FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 169, 14 July 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE NATIVE TEAM V. AUCKLAND] The following is a full description of this match, which was played at Auck« land last Saturday:— FIRST SPELL, The toss was won by Warbriok, who chose to defend the western goal, his team playing with the wind and sun in their favour. At three o’clock O'Connor kicked off, and W. Wynyard’s return being spoiled, the ball went out in the Maoris’ 25. From the throw in Stephenson secured the leather, and it was taken up to the Maori fullback 4 when Gage punted it well down, Brown returning into neutral territory, where a scrum was formed. Stephenson made a short dash, but W. Warbrick ran him into touch, and when the ball was again in play, scrumming work ensued in mid-field, and the leather was at length taken past the centre flag by combined play on the part of the Maori forwards. A good punt made by Braund into touch, however, gained ground for the Aucklanders, and this advantage wae augmented by Stephenson, who carried the leather across the field, where he was collared, and the ball passed into the hands of Ihimaira, who by a strong run, took it well into Auckland’s 25. From a hard kick J. Warbrick secured it, and made a splendid dodgy run along the boundry line, passing the Auckland threequarter-backs, but when on the point of scoring, he was cleverly tackled by T. Brown, and thrown into touoh-in-goal, both players being loudly cheered. McCausland's kick out was well returned, the ball going out at 25 post. Madigan obtained the leather from the scrum which followed, and carried it a little by a dodgy run, when he passed to O’Connor, who, however, was called back, but the ball was carried on by a dribble in which Marshall and vVells were prominent, ' and Stephenson then took it a little further, when it went out. The Maorie, Ihimaira, were working with great determination, and their forwards shoved the Auckland men before them in a scrum in the centre of the field, but their rushes were quickly stopped, and O’Connor headed a charge of the Aucklanders which cleared their goal, a punt by Braund into touch working the leather to halfway between the centre flag and the natives' 25. Here J. Warbriok retired, having injured his ankle by striking his foot against the boundary poet when tackled by Brown. The ball was carried on still further by a combined rush of the Auckland men, Ihimaira endeavoring in vain to get free with the leather, which here went out of bounds. A good rush from the line up by Crowe when the oval was again put into play gained additional advantage for the local team. Braund shortly after passed to Stephenson, who sent it on to Madigan, but the latter player lost the leather, and a scrum took place in the natives’ territory, when another quick pass by Braund to Stephenson enabled that player to run in and cross the line amidst great cheering, scoring first try for Auckland ten minutes after the game started. McCausland took the kick at goal at a difficult angle, but the ball went wide of the posts. (Auckland, 1; Natives, 0.) W. Warbriok kicked out, and Brown returned to the centre flag, when Braund passed to Stephenson and he to McCausland, who punted up the field, and W. Wynyard returned, and loose play resulted. A spoiled kick by Elliott gave the Maoris an advantage, and Masefield had to fall on the ball to stop their rush, play being now inside Auckland’s 25. A good kick by Masefield relieved the Auckland lines, ana two or three scrums followed, the Maoris carrying the leather before them, when Taare got the ball from a throw-in, and made a long kick, Brown being compelled to force down for Auckland. From a scrum in neutral territory, Ihimaira obtained the ball, and made a very strong run, diving under the tackling of the Auckland halfbacks, and took the leather down to the Auckland 25, where more loose play followed. From a throw-in Elliott took the ball, and charging through the Maori lines, ran up to the fullback, but the whistle was sounded, and the ball was brought back. A serum was followed just about the centre Sag. Ihimaira again attempted to get away, but he was quickly caught. The Auckland forwards now swept up the field in a combined rush, with the hq'.l at their feet, well under control, and oarr. ( it to the natives’ 25 flag, when O’Connor dribbled it into the Maoris’ territory. Gage, however, averted danger by a good return punt, and a scrum was formed in neutral ground, from which the Aucklanders, prominent among whom were Elliott and O’Connor, took the ball on by good work, and from another scrum within five yards ot ths natives’ line, McKenzie carried the leather over the line and fell on it, gaining a second try for Auckland. Masefield essayed the kick at goal, but the leather fell short—the “ place ” being at a difficult angle. (Auckland, 2; Maoris, 0.) Some good returns ware witnessed as the result of the kick-out, and George Wynyard got the ball from a throw-in in mid-field, and, with a clear run, he passed the Auckland backs, and fending off Brown, who essayed to tackle him, he ran on amidst loud cheers; but Madigan and Masefield stopped him when about 15 yards from the line, where a toughly contested scrum resulted. Ihimaira, who was working hard, almost got over the line, but lost the leather, and another scrum followed, wheq Wells and Leoky came away at the head of the blue-and-whites with a fast dribble, and Mekenzie and Stephenson, rushing up, stopped Ihimaira’s attempt to run, and the Auckland forwards, taking advantage of a fine punt by Braund, then got on an excellent dribble, O’Connor and Wells taking the ball up to the Maori fullback. Gage picked up neatly, but was held in front of his goal, and a hard scrum resulted, and Braund passing to Elliot, tl;e latter got oyer the line, but wae called back- The Maoris, by a short rush, gained about five yards, and the ball went out ; and when it was again thrown in, a rush of the natives took it into mid -field. Here Stephenson, by some means, received a blow in the jaw, and was carried off the field stunned. The ball was carried to within a few yards of the Auckland goalline by a good rush by the Maoris, when it was heeled out, and Auckland hgd to force- down. When the aval was kicked out, McClausland got it and made a pot at goal,' but the range was too long, and Gage punted down, Brown gaining a mark, and kicking down the field. F. Warbriok mulling h& pick-up, Marshall collared him, and play was just outside the Maoris’ 25. Stephenson had now recovered, and as he again entered the ground he wag greeted with cheers. Elliot made a fine, dashing run, taking the hall into the Maoris' territory, close to the line, where he was brought down, and a scrum was foimed. Time was then called. SECOND SPELL. Besides losing the services of their captain, who had been obliged to retire permuiently, the Maoris had the sun in their faces. Ellison kicked off, but an appeal was made for offside play, and a scrum was packed iq midfield. The Aucklanders gained an advantage, and a fast run by Stephenson took the ball| to within five yards qf the native line, but Qage kicked it out, and a scrum was formed in front of the Maoris’ goal, Masefield attempted to run in, but was stopped, and O'Conner got the ball, and made a neat pass to Stephenson, who being collared, pissed to A[idigan. and the latter rap down the line to score, but he struok the ( corner flag as he fell, and a touch in goal was recorded, When the ball was kicked out, a fine rush by Stephenson and a pass to Elliot gave the latter player a chance of which he was not slow to avail himself, and be ran well into the Natives’ 25, where he was collared by A. Warbrick, and pushed into touch, From the throw-in a fust rush by the Auckland forwards nonplused their opponents, and Crowe getting the ball, carried it ove' the line, another try for the local players being thus scored. Me Clausland's attempt at goal was unsttooetsful. Auckland, 3: Maoris, 0. W. Wynyard kicked out, and from Madigan’s return Webster marked, but the ball went out of bounds. The Maoris, headed by Williams, Taiaroa, and G. Wynyard, got on a fine rush, and the leather was taken down in dangerous proximity to the line, when it was brought back for off-side play, A tight serum ensued in the Natives' 25, but Taare got the belli and took it some distance when he was collared, a pack taking plaei in mid-field, between the centre flag and Auckland's 25 lino. Hero a Hue piece of ploy was shown

by Masefield. Securing the ball by a long pksa from Braund he crossed the centre une, entered the Natives’ territory, ami quickly dashing through them, he cleverly elu<> e<l their halves and ranks of the Maoris, who were closing round three-quarters, by clever feints to kick, and dodging the full-back, ran behind the posts and touched down. Masefield waa highly complimented for his magnificent run, which was ths best of the day. McCausland was again entrusted with the place-kick, and sc red a neat goal. (Auckland, 61 Natives, 0). After the kickout. the ball was passed by Crowe to Masefield, who when collared passed to Elliott, and the latter msde a fine run, but was brought down by Gage within ten yards of the Maoris’ goal line. Stephenson next had the leather, but W. Warbrick collared him, and from another scrum Braund heeled out, and ran round the pack, but was caught by F. Warbrick before passing. Wells then passed to Stephenson, who ran behind in splendid style, and gained the fifth try for Auckland. The place kick at goal by McCansland was successful. Auckland, 9 ; Maoris, 0. Ellison kicked out, and Braund returned, but got a nasty knock from being ebarged. The Maoris got on a rush, and took the ball up to Auckland’s 25 line, where it was kicked out of bounds. From a throw-in, Elliott made a good punt, and a fast follow up by the Auckland men spoiled Gage’s return. Play was in neutral ground when G. Wynyard got a mark, but did not profit much by the kick. Loose play, in which Taiaroa showed prominently in dodging, and Ellison dribbled nicely, took the ball to Auckland’s side of the centre line, where several packs followed, the Maoris working the leather np to their opponents’ 25 line. A rush by the forwards carried it into the 25, where Brown punted the leather up to the half-way flag, and Gage returned into touch on Auckland ride of the centre line. McKenzie got away with a run when the ball was thrown in, and be passed to O'Connor, who was nearly across the line when called back for off side play, ■»d a scrum resulted. Taare, by a servicejST n. took the ball to the Auckland 25, Auckland forwards worked it lhimaira got it, and by a dashing runßsk it back. The Maoris were now playing even more dash than had characterised their game at the begining of the match, and their forwards, with Webster in the van,'by a combined rush swept the ball into Auckland territory, Madigan, to save his side, kicking into touch-in-goal. The ball was taken into midfield, but Taiaroa and the other forwards, by short runs and passing, again carried it up, the crowd cheering meanwhile, and open play followed in Auckland’s ground. The natives pressed the local men very hard for some time, Ihimaira showing prominently and making repeated bollocking dashes, but the local defence was good, and Brown at length nnnted clear, and fast following up by the forwards, spoiled Gage’s return. Pol’ndand McKenzie broke through the scrum with a rush, and the play was in neutral ground, when Ihimaira made another good run, and took it back well into Auckland’s 25, MeClausland stopping his rush. Braund now sent the ball out by a clever punt, but for the third time it waa carried back to the Auckland territory, W. Wynyard making a good run, which he finished by a punt into touch. A serviceable rush by Crowe somewhat relieved the Auckland lines, but Ihimaira made another strong run, this time almost getting in before he was seized by three or four of the Auckland forwards. Play was now within ten yards of the Auckland goal line,.but a fine dribbling rush on the part of Madigan, who picked up and passed to Masefield, again prevented the natives from scoring, the leather being now just outside their twenty-five. W, Warbrick here made a strong dash, but Masefield collared him, and Braund by a good punt, sent the leather down the field again, and seconded it by a dodgy piece of play, when a hard kick by Elliot compelled Gage to force down. Loose, open play result d from the kickout, until Poland passed to Braund, and the latter gave the ball to Elliot, who ran through the Maoris’ 25, and fended the full-back, but waa thrown into touch-in-goal by laare. From the k|ckont McClansland, picking up -smartly, made a strong pot at goal, but the ball fell clear. Elliot made another dashing run when the leather was kicked out, and he then passed to Stephenson, who was collared before he could get away. The play from this until time was called a few minutes later was of an uninteresting character, being confined to scrumming play of varying advantage, in neutral ground. The whistle was sounded at twenty minutes to five, with the ball just outride Auckland's 25, the game thus terminating in favor of the local players by nine points to nothing.