brought play to tho City lino. Campbell had a resultless attempt at goal from a penalty, and although Star pressed hotly and strove hard to cross their opponents’ line, the whistle sounded, leaving the scores: City ... ... 3 Star 0

Mr. J. .J. Martin refereed, and Messrs Osborne and Burke acted as line umpires.

GISBORNE v. ALHAMBRA

This match was set down for early play, but owing to Alhambra's inability to get a team the game went to Gisborne by default. The Gisborne Club held a short practice, playing all-comers.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

TARANAKI BEATS WELLINGTON

[Press Association:]

NEW PLYMOUTH, August 20. The Taranaki-Weilington match was played to-day under somewhat adverse weather conditions. The ground was a trifle heavy, and occasional showers of rain fell during the first spell. The game ended in a victory for Taranaki by 15 points to nil. Throughout Taranaki had the upper hand, duo in a great extent to tho accurate fielding and lino and centre kicking of tho local backs, who, despite the wet ball, never failed to Hold tho ball or misplaced a kick. In this respect the AVellington backs wore inferior, and much missed the services of Roberts, who was incapacitated. The' local forwards played a superior game in the loose, dribbling anil following up in fine style altogether. In the' close and line-out play AVellington had tlio advantage. The local line, however, was never, after the first five minutes, seriously endangered, and the fullback was never called on to tako a man. In tho first spoil Mynott scored, and Cameron converted; the spell ending 5 to nil. In tho second half AVellington wero almost continually on tho defence. Tries were scored by O’Sullivan and Cameron, and Dive potted a goal. Mr. Bassett, of Wanganui, refereed.

THE AUSTRALIAN GIAME.

NEW ZEALAND BEATS NEW SOUTH AY ALES.

United Press Association. Copyright

MELBOURNE, August 19. An inter-Statc carnival to celebrate tlie jubilee of the Australian game commenced in tlic presence of 6000 spectators. Teams representing the Stafes, Commonwealth, and Dominion took part. In tlie match New Zealand v. New South Wales, the Maori landers commenced with the wind in their favor. New Zealand opened with two behind; then New South Wales put on three behinds and a goal. The New South AVelshmen were noticeably quick on the ball, but with greater force than accuracy. Before the quarter ended AVilkins, of New Zealand, kicked two goals, the second one coming through a clever mark and good kick. At the first change ends, New Zealand led by 5 points. Nearly all through the second quarter New Zealand was in trouble. New South AVales finished the quarter with 0 goals 6 behinds to New Zealand’s 2 goals 4 behinds. The last two quarters, however, put a different complexion on affairs. New Zealand had much the best of it, and added .7 goals 5 behinds to 2 goals 8 behinds. The Maorilamlers kicked a goal just on time, and secured the victory bv one point. The totals were: 9 goals 9. behinds to 8 goak 14 behinds. -The victors’ improvement was astonishing, and tlie r plucky uphill game found great favor with tlie onlookers. MELBOURNE, August 20.

At the football carnival, Tasmania defeated Queensland by 22 goals 22 behinds to 2 goals 2 behinds.

A BRITISH AYJN

United Press Association. Copyright

SYDNEY, August 20. The British footballers visited Newcastle, and defeated the Northern Rugbv Union team by 32 points to nil. The local players were completely outclassed.