FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2529, 16 June 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “Full-back.”)

The prediction which I made in my notes last week, that more interesting football might be expected in the near future, was amply fulfilled by last Saturday’s senior game between United and Y.M.C.A., and last Thursday’s games, especially the Gisborno-Star fixture, were brimful of interest. The City-Alhambra match was a succession of wild scrambles after a slowly-travelling ball, and' the whole play was of the standard that might reasonably be looked for from thirdgrade teams. Certainly, neither team was at its full strength, but both sides contained some good players who are capable of much better things. The Alhambra team is sadly handicapped by the want of a capable coach, but with a little* more knowledge of the finer points of the game should do much better. Pullett showed an improvement on his earlier displays for City, and appears to be rapidly getting back into form. There was little to choose between tbo remainder of the City players, and they' will have to exhibit decidedly better form if they are going to have) a chance with either Star or Gisborne.,

The game between tbo latter clubs was a most interesting one, more especially in the first spell. It is very hard to account for the absolute collapse of the Star team after the interval, but they fell all to pieces and allowed Gisborne to pile up a great number of points. Ivaipara and Burnside got through a lot of solid work for Star, in the back division, and the forwards wdio appeared to be “grafting” hardest were Beach and Davis. “Jim” Pollock was undoubtedly the best back on the field, and bis display fully entitles him to at least a trial with .any of the senior Saturday clubs. His picking up, running, and taking of the ball were alike excellent, and he scored two or three pretty tries. The Gisborne back division proved altogether too fast for the opposition, and some of their passing runs were really good. “Rastus” Morse is cjuickly developing into a first-class half. He gets the ball away cleanly from the scrum to his backs, while -against Star two of his individual runs should Lave been rewarded with a try. The Gisborne pack are a solid lot. Although weakened by the temporary absence of Henderson, their new lock, they were simply irresistible, and time and again swept over the opposing forwards in great fashion, completely burying Star’s diminutive half-back. On the form displayed by Gisborne on Thursday, they are strong favorites for the competition, and I am inclined to think, myself, that they will just about manage to retain possession of the “Lysnar” banner.

In the interests of “clean” football, what can only be regarded as a most deplorable incident occurred during tbo second spell in, the Star-Gis-borne match. All through the game the opposing wing forwards had kept up an almost continuous “naggi-ig’ at each other, and this bickering eufminated when the Star player deiiberai;< ly obstructed his opponent while the ball was in the scrum. The resentment of the Gisborne player took fho iorm c-f seizing bis adversary round flic waist and hurling him to the Not to bo outdone the Star phi or v or rather fighter) promptly git t.r art returned the courtesy by dam'eg the Gisborne, man to Mother Earth. By this time the remainder of the team were some twenty yards away, and the spectators were treated to the edifying spectacle of seeing two men chasing each other round and round, even outside the touch-line, and mad with rage, until at last one caught his foe -and throwing him heavily stood over him with clenched fist, and uttering dire threats, in language not fit to be heard by any decent person. The incident was not- without its humorous side, as the men, when their difference was at least temporarily settled, trotted off together some distance away and joined their comrades once more. It is a most unfortunate thing that the referee’s back should have happened to have been turned away during the disgraceful proceedings, as both men most certainly deserved to have Been put off the field instantly, and would have further deserved the term of suspension which’ would undoubtedly have been imposed upon them by the Rugby Union, had the matter been reported to that body. It is little that, while this sort of thing, combined with rough play, that has been seen recently, is allowed to go on, the press in other centres are referring in sarcastic terms to the “football” in Gisborne. These irregularities must be stopped, and with a firm hand, and the sooner it is done the better it will be for the game in the district. Saturday’s game between Y.M.C.A. and United was remarkable for three things, viz., the evenness of the first spell, the lamentable falling away of Y.M.C.A. in the earlier portion of the second spell, and their subsequent brilliant recovery.

The Y.M.C.A. backs were frequently applauded for clever passing, and I fancy their scores had, in most instances. more real merit attached to them than had the points notched by their opponents. Campbell, who continues to play a greatly improved game, lost a try for his side by failing to pass to Miller when the two were running together with only the fullback to pass. Luttrell tackled Campbell. and a sure try was thrown away. -Miller and Kaipara also were responsible for some excellent work, the latter scoring a clever try. Clark played a much improved game, and Hutton at half made a very creditable first appeai’ance for the seniors. The “Tigei-s’ ” forwards were a shade on the slow side in getting into the scrums, but in the loose work shone out well. Pine. Perry. Ellison, and BrownToe played hard all through in an effort to avoid defeat.

0. Somervell was £ 'out on his own’ amongst the United bacfks, both in attack and defence. He tackled and kicked very well, and made numerous clover openings for his follow backs. Allan Luttrell as usual got through a tromendous amount of work, while his brother at full-back tackled and kicked in fine style. “Carl” Bright on the wing played a dashing game, following up well. He was’a thorn in the side of the opposing half. The forwards packed fairly well, but in the loose were very much inclined to overrun the ball. The referee was obliged to caution one of their number for foul nla-y, and the “word” had apparently the desired effect. There were, however, one or two instances of most deliberate tripping and obstruction which were allowed to pass unnoticed. Newton, Gatland, and Raa'ka Turei were prominent throughout, the latter being particularly good on’ the line-out, breaking aivay well several times. ■ , ~

The country competition was continued, and by winning their third game in succession Makauri juniors have practically won the competition. Tlio junior match between Makauri and Te Kura was not productive of any good play. Knowledge of the laws of the game was conspicuous by its absence. Two tries were obtained in the second half by Makauri, and although in good positions the attempts at converting were' very poor. The game ended 6 to nil. Hyland, for the winners, and Tu Haapu for the losers, were the best amongst a poor lot. The senior game was a willing go from start to finish, and there was no mistake about the endeavors of each team to win. With Te Rcinga, Leah, and T. Halbert -amongst their backs, Takitimu presented a formidable appearance, and had the backs not been over-anxious several scores must have eventuated. Here, again, ignorance of the laws was very noticeable. It would be a good thing for country football if the Rugby Union distributed gratis a number of books dealing with the laws of the game. The players do not seem to know when they are off side, and how and when they' are put ,on side again, and they are supported in their ignorance by a clamorous public. who urge them on despite the breach of the rules. The Toferee seemed to have earned the disapproval of the Takitimu supporters, for loud and frequent hoots were the order of the day when any decision unfavorable'to their team was given. The’ forwards on both sides played a hard game, and there did not seem to be any difference between the teams in that respect. The Tahiti mu backs wdre slightly better than their opponents, in that they bad a semblance of combination, which was lacking amongst their opponents. When either team are opposed by a team ■noth a knowledge of the finer points and the rules of the game, they will realise that to play the game properly one must first know the rules.