Football Fancies.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5631, 16 September 1889, Page 2

Football Fancies.

[BY » A-FOGIE."!

The Harriers suffered their first real decisive defeat at the Lands of their old opponents, the Pirates, on Saturday, the score at tlio conclusion of the game standing Pirates nine points, Harriers one point. With such a weak fifteen as they placed in the Held the Harriers performed excellently during the first spell, and although I saw but little of the first half of the game, I make bold to assert that the cardinal and blues hud nil the best of the play till half timo was called. During the second spell the Pirates woko up, and by somu dashing rushes and judicious passing increased their sooro by eight points. The result of the match was received by the supporters of the Pirates with every manifestation of joy, as their win on Saturday renders them the winners of the cup for the season. Certainly there are two more match i s yet to be played, but they can in no way aff -ct thii ultimate result, and it would be "better if the remaining fixtures were cancelled, in order that the .Recreation Ground might bo prepared for the coming , season's cricket.

Speaking of cricket reminds, mo that up to the present the knights of the willow appear to be in a state of lethargy. Thoro can be not the least doubt that circumstances generally aro unfavorable for the advancement of cricket, but it would bo a thousand pities if the game were allowed to dio out. Were the liecreation Ground Company or the clubs themselves in a position to prepare good practice pitches, I know of many who would take a renewed mtere.st in the pastime. Tho match between Te Auto and County First Fifteens on Saturday resulted in a win for tho former team by six points to four. Tho Napier High School team and tho Tβ Aute Second tried conclusions on Saturday at Farndon. The College boys won by six points to four. Jno. Ross, who for somo time past has been connected with the Harriers, and originally a member of the old Union Club, left for "Wellington on Saturday. Ross at one time was one of our most reliable threequarter backs, and has on two or three occasions represented the province. Of late, however, he lias fallen off considerably, and completely spoilt his play by clinging to the ball in a most persistent manner. At collaring ho was always reliable.

The football match between Auckland and "Wellington was played at Newtown Park Wellington, on Saturday in the. prosoneo of about 10UO people. The weather was showery and the ground whs very creasy. In the first spell from a loose, rush Ellison of the local team secured a try between the posts, which Niehol's converted iuto a goal. Towards the end of the first spell Jervis of Auckland secured a try, and Lecky kicked at goal, the bull striking the bar and bounding back into the field. The second spell was stubbornly fought, but thero was no further score, Wellington winning by 3 points to 1. Ono who went with the team writes me ns follows :—The majority of members of the Napier-Pirato junior football team, who played a series of matches in Wellington last week returned to Napier by the Tarawera yesterday i&orning. Several players stayed behind, having decided to renkin a little longer in the Empire City, and they return by the Southern Cross on Wednesday. On the wholo the team, of which the majority (eleven) were of the Pirate's Second, have done exceedingly well, and have two victories to their credit, while a bold bid was made for the third — ajrainst St. Patrick's College, and if tho visitors had roc had the misfortune to lose six of their men in '.ho second spell a very close game would have been witnessed. Tho first match which was played on Tuesday against tie Athletics Second was not so interesting a g;ime as was anticipated would bo the ense. The visitors did not. play up to form at all, but succeeded in winning"by" a try got by Miller. Tho goal which O'Comicll kicked from this was a capital one, and much applauded as it was never for a moment thought that tho score would bo increased. On Wednesday it was raining all day aud it was anything but pleasant playing in such wither. Tho Rivals hud got together a very strong team in which n number of their" first fifteen players were included. The Rivals in the first spell wero forced about seven times within us many minutes, but it was not until towards tho close of the second spell that tho visitors scored, Miller and ColHngo obtaining tries which were not converted. On Friday, much to ovory ono'n joy, the weather turned out fine, and there was a very large attendance at Ki'wtown Park to witness the match between tho visitors and St. Patrick's Oollego. Tho game resulted, as already known, in a victory for the College by tnne points to lovo. From tho reports In Wellington that I heard of tho wonderful play of this team I expected r.-ally a gre;\t deal, but I must confess that I wus much 'disappointed with their play. Certainly their combination and i>u:-'iisg are good, but beyond this they arc not above any other Second Fifteen. Their forwards are their weak point, but tho I'iiek.i seem to ho th.ir saving feauiro. Tho te.ua has 100 gvent a tendency to loaf oil' side and then charge the opposing bricks. I have never secn_ any club play so much (■lf t-ido as St. Patrick's, and in tho match with the visiting team on Friday this was tho most noticeable feature of the game. Many free kicks were given against "them for this infringement oi the rules, but tho skipper of the visitors did notappeal half enough. It may bo said that I am pawing these comments upon the College because tho visitors were defeated. Nothing is further from my thoughts. Scrugginsr, too, was a thing which eomewhat surprised the Napier men. Of the game itself, the first .spell was very interesting indeed, tho sceuo of play being occasionally in tho College qnarters and in thoso of tho visitors. The visitors got over St. Patrick's lino in the first spell, Fraukliu scoring, and although one of the umpires allowed It, Mr Peacock, who had not noticed the play at this point, declined to givo a decision, so tho referee cou)d not decide. It seemed amusing to the spectators to see the Napier men walk oil' the field in tho second spell, all injured, until only nine were left, and tho Aucklaud footballers advised the skipper to cease- playing, but it was determined to finish tho game. Six points were scored against the visitors in tho second spell, and it was surprising that more paints were not scored. With six forward;-, one half, one three quarter, and a full back, it was. moat amusing for tho spectators to watch the pluy. Those who were hurt in iho mutch were Lcyhuid, CConiiell, Nedi, Jefcare-", Collinge, aud Miller. The remaining play ws rallied, but were on tho dei,.-u>ivo from this out, and ILo gninu resulted with Ihe above score in favor of St. Patrick's College. I heard in Wellington that it wi;s probable the College team would try conclusions with the Te Aute College, but gauging St. Putrick's by j their play against t':e Napier-Pirate team j lust Friday, 1 .should think that tho To Ante j boys would prove a bit too warm for tbpjii. !