FOOTBALL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SENIOR OUP. GREY (27) v. REEFTON (0). On Saturday morning the weather N was anything but promising, but in the afternoon it cleared, and although the Park was wet and slippery, the ground was in fair order. Reefton was without the service of Rhodes and tho team, on the whole, was very weak, as a number of juniors played, the Grey team having an easy win. - From the kick off Grey had control of , tho game, and their forwards gaining ■ possession of the ball in the scrums, the backs had a chance of showing ! their mettle. From a scrum in front of the Reefton goal, Gillingham pass- j ed to Sweetman, the ball going to Par-1 kinson and O’Donnell, the latter dash- j . ing over near the corner, the kick at j goal failing. From the kick out, play was carried to the centre for a time, but Grey worked the ball back, and West, picking up in a lose forward rush, transferred to Kenny, who pass- j ed back to West, the latter register- | ing the second try, the kick at goal again failing. ■ The Grey backs were too superior for Reefton, and by good passing and kicking had Reefton continually defending. From a mark j in front of tho posts, O’Donnell kick- I ed a good goal. The kick off brought ' little, relief to Reefton, and from a scrum near hall way Gillingham sent ; the ball to Sweetman, then to Parkin- I son, the latter bearing his man, trans I fererd to Meeoham, who ran in and scored behind the posts, O’Donnell being successful with the kick. The second spell was much tho same as the , first and Power, who was playing a great game, kicked past the Reefton backs, and with a rare turn of speed, i beat off the opposition and scored, 1 , O'Donnell scoring a good goal. Power was not to bo denied, shortly after . scoring his second try between the , posts, and, taking tho kick himself, j added tho necessary points. Reefton : were now thoroughly boat, and the : } Grey forwards did as they liked, Gui- . der scoring before time was called, j . the kick being a failure. Shortly of- ■ , ter the whistle sounded, tho score standing—Grey 27, Reefton nil.. JUNIOR CUP. ; BRUNNER (26) v. STARS (0). f Not a decent exposition was given j on Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon, both matches being ‘cake-walks.’ Brunner juniors, certainly not in good form, easily did with the Stars, who ] had to play a number of “travellers” ] to fill the team. The visitors easily ( run up a score of 26 points, but no side can bo congratulated. Mulls were frequent; the passing wretched. It is seldom so poor an exhibition has been ( given. Mr McGillicuddy refereed in | an impartial manner.

REEFTON II (9) v. BLACKBALL (0). The above fixture took place at Reofton on Saturday, when Rceftou defeated Blackabll by 9 points to nil, two trios an 1 a goal from a mark. Two Blackball players were ordered off for using bad language.

Riirm II beat Aralmra 11 at Aarhura by 5 points to nil. Koiterangi Presidents beat Hokitika Seconds at Hokitika on Saturday last, STAR 111 v. BRUNNER, The above fixture took place on the Recreation Ground, but the ground was in a very bad state, the ball bein'.' verv greasy. Nev,‘lands converted, O’Reilly and Williams scored, Wilson kicking a penalty goal, making Stars 14. Brunner I. Brunner had the heaviest team, but the Stars were in good form, and had the best of the game all through. NOTES, Sincb Mr Francis lias taken Grey team in hand the forwards have improved in the art of hooking, and ir is to bo hoped that they will attend at the shed during the coining fortnight in view of the Hokitika match, as it is about time Oreymouth had a good go to recover the Cup. The Grey team has improved a I'd since last 'Saturday, and the backs gave as fine a display of passing as has been witnessed on the Coast for a number of years. Of the forwards it would be hard I" particularise, but a word of praise must bo said of R. I’owor. who was undoubtedly the best man on the field, Ids two tries being the outcome "f smart play. He made a great difference to the pack, and in the open Ids speed was turned to good advantage. Nicoll, Brown, Collins and Birmingham also showed out conspicuous during the game. West’s try was also a smart niece of work.

The display given in (he junior match was very poor, the Stars starting with nine men, boys tilling in I Im* extra places. Brunner juniors will have to improve a lot if they wish to stand a show in the Cup, as their display was far from excellent, only registering 6 points in the second spell against 12 men.

Mclntosh, who played for the Stars, is without doubt the best junior forward on the Coast, and far before some of the forwards in the Star seni-

Next Saturday Grey and Reefton juniors meet at Grey. State Colliery and Urey Presidents meet at Grey on Saturday, also the Collieries and Brunner meet on whatever ground the Union selects on

Tuesday night (most likely the Recreation, while the Presidents match can bo played on (be Park at 1.30). The points for tbo senior now stand —Hokitika, 1; Stars 1, lost 1; Grey 1, lost 1 : Reefton 0. Juniors—Collieries, 2 ; Brunner, 1 ; Stars 1, lost 1; Reefton 1, lost 1; Blackball, lost 1; Grey, lost 1. The Grey junior team promises to be very fair this j’ear, and they had hard luck to have lost I heir first match on a ground which lias since been disqualified. As they play Reefton on Saturday their attendance is requested at the gymnasium during thu week.

We understand (says the Hokitika Guardian) that Mr Reynolds, of Greymouth, who has acted as referee for several years past, has expressed his intention to discontinue controlling any further games, this resolution being the outcome of the last Grey-Star match, when the spectators, including some Union officials, voiced dissent as to the correctness of a decision given. The retirement of Mr Reynolds will bo generally deplored. Though differing in many points ns to his actual reading of the rules, it has always been recognised that Mr Reynolds’ decisions were of a fair and honest nature, and local patrons of the game will be sorry to learn that his whistle will not bo heard in future. The treatment meted out to referees generally on the Coast is far from satisfactory, and if players and spectators fail to give hearty support to those filling the thankless position of controller of their games that they should receive, then it can hardly be expected that the most efficient referees will give their services.