FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 78, 9 April 1901, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

EUROPEANS V. NATIVES. There was beautiful weather on Saturday afternoon for the above match, which was played in Tucker’s paddock. There was a good attendance of spectators, among whom were a large number of Natives. The teams, which were fairly representative, were as follows : Europeans—Full-back, Symes ; threequarters, Baker, Porter and Kirk ; liveeighths, Glennie ; half, Coleman ; forwards, Duggan (captain), Richardson, Harley, Freer, Roderick, Wallace, Webb and Nolan.

Natives Full-back, Tariki ; threequarters, Paoro, Ngata and Te Reinga ; five-eighths, Halbert; half, Turei; forwards, Tuhoo (captain), Swan, Park, Pani, Wepiha, Paihea, Cookery, Ngawinia and Gerrard.

Play was commenced by Duggan kicking off for the Europeans, Ngati returning well down the field. After a good deal of loose play the Native forwards started a dribbling rush, which ended in Paihia crossing the line, thus scoring the first try. Ngati was entrusted with the kick, but failed to convert. Shortly after resuming Gisborne were forced. Porter kicked off, and from the return Glennie marked, but the Natives rushing up spoilt his kick, and soon brought the play close to the blue and blacks goal. From a scrum a nice piece of passing by Coleman and Glennie was spoilt by Porter hanging on to the ball. Te Reinga marked, and kicked well down the field. Another good piece of passing by the blue and black backs brought play close to the natives’ goal line. Cookery got away with the ball at his too and dribbled well into the .Europeans’ 25, Porter and Kirk relieving by a good run. From a throw in the Natives were compelled to force down. On resuming play centred in the Natives’ 25, and Te Beiuga getting possession ran well up the field, the Natives following this up with a good forward rush, which was stopped by Kirk kicking into touch. From a series of scrums the ball was kicked to Symes, who ran up the field, but on being collared hung on to the ball, for which the Natives were awarded a free kick. This brought play close to the blue and blacks line, Porter relieving, and following up his kick spoilt the fullback’s roturn. Baker now made a good run, being well collared by Te Reinga. Half time was then called, the scores being Natives 3, Europeans nil. On resuming, play centred, but the Natives being now warmed up soon had the Europeans on the defensive, but by a forward rush, the latter took the oval well into the Natives’ 25, where Roderick, kicking too hard, sent the ball over the line, the colors forcing. On the ball being brought into play again, the blue and blacks were awarded a free kick in front of the Natives’ goal. Symes took the kick, but failed to convert. On kicking off, a good deal of loose play ensued in the colors 25, a Native relieving by a good run to the centre. Wallaco kicked well down the field, the Natives being again forced. Play continued in the centre for some time, when Tuhoe getting possession kicked well into the Europeans’ 25. Freer made a good run close to the Natives’ goal line, where he was collared, and To Reinga kicking well up the field, centred play. The Natives were here awarded another free kick, but little advantage was gained. From a scrum the blue and black forwards started a dribbling rush, from which Coleman scored a try near the corner flag. No goal resulted. Natives'3, Europeans 3. Upon resuming, the Natives were soon on the defensive, and the Europeans getting on another forward rush, enabling Freer to cross the lino, scoring a second try for the Europeans. The kick at goal again failed. Europeans 6, Natives 3. On resuming, Native made a good run, the ball going out at the half-way flag, when time was called. The game thus ended : Europeans 6, Natives 3. Mr R. Cole officiated as referee, and Messrs Stuart and J. Nutting as line umpires. There was no brilliant play shown on cither side, this probably being accounted for by the fact of it being the first match of the season, and none of the players being in anything like form.