FOOTBAIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2515, 31 May 1909, Page 3

FOOTBAIL.

SATURDAY COMPETITIONS. The Saturday championship matches were continued at the. Victoria Domain on Saturday afternoon. The weather was almost perfect, and the ground in excellent condition. Wins were secured by United Seniors and Juniors, 'and by the Defence Cadets; the result of the senior game creating something in the nature of a surprise. The attendance of spectators was not large. SENIOR GRADE. UNITED (20) v. Y.M.C.A. (0). Contrary to expectations, this game resulted in a rather easy victory for United by a large margin. The teams lined out with one or two alterations to the published lists, and after time it .was apparent that the United forwards were too heavy for the opposing pack, and they obtained the ball time and again from the scrums. The first spell ended with United leading by nine points to nil. * Although they piled on another eleven points after the interval, United had matters by no means all their own way. ; The Y.M.C.A. backs had several nice runs, but an inclination to eslifishness, spoiled several chances of opening their , account, The Y.M.C.A. forwards showed a decided falling off from the form displayed by tliem in their initial match against Kaiti-Cty, and it was in this department that the game was lost. Tries for United were obtained by Bright, Smith, Gatland, Newton, and Malloy, Luttrell converted one of them, and Somervell dropped a pretty goal'from a penalty. For the losers Kaipara, Neill, Russell, and Pewhairangi were about the best, and Luttrell, Somervell, Gatland, Bright, and Newton were .prominent all through for the winners. Mr. L. F. Williams controlled the game.

SECOND GRADE

UNITED (6) v. KAITI-CITY (5)

This fixture was closely contested throughout, neither side at any period being able to claim any decided advantage. Brown scored for United from a scrum on the Kaiti-City line, and G. Pollock later on kicked a goal from a penalty. Kaiti-City’s try was obtained by P. Fromm after a good run, and Bristow converted. United were thus, at the call of time, declared winners by the narrow margin of one

point. Smythe, Pollock, and Brown played well "for the victors, while Bristow, fforell, and O’Neill in the'Kaiti-City ranks worked hard to avoid defeat.

Air. A. Pritchard was tho referee

THIRD' GRADE

DEFENCE CADETS (12) v. HIGH SCHOOL (5).

This game was ‘played prior to the junior fixture, and resulted in a fairly easy win lor the lorhier team. Both sides showed promising form, and although defeated, the High . School boys put up a plucky fight against their heavier opponents. For tho school, Hookey scored a try, which was converted by Porter; and for the Cadets, tries wero obtained by Dennett, Lloyd, Walters, and/ Skeats. „ The game was controlled by Air. J. J. Alar tin, ft COUNTRY COAIPETITION. The first games in the country competition were played at Air. G. Witier’s paddock, Alakauri, on Saturday afternoon. The glound was rather soft and heavy, militating against fast play, but for the initial matches some good iorm was shown by 'the teams .engaged. FIRST GRADE. MAKAURI (6) v. TE KURA (0). This was an interesting game from start to finish, being keenly and cleanly contested throughout. The Alakauri skipper lost the and shortly after the commencement Te Kura were awarded several free kicks, principally for off-side play. A moment later they theselves were penalised for a similar offence, but Ryan missed a rather easy shot at goal. "Even play followed for a time, the game being principally confined to the forwards. To Kura pressed* hard in an attempt to draw first blood, and Alakauri were compelled t-o force to save their line. Te Kara still continued th& attack, and were awarded a penalty right 111/ront of the Alakauri goal, but Tutean jailed to onen the scoring. Soon afterwards To Kura were penalised for playin,r the ball on the ground, and Ryan witli a nice. kick sent ..the leather over tlie bar. . , , , After a welcome interval play was resumed, Alakauri leading by three points. The first stages of the second ■pell were very evenly contested,, ana both sides were penalised frequently for slight infringements. Each side exhibited sound defence, but at leng h Witters scored far out lor Alakauri from a forward rush. Tho kick at goal was a failure, and the- whistle sounded for time, leaving Alakauri the winners by 6 points. Mr. AA 7 . Hay refereed. SECOND GRADE. . ; MAKAURI (13) v. TE. KURA (0).

was very slow, and both teams showed signs of' distress long before the call of time. Included in each fifteen is some good material, and there were occasional „ glimpses of really good football, giving promise of better things later on in the season. The game was contested in -a most friendly spirit, and was controlled by Mr. M. Osborne. RESULTS OF OUTSIDE MATCHES, (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 29. The Auckland Rugby Union’s district championship matches were continued to-day in perfect weather. In the senior grade Ponsonby beat Parnell t/y 33 points to- 3; City beat University by 25 to 8; -and Grafton beat Newton 'v 9 to-6. CHRISTCHURCH. May 29. The senior football matches resulted as follows: —Merivale (27) Old Boys (8) Sydenham (11) Albion (3);Linwood (9) Christchurch (nil). DUNEDIN, May 29. - The football matches wero continued to-day in -fine -weather. In the semo/ grade, Southern (6 points) beat Port Chalmers (nil); Alhambra (14) _ beat Union (5); Dunedin (11) beat Pirates (3); Kaikorai (21) beat Taieri Rovers (nil); Zirigari-Richmond (25) bent University (nil). LONDON RUGBY UNION. s United Press Association— Copyright LONDON, May 28. The Rugby Union, at a general meeting, by an overwhelming majority, rejected Mr. Byrne’s resolution that professionalism existed, and that the committee had not consistently enforced the professional law's.