ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9831, 28 May 1895, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

- ♦ - FOOTBALL. ARATAPU V. KOPURU. The local championship contests were con* tinned on Saturday at To Kopuru. Both senior and junior games were played in the same paddock, and there was a very good attendance considering the position of the ground, and the state of the roads leading thereto. The senior contest was between the old clubs, Aratapu and Te Kopuru. and as usual the rivalry was very keen. Mr. Len. Hitching was the referee, and Messrs. J. F. Smith and T. Elliott the respective captains. Kopuru kicked off at three o'clock, and followed up well, but the ball was returned, and before many minutes had passed thn Aratapu forwards had the ball over the line and Woollams scored near the corner flat;. He took the kick himself, bat- made a poor attempt. There was no further scoring, so that Aratapu won by three points to nil. The game produced some very fine individual play, but taken as a whole it was not at all a good exposition of the game. The team! were pretty equally balanced, but th« winners had decidedly the best of it; thej were forced once, and their opponents three times. A serious accident happened to W. Nield just a quarter of an hour before the game ceased. In a loose rush and melee, his hand came down on someone's head, and it broke just above the wrist. He was taken to the doctor, and is now only awaiting the course of time to allow nature to repair damages. He will not be able to play again this season. KOPURU 11. V. ARAPOHUE 11. This match was played close to the other one, and was well fought out. Arapohue were quite inexperienced compared to most of their opponents, but made a tough stand, coached by Lionel Kitching. Mr.W. Phelan was the referee. The scoring was made by the following—For Kopuru: Alcock, one try, _ converted by F. Campbell West, C. Davidson, and H. Leabourne a try each, making 14 points. For Arapohue : P. Berridge secured a try, which Downs converted, making a total of 5 points.—[Northern Wairoa Correspondent.] ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. A meeting of the Auckland Association Football League was held in the. Occidental Hotel last night, and the numbers present wed that the clubs are fully alive to their responsibilities this season in connection with the coming tournaments. Mr. A. H. Grigg was voted -to the chair. Letters were received from the headquarters of the Association at Wellington re the tournament. It was decided that West End should be allowed to play men from any of the ships and men-of-war in port, also that caps should be presented to the winners of Thompson's Challenge Shield at the close of the season. The secretary was instructed to select a suitable club-room where players could meet. Several minor details were arranged, and with a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting terminated. Judging by the large number of spectators. who vie the Domain every Saturday afternoon, it is very evident that Association football is rapidly coming into public favour, A very close contest is expected next Saturday, when North Shore meets Grafton. North Shore, who have already won two matches, naturally feel that they have the best chance, but on the other hand Grafton will brfrg a strong team into the field, having a very strong back defence in the persons ol Dr. Pabst (goal) and Manton and Dr. Makgill (fullbacks). The match West End v. United should also prove a very interesting contest, m they are both very evenly matched. * ' The following districts will compete at the tournament to be held here ; this season :— Otago, Canterbury, Wellington. Bush, and Hawke'u Bay, New South Wales ■ will also I send * team over. „» , ' ' ~" ;% - : \ -