FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 289, 23 April 1889, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

A rutt account of the international match between England and New Zealand is to hand, from which it appears that one very questionable decision (if not two), was given by the referee, and lost the colonials the game, For the first twenty minutes the play was brilliant, and then W. Warbriok in trying to distinguish himself blundered. The hall was punted over the Maori gaol line, Warbriok got possession, and as the English forwards were right upon him, should have touched down in self defence. Instead, he foolishly attempted to run, and being collared, lost possession and gave the English team their first point. The general opinion of the Maoris and the people in the pavilion was that Warbriok had, as he claimed, touched down successfully after being collared, but the referee derided otherwise. The decision of the latter was protested against by the Maoris, who were obviously angered and. disheartened at the point being given against them. From this out the Maoris seemed to have lost heart, but early iu the second spoil a most unpleasant incident acourred. Thia wa* caused iu the following manner:—Stoddart in running collided with the referee. Just previou«ly hie clothes had bean torn in such a manner as to necessitate his immediate withdrawal. The player* formed a ring round him and he left to change. Then the Maoris claimed to have a scrummage where Stoddart had run against the referee, but while they ware protesting Evatshed got in and claimed a try, Th* Maoris protested that the ball waa dead, and when the referee gave the point against them and the try waa euccessfully converted their disgust knew no hounds. Williams, Taiaroa, and Bane were, indeed, so much out of temper that they sullenly walked off the ground, some of the spectators cheering and others hooting. They came back again, however, and finished the game with vigour, and though several timee on the verge of scoring luck was again it them. But for Stoddart’s mishap and their anxiety to shield him from public gaze, tin* goal would not have held scored. No winder the native* were riled.)