FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2523, 9 June 1909, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

' (By “Full-Back.”) Followers of .the-popular winter pastime. Wave certainly sot no-reason to complain of the weather that haS been experienced since the commencement

of the season, and while there-has only been one match .postponed so far coving to the Avet, the ground on all other occasions has been perfectly dry. Saturday’s matches wore no exception to the rule, and the weather was piMtically perfect. Notwithstanding’ \bis fact, the attendance Avas by no r or ns good, and, indeed, such has been tho case at all tho games so far this season, tho number of spectators/ and, consequently, tho gate takings, being considerably lower than-those nr the corresponding period last year. This may be accounted for by the fact that up to the present this season, the fecit-, ball lias not been of such a high standard as Avas the ease last year, and if this is the explanation I have little doubt that the fau’t Avill scon bo remedied, as the different teams are ra■vidly getting into form and each succeeding week sees a corresponding improvement. in the display. I anticipate, some bumper “gates” a little later on, as the competition gives every indication of proving most interesting. Y.M.C.A: and Ivaiti-City had another “go” on Saturday, and the result, 10 points to 6 in favor of City, just about represents the play, although there is not the slightest doubt that the. Tigers should’ have been aAvarded a try in the second spell, Avhen Campbell, with a clear field, and racing for tho ball, Avas badly hampered and obstructed by tAvo of his opponents. I was very sorry to see the referee miss this point, as it Avas certainly hard ' lines for Campbell, who was playing a much improved game for tho “Tigers,” and Avho Avould, almost undoubtedly, have scored on the occasion I mention. With this exception “Billy” Hay got through his arduous task of controlling tho game in a praiseworthy manner.

Kangi, at full-back for’ tho “Tigers’' was uncertain. His taking was by no moans good, but ho occasionally got in a good lino kick. The three-quarters put in some excellent defensive work, but their attacking movements Avero characterised by rather indifferent passing. Campbell was easily the best of the three, and with his high kicking to centre and following up, gained a lot of ground for his side time and again. He scored one try, and Avas as I have stated prevented from obtaining another by obstruction.

Kaipara and Clark played avcll together. Tho former avus very unwell prior to the game and consequently did not shine as brilliantly as usual. _ Ho has not yet, I am sorry to see, entirely lost his tendency to too much individual play. Clark is undoubtedly a coming man. Ho is a strong runner Avitli plenty of heart, but he also shows a disinclination to part with. the ball at the critical moment.

The “Tigers” have get a cloA’or halfback in Graham, Avho, although behind a beaten pack, got through a tremendous amount of Avork, and made many openings Avhich Avere unfortunately not taken advantage of by his confreres. The Y.M.C.A. forwards held their own Avell in the earlier stages of the game, but later on Avere outclassed by their more experienced opponents. Pine, Perry and Russell were conspicuous repeatedly by fine indi\ T idual Avork. Swam, Avho plays for tho Gisborne Club on Thursdays, made liis first appearance at full for Kaiti-City. His tackling Avas deadly, and his fielding and kicking decmodly good, and ho dropped a pretty goal, although in this respect ho Avas decidedly lucky, as practically the whole Y.M.C.A. team stood by and Avatclied him do it. Rowe Avas the mainstay of the threequarter line, his defensive Avork .being admirab’e. “Gordon” has the happy knack of being in the right place at tho right time, and is undoubtedly one of tho “headiest” players in the’ district. Gerrard and Puflett Avere fair. The "former lias plenty of pace, but Avants to learn to use it by running straight, and not across, the field on every occasion. “Puff” seems to have lost his kicking abilities this season to a great extent, and also a large amount of his old-time dash. A littlo more attention to training-, however, Avi’l doubtless change these present defects., ' Bowman and Tocker Avero the. fiveeighths, and up till tho time the for-' mer had to retire from tho field, they played admirably together. This pair are a great acquisition to a set or backs that badly needed strengthening, _ but I Avould much prefer to see Bowman playing half, and although Tocher seems to be able te shine in any position, I' am inclined to think that his place, is the three-quarter line, and preferably in the centre. , Flatman, behind the scrum, was clever and nippy. Ho also kicked avo.l and used the blind side of the scrum to advantage. The. forwards all played Avell together, but were weakened by the absence of Jim Scott and Nico.as. Stagpoole played a clever game on the wing, and was a source of annoyance to the opposing half, but his display was marred to a great extent by an unfortunate tendency to get off-side. “Bert” Lowe played a great game, breaking away from the line out cinio and acain. I was also glad to see taut his play was not quite so “strenuous” as it has been lately. Beach, also, struck me as being a very likely man, while McKenzie played another of lus customary solid games. When this pack isat full strength, it will take a lot. oi beating. , The junior matches on Saturday Avere. full of interest, and there aro several p'ayers of great merit engaged Avith the different toams each wepk. I lie junior competition promises well to Continue in a healthy condition. , The Thursday competition last week suffered a good deal through tho mectino- of the Coursing Club. City wore compelled to forfeit to Gisborne, Avho Were only poorly reresented. Alhambra showed that they aro still on the up grade by getting within 7 points of Star after a'hard game. T, hope to have the pleasure of recording a win for the wearers <oi tlie yellow arid black botoio 10 Footballers will bo glad to learn that at the time of writing “Jim” Bowman is making very satisfactory progress towards a speedy recovery. . - A matter to which 1 jwould like to draw the attention of the Union is the ever increasing crowd of spectators/ which gather in front of the press stand during the progress of a match.. Not alone "is tho. noise of the “ba.rrackers almost deafening, but the vie# of the play is considerably hampered, and tjie long-suffering scribes feel inclined to desert their post and seek a_ quieter spo.t where, at least they would be able to sco the game. X trust* tbat tho Union’s Management Committee, Avith their customary kindness and consideration for pressmen, • Ay ill take immediate stops to prevent a recurrence of the experience so far this year. The question of the proposed tour of the Poverty Bay representatives to Auckland, Palmerston, Danncvirke, Napier and Hastings, is already being larcrelv discussed. I hope to see tho team 'selected early as they will be certain to meet some strong combinations, and practice together previously avill 1)0 the only means by Avhich our men can hone for success. Footballers likely to be chosen to make the-, trip

will do Avell to consider early the question of obtaining leave, and it is possible that many of them may be abb- ■*-> arrange thoir annual holiday .to fit in. The present suggestion is <xat tho “reps” will leave hero on Wednesday, August 11th, returning on tho folloAving Wednesday week. It is to be hoped that it will bo found possib'o to conclude the arrangements for the tour, as the resulting benefit to tho football of the district can not be overestimated. At the. same time I consider that, nothing; but the very strongest possible team should be sent on tour, and if this is found to be impracticable, 1 fancy it Avould be better to postpone the tour for another year. The matter is being carefully considered by the Union, and I feel sure that footballers can safely leaA r o it in the hands of a body that lias always been earnest in its endeavors te conserve tho best interests of tho game. TO-MORROW’S I MATCHES.

The football matches in the Thursday competition to bo played at Victoria Domain to-morrow are:—-City v. Alhambra, at 1.45 p.m. ; and-Gisborne v. Star at 3 p.m. The team to represent Gisborne in their match against Star to-morroAV will bo chosen from the following:- —J. Pollock, J. Ryan, H. Gibson, R. Campbell, W. Neill-, R. Morse, T. Swain, H. Kelly. A. McConnell, W. Brown, M. Anseli, F. Higgs, J. Knowles, F, Seymour, J. NeAvton, T. Henderson, J, Lyons, H. Harrison, 0. Delaney, G. Roderick, A. Blewden. Tho Star team to meet. Gisborne tomorroiv Avill be be picked from tho following :—P. Kokiri, M. Makoare, Hargreaves, Lon. Wilkinson, J. Clark, W. Smith, A. P. Kaipara, D. Burnside, Reg. Wilkinson, C. Davis, T. Bristow, Walter Wilkinson, W. Walker, J. Lawrence, D. Ferguson, r J. Nicolas, B. Lowe, L. Nicolas, Turoa, J. Beach, Geo. Pollock. W. Carroll.