FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3830, 13 May 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. GISBORNE (6) v. Y.M.A.C (4). The keenest critic of Association football, if asked Ids opinion of the game played at the Reserve last Saturday, between teams representing Gisborne F.C. and Y.M.A.C., would assuredly reply that the pace was fast throughout, with hardly a dull moment intervening. He might go .author and .state that the pace set was the hottest he had ever seen in Gisborne, and the players concerned would fully echo his words. For so early in the season the few players whose feet grew weary andwho gave a sigh of relief when the final whistle was heard, may be 'excused their apparent weakness, for such a pace has rarely been set before in the Poverty Bay district. , Gisborne are to bo congratulated on Y.M.A.C. They are the first flub to lower the champions’ colors, Y.M. having gone through last season without a defeat. Gisborne’s superiority appeared to be in their rear division, their backs forming a better combination which enabled them to understand each other and cover any weakness that would have been their d< wnl’all. THE PLAY. Y.M. kicked off and were immediately on the defensive. However, Turnbull cleared with a timely kick, and even play ensued in midfield. Gisborne got away on the left and drew first blood, Wilson allowing an apparently easy shot to pass him. This early success was followed by two more goals in quick succession, and Y.M. seemed “gone coons” indeed. Hereabouts Dick, a Wellington rep., changed from right half to centre half. This seemed to j break up the operations of the Gis- i borne forwards- and acting as a fiillip I to Y.M., the Gisborne citadel was soon ! .stormed. Menzies passed nicely for- i ward anti Greene, following up quickly | :>oat all opposition with his pace and , scored with an easy shot. Following ' this a fierce rally ensued in the Gisborne goalmouth, and Webster reduced Gisborne's lead with a shot at closerange. Tho interval arrived immediately afterwards, and the spell 1

.seemed to be a welcome tonic to the players generally. The wind that assisted Gisborne in die initial portion of the game almost dropped when the teams reversed po-

Gisborne soon penetrated the defence of their opponents, and all >eemed vain to Y.M., who must, however, have the credit of struggling manfully to get the upper hand. This seemed quite probable when Webster .-.hot from close quarters. Gardner in attempting to save with his head deflected the ball into the other corner of the goal. Ren wick, however, would have had but little chance to save had the ball not been touched by Gardner. With the score 1 goals to in Gisborne’s favor, the hopes of Y.M. must have risen, for the equalising goal was soon forthcoming. A forward rush was intercepted by Gardner, who 1 Kindled in the penalty area. Greene took the kick, but- Renwiek saved well, although he did not clear, sufficiently to prevent Hosiei scoring from the rebound. With tho scoro 4 all the game seem,cl anvone’s. Fryer sent well out to the right, and a* fast run bv Shields and Spilman ended in another goal. A sixth following in quick succession, the result was now almost assured. Even play ensued to the end, and Gisborne retired victors by the score above stated.

THURSDAY COMPETITION

TURAXGAXUI v. RANGERS B. The first official match of the Thursday League will be played on the ChilBers Road Reserve; kick-off at 2.40 sharp. The Turanganui team is as follows:—Goal, A E-. Anse.l; backs. Maxwell, H. J. Oates (captain) ; haltback, Hugh Shield, G. Sunnier, Coleman ; forwards, A. Reed# Gibscn, 1 eat, Wallace, Roberts; reserves, Stone, I'aimer, Hod or, Frazer, Lewis. L.e. Colors: Orange and black. The Rangers B team will consist ot the 1° ing:—Goal, Redgrave; lurks. Ebsworth, Duke (captain); hair-back, Menzic, Hull, Wallace; forwards, \\ 1 - sliaw, Howie, Thompson, Sucker, ana Benton; reserves, Jones, Kneebone, Ibirmint-r. Colors: Red and white stripes. RANGERS A. v. COUNTY. Tho following team will represent ■die Rangers A team in their match against County on the latter s ground at Newstead at 3 o’clock on I hursday . Coal, Wood; backs, Downie and Somerton; half-backs, Bilham, Piggies, Jack Somorton; forwards, • Somerton, T. Dye, Greene, Lowndes, and

j Wildnmn. Emergencies: S. Dye, i Duncan and Grant; A brake will leave P.O, at 2 o’clock to convey players to grounds. Colors of A team: Bluo and black hoops. THE LEAGUE CAME. AUSTRALIAN TOUR. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] AUCKLAND, May 12. The Now Zealand representative ! League football team to tour Australia will leave Wellington oh May 30 and will probably bo selected on Saturday, when the selectors' Messrs W. T. Wynyard, R. McDonald, W. S. Bryce, and A. Bmuisden, will meet | at Wellington. : Tho tour will probably last about six weeks, and, althoug the itinerary has not yet been fixed, at least seven matches will bo played in New South Wales and Queensland. The first game will bo in Sydney on Juno 7, so that the team will have two or three days on shore before taking the field. The selectors are confident that a first class team will bo available.

It is understood that Rukingi, of the Y.AJ.P. Club, will not make the trip to Australia with the Now Zealand Maori team,, in which he was selected.