FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2497, 10 May 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Y.M.C.A. V. KAITI-CITY

This game was the result of the draw for the opening of the season, in the Saturday competition. The weather was beautifully fine, and with the exception of one “mud-hole’i the ground was in excellent condition. The opening stages of the game were evenly contested, Y.M.C.A., if anything, having the best of the exchanges. The game from' the start was fast and interestirig. Kaiti-City pressed hard soon after the start, but the Y.M.C.A. men defended welly-and the ball travelled to the other end of .the fif’d, where they wore awarded two oenn’tirs in rapid succession, the Bines pressed, and Puflett got over the line, but was

shoved into touch-in-goal. Two more free kicks were allowed to Y.M.C.A., who' had the upper hand for a time. After a good passing bout between their backs, Campbell scored far out, but Pine failed to add the extra' points. Kaiti-City played hard after this reverse, but Y.M.C.A. held them safe, and after some further good combination in the back division, Miller raced round .behind the. posts and scored. Campbell took the' kick and was successful in landing a good goal. Once more City pressed hard, but were unable to penetrate the “Tigers’” defence. They were awarded a penalty inside the Y.M.C.A. 25 for an infringement, but Puflett failed badly in his attempt at goal. Half time arrived with Y.M.C.A. 8 points to nil. After the interval Kaiti-City attacked strongly, and scrum after scrum was formed in ... the Y.M.C.A. 25. At length their efforts were rewarded, Flatman'securing from the scrum and dashing round the blind side, scoring a clever try. Puflett’s kick at goal struck the post low down. Further even play followed and once again Y.M.C.A. were penalised in their own 25, but Puflett’s kick was a failure. Kaiti-City now had a good deal the best of the game, hut were unable to score. In his own 25 Kaipara secured and passed to Campbell, who kicked high down the centre of the field. Miller followed up the kick and, obtaining possession of the ball, outran Puflett and scored between the posts. Campbell easily added the extra points. Kaiti-City again attacked, and after hard scrummaging work on the line, the forwards dribbled the hall over and Scott scored. Puflett took the kick but failed. Even play followed, both sides attacking in turn, but no further scoring took place and the game resulted Y.M.C.A.' 13 points, KaitiCity 6. Mr XV. Howard controlled the game in an able manner.

JUNIOR MATCHES, The Y.M.C.A. second fifteen had a practice match with the Kaiti-City second fifteen, and succeeded in winning by 12 points to nil, while the Y.M.C.A. thirds defeated the High School team by 21 .points to nil. AUCKLAND MATCHES. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 8. The Rugby football .season was opened here to-day in beautiful weather. In the senior grade matches University beat Newton by 10 points to nil; Walker and Wilson scoring tries, the latter converting both. Ponsonby beat Grafton by 29.. points to nil. O’Leary scored three" tries, McGregor two, and Baker one. O’Leary converted three tries "and kicked a penalty goal. Gillett also converted a try. City beat North Shore by 32 points to nil. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. The football results to-day were as follows: —Merivale 15 v. Christchurch 3; Sydenham 6 v. Linwood nil; Old Boys 13 v. Canterbury College 8; Albion a bye. DUNEDIN MATCHES, [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, May 8. To-day’s football matches resulted as follows: —Alhambra 19 beat ZingariRichmond 8; Port Chalmers 14 beat Union 3; Dunedin 11 beat Taieri Rovers 3; Pirates 8 beat Kaikorai 3* AUSTRALIAN LEAGUERS DEFEAT NEW SOUTH WALES. United Press Association— Copyright (Received May 8, 7.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 8. The “Kangaroos” defeated the pick of New South Wales by 43 to 10. GISBORNE CLUB. Messrs Douglas Bros, have presented a medal to the Gisborne Football Club as a prize for the member attending most practices during the present, season. The practices will begin to-nig:(ft, when the team will meet at Mr. Morse’s saloon at 8 p.m. They are to be held three nights a week during the season.