FOOTBALL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10969, 18 July 1898, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

• 1 NOTES BY "OLD UN," Saturday* matoh for the senior obnmploueblp between tbe Pirates and Clire wan spoilt by a howling g»l6 wbloh blew all tbe nfternoon. Football under tuou circumstances was by no means plotuant, as the slightest kick would send the ball, with tbe wind, almost to Awatoto. Tbe game fell to Olive by 11 points to 3, and thete Is no doubt tbat the best team won. The Pirates weie weakened by tbe ttbeeace of oae or iwo good men, but uot« withstanding this defect they played a fine stubborn game, putting Cllve on the defensive for a considerable portion of tbe seoond ipsll. But their opponents were much too stro- g, and playing with good combination were able to oueck a'moßt tvery attempt mp.de by the Pirates to soore. For Cllve tries were seouied by Geordlne, Caldwell, and Sutherland, one of whloh was oonverted. Geordlne's try was tbe result of a dashing run made half the length of tbe gronnd, and evading tbe opposing three-quarters he was enabled to get behind. For the Pirates P. Bear scored a try, whloh was not lnoreased by the klok at goal. Olive throughout the game showed exoallent form, passing well, packing the iciums better than ataal, while their backs were very reliable. The for ward 1 easily held their own against those that opposed them. The bulk of the work amongst the Pirates fell to tbe forwards, wbo have not been seen to batter advantage this lesion, playing with combination and getting away with the ball on the Hne-out, and although at tbe finish the Blaoks were eight points behind, at oae stage of the play It really looked as if they were golog to hold their own. For tbe winners the Cildwell and O'Conoell brothers, Geordlne, and Blbebll were at times conspicuous, thongh the play as a whole was very good. The Pirates' forwards rendered excellent lervlce, Malcon, Tankard, Weir, and Derbyshire being prominent, whilst Troou, M'Cartby, P. Besr, and H. Bear ntver sklrked their work. The latter It fast Improving. Mr Logan refereed. Napier A v. Caledonian matob, played on the Recreation Gronnd, reiulted In a win for the former by 9 points to 5. This Is tbe first time tbe Caledonians bave been beaten this Beaton. On tbe previous occasion when they met the A's the match was drawn. Thfi game on Saturday was reckoned the best Junior match played this Beacon. The Nopler were superior to their opponents In passing In the scrums both sides were smart in getting the ball away. In the first half time Caledonians, with tbe wind in their favor, scored 5 points (1 try and 0 goal), Bargees scouring the try and Bußiell kicked the goal. In tho lecond half, the wind favoring Napier enabled them to get Id some good woik. M'Vay potted a goal from half way Shortly after the result of good passing on tho Napier elie, enabled Gulefotd to score, from wilch M'Vay kicked a goal. For the Napier Heath, S&xby (2), Gavin, end Koulston played well eraoDgit tbe forwaids, while Gaisloid, Margolloutb, and B Aolln «ere the pick of thebaoks, For Ihe Caledonians Bmgess, Falvey, Clark, Fraser, and Russell wera the pick. Mr Hlslop aoted as referee. Ntpler B v. West End, played at tbe Spit, resulted In favor of the latter by 6 polnti to nil, The game was played in no friendly spltlt, the West End occasionally mistaking their opponents' heads for the ball, whloh is no donbt very goad practice in lie my, but apt to give tbe honorary staff of the hospital too much work. One of tbe West End was ordered cS the Geld, and several others were cautioned. In the first) spell tbe Be, with two men short, had tbe best of the game, forcing their opponents several times. On returning play Walker and Brownett ceoured tries (or West End, but no goals resulted. For tbe winners Elms, Brownett, Scotland, and Joll played a good game, and Foster, Jago, Kplller, and Turnbull did well for tbe losers. Mr R, Kelly was the referee. The gronnd at tbe Hptt la unfit to play oi, being as hard as adamant. The Auckland A team, which can be called tbe representative team, 1b bs follows :-Full baok, Smith ; three-quarters, Absolum, Harrison, Asher, and Lbwb ; five-eighths, O. Hay; half, A. Brand; wing forward, Lalng; forwards, GUlett, Swlndley, M'Kcizle, Daore, Hanoook, Murray, and Wilson, It will ba seen that Anokland has selected four threequarter) and one wlog forward, It is considered by the Northerners to be tbe strongest team the province has put In for many a seaion,