FOOTBALL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9834, 6 August 1900, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

(BY "SPECTATOB.")

Saturday afternoon turned out rather unpleasant from a spectator's point of view, but nevertheless a considerable number ot people visited the Recreation ground, the re-appearance of the Te Aute team in the senior round being the attraction, and the onlookers were rewarded by a stiff contest, Pirafes having all their best players in the field in the hope of putting down the doughty college boys. SENIOR COP. The ground was very slippery, and Te Aute, who had not their best team in the field, were expected to have all their work cut out to maintain their lead in the championship. From the kick-off the Pirates attacked strongly, the play being in their opponents' quarters for some time, until at length a loose forward rush of the Pirates ended in Williams picking up and drawing first blooi. Hillson made a fine attempt at goal, but the heavy ball wa* against him. Te Aute warmed up a bit at this reverse, and had slightly the best of the play for a time. Soon afterward Pirates had bad luck in losing the services of Frauklin, who had been playing a splendid game at full. Te Aute, however, allowed H. Bear to take his place. Te Aute attacked strongly, and were at last rewarded, a forward rush resulting in Winera scoring. The attempt ab goal failed. In the subsequent play the pace was very lively, and a pretty piece of passing on the part of Pirates' backs took play close to the Te Aute line. The College defence was good, however, and half time was called with both teams level.

When the game was resumed the spectators were treated to some lively play, and for a long time it appeared as if the match would be drawn. The forward rushes of the Reds, however, were now looking very dangerous, and in one of these Delamere succeeded in crossing the line, no goal resulting. Pirates now °et rto work with a will, and playing well together, severely taxed Te Aute's defence. For a time it seemed certain they must score, but their oppoDents defended admirably, and the play was carried to the centre. Just here Te Aute came again and looked like scoring, but the ball went out at the comer flag. Time was immediately called, and the game ended in a popular win for Te Aute by 6 points to 3. The winners well deserved their success, the backs beiDg very safe, notably O'Brien and Matthew. Coote played pluckily, but had not many chances, while the forwards packed and dribbled well together. Of an even lot VV alker was very prominent. Of the losers Franklin, until knocked out, was very safe at full, and Bear, who took his place, had a lot to do, and did it well. The Pirates' backs all performed creditably, Hillson being perhaps the best, while of the forwards Carlson, Speedy, Strickland, Mullaney, and Williams were prominent; the forwards, in fact, all worked and deserved better luck. Mr Renouf as referee was fair to both sides, and gave general satisfaction. JUNIOR FLAG. Caledonians defeated West End by a try (scored by Sheehan) to nil. The game was closely contested throughout. Mr Cowell was referee. THIRD CUP. At the Spit, West End I. defeated Ahuriri by 5 points (a goal from a try) to 3(a penalty goal). The match, as in the case of the two higher grade contests, was also a fighs throughout. RUGBY UNION. There was a full meeting of the Rugby Uhi >n on Saturday eveniug, Mr Cowell in the chair. In reply to an enquiry from the Wairarapa Thursday Union for a suitable aate for the visit of their junior representative team to Napier, it was decided to fix Wednesday, August 29th, and, as on previous occasions, to guarantee 25 per cent of gate money. The West End Club were granted permission for their senior team to play Waipawa on Wednesday next, and their juniors to play Taradale on Saturday next, no affiliated player to be allowed to play in the Taradale team. Mr Renouf was appointed manager of the representative team to visit Gisborne on Saturday next. A levy of £1 per man was made upon the members of the representative team in connection with the trip. As the result of the enquiry into the conduct of come of the West End players at the Spit on the previous Saturday, D. Welsh was suspended for th« remainder of the season for having used insulting language to Mr W. Fulton, referee. Some discussion ensued on a charge laid by Mr Fulton against some members of the West End Club, who were spectators of the match, for unseemly conduct. A letter from the West End Club, strongly protesting against Mr Fulton's charges, was also read, and evidence taken in connection therewith. Finally George Earney (who in his evidence admitted using bad language to the referee, who had, he said, first given him provocation by sweating at him) was suspended for the remainder of the season, on the casting vote of the chairman, as against a motion to severely caution the offender, it being the first occasion on which a spectator had been brought before the Union. It was also resolved to request Mr Fulton to withdraw his charge as against " a lurge number of the members of the West End Club."

The following fixtures were arranged for next Saturday :—Junior Flag : 1.30 p.m., Caledonians v. Piratesll. ; 3 p.m., Napier 11. v. Te Aute 11. On the Recreation Ground—Thiid Cup : 1.30 p.m., West End 11. v. Ahuriri 11. ; 3 p.m., Napier 111. v. Kia Oia. FOOTBALL AT TARADALE. The return match between Taradale and Greenmeadows was decided on Saturday last, Taradale agaiu being victoiious by 6 poiuts to nil. Tries were scored by F. Falmer and G. Colello. Considering the heavy state of the ground after so much rain, the game was comparatively fast and well contested. Next Saturday the Taradale team play a West End junior team at Taradale, which will no doubt draw a large number of enthusiasts. POVERTY BAY REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. On Saturday evening, Messrs Hallamore and Weir, members of the Selection Committee, picked the following team to proceed to Gisborne to meet the Poverty Bay representatives in the annual fixture next Saturday :— Full-back, McVay (Napier). Three-quarters, O'Brien, Ngatai, Wihana (all of Te Aute). Five-eighth, Hume (Napier). Half, Thomson (Napier). Wings, Walker (Te Aute), U. O'Connell (Clive). ' Forwards, Carlson (Pirates), G. Caldwell (Clive), R. Caklwell (Clive), Cheer (Clive), Irons (Napier), J oil Emergency fonvairju,""' "•'•••^ Kay (Cliv6).\'J,A'" ;./"?; Several prominent players^^er^aLot

available, consequently the team, which is not fully representative, was chosen from those players who could obtain leave of absence. It is, however, fairly strong, and may be « xpected to do justice to the district.

[per press association.] Christchurch, Saturday. The football match Wairarapa v. Canterbury to-day was won by the northern team by 4 points to ntl. In the first spell there was no score, and the play was very uninteresting. Early in the second spell McKenzie (Wairarapa fullback) kicked a coal from a mark, which was the only score. For the remainder of the spell the game was fairly even. Several chances of scoring were missed by both teams, Wairarapa having rather the better of the play. Auckland, Saturday. The Rugby match played at Paeroa resulted :—Auckland 5 points, Ohinemuri nil.