FOOTBALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 133, 28 July 1911, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

FIRE BRIGADE v. FORESTERS. A very small crowd of spectators gathered at Victoria Park yesterday afternoon to witness the game between members of the Fire Brigade, and of the Foresters’ Lodge. The teams lined out as follows : Fire Brigade— Davey. T. Baton, Gorton, Lane, Wilson, Crossan, Inston, Davis, Boon, Drake, W. Baton, Brocklehank, Gredig, Freeman, Walsh. Foresters — Clem Kivell, P. Birkett, Wood, J. Birkett, Hunter, Cecil Kivell, . Rowson, H. Hancock, Low, Barker, E. Hancock, Sullivan, E. Wood, Copestako, Rogers. Foresters won by twelve points to nine. For Foresters tries w ere scoi ev.,l by E. Hancock, H. Hancock, and W. Sullivan, and Cecil Kivell punted a goal from a penalty 1 . Wilson, Drake, and Boon scored unconverted tries tor 'Fire Brigade. Foresters showed out best on tJie day’s play, and held the advantage most of the time, though Fire Brigade now and again showed Hashes of good play. , . Mr. F. Burgess earned the whistle. Strong comments were heard on the lino regarding the dressing of the combatants. The jerseys were chiefly Stratford Club ones, but they were of all styles, and some appeared to have been old some time before motor-cars were new. Somebody or other whom the boys called “Tom” wore an amber and black jersey. He, no doubt, was a Taranaki rep. Another gentleman gloried in a blue and white jersey; and a good number gloried or did not glory, as the case might be, m having no jersey at all, singlets being made to-serve therefor. It is a notable tact that one gentleman who played in his singlet, who was frequently hidden to blow his horn and tho opponents of whom were requested to “look out frathe motor,” did not play tho least scientific or vigorous game on the field. The field was also enlivened with a few “soccer” shirts, and one “soccer” player endeavoured to disguise himself in an all-green jersey. As to pants—a highly indelicate subject, but nevertheless a highly important one when an endeavour is being made to comprehensively describe an important event—the variety was bewildering. There were long pants and short pants; there were short pants of tho regulation colours of white and butcher blue and long dittoes ; there were pants which mid been in use unwashed for some period since the Flood; and there were pants which seemed to have been newly ironed and starched for the match; there was a pair of dungarees cut down to suit the game; and there was a pair of tweed trousers similarly reduced. Both teams are to be congratulated on the excellent manner in which they managed' to varigat© tlhe scene with their pants. It was a regular pantorama. As to hair—a question of prime importance in', such a matter —the variety was no less diverse and commendable. There was the black shiny hair which it seemed such a pity to disarrange ; there was the long hair so useful to catch hold of; there was the short hair which a crab could not get a “holt” on; and there were hairs in all the fashionable colours, including red, which signified no doubt “Look out for the engine.” As to legs—and legs count for much, though they constitute another indelicate topic—there were legs and legs. There, were the'.stout elderly kind; there were the medium athletic kind; there were straight legs and crooked legs: there were legs which leant toward each other, and legs which leant away; and the diversified and highclass collection even included a pair of unmistakable Chippendale legs. As to the play—a highly unimportant matter—it is certain that one man had his leg pulled; it is beyond doubt that there was a good deal of mild but emphatic obstruction; it is vouched for by many Ah at one gentleman, just after a scrum, chased a cap instead of the ball; and quite a number will swear that the “soccer” players gave the finest exposition of handballing, offside, and forward play ever seen on a New Zealand ground, Beyond that there is nothing much to say. It would be unwise’ and untrue to'say that all played an equally bad Tame. Some wore a groat deal worse. Very much so!