FOOTBALL.

Mataura Ensign, 17 September 1906, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY "BPECTATOB." The long-looked-for final match of Ihe 1906 season eventuated on Wednesday, when Pioneer, by defeating Waikaia. ran truly lay claim to be the champion fifteen. These clubs had met on three previous occasions, on each of which a pointiest dmw was the result. On Wednesday, howevjr, the Pioneers asserted their superior l *;, and won comfortably by nine point* to three. That the better team prevailed there is not the slightest shadow of don rt. flight through the game the winners ueld the upper hand, and narrowly missed scoring several times. The Pioneer 'orwards played their best game of the year, and were varely at fault. The backs also played safely, and their sure line kicki.it. was of great help to the vanguard. Waiknia forwards in the solid work worthily upheld their reputation, but in the loose were badly beaten by their more nimbi* opponents. The visitors' backs as a whole played very poorly, and much below thx form they have previously exhibited. Allen, at full-bock, however, was an exception, and gave an almost faultless display, his only serious mistake being when Baldwin scared, as he was then right >p in the three-quarter lino. The game as a whole was rather disappointing, and exhibited few of the finer points of Rugby. True, there was plenty of excitement j but this was more by individual play than by concerted action. However, this is very often found to be the case when two even-ly-matched teams are pitted against each other, as either side is afraid to open out the game. There are always to be found plenty to say how the game should be played, but probably those engaged in the match had their own plans worked out, and played accordingly. A word of praise is due to Mr Lock for the very able manner in which he controlled the'match, which was played in an excellent manner, devoid of any semblance of roughness, the rtmor.t good feeling prevailing among tiie players. I have to congratulate the Pioneers <n their victory, which, however, did not surprise me. as right at the start of the seasun I picked them as probable winuers. Waikaia played the match under protest, claiming that they had already won the Banner by gaining the highest number of points in all matches played. The matter has yet to be decided by the S.R.F.U. The gate on Wednesday was a record for club matches in Gore, about £ll being taken. The beautiful wcuther prevailing doubtless helped to s->ell the attendance, which included nv-re than the usual number of ladies. Quiln a crowd of visitors were present from ol! parts, this goiug to prove the interest taken in the match. There is some talk of an "Old Ruder*"' team being got together to phy the Pioneer. In connection fixture, "A Constant the Gronfell, Dr. (cuptain); G. and VJ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^M good^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H fot^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H sitie^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H w inj^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H KHiu'e^We^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^l tu'Vuterp^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H play^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H The Kl^^^^^^^^^^H confine* to the foflTM^^^^^^^^^^H tie PlayiL^^^^^^^^H uiui couupleU'lv outclasscoe^^^^^^H In <i '.eWu-n-f-ide i.in „ii S;rtfrdii.v, a team from the Albion club t, lo v. but were defeated in the fiiiel ;,\ four! points to U. I. HlaekwooVj. prior to his departure for Timai'u, was ,V:> Saturday evening tendered a M-iitl-o* t>y the Pioneer Club. Some ,Sn member* ami supporters were ; presided, and Mr «• UWeill (president) , occupied 'he i->i.»jj- Th.. "hairmen pre- , sented Mi I'- ui.. ■»»•! with » Bet of racor* . and shaviiiv b< -u..! .»* Vn behulf of his club i mates, and Mi \. DonrUlson, on behalf of : his late fell..w-»o: s„ ■.--. n kmi Mr Blackwood's accept m:ie- of a V'dMmie watch- • guard. CompliirotiUry .-«ference was ' made by severa l ri'iiiuwen to the many ' excellent qualities oi' tln ir ym-A both on • and off the field, ..n.l ho|«><; th.<t hu wouW meet with the same Mien-.- iu Timuru as ( ho had done hero. Mr Blcokwood amiably . replied. During the evening n imir.liei of i capital songs were iein!<ie,i, the »hol« proceedings being cariiud out nv thaiI moniously.