Football Notes.

Southland Times, Issue 10197, 1 July 1889, Page 3

Football Notes.

The Biverton and Pirates Olnbs met for the first lime this season on Saturday afternoon on the Union grounds, when th • home team were victorious by 7 poir's (one goal four tries) to 3 points (a goal) . Riverton arrived with only 10 men and had to fill up with substitutes— Bain, Howell, Smyth, Martin and Wade (all of tbe I.F.C) filling: the vacancies. The Pirates team wero a rather scraggy loi, the forwards boing represented by only three or four first fifteen men. A very few minutes after the kick off saw the play in Riverton's territory, and, they had to take advantage of tbe 25 yards kick. This, however, did not relieve them much, as tbe Pirates immediately rushed tbe play up, and after a maul-in-goal Mcßobie ■cored a try, Tbe kick at -goal, an easy one, was a failure. Bivcrton kicked off at the twenty -five and the ball being well returned . "p.Uy again centred in tbe visitors' 25. A. Tapper neatly intercepted a pass by one of the opposing backs, and picking up the ball ■cored a try right behind the posts. The kick at goal fell wide. It was now Riverton's turn to score, and by some off side play on tbe part of a Pirate forward, Wade placed a goal from the penalty. With the "score standing at Riverton 3 points, Pirates 2, the latter kicked off at half way. Something less than half a mi n ate elapsed from the time Riverton kicked the goal until the r Pirates crossed their line and Morrison scored . Although tbe kick was very easy the score was not augmented. Half time was called, and on play being resumed the borne team had considerably the best of it. During this spell A. Tapper scored a try, and, of coarse, no goal was kicked, A G-al-braitb, who had been playirjg splendidly all through the game, also scored a try, and F. Rodgere pi need a goal from it. For tbe loßers the Mills Bros., at threequarter, were very good, the younger especially patting in some capital work. Tbe forwards were not first-clans by any means, although at times they get on some ' very good rushes and ma-ie things a bit lively for their opponents. Among the Pirate forwards Ga'braitb, Mentiplay, Murphy, Mcßobie, and DaUon were the most conspicuous. Messrs George, Hemp* ton, and Johnston were the officials, and although flppeals~werefnnmerous it must be said they acted with good -judgment and gave satisfaction in all cases. A committee meetings of the Rugby Union was held in the Club Hotel on Saturday evening. A letter was read from tbe secretary ef tbe Maori team, and the committee decided to accept the terms offered, viz., 60 per cent of the gross takings for a match. A telegram from tbe Auckland Rugby stated that that bo<~;y bad not yet made arrangements for the 4rip; but would consider Southland's request for a matcb, and notify when the tour was arranged, — A motion by the Gore delegate, Mr A. Tapper, that tbe annual match Town v. Country be played at Gore was lost, and an amendment that it be played at Invercargill carried. Accounts amounting to LlO 11b were passed for payment and the committee adjourned. Iti a note accompanying the letter received by the secretary of the S.R.F.U. from the JJ.Z. Native team is the foliow ing : — •" Thanking you for a wish to meet us, I will only add our high opinion of your representative, Mr Lee, as a player, and for his general good qualities." From - -several press reports to hand it would appear that " Harry" is one of the beat all-round playera id the team. Ho plays forward at present, but his proper place id three-quarter. Tbe Gore football enthusiasts held a meeting on- Siturday evening for the purpose of eadeavouring to arrange a match with the Maoris, bot as yet the result is not known in lavercargHl.