FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 22, 2 August 1887, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Union v. Gibbobne. this match, owing to the nonappearanee of several players picked in the Union team, Was postponed until further notice, and the respective captains agreed to play a club match with the players available. Arundel skippered the Union, and Bull the Gisborne, the club umpires (Messrs Morgan and Dasent) acting with Captain Winter as referee. Arundel sent the ball on its way, Staite returned and play became fast. Unions showed up forward, while Gisborne had a better back contingent, Whitehead and Lennel, with Mitchell behind playing splendidly, and Dunlop doing heavy work. Bourke rushed the ball over the Union line, but failed to secure the leather, Wade falling on it. Abraham kicked out, and Booth got the ball right in front of the Union gaol and started to run in, but, losing his head, passed back to Bull who slipped and missed it, an easy chance being lost. Gisborne attacked the Union line again and again, but the full back (Abraham) was equal to the occasion, collaring, tackling, and running with admirable precision. Play now became harder, and the ball travelled up and down rapidly, Lysnar, Favitt, and Dunlop working hard. Rees dashed in good style, while Whitehead, Wade, Lennel, and Arundel, with Lewis and Rua, backs, did good work for the Union. Bull marked in the Union twenty-five, Sage took a place, but the Union forwards charged and carried the leather up the ground. Half time found the play well in the centre, and no score on either side, Gisborne having a slight advantage, one force down to nil. The ball being again kicked off was first pushed toward the Gisborne line and then back to the centre, the

Union being put on their mettle for some time, when Munro made several dashing runs to relieve his side. Mitchell also got through, and owing to some poor play on the part of the Gisborne backs, the tables were turned for a time, but the ball being kicked forward, Abraham (Union full back) brought it well up the field, and thence it was pressed forward. Gisborne then assumed the defensive, and Bull and his men had a warm game. Indeed from a scrimmage close to the line the ball was dribbled across, Bull touching it down in the nick of time. Scrummaging again took place about fifteen yards from the line, Arundel and Whitehead playing well for the Union, and all the Gisborne men working well. Gradually the latter got things more in their favour, Booth, Rees, and Bourke playing hard. Alf. Wade was temporarily disabled, but shortly resumed play. He played a plucky, though not always a sensible game, all through, and saved his side several times. Gisborne began to play mnch faster, and got closer to the Union line, Bourke, Rees, and Staite doing their best to score. The Union were forced down, but made good use of ■ their .weight, and after some tight ■frimTnaging. Bull got a mark from a good position in front of the goal. No score resulted, however, and after a little further warm play, time was called without either tide scoring.