FOOTBALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIL, Issue 7302, 10 June 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

GISBORNE F. WANDERERS.

Despite the threatening aspect of the weather on Saturday afternoon, there. was a good attendance at Captain Tucker's paddock to witness the .first meeting this season of the above clubs. Fortunately, the rain held off, and the game was played under favorable circumstances, barring the bad light the last twenty minutes of the contest. Both clubs played several emergency men, and it; was at once seen as the teams lined out in their respective positions that the match would be a close one. Gisborne were sorely handicapped by the absence of both Skeet and Jack Murphy, and though the public generally thought that the blue and blacks would win, the team themselves wero not so sanguine, the latter considering they would have to play all they knew to secure a victory. The Wanderers, on the other hand, were full of hope, and confidently expected to win. From start to finish the play was interesting, but it was not till the second spell that excitement rose to fever heat. With the Wanderers leading by a single point (5 to 4), Gisborne made strenuous efforts to score, but they were continually repulsed by the black and reds. First one and then the other would gain the advantage, and so the game continued, amidst frantic '* barracking." As the game was drawing to a close Gisborne put forth a last effort, taking the ball close to the enemy's line, where a fierce encounter ensued ; but they were doomed to disappointment, for suddenly, amidst the great uproar, the whistle of the referee was heard, announcing the victory of the Wanderers by five points to four. It was a fine game, both teams being very evenly matched. The victory was well deserved, as the members of the club have been training most assiduously. The following composed the teams .-—Wanderers: O. Hillson, Ball, Robbie, McKenzie, A. Hillson, Wade, Thomas, Sharp, Gibson, Armer, Evinson, Sheen, Lindsay, Henderson (capt), and Webb. Gisborne : Dodd, Scott, Cole, Leversedge, Rees (capt) Eskdale, Sheriff, Richardson, Lysnar, Robinson, Webb, Pitt, Stevens, Porter, and Bennett.

Wanderers started operations by kicking off, but the ball was soon taken into Wanderers' quarters, Cole being conspicuous by a nice run. O. Hillson obtained the oval in the nick of time, and prevented what seemed a certain score. Shortly afterwards McKenzie made a dodgy little run, passing to Robbie, who kicked out, and from the throw -in Webb secured it, but was immediately thrown out of play. Gisborne forwards now made an onslaught on their opponent's goal, Pitt and Lysnar being in the van, taking the leather right up to tlie line, when O. Hillson came to the rescue with a long kick, Slow loose play ensued, Wanderers forwards gradually working it; to centre, when an exchange of kicks between the backs took place. Ab last Bobbie marked a kick by Dodd, and immediately after Gibson was awarded a free kick for offside play on Gisborne's part, which Hess returned well up the field, A. Hillson retaliating by kicking it to centre, where Lysnar was conspicuous by starting a rush. Gisborne were allowed a free kick, and the ball going to Bobbie (who took it uicely) he made a neat run. For Pitt being off-side Wanderers were given a free kick, and play centred. Gisborne hand balling a scrum was formed, Armer coming through with a strong rush, but Cole relieved, and play travelling into Wanderers' territory the latter were forced by a kick of Scott's. A. Hillson started play again, ball going out. Another free kick was allowed Wanderers, where several exchanges of kicks between the backs resulted, A. Hillson finally sending it out. Still another free kick for Wanderers for off-side play, and following the kick up well the latter invaded Gisborne!s territory, Bobbie, McKenzie, and A. Hjllson shining with a passing run, the latter nearly scoring. The blue and blacks (Gisborne) gradually cleared their line, and play went to centre, where a scrum was formed. Wanderers heeled out, and Wade successfully transferred the oval to A. Hillson, who kicked to Dodd, the latter making a poor return. McKenzie mulled a pass of Wade's, but A. Hillson (who was playing a good game) came to the rescue, kicking well down the field. Ib was relumed, and scrum after scrum was formed, the play being only ten yards from Wanderers line. Gisborne forwards heeled out to Porter, who passed nicely to Cole, and the champion potter, without; the slightest hesitation took a shot ab goal, the ball going fairly between the uprights. Gisborne 4 points, Wanderers nil. ' Webb pub the oval in motion again, and a scrum took place in the centre, from which Robbie obtained it and kicked out. Porter got away from the line, but was soon stopped, and from a kick by Leversedge A. Hillson marked, Leversedge returning. Wanderers now made a determined effort to score, and assisted by a long kick by A. Hillson, took play well into Gisborne's 25, where Hillson, by a fine pass by Wade, nearly got over. Bees intercepted a pass, and dribbled well up the field, where A. Hillson stopped further progress, play centreing. Armor, Evinson, and Lindsay started a dangerous rush in Gisborne's quarters again, and Ball, taking up the running, successfully eluded hia opponents, just; managing to get over and scoring lirat blood for Wanderers, amidst great cheering, which was renewed when A. Hillson successfully steered ib between the uprights, making the score stand : Wanderers 5, Gisborne 4. From the kickoff the ball went out, and for not being

thrown in straight a scrum ensure*, Eskdale coming through. Gisborne vow had slightly the best of the game, but Webb (Gisborne) lost a good chance by passing forward. Sheriff by offside play allowed Wanderers a free kick, which Porter marked, and Pitt made an unsuccessful attempt s»t goal. Wade got in a nice kick. Cole returning, and Gisborne forwards rushing up, looked like scoring, but O. Hillson proved equal to the occasion, kicking out. Play was only ten yards from Wanderers line, when Cole secured the ball and made another good shot at goal, but without success. The whistle shortly afterwards sounded halftime.

After the usualj breathing time, hostilities were renewed, Rees starting by kicking off, which Wade returned. Cole next shone with a beautiful kick to Robbie, the latter starting a run, which resulted in Gisborne being forced. Wanderers returned the oval from the kick-off, and Cole, taking it nicely, kicked down the field, spoiling the return by following up fast. Rees got away from a ecruin, but ilobbie saved by picking up quickly and kicking" out at centre. Lysnar, Robinson, and Sheriff were prominent on the throw-in, and this trio started a strong rush, but Hillson nipped it in the bud, sending it back. The Wanderers at this stage of the game v/ure. having the best, but shortly niter Gisboruo put them on the deieusive, biiiuiug in some loose play. A. Hillsou got well away, bub was brought down, taking play to centre. D-idd (.who was shifted up half, Porter taking his place at full-back) cama through from a loose scrum, making a run into Wanderers 25, where fast play ensued, but the ball was gradually worked back to centre by the Wanderers vanguard, assisted ably by Robbie and Wade. Bees next started a tine passing run, and after making a lob of ground, sent it along to Cole, who transferred to Scott, the latter mulling it. Gibson was on Scott Very quickly, and kicked the oval to centre, where fast work took place, A. Hillson and Wade being prominent. Play was now inside Gisborne's. 25, both aides working like Trojans, but Gisborne forwards carried it back, and the ball going to 0. Hillson, the latter marked, Cole sent it back, but it was returned ■well inside Gisborne's 25, where a scrum quickly formed. Robbie and Evinson •were very prominent in the work that followed, and A. Hillson, getting the ball from a pass, made a dash for the line, but ■was thrown out near the corner flag. "Wanderers did all they knew to score— a great struggle taking placebut Cole and Rees, intercepting a pass intended for Robbie, went down the field ab a great pace into Wanderers 25. Rees and Cole were putting in a lob of hard graft, and from a pass by the former Leversedge made a fine run, but was felled, Wanderers forwarding it to outside their 25. A free kick to Wandorers, which was followed up well, prevented Lysnar from returning, and McKenzie, obtaining the oval, made a smart run, bub was brought down by Rees, who kicked out. A random kick by 0. Hillson saved what looked a certain score for Gisborne, and Dodd and Webb were on the point of scoring a little later, when the latter lost the ball, and Wanderers Bent it back to their 25, and then to centre. Gisborne, however, renewed the attack, bub Wanderers forwards, with Evinson and Thomas ab their head, got on a rush to their 25, when the ball was passed to Ball, who gained further ground by a neat screw kick. Pitt got away from the line, but was collared grandly by A. Hillsou, and shortly after Leversedge took a fine pass from Rees, transferring ib to Cole, who lost it, and Robbie came to the rescue with an opportune kick. Wanderers followed up well, the ball going to Porter, who returned, and a scrum formed in the centre. Robinson and Sheriff here put in some hard work, bob Sheen and McKenzie retaliated by taking the ball well up the field, when Gisborne were forced by a kick of A. Hillson's. Scott mulled the return of Wanderers, but Rees ooming to the rescue passed to Eskdale, who was brought down after a short run. The. play was very fast, and Gisborne were doing their utmost to score. The bad light, however, was beginuing to tell. Sheriff gut die ball from the line and kicked out. A dangerous rush by Gisborue's vanguard Tf&B stopped by C. Hillson kicking well up the field, and Wanderers following up fast prevented a return. Pitt next gob on a good dribble, which A. Hillson stopped. From a combined rush of the Giaborneites, the ball went to C. Hillson, who took a random shot at it and failed, but the Wanderers getting around quickly rushed it back, and Gisborne were agaiu forced. Rees kicked off, and Webb prevented Wanderers returning. The time was now drawing to a close, and Gisborne put forth fresh efforts. From the line out the ball went to Leversedge, who made the best run of the day, and sending it to Rees the latter kicked, A. Hillson marking it in the nick of time. The play was soon on the Wanderers line, and an exceedingly tough struggle took place. Gisborne got over, but a scrum was ordered five yards out, and a labt dying effort was made by Gisborne to increase their score, but to no purpose, as the whistle sounded almost immediately, leaving Wanderers winners by 5 to 4, after one of the closest and most exciting games witnessed this season.

For the winners, Hillson brothers, Robbie, and Wade (backs) played best, whilst Armer, Evinson, and Thomas were the best^of the forwards. Cole, Rees, and Leversedge played excellent back games for Gisborne, whilst Sheriff, Pitt, Eskdale, and Robinson proved themselves hard grafters amongst the frontrank. Mr A. Rees proved an impartial referee, whilst Messrs Williams and Crawford acted as line umpires.