FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 468, 17 June 1890, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

GISBORNE V. WAERENGA-A-HIKA.— SECOND CUP MATCH.

Th* second of the aerie, of Cap matches was played in Captain Tucker’, paddook on Saturday afternoon, there being an unusually large number of spectators. The game was a moat interesting one, more especially in the first spell, when both teams were fresh; but in the second spell both sides naturally appeared somewhat worn out. From klck-cff to the close of the game it was clear.y visible that Gisborne had by far the smarter team, though the Waereuga-a-bika made some splendid combined rushes at times and made matters warm for the Blues.

The ball was first in motion by the Maoris (Waerengaahika), and was very smartly returnedby a rush on the Gisborne aid., which btoufht it into play well in th. Maori

I twenty-five, where the Maoris played desperately for some time, and the Gisborne players displayed some neat passing tactics in which Staite, Rees, and Fisher showed up well. Martin cleverly brought matters to a head by a short run into touch. Langford kicked a very neat goal from this, al though the angle from which he had to make the trial was an awkward one. The leather being in play again, scrims were plentiful in mid fi-la, and here the oval remained for some time, when the monotony was relieved by some nice passing between Smith, Rees, and Staite, the two latter making several attempts to run, and being well followed by the forwards, the Maoris were again placed in danger, and the ball was forced. The Maoris after this played with more vigor, and several good runs were made by them, but almost all advantage thereby gained was lost through their miserable attempts to pass. However they managed by one or two combined rushes, in which Munro and Te Kani were prominent, to carry the ball into the Gisborne twenty-five, but it was very soon carried back to the other end of the field, where the game became very exciting, the passing on the Blue’s side completely puzzling the Maoris. Fisher here passed to Rees, who made a capital attempt to score, and got within a couple of yards of the Maori goal line, where he was neatly stopped by the coloured forwards—the natives had taken care to mark him ail through the game. Munro was working hard and made a very creditable run, followed by a good kick up the field, which was returned by the Gisborne Captain. Play was again forced into the Gisborne twenty-five, where it remained for a short time, Weka’s collaring here making him show up to advantage. Branson made a serviceable dribble down the field and on being stopped the oval was played to Pera, who had a hard tiial at a run, but the smart play of the Blues was too much for him, and the outcome of his efforts was soon lost. After more loose play in the centre of the field, the Maoris made a desperate rush and placed the ball dangerously close to the Gisborne goal line, where it was played amid some excitement for a few minutes, and it was several times thought to be over. Gisborne’s anxiety was, however, relieved by Langford’s sure kick (a free one), which was returned by the natives, and then again by Staite for the other side, by a short run. The Maoris seemed still to have plenty of courage left, and made another rush into Gisborne’s twenty five, but the latter were also prepared for a rush, and the ball was soon carried back to the same quarters in the Maori end, where Staite made a mark, from which Langford had a try at goal, but without any beneficial result, the ball being well returned by the colored back. Fisher, for the Blues, and Munro and Weka for the Maoris, were very conspicuous at this stage, while the forwards on both sides were also working very hard, Dods (for Gisborne) especially playing up gamely. The Blues were, however, too strong for their opponents, and almost invariably got the best of the scrums which were now taking place in the centre of the field. From this they gradually worked the p.-ay down to the Maori goal, im mediately in front of which, within two yards of the line, a very hard and exciting tussle took place, both sides working their hardest, the result finally being a force, or rather being given as such by the referee, though there was not lhe slightest doubt on the part of spectators who saw the thing, that Dods had made a fair touch for Gisborne. He held the ball till it was dead, and then a native got it before the umpires had come up, and he coolly claimed it as his ball, succeeding in hi little tuanoauvre, A loose scrum down the fl Id soon f diowed, from which the ball went into the hands of a Maori, who made a good hick, which was marked by Staite. Langford was once again given a trial at goal, but the breeza which was blowing at the time was rather more than he had reckoned on, and the ball just mioeed the crossbar. No play worthy l of note followed, and at half time the score 8 stood in favor of the Blues at 4 points to nil. t Among the Gisborne forwards Johnstone £ worked very hard and unselfishly, as also did g Allen.

j The second spell was slightly more in favor 5 of the Maoris than was the first, the Blues appearing a little wnrn out through want of i practice, which the natives seemed not to 5 have neglected. i The kick-off was capitally met by the colored team, who rushed it into the centre of ’i the field, but the blues being equal to the j occasion also rushed together and worked the play into the Maori twenty fire, where a successful trial was made at goal by Langford, from a free kick for off side. Loose play followed in mid-field, where the oval was marked by Branson. For some time it was rushed about the field without any score resulting, Staite and Bees making several short runs. Another try for goal was made by the Blues, from a free kick, but no benefit was derived. Branson followed with a capital run, and was well collated by the Maoris, who were soon again forced down. The game was now getting very slow, both sides evidently being fairly “ done ” after the fast play which had taken place in the first spell. Towards the close of the spell, the ball was passed to Sraite (after having been loosely played in mid-field for some time), who made a fine run, and on being collared made an attempt to pot a goal, which he just missed. Some loose play followed, but no further score was made. The game was thus closed with a complete victory for the Gia borne Club by seven points to nil, Messrs Bourn and C. Lewis acted as umpires, and Mr Trotter as referee. Next Saturday’s contest will be between the Turangauui and Waerenga-a-hika Clubs.