FOOTBALL.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 60, 31 July 1906, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

I CANVASTOWN V. HAVELOCK. (From a Correspondent). When the two teams lined out on Saturday it was very clear that the match would be a willing " go." Both teams were in the pink of condition, and were very evenly matched. Havelock won the toss and elected to kick with the sun at their backs: this gave them a big advantage. After a little give-and-take play Havelock came through with a rush, and E. Wells scored a try which D. Wells converted into a splendid goal. A dispute arose over the Referee's decision. The try was a -legal one, but Canvastown's dead-ball line is marked by two stumps considerably nearer the goal line than the legal limit. There is no doubt that Wells crossed this imaginary line, but as the Referee was unaware of its existence the fault must lie with Canvastown, not with the Referee. From the kick-off some of the players on both sides began to cut up rough. The Referee's decisions were disputed on almost every occasion, and more than once he warned them of the consequences. Shortly after kick-off the ball was transferred to Havelock's 25. Canvas town were awarded a penalty kick and Reade took a kick at goal. It was a good kick, and just passed outside the post, but bigh up; it looked like a goal, but as the Referee was midway between the posts he was in the best position to judge. A report was circulated by one of the line umpires that he and his fellow-umpire were behind the posts and held their flags up for a goal. The line umpire in question was not appointed till the second spell, and such a contemptible action as he adopted to discredit Havelock's win and the Referee cannot be too severely censured. A few minutes later the inevitable happened, and Coleman was ordered off- the field. Johnson, D. Murray, and V. Simonsen also left the field, and nothing would induce them to return, and to the discredit of Canvastown they spent their time in villifying the Referee, who is acknowledgfid by the Canvastown team as a whole to be exceedingly fair, and who honestly carried out his duty on Saturday. A delay of ten minutes took place, when L. Couper took the field in place of Coleman, and Havelock magnanimously allowed A. Robertson and F. Pope to play for Canvastown. These three players proved to be a tower of strength for Canvastown, and F. Pope was instrumental in bringing about the score for Canvastown. The first spell ended—Havelock 5 Canvasown 0.

The second spell was a real good display of football. By this time the team had sobered down, except Millar, of Havelock, who was evidently in a great state of excitement, and was appealing to the Referee over every trivial circumstance. A forward rush by Havelock resulted in W. Webb scoring a try, which Millar converted. Havelock 10, Canvastown 0. The ball was now carried down to Havelock's 25, and was passed out to Reade, who potted a lovely goal. Havelock 10, Canvastown 4. A little later F. Pope, for Canvastown, made a splendid run down the field and passed to Godfrey, who crossed : the line. Reade took the kick and added the major points, and the game ended Havelock 10, Canvastown 9.

WANGANUI V. RANGITIKEi Wanganui, July 2?. The representative match betwjen Rangitikei and Wanganui was plated here yesterday on the Recreajon Ground. The game was interesbg throughout, and resulted—Wangaaui 11 points, Rangitikei 6 points. '., OTAGO V. TARANAKI. ! Dunedin, July 2i| The match between Taranaki Ind Otago representative teams was placed yesterday on the Caledonian Sociey's grounds. Eight thousand speefcaprs were present. The ground was heyy. The play was fast throughout, yth 1 scarcely a dull minute, and en&l— Otago 12 points, Taranaki 8 point, * = ']