WAIRARAPA v. WATERSIDERS.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 73, 23 September 1922, Page 14

WAIRARAPA v. WATERSIDERS.

At the invitation of the newly formed Wairarapa Football Association; ; the Waterfiiders eleven with about twenty supporters, arrived inj Masterton on Saturday by 'bus. Happily the weather was on its best behaviour, . and about 1500 spectators assembled on the fasterton Oval when the teams lined up, the Wairarapa, men being :—Ryder, Moore (captain), Bolton, Harding, Nicholls, Needham, Cutler, Bowen, Emmerson, Birkett, and Scott ,

Watersiders won, the !itoss, and the Mayor(Mr. Pragnall), kicked off. Bell, getting the ball, transferred to Palmer, that player giving Cusack a nice pass, and Moore lieaded the centre clear. Harding got the leather, but Jones rob--bed him, sending a long pass ouf to the ■left, but M'Kinley was pulled up for off• side. ' The. home team was' finding it hard to settle down, but was improving all the while, and Emmersori and BoWen by neat work carried play to the Watersiders' goal, where Batten stemmed this' tide with a good kick. Pretty, work by Irvine and Jones enabled Gilbertson to break through, and Moore conceded a corner, which was well placed, Ryder, fisting the ball oui'to Gilbertson' who headed a neat goaL l<-0. The homesters next ,took a hand,' but. over-eagerness caused Birkett to ntiss when well placed. The Waterside forwards were playing a fine combination game, tapping the ball to each othet in clever styiej and Palmer at last found the net from the tw«nty 'yarde. 2^o. Wairarapa tried hard and ■were; rewarded soon after, when Harding kicked hard, and Emmerson, rushing through, got the ball befoi'e Porteous and amidst .excitement scored.. 2-1.. Water Isidere now pressed hotly, and Ryder saved well from Anton and Cusaclq An off-sid^ by Onsaolc saved the home .team, and from the kick Birkett'fed, Scott, who carried the ' ball ■ downfield, Jackson heading Uie ball clear. ; Palmer and Joneß showed clever', footwork, which was admired by the crowd, many of whom —: by the Way—laughed when a \ player headed the ball: Palmer soon afterwards spored iiie third goaL 3-I.' With a beautiful drive Anton got the fourth just before the whistle sounded for half-time. In the:second half the pla-y was of an even, nature, the, home team' playing mnch better, football, both goalies being oalled upon to save some ,teasers. Scott, on th« home team's left wing, '.sent across' some dangerous centres'.; Anton was responsible for'the/fifth with a. neat shot. Time was called soon afterwards. Watersiders S, Wairarapa I.! Mr. D. Stirrat refereed. Byder, Moore, Scott, and Emmersoii showed up'-roell, anp with team experience, Wairarapa. should do well. ' . | The Watersiders were the guests at dinner of \the Football Committee, > Mr. (Taylor presiding. Mr. Pragnall (Mayor 'of Masterton) and most generously offered a cup to the new association. Mr. Fairclough and Mr. D. G. ,Jones replied, and' Mr. Fairclough presented \ Mr. H. H. Batten (seorfetary), who is leaving, the Waterside team, with a gold > medal. At the Returned Soldiers' Club, the Watersiders were royally entertained,' Mr. Whatman doing his utmost tp make the visit a pleasant one. : .--. One good turn deserves another, and the Masterton people, 'recognising that ?the visitors had done them a good turn by helping to bring the game into notice, did their best to give the Watersiders a day out. Judging by all temarks I have heard, they certainly sue- 1 '. ceeded. Everyone is quite well pleased, and Soccer, has taken root in a new place.