FOOTBALL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10000, 27 May 1895, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

Senior Cup.— Napiek v. County. These clnbs met for the first time this season on the Keoteatlon Gronnd on Saturday, The ground was in fine condition for play. There was only a moderate attendance although the afternoon was beantiinliy fine. The charge of a shilling for admission is excessive, half the figure and ladies free would bring In much more money in the end. The following were the teams : — Napier : ' Fall-back, Falbon ; three-quarters, Welsmao, Bennett, and Griffiths ; halves, Jsgo and Donnelly; forward, J. Wilson, H. M. Wilson, Paul, Peacock, Lndbrook. Qlllesple, Matheson, and Chad wick. County : Full-back, Catberal ; threequarters, Nickal, Mannlr, and Caalton ; halves, F. Caalton and Wamaramarat forwards, Watts, Hewitson, Brandon, F. pollings, Spence, Hlroa, and two natives. Mr A. C. Bennett was referee. The Connty played five emergencies (all men who had played in the junior match jast - previous), Napier had an easy win (39 bo 3), County being over-matched all round. WelsoMn bad a day out, 3 tries and a potted goal, Bennett 3 tries, Lndbrook 1, ~ CJwdwick 1, Gillesple 1. There was uoms very pretty passing by "^ the wlnn^y, Fulton, from Dunedio, at full-back, made bis first appearance and played a fine game— better couldn't be wished for. Bennett was in fine form and his play was a treat to watob, VVelsman ran very strongly, and played one of his best games so far. Griffiohs (a new man) moiled a good deal and seemed hardly class enough. Donnelly and Jago played grandly, starting all the passing and playing right up to the hilt. Jsgo in the early part of the game was iaclined to be a little selfish, but later on improved, and at the finish more than once passed when be could eaeily have scored himself. He had a band ia nearly every try. Jim Wilson played his usual hard and serviceable game. Harry Wilson, late of Wanganul C >llege, played bis first game for the Napier first. He is a .sterling for.yard, and played one of the best games on the ground. He success" fully negotiated over the bar all the tties scored near the posts. Paul, also a new man, worked very hard. Gillespie, a Scottish international association player, made bis firsb appearance in the ttugby game, and scored one of the prettiest trys seen for a long time. He dribbled to the full-back, then with a neat foot pass sent - the ball to H, Wilson, who passed back, and GlKeaple scored amidst cheers. H. Peacock worked minfully, but should try and keep on his feet more. Matbeson, who played for Connty last season, was another new man. He started playing forward, bnt was afterwards shifted to three-quarter. He is a good usefal player, Ghadwick alao donned the dark bine and white for the firsb time, He played a fine gams and is undoubtedly a brilliant forward. Ludbrook was in greabform, dribbling splendidly. The County fall, back had rather a bad time. He did his best and showed lots of pluck, bnt his opponent were too fast and clever for him. Sandy M'Eao (the oldest rep. three-quarter now playing in Hawke's Bay) took things very easy, but bis kicking was as good as ever. Caalton senior loafed off-side, and spent mosb of bU time wrangling. Mosb people thought he should have been ordered off the ground. Being captain of the team, his disgraceful conduct cannot ba excused. He encouraged bis men with cries of "Down him," "Smash him," "One for his knob," &c. This sort of behavior is unusual in Hawke's Bay football, and should nod be allowed to continne. Manniz worked hard and kicked well. Young Canltou played very well indeed eonsideriog thn bard game be bad bad with the juniors. He kicks about as well as bis brother, whleh is sayiog a lot. Collinge, Brandon, Ebbett, and Spence, played a good game forward, JJbbett made a very fine run. Hlroa made a spurt now and then, bnt he is nob the Hlroa of old. He played unnecessarily roughly. The fact of most of tbe forwards playing tn the junior game naturally told against them.

Jpnioe Cap. — Napier v. County. This match was played on the Ree* previous to the senior game, and resnlted in s draw, neither side eeotiog. Mr J. 6. flushes was referee, The game was very Interesting, and was a decided Improvement) on the one that) followed. Passing rushes were numerous. Spence, Canlton, Jan., and Bbbett played a great game for the County behind the scram, as also did Yates, while Collinge aDd others did yeoman service forward. Fiinb played without) a mistake as fall-back for Napier, Cornford was really brilliant; at three-quarter, and deserving of a place in he first. Simpson and Wood, barring a few mistakes, played well. Burke, late of Wanganni College, is a rattling half, and will go in the firsb before end of season. Fred Jago was clever; his brother Jack good in tbe looee. M'Carthy worked hard, bnt played too much off side. Reid was good on the line, Cunningham in tbe loose. Howell pnt In good work behind the acrnm. The game jvas played in a very friendly spirit.