SOCCER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3641, 30 September 1912, Page 7

SOCCER.

STRAGGLING GAME ON THE DOMAIN., HAWKE’S BAY POVERTY BAY Saturday's inter-provincial fixture on the- Domain did not provide the standard of football ■which was expected from the two neighbouring districts, lhe ground was fast, and a high wind prevailed during the greater part of the game, which caused frequent mis-kick-ing. The score of I—ll—l was a fair reflex of the play, aud had the chances of scoring been accepted on the several occasions, it is doubtful whether either sicio would have claimed advantage; although, had the visitors’ confident appeal for a penalty for “hands” by the local skipper been successful, the' Poverty Bay men might easily have suffered a reverse by the odd goal in three. T he showing of the Poverty Bay men was not, oil the whole, up to expectation. Tlie ■ backs played their usual safe game, but neither of the halves were seen, at tlieir best. An injury to Stalham in the early stages of the game appered to be felt by that player for the remainder of the match, while Oates at centre-half did not appear to have the full measure of the elusive Hawke’s Bay centre, Ball. The display by the the fallacy of playingsuch men as "Winks and Webster out of their usual positions. Sharpies and Webster were probably the most effective of a disjointed quintette, but Winks could not get going in his new position and between two men totally strange to him.

The Hawke’s Bay team played better combination than their opponents. Walshe and Bateman on the right were prominent in some dangerous rushes, while Ball at centre was easily the best forward on the ground. The halves got in a lot of useful work, and Hunwick was the better of a safe pair of backs who held their own with the Poverty Bay forwards for most of the game. Tho Game. The home team kicked off in the'face of a strong wind, but a powerful .kick by Ridge set the Hawke’s Bay front line moving towards their opponents’ goal, where Hughes saved. Winks received from Oates and passed well to Sharpies, but. Hunwick stepped in and saved by kicking into touch. After some clack mid-field play, Ball broke through on the right, but spoilt the effort by running tho ball out of play. A corner kick fell to the visitors, which was placed behind. After a tussle with the home defence. Walshe got in a splendid centre, which Bateman just failed to reach with his head. The wind was helping the Napier men considerably, and Hughes and Webster were called upon to clour time after time. Hughes, who was kicking well, set the Poverty Bay forwards moving with a powerful kick, which Webster received and transferred to Downie, whose centre was cleared by Park coming out of goal. Shortly afterwards (Jrighton had to stop a hot one from Walshe, and Maylett, receiving from the clearance, opened the scoring with a well-directed kick.

Hawke's Bay I Poverty Bay 0 Prom the re-start, the visitors again got down, hut off'-side spoilt a good chance. From tlie free-kick. Poverty Bay got down nicely on the left, and a shot from Sharpies was badly fumbled by Park, and Winks surprised the crowd by failing badly, and Anker got in a clearance. Play was mostly in midfield after this, the defence on both sides being too good for the attack. Downie was conspicuous with a good run on the right, but his centre was too far up lor i rycr, and. Park liaci time to clear. The "home forwards returned, however, anti Winks gave Sharpies an opportunity-, but the latter experienced hard luck in striking the inside of the upright. The hall rebounded into and Hunwick conceded a corner. Sharpies placed the ball well into the goalmouth, and .Don nie made the scores even by heading past Park.

Hawke’s Bay 1 . Poverty, Bay 1 Shortly after this the teams crossed over with the score unaltered. The opening of the second spell saw the homo team pressing, which they maintained for some time, although they were never very dangerous. Eventually the visitors settled down to some good forward play, and McMnrray, receiving a clover pass from Ball, put in a good shot. The home skipper, in clearing, appeared to make use of his hands in the fatal area, but a confident appeal was not upheld by the referee. From now on the gamo brightened up somewhat, and pressure on the Hawke s Bay goal saw successive shots by Webster. Winks and Sharpies cleverly dealt with by Park. The visitors next tried to break through on the right, but ‘“Alec" Webster came off best in a tussle with Walshe and Ball. Winks received and passed well forward to Fryer, but a likely movement was well stopepd by Hunwick. who was very safe. Maylett and Walshe next showed out well in a vigorous forward movemont, but the latter’s centre was cleared at the expense of a fruitless corner. Archibald initiated a dangerous rush, and Park was again called upon to save, and from a scrimmage in the goal Winks netted, but was ruled offside. A spell of uninteresting pi a v preceded a persistent attack by the Hawke’s Bay vanguard, and Brighton had difficulty in dealing with a good drive from McMurray. I hero was no further score, however, and time was called with Hawke’s Bay 1 Poverty Bay 1 Mr H. Hull refereed.

THE EVENING SOCIAL. In tho evening the visitors were the guests of the Poverty Bay football Association at a social in Wootton’s rooms, the chair being occupied by Mr P. G. Andrew. The following toast list was gone through: ‘“The.King,” proposed by the chairman; “The N.Z. Football Association,” proposed by the chairman and responded to by Mr Binnie: “The Donors of the Cup (L.V.A.),” Mr B. Sharp, responded to by Mr D. J. Barry; “The Borough Council,” Mr Dick, responded to by Dr. Collins; “The Hawke’s Bay Association,” the • chairman,' responded to by Mr Ball; “Kindred Sports,” Mr Hull, responded to by Messrs Sim (hockey) Smale (Rugby) and Whiteloy (cricket); “The Ladies,” the chairman, responded to by Messrs Ball and Stenner. During the evening the following presentations were made: The L.V.A. Cup to tho Y.M.A.C. team; sovereign purse to Mr Hughes, best hack in the Brown Shield match; silver match box to Mr Winks, best forward in the Brown Shield match; gold medal to Mr Hannah, best forward in tho Wanganui match; biscuit barrel to Mr A. Webster, best back in the Wanganui match.