FOOTBALL.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 19, 13 August 1895, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

GOBE (2nd) v. MATAURA (2md). The third match between the above teams took place at Gore on Saturday last, when the home team won by 11 points to nil. The game was controlled by Mr Geo. Cameron (Mataura), who acquitted himself admirably. Tiro spalls of 40 minutes each ware played. la the first spell the play was fairly even, Gore having slightly the best of it. The only score obtained in this spell was a try secured by Martin, as the result of some splendid passing among the local backs. Mataura were nearly scoring on several occasions, but failed to do ao. On changing ends the looal men soon had the visitors defending their lines. Ityder drew first blood in thU Bpell, securing a- try after- some splendid following up. MacGregor failed to increase the score. Soon after, Copland got the ball from the line out and, eluding the opposing back?, a cored close to the posts, from which Martin kicked a goal. From this to the end of the spell Mataura had decidedly the best of the play, penning their opponents in their twenty-five, but though they made determined efforts to score, the capital defence of the home team spoiled all their chances. The viaitora' forwards were decidedly the best in the sorums, letting the ball out to their backs, on nearly every occasion; but ths latter were unable to take advantage of their opportunities. Jones, at half-back, played a good game for Mataura, though on several occasions he spoilt good chapces through hanging on to. the ball too long. Sinclair, on tho wing, put in some splendid runs, and did not get enough to do. The forwards were an even lot. All the local backs played well. Ward and MacGregor stopped rushes in great style, Oahill got in some good passes, Eviaon collared well, and Martin and Ryder showed up well in loose play. The forwards were decidedly superior to the visitors in the loose, and showed much improved form since the last time thess teams met. A match, Press v. Post and Telegraph Department, was played at Invercargill on Saturday, which, after an exoiting contest, resulted in a draw, neither side ' having scored. A similar match here would prove an immense attration, though a new staff of Postal officials would probably be required next day. The Linwood F.C. have won the Canterbury R.U.'a championship banner {or the season 1595 with ths greatest ease. In the Taranaki rep. team there is a IJS stone man who can run 100 yards in oven time. A match, Gore (2nd) v. Tapanql (Ist), will be played at Gore on the 21st inst. The matoh committee have selected the 'followiug players to represent Qtago in the roatoh against Southland next Saturday : — Full-back, Boss ; three-quarter baoks; Mackenzie, Cunningham, Stephenson ; half-backs, Duncan, Mason, Oran ; forwards, J. Torrance, D. Torrance, Btquilant, McFarlano, Ballantyne, Beadle, Given, Priest. The Auckland Bugby Union has adopted a recommendation of the English Bugby Union that a free kiok be given for a wilful throw-forward.