FOOTBALL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XX, Issue 2852, 8 July 1892, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Owing to other and more impwSantcfjagagements several of our crack wotbwfers were absent from yesterday's earae ; yet conaidering the number of junior* who were forced in to make up teams, the play was

very fair. " „ . A. Haua kiaked oft for the Capf a team and W. Darragh returned w*lM the*-4»*ll going out in the Capt's 25. Scrums, line play and short rushes were indulged in for some time, the Vice's team apparently having the best of it. From a throw in, the ball way passed to Swainson, who made a dash for the line, aud scored first blood: No good resulted. Vice, 2 ; Capt, nil. , ' . W. Darragh took the return from the kick,, out, and making a strong ran'went through, the Capt's team and potted ; the ball went wide and only a force resulted. The Capt'a team now rushed the play, transferring it to the Vice's 25, and, after some tough soruma, H. Tanner made a slashing ran and passing Sheath, was on the line when Armitage grassed him, A maul ensued, but the Capt got his try, which/he failed to convert. Viov 2; Capt, 2. , . The\playjwas no w«*s* an 4 open, and was telling upon those not in form. From a line out in the Vice's 25 A. Haua threw *he ball right intq S. Darragh at midfield, who made a fine rush, but Sheath stopped his career ; Blundell however was all there, and picking up rushed over. H. Tanner converted. Capt, 7.; Vice, 2. Following up the kick off the Vice's team carried the oval into the Capt's 25, where some desperate play took place, W. Darragh -and J. Haaa attacking determinedly, while H. Tanner, A. Haua, Puokey and S. Darragh defended doggedly. From a' throw in J. Haua picked up, and, slipping round the forwards, feinted and evaded H. Tanner and scored at the corner flag after a piece of the best, if not the very best, play of the., day. No goal resulted. Captain,, 7 ; Vice 4. Sam Tanner, who had been a spectator during the game, now joined in, playing instead of A, Asher who had retired wounded. But the vice's team were working splendidly, using their heads as well as their feet, Armitage and J. Haua in the forwards, and W. Darragh as back, were showing some excellent play. Despite the combined passing and running of H. and S. Tanner, W. Darragh't collaring and long returns were too good for them, and play was taken into the Captain's 25, where, from a line out, Rawiri rushed over, but Griffiths collared him, and Swainson picking up sooted. No goal resulted. Captain, 7 I Vice 6. - Flay still continued open and fast, and vet I the juniors, Smith, Kerr and Blundell, were stirring equally with some of the " old hands." From this to the end of the matoh J, Haiia, Artnitage and W, Darragh were; showing far and away the most consistent form, working hard everywhere. From a good run by H. Tamierin the Vioe's 25, after J. Haua and lie rolling over each other, the Captain scored. No goal resulted. Captain, 0 ; Vice, 6. After the kick out and sorum play, the ball was kioked hard and went 30 yards behind wheie Winiati secured it. Henry failed in the attempt at goal. Captain 11 ; Vice, 6. The Vi?e was now 5 points behind and had only 10 minutes to play. Fortune saemed against them, but the Vice's team made a great rally. W. Darragh, picking up from a bad return by H. Tanner, ran right through the forwards, where some fine passing took place between J, Htua, Rawiri, Swainson and W. Darragh. The passing rush was kept up until Swainson crossed the line. Again the attempt at goal failed. Captain, 1 1 ; Vice 8. Immediately after the kick out Armitage , broke through a scrum, and started a beautiful dribble from the centre of the field, and despite the efforts of S. Darragh, who was playing a grand game, Armitage kept up the dribble and a native picking up scored. Captain, 11 ; Vice, 10. Shortly after the Mok out Swainson made a splendid run, and passing H. Tanner, scored the last try, which W. Darragh improved. The arame ending, Vice, 15 ; Captain, 11. Place k'oking for the gold medal resulted as follows : — F, Norris, 3 points ; W. Durragh, 3 ; S. Darragb, 2; J. Kerr, 2 ; H. Tauner, 1 ; Puokey, 1. The position of competitors now stands ; — F. Robertson, S. Darragh, F. Norris, 6 points each ; H. Tanner, W. Darragh. 3 points each ; J, Kerr, 2 points ; W. Home, J. Maxwell, G. Packey, 1 point each. The Selection Committee oame in for some adverse criticism yesterday for including some juniors in the team to play Katikati on Saturday next, but players ought to remember that this is about the only match of the season in which it is quite safe to include a few j uniorp, and it would be doing a positive injustice to the junior players who have been of so much service during the season to not sjive them a place when there is not the slightest risk incurred.