Pirates v. Harriers.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 8034, 23 April 1888, Page 3

Pirates v. Harriers.

Considering the exciting contest which was expected between two such evenlymatched teams as the above, there was but a moderate attendance of spectators on the ground, and it would seem that a number of those who were present were "dead -.heads," as the gate receipts amounted to but a trifle over £3. The following were the teams: — Pirates: Fullback, LeQuesne; three-quarters, Cunningham M'Kay, and M'Rae ; halves, Robin, sop aud Dempsey (captain) ; forwards, Carmichael, Moore, Swan, Davie, Corbett, John Fleming, Freeman, Morrison, and Graham. Harriers : Full - back, J. Fleming; three-quarters, Smith, Percy, and John Ross ; halves, Norris ami Strachan ; forwards, Hawkins (captain), Stubbs, Paterson, Bunting, James Ross, Spooner, M'Kenzie, Hughes, and Symonds. The Pirates won the toss, and decided to play with the wind behind them. The play needs but little description, as from the kick off to the call of time the game was almost entirely confined to the forwards, who followed the ball exceedingly fast, thereby crippling the backs, who were unable to get away, and had to conline themselves to kicking. From pome loose play at the commencement of the game the Pirates invaded their opponents' territory, and from a bad kick by John Boss, Swan secured the ball and easily eluding the opposing backs secured a try. Cunningham made an ineffectual but nevertheless creditable kick at gaol. Later on in the first spell Morrison got over the line with the ball, but was pushed into touch in goal. No further incident worth mention took' place be r ore ends were changed. With considerable advantage from the wind the Harriers had great hopes of reversing matters in the second spell. This was not to be, and although each Harrier strained every nerve to win, the Pirate backs — Dempsey and M'Kav in particular— were not to'be denied. John JRoss and Percy both made splendid rots at goal, the ball in each instance passing close to the post. The Harrier forwards during the second spell played with great determination, and it is no exaggeration to say that for the greater part of this term they kept the ball in their opponent's twenty-fives. The game ended in favor of the Pirates l>y one point to nil. Taking the play upon the whole, the Pirates may have the satisfaction of having won the match, and the Harriers may with good'groiinds claim to have played the better game. The forward division of both teams played exceptionally well for the first match of the season. Hawkins, Paterson, Corbett, Swan, Fleming, Stubbs, Bunting, and Hughes all played up to old form, whilst Symonds showed great improvement. Of the new players Carmichael and M'Kenzie give promise of making good useful forwards. M'Kenzie did particularly good work for a first appearance in an inter club niateh. In the rear division, Percy for the Harriers, and Dempsey for the Pirates, played by far the best back game on the ground, the former's tackling and kicking, and the manner. in which the latter stopped his opponents' rashes, being p. treat to witness. Norris and Strachan hail little opportunity of distinguishing themselves beyond passing, owing to the quickness of the Pirate forwnrdn. Jno. Ross, barring one fatal mistake, showed previous form, and the little Fleming at full-back had to do was well done. Smith, a new player, promises to develop into a useful back. M'Kay, Lo Quesne, and M'liae (Pirates) kicked and collared in an effectual manners, and Cunningham, lately playing for Wairoa, had many admirers. He rnns and kicks cleverly, but is rather clumsy with his hands. The decisions of Messrs Harden and Watt, umpires, and Logan refeiee, gava every satisfaction.