FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2517, 2 June 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

(Bv Full-back.)

The various competitions arc now well launched into the 1909-1910 season, and prospects are bright tor some exciting contests before the year closes. Saturday last saw the opening of tlie country competition, and thus marked a new era in the annals of football in Poverty Bay. I thing the decision of the management committee to foster the game by inaugurating this competition, is a thoroughly sound one, and it is to be hoped that they will he rewarded by seeing the sport progress, .Judging from the initial appearance ot the Makauri.and To Kura teams, both senior and junior, there is ' plenty or excellent materia, l available, ancl with strict attention to practice some good ir'ames may lie looked for. ° Saturday’s games in the towns senior competition created a mild sensation, in so far as Y.M.G.A., who created such a favorable impression by defeating Kaiti-City in their first match, went under to the United men to the'tune of 20 points to nil. It was a most unexpected result, although there, were a few who, prior to the match, were inclined to favor the chances of the wearers of the green. The “Tigers” hack division, which is undoubtedly a strong combination, gave a wretched, display,mulling the ball, badly at times and one or two of them in particular exhibiting a decided tendency to selfishness. Kaipara was a brilliant exception to the general rule, and put in some splendid tricky.work, while on several occasions, Ins defensive play was the means of saving lus side from disaster. Neill also played a fair frame, his taking of the hall being particularly good, but he .was Unfortunate in getting- rather badly knocked about. ‘‘Jack’ ’ fime was the narticular star in a mediocre - set of forwards. He worked tremendously hard, bfifi was poorly supported by his fellows wlwse display was much bc- ■ : ' ■' i,. . ..." .

low tlieir previous standard. Although winning by such a -Urge margin United did not have everything their own way and at times were sorely pressed. Their forwards simply swept over the opposing pack, and tlio backs also showed a decided superiority. The “Greens” have got a nice team together, a little on the light side, perhaps, and I expect great things from them during the season, but I venture to predict that a much smaller margin wall separate the teams the next time they attack the “Tigers.” Ivaiti City, with their back division considerably strengthened will, from this out, be a very formidable combination, but their forwards will be considerably weakened by the loss of Jim Scott, who is leaving Gisborne to-day for tlie South Island. It must have been very pleasant for Jim to have listened to all the nice things said about him on Monday night, when lus fellow club mates, both Thursday and Saturday, met to bid him farewell. At these gatherings it is generally the custom to make speeches (usually flattering) about “the sterling worth of our departing guest,” etc., but there was none of this at the meeting I refer to. It was absolutely impossible to 'mistake the sincerity of each and every speaker, who, in .plain,straightforward words expressed regret at the loss to football in general and the community at large, by the removal of such a thoroughly good sport as “Jim.” Goodluck “Jind’ to you and yours is the best I can wish. you. A subject that has been exciting a. great cje’al of attention during the last fortnight is the utterance said to have been made by the Mayor at the last meeting of the Borough Council tending to reflect on the Rugby Union’s management of the Victoria Domain. In this connection it is most pleasing to see by the newspaper reports that His Worship has written to the Union contradicting thei rumor, and stating that lie had no complaint whatever against the Union, but rather, liis complaint was against tlio Borough Council for having leased tlie ground to the Union. This explanation, must, of course, be accepted as satisfactory. Personally, I fail to see where the Mayor, the Borough Council, or the people have the slightest shadow of complaint against the Rugby Union in its administration of tlie Domain. Since its inception tlie body lias been most active in the interests, not alone of football, but of all other classes of sport. One has only to read the letters of appreciation written from time to time' l by such bodies as the Hockey Association. and ! the Cricket Association, testifying to tlieir appreciation of the Rugby Union s treatment of and consideration for other .sports, to. realise bow popular is tlio administration of the latter body in connection with our only sports ground. Ibe Rimbv Union bold the ground under .lease/ and during tlie time they have bad it tliev have spent many hundreds of pounds more than was required ot them, in the matter of improvements. At present they are catering for hundreds of followers of sport m our town, and I altogether fail to see, even it the Borough Council had not incurred the displeasure of the Mayor by leasing the ground to the Union,. that the administration of the Victoria Domain as a rendezvous for sport could possibly be in better hands than it is at present. TO-MORROW’S MATCHES.

The matches to be played on \ ictoria Domain to-morrow will he: City r. Gisborne, at 1.45 p.m.; and Star v. Alhambra, at 3 p.m. The following will represent tlio Alhambra Club in the match with Star at the Domain to-morrow: Anderson, H Craig. T. Atkinson, F. I deker, V . Oman, R. Somervell, Popple, Olsen, J. McConnell, A. Newton H. Cartel, F Gillies, P. Muldoon. W. Paltndge, Parker Turei : emergencies, backs— Hempton, Williams, forwards Hobbins. Carter, L. Clarke. AH members of tlie above team are leoiiested to turn un for practice to-night. A DISQUALIFICATION. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. June 1. The Wellington Rugby Union tonight disqualified T. Turner, _ of the jviq Ora juniors, for the remainder oi the season for striking a member of the Potone team during the match between these clubs. ALL BLACKS AT SYDNEY.

United Press Association— Copyright (Received June 1. 9.20 p.m) SYDNEY, June 1. The All Blacks arrived in good condition and were publicly welcomed in the Town Hall this afternoon, Mr. E. W. O’Sullivan, president of the Rugby League, presiding. There was a large gathering.