FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2581, 16 August 1909, Page 7

FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION.

The championship competition was ■continued on Saturday afternoon, but ;as several of the prominent players were absent the football was not very t interesting. A high wind was blowing, with occasional spells of rain. The attendance was poor. , ,

SENIORS

KAITI-CITY (30) v. Y.M.C.A. (6). Y.M.C.A. kicked off against a strong wind, and Bowman returned well to (> Olsen, who sent the leather across the field, where, after a little play, Hansen ■ snored. Puflett took the kick, but failed to convert. From the kick out Rowe sent a long kick down the field, where Makaore forced. Soon after Bowman, •after a tricky run, scored, and Puflett. •with a beautiful kick, converted. Y.M.C.A. forwards then rushed the ball up the field and were pressing hard, hut a good kick by Somervell relieved. As the result of good dribbling by KaitiCity Grinlinton got over. Puflett again .added the major points. From tho kick out play centred for 5 few minutes when, as the result of good passing by Flatman, Grinlinton, Puflett and Rowe, the latter scored near the corner. Puflett failed with the kick. From a penalty near half way Puflett had a shot at goal, hut the kick went wide and Y.M.C.A. forced. Centre play followed for some time, then, from a mark at half way Bowman had an attempt at .goal without success, and Y.M.C.A. forced. City forwards then pressed hard and, when in Y.M.C.A.’s twenty-five, Sullivan received and scored- Bowman took the kick, adding the .extra points. Y.M.C.A. then made an effort to score, hut a good kick by ■Swain sent the hall down the field, and ;as the result of good following up McKenzie scored. Bowman made an unsuccessful shot at goal. Olsen, for Y.M.C.A. then started a rush and his side were awarded a penalty. Y.M.C.A. then kept play in City’s twenty-five for some time, and from a good passing bout by: Pine, Makaore, Hutton and Clark the latter was able to score. Pewhairanga took the kick but did not add the extra points. City :then pressed strongly, good passing taking place between Bowman, Grinlinton and Rowe. When in Y.M.C.A. territory Shepherd got the hall, and after a good run scored. Puflett failed with the kick. No further scores were registered in the first spell. With the wind in their.favor Y.M. C.A. made a good try to retrieve their position. Pine, by good kicking, sent the ball to City territory, where Olsen madei a good attempt to score. Y.M C.A. pressed hard and Shepherd forced. Play was kept in City’s twentyfiyc for some time, then a good passing in which Morse, Bowman, Grihlinyton and Puflett took part carried the leather to neutral territory. Up and down kicking followed, then Graham broke through and made a good run, but was collared before scoring. City worked the ball back rand got play into Y.M.C.A. twenty-five, where Clark sent a beautiful kick down the line and out in City’s quarter. City were not to be .stopped, however, and gradually got back into Y.M.C.A. twenty-five, where Sullivan passed to Rowe, who made a .good run and scored. Bowman took the kick, failing to add the extra points. Play • centred for some time, then Y.M.C.A. backs .got the ball and good passing took place between Graham, Clarke and Olsen, the latter scoring near the corner. Pewhairangi failed with the kick. No further scores were registered, although Shepherd made a good run just on time. Mi- Parlane ■■controlled the game.

JUNIOR GRADE. Y.M.C.A. (3) v. UNITED (3). This was a very evenly contested game, neither team scoring in the first spell. In. the second half M. Brown scored for -Y.M.C.A. and Barker took the kick, but failed to convert. G. Pollock kicked a nice penalty goal for United. Mr W. Hay controlled the game.

THIRD GRADE.

Y.M.C.A. (6) DEFENCE CADETS (5). Tho match between the third grade teams aroused considerable interest, as Cadets had not suffered a reverse, and Y.MXJ.A. had only been beaten once. The'game was very close, Y.M.C.A. having the best in the first spell and scoring twice, Sweet and Wildish obtaining the tries. In the second half Cadets tried hard to win the game, but only succeeded in sooring once, Brown getting the try, which Tapapa converted. Mr J. J. Martin refereed.

THE POVERTY BAY TOURING V; TEAM. MATCH AT AUCKLAND. (Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, August 15. Saturday, August 14th, 1909, will long be a memorable day in the annals of Poverty Bay football, on account of the great fight put up by the representatives of the Bay against the redoubtable holders of the Ranfurly Shield, and probably , the strongest team in. the Dominion. No Aucklanders and fejv Gisbornites were prepared for the magnificent exhibition of Poverty Bay, who throughout more than held their own against their heavier and more experienced opponents. A large erovd witnessed the match, the sympathy being entirely with the visitors, who were cheered often. Eighty pounds were taken at the gate. Poverty Bay won the toss, and had the advantage of a steady breeze. ; Seeling kicked off for Auckland to Fitzgerald, who returned well to the 25. Scrums were formed here, and the Auckland backs indulged in passing, but Watchorn tackled Wilson, and Kaipara kicked to the Auckland 25. The Poverty .Bay forwards were holding their own, and headed by Nicolas and Beach rushed to the Auckland line, where the home backs, again by good •passing, got to half-way where Renwick was well stopped by Nicolas, ihe home backs were repeatedly passing prettily, but the efforts were nullified by the magnificent tackling of the PoJTorty Bay men, which called forth the Admiration of the spectators. At the centre Miller saved from a kick by bkiilen, and Pollock and. Fitzgerald were prominent in good line kicking. With May in Auckland 25, Poverty Bay was Serialised for ail infringement in the scrum, and Seeling kicked to the Poverty Bay 25, where loose play took place, the Auckland forwards demonstrating their superiority in this department. When near the line the clever dribble to the centre. Lyons, Beach, and Nicolas broke through. Hyland obtained and kicked high to the full-back. PolloOk raced up and smothered the return, but was penalised for off-side play. Play then settled in midfield. Magee, WTison, and Reiiwick -were passing well, and the latter con-

trod high, hut a brilliant mark by AVatcliorn averted a certain score. From a rush of the homo pack Fitzgerald saved and kicked ■well, and Auckland being penalised Lowe and Beach smothered the 'full-back’s return from Tocker’s kick. Kaipara, Watchorn, and Nehu were conspicuous by their splendid defence, but in the Poverty Bav 25, Seeling from the line-out sent the ball to the backs, and from a pretty passing bout Renwick massed to Robinson, who scored far out. Magee failed to convert. From the kick-ou-fc Auckland swarmed down to the 'Poverty Bay line, but was sent back by Kaipara’s tricky dodging. A kick to tbo 25 from the oentVe by Wilson made matters look dangerous for Poverty Bay, but their splendid defence prevented any scoring, the Auckland pretty passing being rendered ineffective by the good tackling and smothering of the Poverty Bay team. The game was very fast and full of incident. With play at centre Auckland was penalised, and Lowe found the line with a good kick, but from the line-out the Auckland forwards and* backs rushed right to Poverty Bay’s line, where Fitzgerald saved brilliantly. From a passing run of the Auckland hacks, Watchorn intercepted, and kicking high the full-back fumbled, and like a flash tho Poverty Bay forwards were on top of him, play settling in the Auckland 25. The Auckland forwards drove tne visitors back to the centre, but Poverty Bay’s backs, Nehu, Watchorn, and Kaipara, by passing regained lost ground. From a scrum in Poverty Bay’s 25, the home backs indulged in passing, from Young to Magee to Skilten. The latter selfishly tried to cut in, but found it impossible to penetrate the defence, and lost the ball on the line. Magee, lying handy, secured, and just had to fall over the line, scoring a lucky try near the posts. Magee easily _ converted, giving his side a lead of eight points. After' the kick-off, play was for a long time about the centre. Auckland then pressed hard, and scores seemed imminent. Fitzgerald made a brilliant save, picking up from the toes of the forwards, and came right through the ruck, after which a lot of ground was gained by a pretty passing run by Nehu, Kaipara, Tocker, and Miller. At the centre Watchorn and Kaipara did brilliant work, the former repeatedly obtaining almost every line-out and spoiling the Aucklanders, while Kaipara often beat his man. and found the line judiciously. Then came an exciting moment. Auckland were attacking, but Ryland obtained at his own 25, and got clean away. He ran to the full-back, and kicking over the latter’s head Ryland followed up and again obtained. He raced for the goal with Pollock and Tocker alongside, with nobody in front of the trio. Unfortunately for Poverty Bay, Ityland, instead of going straight in, elected to pass to Pollock, But the latter failed to take, and an absolutely certain score was lost. The enthusiasm was now great among the spectators, and Poverty Bay, playing with great dash, had matters in their favor. With play in the centre, Kaipara obtained, beat a couple of Auckland men, and 'transfered to Ryland. The latter, with a strong run beat his man, and gave to Pollock, who easily outpaced his pursuing opponents, and scored a brilliant try between the posts, amidst storms of applause, the occupants of the grandstand rising to a man, cheering wildly, waving sticks, umbrellas, and hats. The applause was redoubled when Fitzgerald added a beautiful goal. , Startled by this unexpected reverse, Auckland pressed hard,but again splendid defence kept them out, and the interval bell rang with the scores: Auckland 8, Poverty Bay 5. Shortly after the resumption of play, Kaipara and Watchorn each earned applause for several brilliant marks, and Poverty Bay forcing the game, Magee was compelled, to throw into touch to save a score. A lot of loose play followed, the Auckland forwards showing up splendidly, but were still unable to penetrate the gallant defence of Fitzgerald, Pollock, Watchorn, and Kaipara, who were conspicuous for fine work repeatedly. Excellent marking and kicking frustrated many efforts of the opposition. The Auckland backs, instead of passing, adopted high centreing to avoid the deadly tackling of Poverty Bay, but invariably one of the above four would secure a splendid mark, and save the situation. With play at midfield, Poverty Bay forwards, headed by Beach, Gilbert, and Lowe, came through, but with a clear held, they were penalised for off-side. Loose play followed, and at the Poverty Bay twenty-five Lincoln was prominent -u a clever, dribble to the centre. -jfJis,' Lowe, Beach, and Nicolas were conspicuous in loose forward' work which followed, and Auckland were gradually driven back to their own twenty-five, where they were kept busy defending for several minutes. A rush of the Poverty Bay forwards, cheered on by the spectators, nearly resulted in a score by Donnelly, but Auckland’s fullback forced. An interchange of kicks followed the kick-out, and Miller (Auckland) found the line at Poverty Bay’s twenty-five. Auckland again were gradually driven back, Poverty Bay at this stage playing magnificently and the pace was still tremendous. Trie Poverty Bay backs were passing ilSe clockwork, and carried the ball to the Auckland twenty-five, but the home forwards quickly transferred play to Poverty Bay’s line, where very hard work took place, the visitors defending like Trojans, and were relie vedjby a penalty. Pretty passing by Nehu, Kaipara, AVatchom’, and Pollock again brought operations to Auckland territory, and the latter were hard pressed. A hush of excitement prevailed as Poverty Bay were awarded a penalty at the twentyfive, and a great outburst of_ cheering denoted that, with a lovely kick, Fitzgerald had piloted the leather safely over the bar, drawing level with mighty Auckland. Play now became fast and furious, but Poverty Bay were more than holding their own, and with ordinary luck would doubtless have scored at least one try. Watchorn, Fitzgerald, and Kaipara were still marking and kicking well. Nehu, Kaipara, Pollock, and Miller carried play to the Auckland line, where the visitors were nearly over several times, but just failed at the critical moment. Great cheering greeted the awarding of a, penalty to Poverty Bay outside the twenty-five, and Fitzgerald’s kick, . although splendid in direction, was just stopped'by the hands of the tall Auckland forwards. The game continued fast and hard, the ball travelling quickly up and down the field. The Auckland backs were passing neatly, and play settled in Poverty Bay’s twentyfive, where a lot of loose work resulted. Poverty Bay defended gallantly, but far out near the line Wilson secured from a loose rush, and with a lucky shot dropped a goal from an acute angle, giving his side the lead again. It was a good kick, hut most decidedly lucky. Auckland kept up the pressure, but the defence was too good, Kaipara, Watchorn, Ryland, and Pollock being particularly noticeable. Poverty Bay were penalised in their own twenty-five, and although the charge was disallowed, Magee failed to convert from an easy position. From a high kick by Rem wick, Miller secured and raced down

the line, and kicked over the fullback’s head; Wilson, however, took the ball'well, and eluding the fast following Pollock, sent the hall back to the centre with a good kick. Here the Poverty Bay forwards, with Lowe, Nicolas, Beach, Gilbert, and Lyons in the van, broke away from a scrum, and had Auckland again busy defending tlieir line. Ryland was prominent with good strong running and kicking,, and the other backs were passing with precision. From a line-out Lowe gave to Kaipara, who transferred to Pollock. The latter made a nice swerving run and gave to Miller, who was stopped by the full-hack, and failed to pass, losing a likely chance. Poverty Bay continued to hold the upper hand. The hacks at this'stage were passing beautifully. Clever work by Watchorn made a good opening, and from a run by Kaipara, Ryland,'and Miller, Poverty Bay were almost over, but Miller (the home fullback) saved splendidly., With only a few minutes to go, play did not slacken off in the least, and first one side and then the other attacked, but Poverty Bay certainly had the best of the concluding stages, and just on tho call of time Tocker came away, but was stopped by Wilson, and the bell sounded time, with Poverty Bay pressing, and the visitors left the field covered with glory, to receive congratulations from hundreds of sympathisers and supporters, also prominent Union officials, who the opinion that Auckland was lucky to win and admiration at the magnificent andf altogether unexpected display given by Poverty Bay. The game was controlled by Mr. R. McGregor, and the .linesmen were Donaldson (Poverty Bay) and Campbell (Auckland). Both teams were the guests of the Auckland Rugby Union at dinner in the Royal Hotel in the evening. Mr. “Jack” Arneil, vice-president of the Auckland Union, was in the chair, and other -prominent officials were present. The following was the toast list: “The King,” proposed by the chairman; “The Poverty Bay Team,” proposed bv the chairman, and responded to by Messrs H. E. Maude and Watchorn; “Auckland Footballers and Union,” proposed by Mr. Watchorn, responded to by Messrs M. J. Sheeahan and O. Seeling; “Auckland Referees’ Association,” proposed by Mr. H. E. Maude, responded to by Mr. Angus Campbell (president); “Press,” proposed by Mr. V. Langsford, responded to by the “Gisborne Times” representative. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” closed an enjovable evening. The team arrive at Wanganui on Monday at midday, andt play on Tuesday. The team are all well.- Kaipara slightly injured his shoulder.

OUTSIDE MATCHES. WELLINGTON DEFEATS TARANAKI. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 14. The annual representative match, Taranaki v. Wellington, was played this afternoon in the presence of about 5500 spectators. Tho weather was threatening, and the ground was on the heavy (fide. The play as a whole was interesting, though there _ were scrappy interludes, particularly in the closing stages. A high wind militated against a first-class exposition from the respective rearguards. Wellington won by 15 to 6. Playing with the wind behind them in the first spell, the visitors registered two tries. Cameron, ■ho\ beat half a dozen men in a few yards, and T. Sheehan being the seerel’s. Green crossed the Taranaki line a few minutes after the start of the game. In the succeeding half Wellington piled on 12 points, R. Wilson and McKenzie being the try-getters, and Gardiner and Mitchinson kicking penalty goals. When facing the breeze, the visitors kept the play tight, and the ball away from the opposing backs. The scrummaging brigades were evenly balanced, the visitors showing superiority in solid work, while the home division excelled in loose and line-out play. The Taranaki backs_ engineered some fine passing rushes in the first spell, but lack of finish lost them scoring opportunities. The game was devoid of roughness, and was' played in the best of spirit.

AA’EST COAST DEFEATS BULLER

AYESTPORT, August 14. The AA’est Coast v. Buffer annual football match for the Moffoy Cup, was played at Cape Foulwind to-day, and resulted in a win for the AVest Coast by 16 points (a penalty goal and three tries, two converted) to 8 points (two tries, one converted).

CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. CHRISTCHURCH, August 15. The results of tho. first grade football competition were as follows: Merivale 2 beat Sydenham 0, Linwood i l4 beat Albion 11, Canterbury College 9 beat Christchurch 3, Old Boys a bye. Merivale wins the championship for the season.

AUSTRALIA DEFEATS MAORIS

United Press Association —Copyright (Received August 15, 5.5 p.m.) BRISBANE, August 14. Australia beat the Maoris by 16 points to 13. The weather was fine, and 8000 persons were present. A fine game was played. The first half ended, Australia 11, Maoris 10. For the visitors Wharepapa and Rukutai secured tries, the foi’mer converting both. In the second spell the Maoris were the attackers, the Australians showing a stubborn defence. The home team were the first to score, Woodhead getting a try, which Brackenridge converted. The Maoris made the pace terrific, and the tackling was strenuous. Eventually Tuke got over. The shot at goal failed. The enthuisasm was intense, and a 7 fierce struggle continued to the call of time, but without either side increasing the score, the Australians winning by 16 to 13.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Y.M.C.A' (2) v. RANGERS (1). A match, was played on the Association grounds in. Carnarvon Street on Saturday afternoon, between teams representing the (Y.M.C.A. and Rangers. It resulted in a win for the former by 2 goals to l.v McLachlan and Griffin scored for the' winners, and Scroggie for the 'losers. Both teams were strongly represented, land a keen contest resulted, although the unevenness of the ground militated against fast play. Several of the players on both sides showed eonsideribly improved form, and, it is evident that before long the local standard <f play will be sufficiently advanced to provide a game of great interest to the public. On Saturday, Sharp, MoLachlan, and Douglas showed good fem for Y.M.C.A., while Holland and Dick were the pick- of the Rangers. • ■ • .