FOOTBALL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9299, 29 July 1901, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

(BY "SPECTATOR.") That more than- usual interest wa9 centred in last Saturday's senior cup coutest was amply manifested by the attendance of the public to witness the battle, the " gate " being the largest of the season, despite the fact that a drizzling rain fell the greater part of the afternoon. . Indeed, by the time the junior trial match commenced the ground was in such a sloppy, slippery state, that good play was practically out of the question. TE AUTE V. CITY. The teams lined out in full strength, exespt that Rangi was an absentee trom the Tβ Aute's back division, Makahuri, a forward, playing full-back, and filling the position very satisfactorily. Te Aute kicked off from the western end, and immediately rushed the ball inside the Black's 25. City were penalised, arid following the k'ck, the ball got among the Te Aute backs, and smart passing between Matieu, Hiroto, and Deiamere took the latter across the chalk line," , drawing first blood within four or five minutes of the kick-off. Matieu was unsuccessful with the attempt at goal.— 3—o. Following this promising incident, play at once bec<une decidedly lively, Matieu, Donald, Erekana, and De]amt€re (Te Aut c) and Gumming, Sellar, Eddy, Willis, and Strickland (Blacks) were all conspicuous for good work for their respective bides. Gumming nicely stopped a dangerous Te Aute forward rush, and the ball went to* the College full-back, who, beating a couple of opponents who attempted to tackle him, rau well and passed to Deiamere, who got going dangerously, but was well graesed by Cumming. Tβ Aute again got on the move, and Eena (wing) got clean away with the ball, with apparently a clear run in, but Campbell, the City full-back, showed great pace, and caught his man in time, bringing him down very close to the line. City forwards retaliated with a strong sweep down the field, and some scrumming ensued on Te Aute's line, from which Williams got possession of the leather, and feinting to pass back fell over and was awarded a try. The kick at goal failed, and the score was level, remaining so till half-time. Kena got over City'a line from a strong rush but lost the ball, and City forad. The second spell was fought with great spirit, both sides going at it for all they were worth, but City, making the game of a loose forward character, their tactics proved successful. They also the College boys badly on the line-out. Eddy marked in front of Te Aute's goal, and Willis converted—7-3. Te Aute rereplied with a good attack and the ball getting amongst their backs, Ratene got in from a neat bit of passing. Matieu again failed at goal. 6—7. City charged down from the kick-out, and Smart marked, Willis again converting. 11—6. Te Aute in turn attacked, but a stroke of hard iuck nullified the opening, and the ball being kicked hard down the centre of the field Cumming followed up ias-t and scored between the posts, Willia converting. 16—6. City weie then twice compelled to force as the result of good combined work amongst their opponents. Iv the later stages of the game i the Blacks held the advantage, and Te Aute were forced just- at call of time, leaving City winners of a finely fought battleloy 16 to 6, and practically establishing them the season's senior champions, as the result of future matches can scarcely affect their position. The winners owe their success mainly to their forwards, who in the loose and on the line-out were as a body superior to the College boys. In the pack work Tβ Aute appeared to be better, but the state of the ground was against effective back play. City well-deserved their win. Amongst their players who deserve notice may be specially mentioned Willis, Hackett, Tyne, W. Strickland, Williams, Cumming, Campbell, Eddy, and bellar, but the whole team worked very hard. Matieu, Deiamere, and Pwnanga were a fine trio in tbe Te Aute back division, and Kena and Donald (wings) were exceptionally conspicuous throughout. Several of the Te Aute forwards were noticeable for kicking prostrate opponents in the scrums. a Mr Hillaon performed successfully, with the whistle. JUNIOR 18 V. SENIOR 15. This, match was not altogether a success, owing to the muddy state of the ground. The seniors were without Joll, who could not play owing to a sprained wrist, and his substitute (MeKenzie) got "winged" soon after the.start of the game, the seniors playing from thence with -.fourteen rfjen. . They proved too

good for the juveniles, beating them by 19 points to 6. Bates, Woodward, Ras sell, and D. O'Connell scored tries, and Caldwell kicked goals from a penalty and a mark by "Bush"Bißßell.iMcFarlane and Mullaney scored tries for the juniors. Some very good forward play for the seniors was shown by Woodward, Bates, Munro, Bissell, and (Jeordine, the first-named pair doing some ne»t footwork. Russell, Hume, and Cullen were the pick of the backs. Schwabe, Mullaney, Cattanach, Rauzie, McFarlane, Prebble, Smith, aud Mellier were the pick of the juniors, who were a fairly even lot. Mr Peacock was referee. THE SENIOR REPS. The following team is " Sport's " pick for the Hawke's Bay reps. :—Full back, MeVay; three-quarters, Delemare, "Hume, Caldwell (or Te Aute Maori); half, Poananga; five-eighth, Mateau; for wards, Joll, Geordine, Bissell, Willie, Woodward, "Heath, Williams; wings, Tyne, Kena (Te Aute). Forwards, average weight about 12st 41b ; backs, list. RUGBY UNION. Mr Hallamore presided at the weekly meeting of the Union held on Saturday evening. It was decided to endeavor to get the Bush Union to visit Napier on the I7th August, and also to aak the Giaborne junior representatives to visit Napier while the Hawke's Bay seniors are on teur, the Gisborne juniors to receive 40 per cent of the gate money. A trial match was fixed for Wednesday afternoon between the Napier Tradesmen and representatives from the Hastings Harriers and Pirates. Two triul matches were set down for next Saturday afternoon on the Recreation Ground, the seniors at 2.30 p.m. and the juniors at 4 p.m. In the above trial matches it must be distinctly understood that any selected player absenting himself without good excuse will not be considered in the final selection. .

A lot of business in connection with tiie Rugby Union bazaar was transacted, satisfactory progress being reported by the delegates of the different clubs.