FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2577, 11 August 1909, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

TO-MORROW’S MATCHES

yiio matches to be pla3 r ed under tiic auspices of the Poverty, Bay Bug by Union, on Vistoria Domain to-morrow are:—Gisborne v. Alhambra, 1.45p.m.; City v. Star, 3 p.m. Tlie team to represent Gisborne v. 'Alhambra, at 1.45 p.m. to-morrow, will he picked from the following: C. Hepburn, C. Gomer, H. Kelly, C. Pollock, C. Cole, K. Flatman, G. Neill, H. •Henderson, A. McConnell, F.. Seymour, H. Harrison, C. Taylor, T. Henderson, T. Swain, R. McKenzie, W. Brown, E. Austin, and A. Pirie. The Alhambra team will be picked from the following: Stubbs, Anderson, Oman, G. Boderick, Peach, O’Neil, H. Craig. B. Somervell, Whitfield, McConnell, Newton, Giddes, Darville, Paaka Turei, Carter (2), Stevens, Casley, Atkinson, McLaughlin.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. The matches to be played under the auspices of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union on Saturday nest will be as follows : . • • On Victoria Domain. —Seniors, KaitiCitv v. Y.M.C.A., 3 p.m.; Juniors, United v. Y.M.C.A., 3 p.m.; Thirds, Y.M.C.A. v. Defence Cadets,. 1.45 p.m. At Mr G. Witters’ paddock, Makauri.—Seniors, Te Kura v. Makauri, 3 p.m.; Juniors, Te Kura v. Makauri, 1.45 p.m.

(Notes by “Full Back.”) The sole topic in football circles during the last week or so has been the coming tour of the representatives and the practice games in view of the final selection, have been keenly fought out, every plaver striving might and main ;to £atell the eye cf the: selectors. The

final selection was announced at tho Waiapu team’s dinner on Saturday night, and at that time and since, almost universal expressions of approval have been heard on all sides. Personally, I think, that with perhaps one or two. exceptions the final choice is a most excellent one, and I heartily congratulate the selectors upon the manner in which they have handled their difficult task. Hitherto, as a general rule, tlio choice of tho selectors has been received with storms of hostile criticism, and on this occasion it. must be particularly gratifying to Messrs Bright, Eaton and Puflett to. note the manner in which their selection has been received. ■Five matches will bo played on the tour, against Auckland, Wanganui, Bush Unions,- Napier, and Hastings, and while I hardly anticipate a victory for Poverty Bay' in the first two contests, yet I think that our representatives can be expected with confidence, to win the majority of the matches played on the tour by / annexing the three latter games. The most important match of all is that against Hastings, which will decide -the temporary ownership of the Lane Shield. The shield is a most handsome one, and I expect the struggle for its possession will be a great one. I hope to see it come to Gisborne. In the selection of Mr. Watchorn as captain of the team the Union has made a wise move, and the vice-captain Tocker, I have no doubt, will do his part ably when called upon. The selection committee will consist of the captain, vice-captain and B. Lowe, the first two having been appointed by. the Union and the latter chosen by the players. Most of the players who are going on tour have already, at different times been criticised, in this column, and I have had little opportunity of witnessing much of the plav of those members of’outside. clubs who Lave been included. On the form displayed in the couple of matches they have played in town, they are thoroughly deserving of their selection, and can be depended upon to worthily uphold the honor of their respective sub-unions. In common with almost everybody elso I am especially pleased at the. choice of the manager of the / team. It is a most important office, but I know of no other gentlemen who could possibly better fulfil the onerous position than Mr. H. E. Maude, the popular president of the local Union. His work will he considerably lightened by the untiring efforts of Mr E. L. Maude, who, in his capacitv as honorary secretary of the Union, has mapped out the details of the tour most minutely, leaving nothing undone in his desire to make the arrangements complete before the team leaves Gisborne. The tour will mark an epoch in Poverty Bay football, and whether matches are won or whether they are lost, there is no doubt that the trip will he of incalculable benefit to the game in this district, and I feel sure that, in days to come, we will be able to look back with pride and satisfaction at the performances of our representatives, both on and off the field during the memorable tour of 1909.

AUCKLAND Y. POVERTY BAY

(Per Press Association.l _ AUCKEainD, Aug. 10. j lie following will represent Auckland in the Auckland-Poverty Bay interprovincial match, at Auckland, next Saturday:—Full-back, Miller; threequarters, Renwick, Robinson, and Wilson ; five-eighths, R. Magee and Skillen: half back, Young; wing, Wilkes; forwards, Herring, Capill, Maguire (2), Seeling, Williams, and Waddell; emergencies, back, Twiname; forward, Pople.

LEAGUE TEAM FOR NEW ZEALAND. United Press Association— Copyright. - SYDNEY, August 10. Arrangements are being made by the League to send a strong team to New Zealand next month.

ASSOCIATION FuOTBALL.

NOTES

(By “Left-Wing.”)

' On Saturday last the Rangers travelled to the well appointed enclosure of the Taruheru team in the hopes of avenging their defeat sustained there earlier in the season. Although these hopes were not ■ fully realised, they at least were not dashed to the ground, as the result was a tie of 2 goals each. The afternoon was an ideal one for a fast and exciting game, and this proved to be the case, a fine exposition of the game being given by both teams. One would fincf it difficult to discriminate between the two sets of players, and the score was a fair reflex of the game. The Rangers’ captain correctly named the spin <pf the coin and chose to kick; up the hill with the sun at his back. Right from the kick-off the Rangers pressed, and missed a glorious opportunity of claiming first blood, their centre forward shooting wide with no one to beat but the goal-keeper. As it so happened, had they taken advantage of this opportunity the game would have been theirs, hut the football game has yet to he played in which not a chance is missed. The Taruheru boys were by no means-idle and they j)ut in some (lashing runs, but were met by a stern defence, they gave no quarter nor expected any in return, as the left full back can testify. The predominating feature of this half was the dashing runs . of the Rangers’ right wing pair, who, when on the ball, were ever a source of danger, and /’also the thrusting work of the centre forward, who scored with a high dropping shot after following up well. This is an object lesson to all budding soccer players, never give up and allow the backs to have a free kick, but keep at them until they get flurried, when you will find mis-kicks occurring more often than not. The Rangers’ second goal was the outcome of a, remarkable shot, as the ball, was kicked by the outside left’almost from the corner flag, and passed inside the far upright, "With two. gorils up the state of affairs was decidedly rosy from the Rangers point of view, hut the Taruheru hoys evidently believe that the game is not lost until the whistle sounds. They kept pegging away and at last found two of the defence in the same mind, trying to kick the hall together with the usual result a clean miss, and a stinging shot rubbed one off the slate. This was the score at half-time, and the interval was much appreciated by both teams. The second half was commenced /by the Rangers playing a man short, and this proved a

big handicap to them. With only four forwards, the line got out of gear and very scrappy, and it was as well, the defence proved steady. The home team played with much better combination than at the beginning, • and. although attack after attack was repulsed, tlie pressure was hound .to tell in the end. As the score proves, this happened, a mis-kick-letting the. inside, left through to score as he pleased. Regarding the various players, it would be unfair to individualise, each and every one playing with great dash right up to tne finish. The right wings of both teams were most prominent, the Rangers in the first half and Taruheru in the second. Most of the attacking movements emanated from those quarters, some of which deserved hotter than they got. The hacks of both sides were safe, without- being; brilliant, - tackling well and also kicking a good length. The halves also played well, but as yet have not developed the art of gentle taps and passes to the forward line, in place of strong punts up the field. It is hardly to-be expected that a standard of play so liigji as this can ho reached so early in the movement, hut it is well to keep these uoints in the corner of one’s eye. On the whole, it was admitted by all present to be a splendid game, free- from fouls, and full of interest throughout, and capably and efficiently refereed by Mr. Hall.