FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 642, 4 August 1891, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

FINAL PRACTICE OK THE “ REPS.” The weather was clear and bracing for football on Saturday afternoon. The Waerenga-a-hika team was its former self, and did not respond to the challenge of Waimata, so it was decided that Waimata should join with allcomers in a game against the representative 15. The Waimata side numbered 21. Rua, Crawford, Nikora, and Hepburn filled the vacancies in the 15. It was soon evident that the latter were too strong for the 21, the latter lacking the necessary combination, but the work that Waimata did was sufficient to convince their opponents that from such material, a little practice would produce a very powerful team. They were under a great disadvantage by having the sun in their faces during the first spell. After some even play to begin with, Skeet got a try for the 15, Fisher kicking a goal. Kingi 5004 after nearly potted a goal, and Waimata was forced down. From a line out at halfway, Fisher sent the ball well along out of bounds, and Nikora scored another try, which Langford failed to increase. In turn Waimata closely pressed the 15 for a while, but in trying to work too faet they only succeeded in forcing them down. In the second spell the game was more even for a period, after which, with relief a few times, Waimata was kept on the defensive. Langford kicked a goal from a penalty try and subsequently got a goal from a try which he secured himself. Later on Robinson got another try for the 15, but the kick at goal did not succeed. For the Waimata side Dods played a dashing game all through, his work being free from mistakes. Though at half, he certainly earned his place in the team, but it would be a mere toss up between him and Crawford, after the excellent form the latter showed on Saturday. If he had done as well on the previous Saturday, there would be ns denying him a place in the team. Hepburn shone at times, but his play was marred by unevenness, John Rua was on his mettle, and nlayed as ha can when he deems that the "occasion warrants it—in local matches the redoubtable John is at a disadvantage, because the boys know the wrinkle by which he is successfully grassed.

Tuhoi and Nikora lost their chance of a place in the forward division, by the penalties which they would undoubtedly draw down upon any team they were in. It is a pity that Tuhoi does not pay more attention to the rules, in which case he would be a capital forward.

The other members cf the team are secure in their places, and need no criticism. If the team could only get practice together—which the circumstances make impossible—it could be ranked as among the strongest combine-

tions that have represented Gisborne in the annual match against Hawke’s Bay. A. W. Bees will no doubt act as captain of the team—which he comes up from the West Coast to join. The team was finally selected after the match, as follows:—

Staite Skeet Kingi Hua Fisher Burns Bees Robinson, Forrest, Lysnar, Hutchinson, Nisbett, Lewis, Langford, and Dods. Emergencies—Backs, J Tutari, J Hepburn ; forwards, Tuhoi and Crawford.