FOOTBALL NEWS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 41, 21 May 1907, Page 4

FOOTBALL NEWS.

CANVASTOWN BEATS RAI. A special report of the match be" tween the abovenamed Clubs, played at the Rai on Saturday, is held over, having arrived too late for publication. The game was a fast one, albeit somewhat rough. Our correspondent states that the Referee (Mr L. Elliott) was fairly satisfactory, but failed to note a few breaches of the rules and a strong tendency to rough play on the part of two Oanvastown and two Rai players, Tries were obtained for Oanvastown by Spear and Reade, and Reade converted the former. The home team did not score. At the conclusion of the match the ladies of the Rai supplied afternoon tea, which the players keenly appreciated. The result of this match leaves next Saturday's match between Oanvastown and Havelock very open indeed. In the first match of the season Canvas* town beat the Rai by 20 to 0; then Havelock beat Oanvastown by 5 to 8; the Rai followed by beating Havelock by 3to 0; and now Oanvastown windup the preliminary matches by beating Rai by Bto 0. On this showing the men from the bush are a vastly improved lot.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNION.

The meeting of football delegates was held at Canvastown on Saturday evening, when some important matters in connection, with football in this district were dealt with. Mr A. Reade was appointed Chairman, and there were also present the following delegates :—Messrs P. Warner, W. Webb (Havelock), J. Godfrey (Canvastown), G. Thomas, R. Murray (Rai). The Chairman said the subjects they had to consider were the advisableness of withdrawing from the Marlborough Rugby Union and forming a separate Union, affiliated with the N.Z.R.U., the bringing into force of the "district " scheme, and to decide the form of trophy to be competed for by the three Clubs.

After a lengthy discussion it was resolved to recommend the interested Clubs to form a separate Union, and that a meeting be held to decide the question. Mr Reade was appointed to make inquiries on the subject. With regard to the championship trophy, it was decided that the Clubs play two rounds for caps. , The "district" scheme was then discussed, but the meeting decided against its adoption this season. It was resolved, however, that players must understand they can only play with the Clubs to which they now belong. The meeting then adjourned till Saturday, 25th insfc.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES, The first match for the championship of North Marlborough will be held on Brownlee Park on Saturday. The competing teams will be Canvastown and Havelock. A charge of sixpence will be made at the gate, players and ladies being admitted free. Following are the team chosen to play for Havelock, on Saturday;— Full-back: Rev. Richards; threequarters : Prussing, Morris, Brookes; five-eighth, Mailer; half, Austen; forwards: Millar, Treweek (wings), O'Brien, Barr, Wells (2), Warner (2), Scott, Ward, Hawkins. The Oanvastown team is as follows: —Full-back: V. Simonsen; threequarters : N. Simonsen, A. Reade, T. Puller: five-efghfch: H. Spear; half: Josephson : forwards: J. Godfrey, L. Couper (wings), L. Simonsen, Alquisfc, J. Dillon, B. Hughes, C, Nelson, J, Ryan, and J. Hughes. THE CHAMPIONSHIP CAPS. The decision of the football delegates to purchase caps for competition is generally supported, and subscriptions have already been promised towards the fund by Messrs W. H. Smith, W. H. Buckman, V. Twidle, T. D, Taylor. donations sent to this office will be acknowledged. r """ Mr E. Coleman, ona of the Rai 1 players in the match against Canvastown on Saturday, received a rather nasty-looking cut on the left eye, also a knock on the left jaw, and had to be removed from the field. We are pleased ti state no bones were broken, and, no doubt, in the course of a week Mr Coleman will be none the worse for his mishap. The movement to send a profes? sional Rugby team of New Zaalanders to the North of England is progressing, and there is a decided probability that the team will be got away. The full team of forwards are already assured, and it is anticipated that the arrangements will be completed and the personnel of the whole team made known by the first week in June. The Northern Union offer £3OOO guarantee and 70 per cent, of the gate takings.