FOOTBALL-SATURDAY’S MATCH.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 16, 19 July 1887, Page 3

FOOTBALL-SATURDAY’S MATCH.

Players mustered in fair force on Saturday when a scratch match was played. L. Bees and Staite captained the two teams. Staite won the toss and kicked down hill for the first spell. Play soon became very fast, and L. Bees and Bua did some good running, but were stopped by Booth, Staite, and Munroe. Bees’s side then worked the ball into their opponent’s 25, but Sage, Bourke, and Weston made a good rush and carried the ball into neutral territory. Play was very good throughout the first spell, and no score was made on either side. Soon afeer starting the second spell Abraham (native) by a good run got a try for Bees’s side but Arundel failed a goal from a difficult angle. Staite then rallied his men, and Bourke getting the ball darted across the line and touched down, but was cal'ed back for a throw in. Lewis for Staite’a side made two or three attempts at goal from the field but went wide of the mark. A good rush by’ Staite’s men, and a dribble by Mitchell secured a try, but Lewis failed at gaol. Bourke, for Staite’s aide, got another try but Lewis again failed. Bees’s side then worked the ball down and played derep ately, but they could not again score, and time being called shortly afterwards, left State's side the victors by two points to one. For the winners Staite, Booth, and Munroe, the latter a new aan, played best behind the scrum. Lewis, as full back, was a complete failure, always a'tempting to run when he should have kicked, and only on one occasion aid he gain any ground. In the forwards Bourke, Weston, and laod were most noticeable. For the losers Bees, Bua, and Lennell, among the backs, and Arundel, Wade, Dunlop, and Whitehead, among the forwards, showed the best form. No word has yet been received from Wairoa, and consequently the local men are still in a fix. They, however, should get into and keep in their best form in case of a surprise. The match between the Second Fifteen comes off on Saturday next, and it is hoped that the Juniors will muster in time and in force so as to get this match played.