FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 507, 16 September 1890, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

HAWKE'S BAY V. GISBORNE.

Misfortune seemed to have settled upon the arrangements this season for the playing of the annual match between teams representing Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Both of the dates first arranged were found to be unsuitable. Then the strike made things very uncertain, and to get over that difficulty the visiting team chartered the steamer Te Kapu. Even then the strike trouble made itself felt A distinct p-omlse was made by Mr Cresgh to Mr Hoben, Secretary of the Rugby Union, to the effect that the men on the little steamer would not be called out, and though the promise was emphatically repeated, the order was given that the men should oome out. However, that difficulty was easily overcome, but another barrier th-’n presented Itself in the shape of a tempestuous sea, which man could not control. The elements calmed down so that a start could be made on Saturday night for Gisborne, which was reached on Sunday morning, when the sun was shining brightly, the birds singing sweetly, and all Nature was smiling and gay. But in the afternoon a violent thunderstorm shattered the poetic condition of things, and the heavy downpour was very depressing. Things looked more hopeful early yesterday morning, but heavy showers came down just before noon, and the cheery “On the ball I On the ball!" coaid only be gasped in eepu'chral tones, while the visitors tried to drag out a dreary existence until the time fixed for the match should arrive. The ordinary football ground had been converted into a series of beautiful lakelets, and it was decided to put the pouts lower down the field. The rough and sfippery ground was considered to ba a feature much in favor of Gisborne, Ngpier brought up.the best team they could get, and the pointe in which they showed up well was said to ba speed and smart handling of the ball. A wet ball and slippery ground were greatly against that kind nf play. At the last moment Gisborne made further changes in the team, and as a matter of course it was disappointing to those who had been retained in ths team until the eleventh how to fiod their names suddenly erased. A half holiday was declared for the match, and was closely obseived. There was a fairly good attendance on the field, the weather having turned out pleasant, one shower only marring the afternoon. The game was a fast, even one al! through, and played in a very friendly spirit. In one or two instances the visitors were unnecessarily rough when the play got within their 25 yards’ boundary, but there

was no retaliation. Fisher and Marshall, especially, got badly thrown when easier handling wou'd have been fairer. The visitors acknowledged that the hard game they had to play was a surprise to them, and they highly compliment their opponents. As the Hawke’s Bay team was quite as good as the one that beat Wellington, Gisburne can feel satisfied that it did exceedingly well. The score yesterday was two points to nil. THE TEAMS: THE GAME. Hawke’s Bay was represented by : Fullback — LeQu. sne; threequarters — Taku, Gage, James; half—Friday, Wi Duncan’, Goldsmith ; forwards—G. Fleming, Wilson Morrison, Ross, Malcolm, J. Flemifig, Hiroa’ and Robert Joseph.

Gisborne’s representatives were : Fufiback Rntene ; threequarters—Skeet, Rua Murphy; half—Fisher and Wade’; forwards—Loomb, Lysnar, Marshal], Trotter Nisbett, Allen, Hutchinson, Hepburn, and DeCosta.

Mr Cowell umpired for the visitors, Mr Morgan for Gisborne, and Mr Lusk acted as referee.

The visitors kicked off,"and fast loose play was the nature of the game at the outset. Gisborne was soon awarded a free kick, which Fisher tried to convert info a goal, but being ac an awkward angle outside the 25, the task was too difficult. The ball was rushed down the field, and Joseph tried to pot a goal. He made a poster, and Friday, who was off side, touched down, but of course it was only waste of time, Gisborne worked into midfield, Trotter And Allen showing prominently, with Rua and Skeet giving substantial support iu the back division. Hutchinson made a bad throw for a pass, but Rua ran up amartly and succeeded in bringing the ball well forward. Gisborne was awarded a free kick, which was taken by Fisher, but the leather was smartly returned to the same position,- from • which Napier got a free kick. Rua returned cleverly. Trotter got a mark, but the ball was quickly returned, and a good run made by Na-picr. Fisher missed the leather, and Skeet and Allen were to the rescue. Some brilliant rushes were made by Napier, and Gage and others hard pressed Gisborne. A throw forward gave the latter breathing time, and then there was some hard play on the southern side of the Sell, near Gisborne s line. Faom the scrimmage that ensued, a Napier man made a good run, but threw forward. Lyanar, Allan, and Loomb showed up well after the scrum, but Napier gradually pressed Gisborne again. Murphy then did some good work. Hepburn and Loomb led a dribble, end a scram ensued in mid flaid. Gage made a fine dodgy run for Napier, when some good loose play followed. Whenever tha ball reaobetf La Q lesne he picked up coolly and kicked e<vay up the fi Jd again, giving the local forwaalaa lot of severe work chasing backwards and forwards. Wi Duncan put Gisborne's line in danger once, but Murpby got tbe bell and after a capital run, kicked forward, only to have a pretty drive from Le Qoesne, putting the local men again on tbe defence, Repeated dribbling rushes were made by Gisborne, Trotter generally leading, and Hutchinson working well, Murpby reached the visitors' 25, where tbe ball was declared dead, Napier got the advantage, but a capital rush again placed them on the defence, Le Qoeine tried to kick it out of danger, but Hutchinson jumped up, and nullified the effect. Howw ever, Napier began eoraa pretty passing and eluding tfie local forward playera, Joseph got it and appeared to have a clear run in, but Murpby was on to bim, and neatly brought him down. Timo was soon after called, the play being then in Gisborne’s 25. Gisborne kicked off for the second spell, the first feature of which was some good play by Loomb, and a pretty rush by Napier Boon put Gisborne’s line in danger, Murpby, Rua, and Wade making a fine defence, and Butene

playing badly. A scrum took place, and by ■ome very clover play Gage soon got over tbe line, no goal resulting. From the kick <ff Trotter and Lynsnar followed up smartly and got the ball into Napier 25. Borne weak play here let Napier get on a ruth, which was partially stopped by Wade and Murpby, when Bua got the ball and made a dashing run, dodging half a dozen Napier man. Gisborne gradually gnt near Napier’s line when L- Quesne cent tbe ball to Butene, who slipped and let it go between bis legs. But be manage 1 fo recover and make a short kjok, Skeet did some rattling work for Gisborne, but a free kick again put tbe line in danger, The leather was worked to midfield, when a Napier man made a hard run, being grassed by Rua. A pretty rush by Gisborne got close to the opposition line, where a scrum took place, from which the ball was sent over tbe side line. After the kickout Murphy passed to Skeet, who made a run, and got the play back into the 35. Some pretty gjay was hare shown by Napier, Wade and Muiplly-ahwvfiwg up in tbe defence. A bit of deliberate offside play allowed tbe ball to get near Gisborne's line, but another good rush carried play jntq midfield. Lysnar here fell out, having g sudden touch of tha cramp, and Butene missing his man, Lysnar was helpless, and a Napier player had a clear run in, No goal resulted. Rua did a bit of olerer dodging, but having touched the aide line the ball was brought back to Gisborne’s 25. From this a scrum ensued in midfield. Play was then brought into the Napier 25, but soon returned to the opposite side, where a feres down resulted. Trotter and Murpby showed up prominently for Gisborne, and Takq and others for Napier. A great degl of looee work took place there, Gisborne making ac excellent defense. Murphy, ggaia wiffl Trotter, got the play into midfield, Fisher doing good service in kicking. Alter a scrum formed within Gisborne's 25 Hepburn managed to do a neat bit of play, but soma nice passing left Gisborne in doubts where tbe ball really was, and Napier would have scored again bad not some outsiders been in tbe way and rendered the bail dead, whin time was called. Just before tfiis the spectators expressed their dissent at the referee not giving Gisborne a free kick, to which they seemed to be entitled, and when time was called a gentleman expressed his opinion on the subject tc the referee. A. warm argument ensuing, cheers were accorded to tbe gentleman who bad expressed bis dissent, and'the referee Was fri'oaned'. There is no doubt that on more than one occasion Gisborne was hardly treated, qnp try being from clear offside play, but wheq the excitement subsides, no one will venture to eay that there was any wrong wilfully done. In any case it is better that Gisborne should have the complaint on their aide, and not the visitors. The local team kept scrupulously to the rules, while the visitors Were far from faultless. The kicking, passing, heeling out, and rbna of Napier were of great effect against the local men, whose best feature seemed to be ip dribbling, and in sheer hard work, -

SMOKE CONCERT, The visitors had dinner at the Masonic Hotel last eight, and a smoke concert was subsequently held. Captain Tucker was in the chair, and a vary merry time was spent until 8.40, when tbe footballers prepared for their departure on tjie return wyage. There waa much cheering a; they took lhair ftrewell. At the concert the toast of the Visiting Team was proposed by Mr Trotter ant) responded to by Mr Morrison ; the Horos Team was responded to by Mr Fiaber; the Umpires and Referee was proposed by Mr Trotter and responded to by Mr Lusk, Other toasta were drank, and during the evening songs were sung by Mr Langford and others.