FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2590, 26 August 1909, Page 6

FOOTBALL

TILE REPRESENTATIVE TOUR. : (Notes by “Full-back.”) The initial tour of the Poverty Bay , footballers jhias now’ been oonlcludied and with the exception of actual victories the result of their journeyings , must be regarded as most satisfactory. The amount of experience gained, although, at times, at heavy cost, will, I have no doubt, be of immense benefit to the game in this -district. Great things were hoped of the team after their - magnificent display in Auckland, , and glorious victory over Wanganui, but alas, the branching off to Pahiatua marked the beginning of the end, and from this point onward, after a severe gruelling in the mud, the triumphant career of the youngest touring team ■was completed. It was just the same old story of the same f ortune which has attended many touring teame-ytoo many games -and too much travelling. The players were thoroughly stale at Pahiatua, Napier, and Hastings, and in each place nothing but sheer stxibbornness prevented a heavier score- being registered against the visitors. At the same- time it must not be understood that Poverty Bay were on any occasion, completely overwhelmed. In each of the three latter games>they put up a grand fight, physically handicappad as they were, but their play was utterly lacking in that dash and bril-

liancy which were so noticeable m the Auckland and Wanganui games. 1 The back division suffered more than the pack, and after Watchorn got disabled at Pahiatua the combination appeared utterly non-existent, and rarely made its appearance afterwards: From the commencement of the tour the forwards, one and all, appeared to be steadily improving, and to them must be given the credit of hearing the brunt of the work in the last three matches. Although in a state of bodily unfitness, they manfully stuck to their guns, and expended their last ounce straining for victory. The forward work in the loose was at all times good, and, on occasions, brilliant-, while the scrum work, right through the tour, was excellent, and in each place called forth the most favorable comment. There is on reviewing the tour, no.doubt that the forward division was the mainstay of the team. . If, while on the playing' field, Poverty’ Bay did' not secure as many _ victories as might have been desired, when off the field their behavior could hardly have been equalled, and won for them golden opinions in each centre

visited. • Everyone was loud m praise of the conduct of the men and when it is remembered what touring football teams generally are, it will, no doubt, be sometimes admitted that the honor and credit of Poverty Bay have been most worthily upheld by its representatives while on tour. No review, however short, of the t-our would be complete- without something more than a passing reference to the manager of the team. At the time that Mr. H. E. Maude was selected for the position I took the .opportunity of stating that, in my opinion, the best possible choice had been made, and now, at the conclusion of the trip, my opinion remains exactly the same. By his unfailing kindness, courtesy, and tactfulness, “Harry,” as he" was popularly called, throughly endeared himself to each and every member of the team, and also to the supporters. I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that the unqualified success of the tour was almost wholly due to the efforts of the most, worthy manager. In each place visited the team was most hospitably entertained by the home union, and in each case nothing was left undone to give our fellows a “good time.” Many places of i-nterer.t woro visited, and from an educational as well as a recreative standpoint, the results were most satisfactory.

TO-DAY’S MATCHES. The representative match between Mangatu and Wairoa Sub-Unions will place at Victoria Domain at 3 p.m. to-day. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. The meeting of the Referees’ ciation, which was to have been held last evening, lapsed for. want of a quorum, probably on account of the entertainment of the representative team at the Pathe, Pictures m His Majesty’s Theatre. The referee for today’s match will be chosen this morning. w* ® ' / ■, Cv j

SOUTH ISLAND DEFEATS NORTH ISLAND.

(Pick Pukpp Association., WELLINGTON, August *5. The 6000 spectators who. in fine weather, watched the North Island meet the South Island to-day, had a rattling good game for their- money. All through it was fast and open, marked by many pieces of stirring and firstclass play, and the scoring was. lively. The southerners were playing with combination that was. entirely missing in their opponents, till the second half of the game, and piled up 11 points to. 3 in .the first spell, though playing against the wind.. In the second half the northerners showed a better front, hut could never make up the leeway, and all through the South Island players had a little more in hand. Each side added 8 points, the final score being: South Island 19, North Island 11, which is not more of a margin than the visitors deserve. The South Island team had the advantage of having five hacks from the same district. \ In their rear division they played like ; clockwork together, and it was quite refreshing to watch their sharp, clean passing and the fine turn of foot possessed by some, of them. A feature of the game was the splendid placekicking of Paton (Otago),- Weston (Christchurch), and O’Leary (Auckland) who succeeded in kicking goals from most awkward angles, both with and again the wind.

MAORIS BEAT NEW SOUTH WALES. United Press Association— -Cotyrirtit (Received August 25, 9.55 P-m-) SYDNEY, August 25.. The Maoris heat New South Wales by 12 r>o}nts to 8. ' The attendance at the match numbered 3000. With the wind strong against-them,. the Maoris had a stiff

. ' (A A AtC 'ip . ‘M a V : ? task in the first half, but by stubborn and clever play they managed to establish a lead of 6 ,to 5, Kopana and Pakere each haying an unconverted try to his credit, the outcome of fine passing rushes. In the second half the visitors kept New South Wales on the defensive for the greater part of the time. Kopana and Wharepapa secured tries, the wind spoiling the shots at goal. The home team got a second try just on tho call of time. THE ASSOCIATION GAME. The matches for Saturday, August 28, will be as follows: —Tarulieru v. Rangers, at Nelson Bros.’; Y.M.C.A. v. Athletic, at Carnarvon Street. Kickoff at 2.45 p.m. sharp. - The Rangers team will he chosen from the following: Grimshaw, Dick, Young, Sharp, F. Hogg, Hoare, Warren, Arundel, Law, Scroggie, Renwick, Payne, Hollands, and Johnston. The players are requested to meet at tho Post Office in tune to catch the 2 p.m. ’bus.

'■ THE AUSTRALIAN GAME

The following players have been selected in to-Jay’s match, Imperials v. Australs, on the League’s, ground, near Grey Street bridge:— Imperials.—J. Carr, H. Wack, Woodbury; Hogan, Commons, Atkinson (2), Craig, Peterson, Jenkins, Pollock, Fisehback, Story, Anderson (2), Lund, Robinson, Tennant. Australs.—Shillabeer,' J. Williams, J. Wack, Carter (2), Heffernan, Brown, F. Wack, Smith, Sutton, Tate, McPherson, Dixon, Dalton, Reid, Hopkins, Manning, and Cooper.