FOOTBALL NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11129, 31 July 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOOTBALL NOTES.

(By "Goal Post.") Footballers were favored with a slippery ball and heavy going last Saturday for the first time this season, but, despite this fact, the exposition of Rugby was of a high order of merit, and much above the form displayed in some of the matches played under more favorable conditions. The opposing teams, West , End v. Kaiti-City, usually put up a good fight, and the game under review proved no exception to the rule, the contest > from start to finish keeping the largo crowd of spectators thoroughly interested. After their two successive wins in the third round, Kaiti. C<ty were slightly the better favorites, but West End supporters were also pretty confident ortHhe abilities of their chosen fifteen. In the West End team, Tate was replaced by Hepburn, at full-back, but for what reason is best known to the selection committee. There can be no doubt that Tate/> until the previous Saturday, had acquitted himself with satisfaction to everybody.} no doubt, he made a couple of mistakes against Takitimu, but this, I fancy, was caused by the wing threequarter coming in his way and usurping 'his position. After^-tfae excellent work performed by Tate in previous matches, it must indeed have been galling to him to have to stand, down when the final round was being entered . on. KaitiCity were unfortunate in "lositfg the services of Harold' Bright; being one of the front-rankers,' it made a big difference in their formation. Favored with the wind, West End made things merry from. the. jump-off, and gave the blue-and-blacks a. particularly hot time of it for the first fifteen minutes, but although on the point of 'scoring ,bn several occasions, their attacks were' successfully repelled. The West End forwards had all the best of the scrum work, aiid seemed to be able to hook the ball when- s ever they wished, whilst the backs surprised everyone by the marvellous manner in which they handled the slippery ball, getting off some fine passing runs. On the other hand, Kaiti' s rear division were absolutely of no account, and floundered about in their attempts to get hold of the oval, letting their .opponents in on them befoj^ they could get away ; it would have .paid tnem much better to have used .their feetf more and followed » up. In anything 'loosed the ;Kaiti-City vanguard .were dangerous,. but the form displayed in. their two .previous efforts, when got on to their men in rare style, was conspicuous by its absence. Although West End were almost continuously .on the attack,' they failed to cross' the touch, the =; only score iri the spell being a; goal from a mark. With such poor form displayed .by -the blue-and-blacks. in the inital stage, there was very -little to recommend them' coming out ion top when play was ref started. However, they went at it with.a' will, and quite reversed the order of things, having much the best of the play, and nearly. Scoring On a couple of occasions. The only try .scored during the game was in this '-"spell, Mutu' running right to the line and passing to Pine, who got over.' Kaiti-City's solitary score was a beautiful goal "potted, by Puflett., „0n the day's play, I think the better team won, and the winners are . to be congratulated on their good performance against such a strong team as .KaitiCity have proved themselves. It is hard to say how the game would have gone had the ball been dry, and a match between these clubs under favorable conditions would be worth going, a long way to see. The only chance of them meet-' ing again: this season is by Kaiti-City defeating Takitimu, and the latter proving victorious over West End, when all clubs would again be level Even if this should occur, the season will be so far advanced that it is more than likely theJßugby Union would/have tp declare, the contest over. .>».'. , Graham, - behind the scrum for West End, was in excellent form, and played the' best back game on the ground, and both in attack and defence he was quite at home, doing everything that could be desired. His play' was a great jmprovement on the previous f Saturday's, and being 'only a yoiung player, his career will be watched With interest. Brown, Wif Friday, and "Sailor" Roderick were also in fine trim, especially in the first spell, and got through a, lot ol fine work in a creditable manner. Tbe. wing three-quarters, Kelly and "Wfeka" Roderick, were /extremely weak, and did nothing of ' note. Hepburn (full-back) played well, but fast following up of his opponents being absent, .^gave him plenty of time, and therefore he was not fully tried. The forwards gave a fine exhibition, all being grafters of the first water. Turner (wing) - was prominent right through, and Mutu, Pine, and Somervell were also very " noticeable. For the losers, Robinson and Grinlinton handled the ball best, but made many mistakes. Rowe was dead off color, and did not seem to be able to get going. Puflett played fairly well, and did some nice kicking . -with a little bit of luck /in his pots at goal, victory ;might have been Jachievedif^Witty showed improved' form as wing; ihr«equaf teiV^but VW Ukinsoh was poor.i Hay, at full, did nbt ( : seem to, relish f his work at first, but, warming f up, showed up .better, and was doing Well when he was compelled to retire. Of the forwards, I liked Lowe, Nicolas, and Winter best; the -latter is only a young player, but plays with plenty of vim,,apd ou Saturday was conspicuous in a number of rushes. m~ . Next Saturday's match, Ka.iti-City v. Takitimu, is exciting a lot of interest, and aß.it will be the last cup match till •"' the return of ■' the Poverty • Bay re" ' team from their tour, and also the ' t"game to enable the selectors to r' nnal representative' team to play . ' i «. ick the fifteen the following week, •*' 'be Coast to be a spirited contest. there is sure the honor, of represer" Those wishing will no .doubt be or ' -ring W'e district and the public r ' - t-beir best behavior, witnessing wh' -nould be rewarded -by ding-dong '' .at, promises, to be' a real : The W' go." play A" sanganui;. representative team .on / -uckland .for the Ranfurly Shield ~A r .-ugtwt' l7th, the day before" the ' ackland .representatives leave' for the South. . k . I hear'that tlie junior players areanxi. ous to pay a visit to Hawke's Bay this year. -If this is so, it was bad policy to see .no junior -match take place, last Saturday. '. Even though the competition has been wdii by Kaiti-City, it looks bad to see t clubs' break their fixtures. If it is the - intention of the Union to play Hawke's Bay^ I would suggest that a selection committee . be appointed an trial games started right away. During, Jhe past 23 years six teams from New 'Zealand, including that of the "All-Blacks," have visited Australia. Forty-two matches have been played in the 'Commonwealtb, >and of these 39 have been won, two lost,: and one drawn. The first team, in 1884, played eight matches, winning eight, and scoring 167 points against, 17.. „,*,.'*..' The second test match, Australia v. New Zealand,. will be played at Brisbane next Saturday. . The team to represent Poverty Bay against. Waiapu Union, on Saturday week, will be chosen after the concluion of .next Saturday's game. The final team will be selected the Saturday following. ■ The following are the ages and weights of the New Zealand team in Australia : George Spencer, 28iyrs, weight 12sfc; W. Wallace, 28yrs, list 121b ; F. Mitcfhinson, 22yrs, weight lOst 121b; F. Roberts, 34yrs, weight 12st 61b ; F. Fryer, — , — ; E. Booth, 28yrs, weight list 121b; J. Hunter, 28yrs, weight list 71b ; H. Mynott, 31yrs, weight list 71b ; A. Eckhold, 22yrs, weight lOst 51b ; J. Coleman, 20yrs, weight 12st 101b ; G. Gillett, 30yrs, weight 12st 101b ; "Vf . Cunningham, 31yrs, weight 14st 101b; C. Seeling, 24yrs, weight 13st 71b; H. Francis, 25yrs, weight 13st 101b ; A. McDonald, 24yrs, 12st 101b; H. Paton, 26 yrs, weight 13sfc 51b ; W. Johnston, 23 yrs, weight 13st 91b; S. Casey, 24yrs, weight 12st 6lb. A. Hughes, 25yrs, weight 12st; J. O'Sullivain, 24yrs, weight 13st 71b; J. Hogan, 23yrs, 13st Sib; J. .Spencer, 26yrs, weight 13st 81b. The following culled from .the Auck"\and Herald, is in- reply to the poetic inspiration which was published last week on the defeat of the "All Blacks" by New South Wales. The inscription is surmounted by tlie emblems of fern and a picture of a crowing cock INTAKE IT ALL B(L)ACK. Take back in menioriam — take back consolation, Take back all your sackcloth anc ashes, I beg; The Cornstalks had very small cause foi elation, The Fernleaves were simply a-pulltn{ theii 1 leg! Itt cricket successfully "'gainst us they'vi tilted; In football the victory is ours withou fail. Thte Kangaroo's caudal appendage ha ".Better "swelled head" than a para lysed tail ! r