THE FOOTBALL MATCH. GISBORNE V. NAPIER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 864, 15 August 1879, Page 2

THE FOOTBALL MATCH. GISBORNE V. NAPIER.

We published the result of this match as decided by the Umpires, m our issue of yesterday, and now proceed to give our readers a more detailed account of the game. The weather was good, and save the strong wind blowing from the west, which gave the side playing with it a great advantage over those playing on the opposite side. An unusual occurrence for Gisborne, a concourse of something over 500 spectators assembled to witness the match, amongst whom there was a goodly number of the fair sex to incite the players to deeds of prowess. At 10 minutes past 2 o'clock, having tossed for choice of sides, Pilling, the Napier Captain winning, elected to play with the wind for the first twenty minutes, and Henderson, the Gisborne Captain, kicked off. The ball was soon returned, and things went on merrily, the home team keeping the ball well away from the precincts of their goal, though obliged to touch the ball down behind several times. No runs or any good drop-kick was made during this twenty, and when time was called neither, side had gained any advantage. At the change, the prospects for Gisborne certainly looked healthy, but somehow, uri'accountable, our men did not make the best of the wind and sun at their backs, or that Napier team played harder, for the Becond twenty minutes passed without any blood beinef drawn. The third twenty the home team seemed to be regularly down m their luck, although playing liard and well. The first catastrophe the ball was kicked near Mr.. A. Arthur, (f back), and with the sun m his eyes, he was unable to mark where the ball would drop, and before he could pick up the ball, the Napier forwards sat on him, not metaphorically, but literally hurled themselves on him, and Sims picking up the ball, had a clear run m, and leisurely touched the ball down behind amidst cheers from the Napier men and, sad countenances on the Gisborne men? '.Pilling- brought the ball out the customary 15 yards, and Woods took a kick at goal, which was unsuccessful, much to the satisfaction of our men, who evinced it by giving a cheer. Shortly after when the game was proceeding again, Woods managed to kick the ball over our men's gaol, but all the players-^, c. the Gisborne players — were unanimously m their opinion that it was a punt, and not a drop kick, and which the Gisborne Umpire decided as such. The Napier Umpire was of a different idea, aud tenaciously held out that the kick was a drop-kick. In our humble opinion, we should imagine it was a punt. But the Umpire's decision is final, as will hereafter be seen. In all cases of two Umpires there should be a third person to act as referee. After a lot of talking time was called and the twenty minutes started Napier pegging away as hard as ever, and cleverly keeping the ball weir m the middle of the field. Slowly but surely the home team forced the ball towards their opponent's goal, and after a lot of sorimmaging and kicking ther ball m touch, Major (halfback) got hold of it and with a smart run around the field raised Gisborne's hopes by obtaining a touch-down amidst veriferous cheers from . Gisborne. Still, another difficulty : the Napier umpire entei> tamed some ridioulous notion about Woods, having his hand on the ball, though m tho entire possession of Major, who laid with the ball touching the ground under him, and his arms clasped around it. Major handled the ball, W. F, Arthur, who took it out, and Humphries tried at goal, and very nearly succeeded m obtaining a goal. Then commenced a regular babel of voices. First one then another, and time was called without it being set-r tied, Gisborne thus losing their chance of obtaining another advantage. After much talk, tho umpires decided as follows — That the disputed goal count as nothing, and the Gisborne disputed try — though why disputed we are at a loss to injagirie-rTrreckon as. nothing, thereby leaving Napier winner by a touch-down. With all due deference to the umpires, Mr Bourke for Gisborne and Mr Mowbray, for Napier, we feel that their decision was scarcely so just as it might have been. We should always treat our visitors with courtesy, but not let them brow-beat us, and the team feel m their own hearts, and openly proclaim the matoh as a drawn one, although decided by the umpires against Gisborne. Both teams played splendidly. We believe that steps are being taken to form a team to go Napier, and play there early m next month. Putting all things together, the visit has been a very enjoyable ane to the Gisborne men, and we have good reason to believe to the Napier men also.