FOOTBALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6691, 5 June 1893, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

TURANGANUI V. GISBORNE. AN EXCITING CONTEST. As anticip&tod, the meeting of the Turanganui and Giatorne teams on Saturday afternoon was the means of drawing a l»rg« crowd of spectators to the convincing ground of our Rugby footballers, tome 300 being present, including a good nurabor of the fair sex, who, at times, were very enthusiastic. Thow who went anticipating a good game were in no way dmppuiafced, the exhibition of football was the best seeujin the district for a long time, and on the next occasion these clubs meet a bij{ attendance ii assured. Before the teams lined on to the field last year's winners were decided favorites, but when both, sidei were in Iheir places it was instantly see» that the Gisborne team wero a loag way the weightiest, and the onlookers quickly camo to tho conclusion thai the blue and blacks woald render a good a«eount of themselves. So it proved, and from start to finish it was any side's game. The play throughout was fast and furious, and every man did his beet to uphold the honor of his club. Gisborne won the spin of the coin, but there was hardly any advantage to bo gained, as there was no sun or wind to influence the ball. Turanganui set the ball in motion, and following up smartly spoiled the return. Some fast loose play took place in Gisborne's 25, in which the blue and whites were very conspicuous, but Zachariah kicking too hard, a force resulted. Gisborne kicked off, and some give and b.kt» play ensued, when Nisbet secured the ovul and made a good run, but was well collared by Caulton. Turanganui forwards getting together smartly took the ball up the field, aud Crawford in the ran iru woJl atopp«d by Murphy. The now acquiuition to the Gisborne team, Bayley, who hails from Taranaki, and was one of the be« 6 forwards in that district, next made himtelf conspicuous by a grand dribbling rush, which was well stopped by Caulkon in tho centre of the field. Abraham made a littla run, but was grassed, and the Turanganui vanguard, with VTeston and Woodward in the front rank, got on a good rush, which was splendidly stopped hy Rua. Loomb secured the ball on Rua kicking, and made a nice run, being stopped in Gisborne'a 25. Skeet was loudly applauded for a quick kick, whioh wail well returned by Mayo, and sank back by Rua. Caulton, taking it well, essayed a run, and made ground before being brought down by Skeet. From a throw-in, Poland headed a grand rash, and Turanganui men went very near scoring, but Rua obtaining the ball got his side out of danger by a serviceable run, being brought down by Crawford. Barns kicked smartly, and was well returned by Skeet. From a throw-in the ball was passed to Rua, who made ground before being thrown out by Ciiulton. Fisher go: the oval from tho throw-in that ensued, making a good run, and passing to Skeet, who in turn made a grand run, eluding several of the Turanganui mea, and was juat collared in the nick of time by Mayo, who received loud applause for his plucky collar. The play was now in the Turanganui 25, but Ryburn and Martin, by a passing run, took it to centre, where it wens out. From the throw-in the ball was passed to Madigan, who kicked, being returned by Murphy. Some exciting play was here witnessed, the Turanganui vanguard getting on a fine forward rush, taking the kail to Gisborne's 25, where Loomb kicked out at corner flag. Scrum after scrum took place on the line, and several times Turanganui men claimed a score, but the referee could not allow it on account of being unable to see the ball. Murphy did yeoman service during this part of the play, collaring the Turanganui men repeatedly during the attack. Gisbwrne managed to clear their line by a good rush, and Rua kicking the ball, Burns marked in a direct line with Gisborno's goal, and Caulton was entrusted with the attempt at goal, but was unsuccessful, the ball just going outside the post. Halftime was shortly afterwards called, the play being in mid-field, without any score on either side. During the interval the players were eagerly interviewed by their respective followers, and both 6ides seemed t« be equally confident of scoring during the second spell. The better condition of the Turanganui players seemed to tell against Gisborne during the las* ten minutes of the firsfe spell, and ihe blue and white boys were determined te make the game very merry. Riki set the ball going by - kicking off for Gisborne, and Loomb returned, the oval going oub at Turanganui 25. From the throw-in Turanganui rushed ball to centre, Poland being conspicuous. The ball was smartly returned by Gisborne, Loomb securing a mark, and the Turanganui vanguard following the kick up smartly, penned their opponents well inside their 25. Murphy just managed to save by kicking well up the Held to Mayo, who neatly returned. Ncsbifc was the recipient of the oval, and he made some good attempts to get away up the field, but each time was well stopped by Turanganui forwards. Weston got the ball on the line out, and made a fast rush, being ably seconded by Ryburn, who kicked to Skeet. The ball was well returned, Ryburn marking it, and Gisborne were forced. On resuming, the Turanganui forwards, who were not to be denied, with one of their fast open rushes took play again into the Gisborne's 25, where Turanganui were awarded a free kick for palpable offside play, the offender being Murphy. Burns took the kick, and just missed a goal. The play was now very exciting, and Turanganui were making strenuous efforts to score. From Gisborne's kick-out Caulton attempted a run, but was soon brought to Mother earth, and Eaton and Woodward closing round got on a good rush, but were stopped. Caulton again secured the oval, making a nice run, Rika stopping him. The play was very fast, and the ball was rushed to within a yard of the Gisborne line (the game was here stopped till the line was cleared of the spectators who encroached on the field of play), where Turanganui tried again and again to score, but could not break through the Gisborne defence. From a scrum Eaton passed out to Zachariah, who was dropped right in front of the goal, and Murphy kicked out at the 25 flag. Ryburn got the ball, and carried it again to the Gisborne line, bub fate was against him, and ho was thrown out. From the throw-in a rush was started and loose play taking place the ball was kicked behind the line, and Martin following up Bwiftiy, fell on it, thus scoring first blood, amidst deafening cheers. Burns took the kick, but failed to increase the score. Gisborne kicked off again, and Ryburn taking the ball splendidly, and having good way on, very nearly scored, being thrown at the corner flag by Skeet. Gisborne were then forced twice very quickly, and Turanganui were having all the best of the play. Gisborne rallied, and made things very interesting. Rua secured the ball, and made a good run to centre, where Caulton dropped him. Some exciting play in the centre took place, and foot by foot Gisborne crept ap to the Turanganui line. Skoet made a slashing run, but was dropped in the blue and whites 25. A lot of fast play took place here, the ball being ultimately kicked over the Turanganui line, and Mayo forced down. The referee here stopped the game, being seven minutes ..fthort of time, as it was getting too dark trf see the ball properly, leaving Turanganui winners by 2 points to nil. For the winners Ryburn was the best among the backs, and, indeed, played the best back game on the field. His kicking, running, and collaring were faultless, and jf be only continues to play up to Jasfc

Saturday's farna, he will bo hard to keep out of the reps. Caulton waa hardly a success, and if he wishes to get into the team to visit Hawke's Bay, the Club will have to shift him to his old positionforward. The other backs were Bafo but did nothing very brilliant. Martin, Poland, Rodgers, Woodward, and Weston Beemed to do the most work in the front division, but all "grafted" hard as a body. For the losers Skeet and Rua played best among the backs, and both were responsible for getting their side out of danger on numerous occasions. Fisher waa safe, but didn't seem to have much to do. Murphy saved his side very often,,* but his offside play was conspicuous, and we would direct him to read up the new rules relative to obstructing the opposing halves. Bayley and Hari accomplished some fine work in the forward's rank, their dribbling and fast following up being very noticeable. Neabitk and Rika were also prominent at times. Mr A. Rees made an excellent referee, giving entire satisfaction to both Bides. The Union are to be congratulated on appointing such an able and efficiest officer, and his services are sure to be in great request. Wellington, Saturday. At Petone to-day {the trial match arranged by the N.Z. Rugby Union, preparatory to the selection of a team for Australia, took place. There was a large gathering of spectators, but the game was nob of an interesting character, as the apparent selfishness of some of the players tended against good exposition. The northern team, including the Manawatu, Wairarapn, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki i unions, played the South Island and Wellington unions. The former won by 11 points to 3. Robinson of Manawatu (2), Gagn, of Wellington, and Gray, of VTairarapa, scored tries, one of Robinson's being converted by Wilson. For the losers, Wynyard, who played the best game on the field, kicked a goal from a penalty kick.