WAIAPU v. POVERTY BAY JUNIORS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10140, 29 August 1904, Page 4

WAIAPU v. POVERTY BAY JUNIORS

The first junior match between teams representing Poverty Bay and Waiapu was played, on the Victoria Domain on SatuixJlay. The gale and heavy rain which kept up during the greater part of the game prevented! anything like good football, while the few spectators who braved the elements found it difficult to watch the proceedings .and keep dry at the same time. Tlie Waiapu team slripl>ed' big, and showed themselves to be a. likely team, but they will need a good deal of coaching before they expect to meet with success against such a strong combination as faced them on Saturday. From the commencement the game was altogether m favor of the Gisborue lads, who put on eights points m the first half. Puflett and Willock were the trygetters, and Tate converted one. Two more tries should have been added 1 if Poverty Bay made full use of their chances. In the second spell 18 more points were put on by Gisborne. The Waiapu diefeuce slackened off, and Simpkins, Willock, Witty, McCullough and Stevens drossed their line. Mr J. Wauchop acted as referee.

(To the Editor ai the Herald.l

Sir, — Permit me to make a few suggestions with reference to promoting and inspiring a keener interest m Rugby football throughout the Poverty Bay district than has hitherto been shown. Would you draw the attention of players and! the local Union to the fact that they should seek, and journey further afield than Hawke's Bay to win laurels, and become indispensable factors m the Rugby football field; rouse tho people up to devise schemes for raising the wherewithal to send a good combination of players on a crusade against their more enterprising and touring teams — that is, if the Poverty Bay Union is not financially sound. Then, no doubt, the public spirit may arise to the occasion if appealed to for funds, to encourage such an undertaking, and instil a more active and adventurous spirit, equivalent to the motto. "I came, I saw, I conquered." As an old Gisbornite with the interests of Poverty Bay at heart I write for the betterment of football knowledge that would be gleaned from clubs -or provinces visit, ed, and clubs or provinces visiting, "to fight for the ashes." Poverty Bay would be ithe gainer m more ways than one if the project was carried out to a successful issue m arrangements. When a, team, is sent on tour the matter of expenses can be arranged for with the governing bodies visited by guarantees of portion of the gate money. If it can possibly be arranged, let me urge you to make strong representations to the Poverty Bay Rugby Union (through your paper or otherwise) to forward a challenge to the Wellington Rugby Union to play a match for the Ranfurly' Shield, which was presented by our kite Governor for competition, Wellington being the present holder, and is already challenged. All challenges are to be m by a fixed date next month, I think the 17th, so it must be lodged without loss of time and your team got into form and going order at once.

If Poverty Bay is successful (if decided to play) and wins the coveted trophy, she will not only make a name for herself, but other teams desiring possession will have to journey to Poverty Bay next year to wrest it from, her, and continue to to visit as long as the trophy is won and retained!. The new departure would attract visitors from the environments, and would without doubt cause money to circulate.

I want to see Poverty Bay come out of the shell and make herself known. Hoping you will entertain the idea and my views. — I am, etc.,

AN ERSTWHILE FOOTBALLER Wellington, August 25.