FOOTBALL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3160, 15 August 1881, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NAPIER V WAIPAWA

: (By Onlooker) Despite the deep foresight and great odds of our worthy Waipawa correspondent this long expected match really did take place on Saturday. A. special train was engaged for the occasion, and at 1-20 the Napier team, most of the Waipawa contingent, who bad come into town in the morning, and about sixty *P spectators started for the scene of action. It was doubtful whether Mr. Potts wonld sseist the Waipawa team in the struggle, but on arriving at the ground a look of pleasure was clearly perceptible in, the countenances of the amber and black when they saw their chief coming from Farndon. Napier elected Mowbray as captain, Potts occupying a similar position for Waipawa, Mowbray won the toss, and decided to defend ths South goal. The men were placed in the following positions: —For Napier: Mowbray, back; Murray and Whitcombe, half-backs; St. Hill, W. Bogle, Begg, and Duncan, quarters ; Barclay, Beamish, Dove, Edwards, Howie, Price, Pott, and Waterbouse, forward. Waipawa : Ord, back ; Goldsmith and A. Williams, half-back ; T. Bostock and Potts, quarters; Harwood, Ewen, J. Rhodes, E. Rhodes, Oropse, H. Bostock, J. Bogle, Oraig, Newman, and Smith, forwards. Potts took the kick off, the ball just going over the players heads; it was secured by )u St. Hill, who was soon collared, and the first scrimmage took place. Begs: managed to obtain possession of the leather, and made a very fair run, when he was pounced upon by the " demon." Bostock got the ball, and succeded in making a good run alongside touch when he was prettily caught by St Hill. The game now become exciting owing to the ball being in very close quarters to the Waipawa goal. Bogle, W. made an excellent run and landed the ball in front of the opponents gaol when another of the inevitable scrimmages occurred ; from which the ball found its way behind the Waipawa 'touch. Dove and Ord secaring it almost instantly. A slight dispute took place as to the ownership but the umpire decided in favour of Dove. At the try Mowbray by a well judged kick secured the first goal of the day. Potts took the kick off. the Waipawa men now keeping the ball in close proximity to the Napier goal. A scrimmage took place the ball being kicked behind Napier touch, Mowbray securing it, by whom it kicked from the 25 yard flag. Potts now made a desperate run and succeeded in passing many of the Napier men, but was well collared by Edwards. Howie changed the scene of excitement by a strong run landing the ball clear from his quarter ; time was now called. At 2.30 Mowbray took the kick off J. Bostock, securing it, and evaded most of the forwards, but came to grief at the hands of Whitcombe. A very good ' • Bcrimmafife took place which lasted for some time, Napier having the better of v it, the Waipawa men although stronger, /"" did not use their strength to advantage, their opponents locked themselves together thereby proving far more beneficial. St. Hill now made a splendid run, having dodged many of the Waipawa men in his eel like style, he managed to get over the goal touch, but unfortunately the ball slipped out of J his hands, however, wee Pott was near, ' ready to render aid to the needy, and secured a second touch down for Napier, which Mowbray converted into a goal. Harwood took the kick off when Barclay made a powerful run, and on being collared immediately passed back to Begg who gained some more ground, and fell into tbe arms of Harwood by whom he was held. A- scrimmage took place, and the ball was kicked towards Mowbray, who unfortunately slipped, or else another goal would have be added to Napier score, as : he had a clear field, and a splendid chance for a drop kick right in front of goal, however, Whitcombe assisted his fallen comrade by picking the ball up quickly and running well towards touch when he was embraced by the "demon," a scrimmage, took place, the ball going over Waipawa , touch, it was brought out by IJptte, Whitcombe returning it again into touch by the best drop of the day—Ord took the kick, when another scrimmage ensued—Potts by a desperate run placed It near Napier goal, Edwards however, by a good run alongside touch changed the wjene of excitement; he was collared by Potts who was continually on the b&U, in fact thoy appeared very lovable companions. Potts now tried a goal from the field, but the ball fell short, the leather was kept for some time close to the goal defended by the blue and white, but foriunately for the Napier men St Hill in his .nimble manner got it clear, when time was called. Goals were again changed, Potts kicking off. Scrimmages now became the order of the day, each 4. with renewed vigor, the A ball "got behind Napier touch but was secured by Mowbray, who brought it out. Goldsmith, who bad been playing' a plucky game throughout endeavoured by a good run to secure a touch down for bi« side, but luck seemed to' b> against our country friends, he being collared by Price. Murray ibp.w got possession of thei ball and (instead of kicking, attempted to

dodge in front of his own gaol, when he wai collared. The Waipawa men now fought well, but the blue and whites were too good, aud the ball wa9 once more got clear by Mowbray with a good run and drop, a scrimmage ensued from which Begg made "the run" of the day flnd secured the third touch down for Napier. Mowbray took the kick which, although a very good drop, proved a poster. Ord kicked off when a scrimmage was formed, from which W. Bogle, by a very {,ood stealthy run, got well up the field whilst most of the players were locked together apparently examining Mr Lascelles' grass, Potts seemed to take less interest in rural pursuits and soon collared the run-away when time was called. During the last spell Barclay made a splendid run, nearly securing another touch down for his side, and Duncan obtained the fourth touchdown for Napier, the ball being kicked off by Mowbray added nothing to the score—it going far outside the posts. At the conclusion of the game the Napier men came out victorious by 2 goals and 2 trys to nil. The greatest friendship prevailed throughout the match which reflects creditably on both sides. Cheers were given, and the match ended. Messrs Dobson and Fulton officiated as umpires, and their decision, appear to have given general satisfaction. There were about 150 persons on the ground, but I was sorry to see the absence of many of the fair sex, only about four ladies accompanying us from Napier. Whether it is that ladies have an aversion to the noble game, or that' the distance was too great I cannot say, but certain it is, they were conspicuous by their absence. However, at the Gisbome match, which is to come off soon, I trust to see more spectators, so as to give our local players more heart, thereby enabling them to retrieve their lost honors of last Saturday week. In conclusion, I must apologise to some of the Waipawa men, as I did not know their names, and although from the start they had an up-hill same, still they played pluckily and well.