FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 126, 7 June 1901, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

[By “ The Whistlo.”]

The first general meeting of tho newlyformed Poverty Bay Referees’ Association was held last evening at the Masonic Hotel, being well attended. Mr R. Cole was voted to tho Chair. The following names were handed in by the Union, and were duly declared members of the Association :—Messrs R. Colo, W. Howard, C. Freer, H. G. Watson, W. Samson, R. Jones, A. W/ Adair, C. Taylor, A. W. Rees, E. A. Rees, A. Crawford, W. S. McCredie, R. Caulton, C. J. Hamilton, J. Webb, J .''Eaton, H. Maude, and G. Crawford. Mr A. W. .Adair was unanimously appointed secretary. In accordance with tho rules of the New Zealand Referees’ Association it was proposed on the motion of Mr W. Samson that the uniform of the Association consist of white sweater and whito trousers. Mr A. W. Rees arid J. Webb were appointed referees for Saturday’s senior and junior matches respectively. The Association meots again nest week on Thursday ovening at 7.80. Mr Rees controlled the game well on Saturday. He had the players well in hand throughout tho afternoon, and there was not too much whistle. The only fault we can find with Mr Rees’ referoeing is that ho allows a little too much hanging to the ball. On one occasion on Saturday Reynolds had possession of the ball whilo lying on tho ground, and an ineffoctivo appeal was made by tho Huia players for hanging to tho ball, whereupon To Reina, the Huia throe-quarter, seized tho player by the jersey and dragged him somo distance along the ground in the direction of the Haiti goal. Wore Mr Rees stricter on this point, he would, in our opinion, be an ideal reforec. Haiti’s viotory. on Saturday is striking proof of what conscientious training will do for a team. This club trained hard for tho contest, and the result must have rewarded them for the pains. Any club which hopes to lower the colors of tho bluo and blacks this season must first devote considerable time to a course of systematic training. The Haiti forwards surprised everyone, and undoubtedly showed fine combination. The bit of work between Bright and Oolebourno, which resulted in tho latter scoring, was well worth witnessing, and tho pace Oolebourno got up as he raced along the line and right behind the posts surprised evon himself. Mr W. Howard, the referee in the junior match between West End and Huia on | Saturday last, informs me that he has witnessed many senior matches in which tho form shown was not nearly so good as that of the juniors in this contest. The game was fought right out to the bitter end, and Huia only won on the call of timo. In Mr Howard’s opinion, there are juniors in both these teams whose inclusion would strengthen the senior fifteens of both clubs.

We notice from Napier exchanges to hand, that the game is booming down there, and that improved form is being shown in every match. They have tried the innovation of playing two senior games each Saturday on the Recreation Ground, one commencing immediately the other finishes, and it is likely to prove successful. “ Spectator,” the football writer in the Telegraph, states that the match between City and County clubs, on Saturday week last, provided the fastest forward game ever witnessed on the Recreation Ground. Next Saturday, City and Huia meet at Tucker’s paddock in the first match of the second round for the Senior Banner, and another good contest should result. City have improved with every match, and, in our opinion, will have to be seriously reckoned with in every match from this forward.

The first round of the junior matches has not yet concluded, and City and West End meet next Saturday.

The following team will represent the City Football Club in their match with Huia to-morrow :—Zachariah, Coleman, King, Burns, Glennie, Quinn, Sampson, Steele, Jones, Freer, Duggan, Davidson, Webb, Dixon, and Courtayno. West End’s junior team will be :—Hepburn (2), Clark, Featon, Butene, Roderick, Wallace, Nolan (2), Potake,- Williams, Piesse, Thompson, Bushnell, Petersen ; emergencies, 0. Evans, Bennett, Pritchard and Power.