FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 636, 21 July 1891, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

PIRATES V. TURANGANUI-EVEN SCORING. The district Club match between the Turanganui and Napier Pirate fifteens camo off on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a draw. After a glorious morning a thunderstorm came on after lunch, and it rained heavily up to within a few minutes of the match. Even this drawback did not prevent a large attendance, and the game may be fittinsly described as a spectators’ match the play being exciting from start to finish’ The umpires were—Captain Winter (Tu’ ranganui) and Mr Whittington (Pirates)' and Mr Kennedy acted as referee. The match began by the Pirates kicking* off, and then following up with a dash that at once put the local team to the test. All who had watched them were now curious to see how Wade would stand his trial as fullback, and the selection was soon justified, as it was during the rest of the game. The Pirates kept the play in their favor for some time, the backs always making nice returns that greatly assisted the forwards. Then Turanganui made a fine rallying rush, which was warmly cheered by the onlookers. Nisbett made a good run, but did not pass in time. After some warm play on central ground Turanganui got forced and the ball was also returned over the line Play was then worked to the halfway distance, when Burns made a neat feiut in the throw out and let Sherrill get a chance to dodge through the strong front presented, and the ball was carried to within a few yards of the Pirate line, but Coghlan was safe for any emergency, and he not only relieved the Pirates, but did it so cleverly as to harass the Turanganui defenders, Knight especially doing good service for the Pirates. The local men were soon hard pressed and before they had timo to recover, Cunningham got a chance which ho smartly availed himself of, and thus for the Pirates secured the first try—no goal resulted. The play was then fairly even until time was called, the Pirates having a big advantage in their superiority in packing scrums and other wrinkles of the game. The spell had been such a fast one that condition was certain to make a big factor in the second portion of the match. The opening kick was the signal for a most determined struggle, the Turanganuians playing magnificently, and being warmly cheered on by 'he partial spectators. Robinson and DcCosta began to show up prominently, while King! and Burns had been ot great service all through, Shortly Forrest, who was the best forward player, smartly followed the ball over the Pirate line, and the back making an accidental miss Forrest cleverly equalled tbe scores, with a try tor Turanganui. King! made a splendid kick, but failed to secure a goal, After some warm general play, tbe Pirates got on a splendid rush, and from a throw out Oaulton got off and potted a very pretty goal, Turanganui now made the play faster than avar, and wars soon the aggressors, every man playing with great gameness. Two free kicks against the Pirates placed their goal in jeopardy, and they were forced down. There followed some hard playing near the Pirate line, their back contingent being assailed again and again, while the spectators were shouting themselves hoarse, and were with difficulty kept from surging on to the protected ground. Thera - were numerous scrums, and much in and out play. At last the ball was sent along to Kingi, who then, amidst great cheering, took a grand and successful pot at goal, the curious part of the thing being the similarity in the manner in which either side obtained its scores. Very hard play continued, the Turanganui for the best part of the time, determinedly keeping the Pirates on a stubborn defence, sot off occasionally with fine kicks along tbe line, and brilliant rallying rushes. This sort of thing continued until time was called, each side having scored four points. It is unnecessary to further individualise the players, as every one played his beet. Matthews hardly got a chance during the game, while Shcrriff might be singled out as one who did special service in the forward division. Robert Josephs would have been a groat help to Turanganui, but a substitute had to be put on. Eaton, one emergency, played with groat dash.

From a spectators’ point of view the match was one of the best seen on the ground, and will do much to create interest in the doings of the district representative team, which will be mainly selected from next Saturday’s play.