FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2571, 4 August 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

(Notes by "Full-back.”) There is but little that calls for aiiy special comment in the matches ■ played last week, either on rnursday or Saturday except the game between Gisborne and Star on tho former day. - This was one of the most interesting . and exciting games played this season, and the finish was most sensational —Star requiring 5 wants to avert defeat with two minutes to go. Thanks to Ter a. and Kaipara they succeeded in drawing level. The former made a brilliant run nearly the whole length of the field, and although he did not score he was undoubtedly responsible for the try which Williams scored far out, near the corner flag. Breathless suspense followed as tho ball was being brought out for the kick at goal, and a mighty burst of cheering went up as. Kaipara, with a lovely kick, piloted the leather over the bar. The sympathies of the spectators were undoubtedly with Star, who deserve every credit for their success against a much more experienced team. A most peculiar incident occurred in this match in relation to one of the tries scored' by Star. The ball was kicked over the line by a Star hack, and several of that team accompanied by several of their opponents raced f<pr possession. No less than five or six players fumbled with the ball endeavoring either to score or to force it, and from near tho corner flag it travelled behind the line all the time until opposite the posts, where a Star man put the issue beyond doubt by falling on it. There were many who expressed the belief that not alone had the ball been forced a couple of times, but that, in addition, it had also been rendered dead by striking the hedge. Personally'. I am of the opinion that the ball had been forced by one of the Gisborne players, but the referee’s explanation is to tlie effect that although one or two of the defenders undoubted! v did “touch” the ball, not one of them “steadied” it sufficiently to constitute a force. There was nothing brilliant in the second Town v. Country match on Saturday. Both teams contained men who worked hard, and in one or two instances, there wore cases of individual brilliancy, but neither side, as a' bodv, exhibited a superior class of football. No less than three men, Te Reinga, McKenzie, and Ryan were compelled to retire owing to injuries, and the many friends and admirers of tho latter will, no doubt, regret to learn that in all probability it will be several weeks before he recovers from his knock. The selectors’ choice of a team to represent Poverty Bay against Waiapu next Saturday has aroused a great deal of interest, and as usual, has come in for its full share of criticism, both friendly, and, in many cases, hostile. With the exception of one or two of ■ those included, I think the team is a very . fair one, considering the material'at the selectors’ disposal, and it must not be forgotten that this team is not the final selection to go on tour. The personnel of the team will have td be changed owing to Ryan’s accident, and I anticipate that Tocker will take his place at full, Bowman will come out to live-eighths, and Flatman, who was first emergency, will be played behind the scrum. I do not consider that the team will be weakened to any appreciable extent by these changes, although I should certainly prefer to see Bowman, if it were possible, in his old position of half. From what I can gather, Waiapu are bringing down a very strong combination, and I fancy it will take the boys in scai'let all their time to stave off defeat. I hope that several excellent players, who have not been included in next Saturday’s fifteen will not feel in any way disheartened, a s the final selection has hot been made and there is always a clmce for those on the border line to be included in the nineteen players chosen to make the trip. ■' Just a word as to the manager of the representative team. This all-import-ant official has not yet been chosen, and it behoves the Union to be particularly careful in the selection. It is a most responsible position, especially in view of the fact that the majority of our players will be touring for tho first time, and whether matches are to be won or whether matches are to be lost, the success of the tour depends, in a very great measure,, upon capable management. Several names have been mentioned for the .position, and there are one or two gentlemen on the XJtiion who would, no do/übt, make excellent managers were they able to make the, trip. The selection .will lie made next' Monday night, and I hope to see a choice made of one who will be a guide, controller, and friend to our' young team. The Union is very wisely and considerately. making inquiries regarding the insurance of the travelling representatives, the risk to cover actual playing in matches, and, in addition, travelling by either rail or steamer. It is a most excellent move on the part Of the governing body, and I shall be very glad to see their negotiations brought to, a successful issue. In view*.of the extra expense it may naturally he found necessary to make a small levy of few shillings each on players, and I feel quite sure that if it is necessary to adopt this course not one of the representatives will bcgruge the amount as all the other expenses in connection with the tour win be borne by the Union. Next Saturday’s game against Waitapu promises to be most interesting and with thirty players striving might and main to catch the eyes of the selectors somo good football should be witnessed. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. ' The matches to be played under the auspices of the , Poverty Bay Rugby Union on Saturday are to be as follows: Representative match, Waiapu v. Poverty Bay, 3-p.m.; Napier Defence Cadets v. Gisborne Defence Cadets, 1.45 p.m.; thirds’ match, Y.M.C.A. v. High School, 1.45 p.m*. The team to represent Waiapu in

their match with Gisborne is as follows: Full-back, Maioha; three-quar-ters, Ryland, Aorere, Canaghan; liveeighths, Delamejo and w atchorn ; half, Dick ;wing forward, Cookery ; forwards, Gilbert, Brown, Fletcher, J. Lincoln, B. .Lincoln, J. Oates, and W. Crook; emergencies, Tate and Garrard (back), G. King and Prince (forwards). COUNTRY v. MANGATU. , The following team has been selected ‘ to represent the country clubs in their match against the Mangatu Sub-Union, at the Victoria Domain to-morrow afternoon : —Full-back, Matumaruru (Te Kura); three-quarters, Pita te Hau, Kara (Takitimu), Pera (Te Kura) ; five-eighths, Te Reinga . and 'Halbert (Takitimu); half, Cole (Makauri); forwards, Butcher (wing), Kouka, Puka, Lyons, Mason, Swainson, Simpkins, Donnelly. Emergencies: (backs), Tuteari (Te Kura) and Hyland (Makauri) ; (forwai’ds). King (Te Kura) and Jones (Takitimu). THE PONSONBY TEAM IN SYDNEY United I’ui.sh Association—Copyuigiit (Received August 3. 11.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 3. Ponsonby plays South Sydney tomorrow, instead of a combined Glebe and South Sydney team.