FOOTBALL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume I, Issue 51, 18 September 1893, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Eketahuna v. Pahiatua.

The Former Win the Banner. (By Half-back.) The final match of the season in the Championship contests took place at Tnt&ekara on Saturday between teams from the above Clubs. Thi* weather was simply execrable, rain pouring down in torrents, but notwithstanding this there were fullv 5100 spectators present, most of whom hod travelled from Eketahuna and Pahiatua. The ground was almost alto gether under water, and some of the pools were fully eighteen inches deep. Before commencing play both teams met to select a referee, and Mr Baillic was chosen to officiate. Despite the slough-like ground and the greasy ball, the game was one of the best seen in the hush this season. From the very jump both teams went at it with a will and made the pace a ding-dong one. The Eketahuna quarter was first the scene of strife, and here the play whs centred for some time. At length judicious kicking by the hacks carried the leather up the field, and the battle raged in neutral territory for a space. Then the yellow forwards took charge of affairs, and carried the leather close to their opponents *25. where Morris snapped it up and dodged I over the line, grounding amidst the frantic I cheers of the enthusiastic harraekers. Pelling took the kick, hut the hall was too greasy and he failed to convert. The | Reds had slightly the better of the remainder of tin* spoil, but were unabl# to break through the stubborn defence of * their opponents. Once the bilL was rushed over the line but as usual 1 Williams was in the rouil and forced (bjuvn. The second spell begin and wa* played out with even more d.-tAmin u lo n than the first, and considering me great dis advantages proved wonderfully fast and interesting. Fast forward rushes alternated with quick dodgy runs, smart kicks and clever tackling. The play was transferred from one end to the other with great rapidity, and mistakes or mulls were conspicuous by their absence. Both teams, to a man, were playing faultlessly and every yard xvas keenly contested. If 'here xvas any advantage during the spell it might be claimed for Pahiatua, who forced their opponents down about four times while they were only once compelled to accept the same safe course. The prettiest piece of play of the day was done by Fashion, who took tile sphere in !ii» own twenty-five and bv a fine dodgy run transferred to the Yellows’ line, where he was brought down in a pool by Priest. With the strife at the centre and the score standing Eketahuna 2 points, Pahiatua nil, the whistle sounded “no side,” and the coveted banner whs won and lost. The winners and their par tisans showed t heir delight in a characteristic manner. They rolled one another over in the mud and water, wrung the hands s iccessful footballers and barrackers can cheer. The losers, of course, were less demonstrative, but with sportsmanlike - iMrodtj the) freely congratulated the ‘ C ‘ssfullv hid any chagrin they may haxo felt at their own defeat. For the winners Williams, Pelling, “ Bob” Thompson (the well-known Mast' rton plaver),.Hnd Morris plavod splcn- , .iidly in the l>4« ks, and Iggul-len, \nd.*r4L s >n. and Nicl|olson worked like Tmjane 1 in the forwards. For Pahiatua Wilson. Wood, Broiigton, and Fashion did grand work. H. Vile xvas safe as usual, but Dockery, though ho did his work all right, ns hrillian* as 1 have pre vtously /Afcen him. Perry, Lewis, and Itodgins were the pick of the forwards, though Malcolm also did excellent service on the touch-line. Messrs Pickering an 1 Williams ofliciated as touch - line judges. Apart altogether from the play the Eketahuna team undoubtedly owes its victory and position of champion of the Bush for the year to Pelling and And. r son, who have kept the team together and the members up to the scratch for the last three weeks or a month. They made up their minds to win, and noqg will grudge them the victory. Before leaving for home the winning team gave three cheers for the referee and for their opponents, and the compliment was lustily returned.