FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2561, 23 July 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THURSDAY COMPETITION. ' The Thursday championship' matches were continued at the Victoria Domain yesterday afternoon, in splendid weather. The ground was in excellent condition, and there was but a small attendance of spectators. GISBORNE (21) v. CITY (0). Gisborne kicked off against the. western goal, and iplay settled in their own twenty-five. Hero Swain broke aavay, and igood passing between Pollock, Campbell, and Ryan resulted. The lat-' ter centred, and. after a -very* pretty piece of iplay the ball was carried over the City line, where a force saved them. A similar occurrence happened a moment or two later, and- with play in City’s twenty-five, Henderson obtained from the scrum, and after passing between Pollock Campbell, and Ryan, the latter cleverly beat the full back and scored. Campbell failed at goal. Gisborne kept up the attack strongly, the forwards playing well, and the backs passing nicely at times. Luttrell and To-cker were defending well, however, and for a time the efforts of the Gisborne men were in vain. A free to City brought relief, but the ball was returned by Kelly, and Ryan following up, picked up’neatly and, being tackled on the line by Luttrell, a forward pass spoiled a likely score. Aided by a good kick from Pufiett, City for the first time invaded the Gisborne territory, but Kelly obtained and transferred play to midfield. Hero Puflctt, with a splendid line kick, once again put his side on the attack, but a loose rush of the Gisborne pack saved the situation. Luttrell sent a high kick down the field, which was well taken by Kelly, who ran up to lialf-way and gave to Pollock. The latter put in a splendid run, leaving his opponents as if they were standing still, and scored a brilliant try. Campbell made an excellent attempt-to add the extra points. From the kickout, City again attaoked, but were unable to open their account. Swain headed a rush of the Gisborne forwards to City’s half, where fast and open play followed, and City gradually forced their way down the field, and owing to an evident misunderstanding between Tocker and Witty, a good chance to score was lost. Grinlinton took a clever mark in the Gisborne twenty-five, but E. Luttrell made a poor attempt at goal, and the interval was called with City on Gisborne’s line. Immediately after the resumption, Gitv were awarded a penalty in a favorable position, and Puflctt nearly opened their scoring account, and Kelly forced. Gisborne pressed, and G. Neill and Henderson got the ball away well, and after a passing run of the backs right to the City line, .a forward pass spoiled a certain score.- The same, thing happened a moment later, and Grinlinton relieved with a good kick, only to see the ball returned by a fine kick by Kelly. With the Gisborne backs passing runs, a further score seemed im r minent, but a couple of indifferent passes again spoiled two good chances. Huston brought relief by forcing, hut once more Gisborne swarmed down on their opponents’ line, where Tocker saved repeatedly. Witty and Huston were also doing good work, and play was carried to centre, where a penalty was awarded to City. A dribbling run of Gisborne’s forwards brought play back to City’s quarters, where “Pompey” Roderick saved, and a moment later Pufiett did likewise by marking well from a high kick by Pollock. E. Luttrell also saved well, but City for a period were having an anxious time defending their line. From loose scrambling .work on the line the hall was kicked' right across the field, and W. Neill had only to fall on the ball and score. Ralph Morse added the extra' points with a lovely kick. Even p’ay followed in midfield, where Grinlinton again took a clever mark. A high kick by TV. Neill a moment later was well followed up. Luttrell failed to take, and the forwards swarmed down and over tlio line, where Lyons scored. Swain added the extra points. With play “in mid-field, Grinlinton got a nasty knock on the head and had to retire, while Tocker and Lyons also came into violent contact, and', when the disturbance was cleared a little, Gisborne once more had City hard pressed to .save their line. Eventually, after scrum work on the line, RalphUorse- got over far out, and Ryan kicked a magnificent goal. The whistle sounded for time almost immediately afterwards, leaving the scores: Gisborne 21, City 0. Mr. Harold l Carr controlled the game. STAR (12) v. ALHAMBRA (3). This was a fast and interesting game right from the start and, although beaten by 9 points, Alhambra had their full share of the play, and at times had considerably the better of it. Star assumed the offensive immediately after the commencement, and for a- time pinned Alhambra on / their line. At the Alhambra twenty-five, Makaore secured, and with a nice feinting run succeeded in reaching the line, where he transferred to Smith, who scored. R. Wilkinson, made a poor attempt at goal. After a good passing run between the Star backs, P. T.c Han was nearly over a few later, hut Star kept up the pressure, and after another good passing bont, Pera got over, Kaipara failing to add the extra points. Alhambra, aided by Oman and Somervell, transferred play to centre, but Star came again, only to be sent back once more by Htuhbs. Alhambra now forced the pace, and attacked st r ongly for a time. After a couple of resistless penalties, their efforts were rewarded by V. Somervell scoring near the corner flag. Anderson, failed at goal, and the interval was called. ’ On resuming, the game was fast and open. By a combined run, Kaipara and To Hau carried the ball into the Alhambra territory, hut the defenders gradually worked back down, the field, and aided by several penalties, ftfept Star on the defensive. Pilcher had two good attempts at goal from penalties, but Star, headed by Kaipara and Makaore, rushed the hall back to half-way. Here the backs got going, and. after good passing by Kaipara, Makaore, and Pera, the latter cut in and scored a clever try. He took the 'kick himself, but just failed to increase, the

■ 1 " > ■■■ im J " ■ score. A series of loose rushes now took place, and close to Star’s line Pilcher had another good attempt.at goal from a penalty. Play coiitinued ; in Star’s twenty-five, but Smith relieved with a good, kick, and Pera obtaining, put in a: strong run: He was tackled, but passed to Davis,who forced his way over. Pera just missed at igoal. Even play followed, and time was called with Alhambra pressing, leaving the scores: Star 12, Alhambra 3. Mr. W. Howard refereed the game. TO-MORROW’S MATCHES. t • . The team to represent Y.M.C.A. thirds v. Waerenga-a-hika College tomorrow will be piqked from the following: ✓ Fraser, Mill, Bull, Riddell, Fromm, Paku, McMillan, Bloomfield, O’Meara, Moore, A. L. Winter, J. E. Winter, Ngira, Quinn, Tansley, Richardson, Nelson, Wildish, Parsons, and Stafford. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. The following teams have been selected to play in the match Taruheru v. Rangers, at Nelson Bros.’ Freezing Works to-morrow. The kick-off is to be at 3 Vp.’m.: - Taruheru : Mitchic,. Sharpies, Mathieson, Whitely, Marshall, Taylor, Stratham, Jennings, Coombes, Minnis, and Lasker. . . Rangers r Scroggic, Whyte, Manson, Hoare, Hollands, Arundel, .Johnston, J. Young, Lewis, Dick, Renwick. The following will take part in the match Y.M.C.A. v. Athletic, at Cobden Street, kick-off at 3 p.rn.: Athletic: H. Westwood, G. Westwood, Parkinson, Cowell, Rose, Hayes, Hepburn, Newton, Warren, Heffernan, The Y.M.C.A. team is to be selected. ATHLETIC (4) v. SAXONIANS (1). A very interesting game was played in Tucker’s paddock yesterday ‘afternoon between the (Saxonians’ team and the Athletic. Play was very even, and the ball travelled quickly from end to end. The Saxonian -forwards made desperate ahd repeated attacks on the Athletics’ goal, and were unlucky in not scoring several times, one shot in particular, was a beauty, but just wide of the mark. From the goal kick tlio Athletic right wing toolo the ball up the field, and centreing grandly, scored a dashing goal This was followed by a hot attack on tile Athletic goal, which forced Athletic to concede a corner. From the corner, which was beautifully placed into .goal mouth, Hall, for the Saxonians, scored a uretty goal, giving the goal-keeper no chance. From the kick-off, Athletic rushed the ball to the other "end and scored quickly, followed soon after by a third with a long dropping shot, which the Saxonian goalkeeper misjudged. After half-time the Saxonians made desperate efforts to equalise matters, but could not'penetrate the Athletics’ defence, though forcing keenly almost all the second half. Yfrom a break away, Athletic had matters all their own way, and after a pretty bout of passing, scored a good goal, making the score 4—l. Soon after this the whistle, sounded for time, after a most exciting and keenly-fought contest. The Saxonians were unlucky to lose by such a large margin, as they undoubtedly had most of the play, but their /weakness lay in their defence, in which department the Athletics were very sound. Some very good football was witnessed, and many of the players are full of promise. AUSTRALIAN GAME. — S The fifth match of the season took place on the League’s ground yesterday afternoon, between teams representing Imperials and Rovers. Kurmg had charge of the Imperials, wlii.e J. W ack led the Rovers. Ur. Webster acted as central umpire during the first hair, and Mr Long filled the position for tlio second spell. The play opened vll.inglv, but had not been going long when Kuring took a nice jnai'k right in front of Imperials’ goal, and with a welljudged kick registered first goal foi the Black and Golds. After the bounce, J. Wack rushed the ball towards the Rovers’ end and passed to Tate, who succeeded in scoring a minor. After 'die kick-off. H. Wack marked nicely and passed to Malloy, who made good use of the ball by making a. good run and passing to Kuring, who registered another goal. After the bounce both sides made the p:ay willing, and the ball travelled up and down at a fast pace. Tate was doing some splendid play on the wing .and managed to score another minor. After the kick-off Heffernan marked and passed to late, who punted the first sixer for the Rovers. After the bounce the Imperials held tlio upper hand of the game, and succeeded in putting on three more goals to their score. Malloy, a new player, kicked well, and succeeded in,putting a sixer on for the Imperials with a. fine long kick. The first quarter ended. Imperials 5 goals 4 behinds, Rovers 1 goal 2 behinds. In the second quarter the Rovers’ skipper placed himself in the I ruck, and he made a great difference in the play with his splendid marking and dashing play. Sid. Tate and Smith were doing some clever passing on the forward line, until Lund got hold of the leather and with a fast-run took the play down to the Imperials’ goal. Lund at this stage was playing a great game and' his dashing work oiten pievented the Rovers from scoring. A free kick was given , to H. Wack, and ho passed to .Bollock, who made.no mistake in punting the ball right between the goal posts for the Imperials. After the bounce the Rovers more than held their own. A tree' kick was given to Dalton, who passed to W. Tate, and this (flayer Kicked another goal for the Rovers. After the bounce Dalton, with a running shot put on another goal fpr the Rovers. The quarter ended, Imperials 1 goal 2 behinds, Rovers 2 goals. The half-time spell seemed to be of great benefit to the Rovers. Their passing, kicking, and all round play in this quarter was a great improvement to their previous play. They played with better judgment, and clean open football., Sid. Tate was again shining out on the forward line, and Smith was. never out of the right place. He made a fast run on the wing and potted another goal for the Rovers. After the bounce Lund and Malloy took the ball

into the Imperials’ territory, wliero some give and take work fdllowod, until Atkinson got hold of the leather, and with a nice-judgeit kick put on a sixer for the Rovers. After the bounce W. Tate potted another goal for the Rovers, and there was some fast play on the wing, when Sid. Tate again col.nred the leather and passed to J. Wack, who passed to W. Tate, and that player again placed the leather between the goal-posts. Dennett added another sixer to the Imperials’ score, and the quarter ended, Imperials 1 goal 5 behinds, Rovers 4 goals 1 behind. In tlie ,final quarter, Imperials’ skipper strengthened the back line, and also strengthened the ruck by putting Malloy on the ball, and this player was one of the best-on the field in this quarter, rhe Imperials had the play .mostly in their territory in this quarter, and succeeded in puttng. on 4 goals 1 behind to 1 goal 3 behinds scored by 1 the Rovers. The final scores were: Imperials 11 goals 12 behinds (78 points), Rovers 8 goals 6 behinds (54 points). The best players for Imperials were Kuring in the forward line and Liny' it half back and following. Malloy, although not having full knowledge of tlio rules, played a good game. H. Wack was in his usual good form, and played good clean football. Jenkins did some excellent marking, and Kaye and Swain were also in good form on the the back line. Pollock. Dennett, and Carr also did good service for the Imperials. For the Rovers J. Wack played a fine, dashing game, and his marking was excellent. Webster, in the centre, was always prominent. Sicl. and W. Tate wore the best forward men, and Atkinson proved to be a clever, cool player, and his fine kicking was a feature of the game. F. Wack and Brownlee did the best passing on the back line. Dandy, Brown, Smith, Dalton, Heffernan, and Tennant also did good work. In fact, each individual player played willingly, and there was a big improvement in their play on the previous matches. THE NORTHERN UNION GAME. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 22. The Northern Union game has made startling progrc&s during the week, developments being very rapid. - On Monday a meeting was held, at which some 150 persons were present, and a Lcaguo was formed. Since then matters have matured, a meeting being held at North Shore last evening, at whichthere was a large attendance, and a strong club was formed, having for its officials eonie of the leading residents. Tlio club lias two teams to put' in the field, and has practically taken the pick of amateur players from its district club. This evening a preliminary meeting was held in the city, about twenty players attending, and steps were taken to form a club. It is stated that a Newton club will be formed next week, there being considerable dissatisfaction among the members at tlie management of the Auckland Union. The officials of the League have procured their ground at Epsom, and will commence a series of fixtures at once.