THE NATIVES AT TIMARU.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 27

THE NATIVES AT TIMARU.

The Timaru Herald of July 25 writes as follows regarding the' match there: — "This match, which had been talked very much about in football circles in South Canterbury during the last few days, was played on the splendid ground of the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club yesterday afternoon. The weather was very fine, but from out a heavy bank of clouds which completely obscured the hills to the westward a keen wiud blew and made Matters generally very chilly for the spectators. The latter were present in large numbers, both from town aud country, the halS^holiday declared by the mayor being duly kept by all business places but the drapers, who, for some reason or other not known to the general public, did not put their shutters up. The teams were driven to the ground iv a couple of drags, the Natives having that oE Mr H. Gardner placed at their disposal by the union. When the drags arrived at the pavilion there must have been fully 1000 people present. The playing ground was well denned, and a small force of police under Ser-geant-major Mason kept the lines clear. On the whole, spectators behaved in their usual courteous mauner, the ground only being rushed once— on the occasion of an exciting maul in fioal. Among those present were a number of Maoris from Arowhenua and Waimate, with their wives and daughters, all of whom took great interest in the doings of their representatives. The public were impartial in their applause, and on the Natives being the first to score they were heartily cheered. - The majority Pcejent would no doubt have liked South Canterbury to win, but the decisive victory gained by the wearers of the white fern leaf and black costumes was in no way grudged them. It was cer-

tainly thought the local men would make a better show than they did, but the clever passing of their opponents, who are well up to all football tricks and exceptionally fast, quite bowled them over. The game was commenced pretty punctually, and play soon became very fast. Of the game itself details are given below. From the time the first score was recorded, the result of the match was never in doubt. The passing of the Natives was at times very brilliant, and the forwards kept the backs fully employed. In the course of the game they must have taught their opponents several lessons which it is hoped they will take seriously to heart. Foremost among them was the fact that the Native forwards when in possession of the ball followed each other very closely so as to be always in position in event of a pass. Now and then some offside play was seen, and, perhaps, too much talk was indulged in. In connection with the latter it was most amusing to the spectators. Warbrick addressed his men in Maori) greatly to the deligtt of the Native portion of the public, and even some of the players so far forgot themselves as to appeal in their mother tongue. The team is a strong one, and are now showing something like true form> each man backing-up in a way which should command success. On the other hand this lack of combination was sadly wanting in the South Canterbury team. In fact the want of confidence in their companions was so great, that many noted for their free play were selfish to a degree which was positively annoying. The little passing that was done was marked by recklessness, notably one pass by the skipper^ who being thrown, tossed the ball over his head right among the Native forwards. On the whole during the first spell the South Canterbury men played a good all-round game, but condition told near the close of the second half, the Natives going through when they liked. The latter had several opportunities- for potting a goal during the first spell, when within 15 to 20 yards of their opponents' goal, but took no advantage of them. In the second, however, they let out, and one attempt was" remarkably good. The final result, two goals and three tries (nine points) to love was rather crushing, and the victory adds one more winning bracket to their already fairly long list of successes."