FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8449, 27 May 1907, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Maaterton .. 0 Carterton.. 0. Red Star .. 6 Gladstone.. 0. Ruahine .. 9 iUdStarll. 0 . Martinborough 3 Ivlaaterton 11. 0, SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

MASTERTON v. CARTERTON

The Masterton and Carterton senior teams met for the first time this season on the Masterton Showgrounds, on Saturday afternoon. Rain fell during the match, and the ground was greasy and heavy. Considerable interest was taken in the match, as these teams were evenly matched last season, the championship being decided on their final meeting, when Masterton proved victorious. Each team had played and v> on one match this season, and were considered to be about equal. Expectations were fully realised, and a stubborn and hard-fought game was witnessed.

The teams were as follow: —Masterton Fullback, I. O'Connor; threequarters, A. Ross, J. O'Leary and Duggan; five-eighth, Minett; half, Logan; wings, Gray and Riley; forwards, Barry, Fielding. Lyall, Mackellar, C. Ross, Chapman and Boddingtu l. Carterton— Fullback, E. MeKetuie; threequarters, Thompson, KelbiJ and Crawley; five-eighth, Groube; half, Wadham; wings, Armstrong ai.d Hall; forwards, S. Mason, Johnson, B. McKenzie, Bond, E. Mason, Groube and Henderson. For the first few minutes play was of an even nature, Masterton having slightly the best of it. Smart passing between Wadham and Crawley took play to Masteiton territory, where Masterton were forced. The Masterton forwards made a good rush, which was stopped by a good line kick by Wadham. O'Leary failed in an attempt to place a goal from a penalty, and a force down resulted. For some time was no advantage gained by ei ter side, long punts by both sets c. backs being the order of the day. Whc-n play was in Masterton 25 Wadham attempted to pot a goal, but the ball went outside the posts. From this Carterton continued to'attack, and kept the Masterton on the defence for practically the rest of the spell. Just before the call of half-time, about the most exciting piece of play witnessed in the game took place, near the centre of the field, both packs of forwards using their fee b in fine style. Half-time was sou.ided with no score on either aide. For the first five minutes of the second spoil the Masterton forwards mad j a determined attack on the Carterton line, all the players assisting in a concerted rush, but the visitors' defence was sound, and, a long kick by E. McKenzie transferred play to Masttfrton territory. After this the dash seemed to go out of the Masterton pack, and they were defending for most of the remainder rv the spjll. Carterton made a de- • rmined assault and the home team , .re forced down twice in succession. O'Leary, Duggan and A. Ross were prominent in defending Masterton's line. O'Leary kicked down the field, and Gray and Lyall following up smothered the return, and the battle was waged in the visitors' 25 for a few minutes, but E. McKenzie again relieved the tension with a good kick to touch. Exciting tight forward play in the centre of the field followed. For the rest of the game Masterton were on the defence, the most prominent feature of the play being a determined at f ack by the Carterton forwards, which was splendidly frustrated by O'Leary. The .;ame ended in a draw —no score on nther side. Carterton had the best of the game, but the Masterton team played a sound defensive game andflkepithe visitors from their line. J. O'Leary and Lojpri were the mainstay of the Master, m bocks, and the team would have been lost without them. Gray, C. Ross and Lyall were the pick of the forwards, and headed some good rushes. Wadham and E. McKenzie were the best of a good set of backs on the Carterton side. McKenzie's long punts were a great advantage to .the team, and saved the forwards. Armstrong was the'most prominent in the forwards, and was ably assisted by Henderson, B. McKenzie and S. Mason. Mr F. Roydhouse was referee. RED STAR v. GLADSTONE. At Gladstone, on Saturday, Red Star defeated Gladstone Seniors by 0 points to nil. The visitors had the best of the game throughout, and kept the home team continually on the defensive. For the winners tries were scored by Wrigley and Wickens. Wrigley played a splendid in the Star backs, and Adams was also prominent. Todd, Collett, Clarke and Corbett played well in the forwards. Mr L. Williams was referee.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. RUAHINE v. RED STAR. Ruahine (Greytown) Juniors debated Red Star on the Masterton Showgrounds, on Saturday, by 9 nointa to nil. ■ Ruahine had much Lho best of the play in the first «pell, and generally had Red Star uenned down on their goal line. In Uie second half, Stars rallied somev'mt, but could not .score against the visitors. Ruahine L:kl a big advantage in weight over tl;j homo team. Comer was the main "source of I'oublc" to the Stars, and both tries were scored by him. He made his .-•jcond score by snapping up the ball near the half-way line and racing round behind the posts, his pace beating all opposition. The rest of the score was made ud by a goal from a .mark. For Red Star, Smith, Welch, ;r,d Easthopo were tho pick of the /orwards, and Ball, Digging, and tiannister were the best of the backs. Mr R. Spackman was referee. MASTERTON v. MARTINBOROUGH. The Masterton Juniors were defeatel by Maryborough, at Greytown, on Saturday, by 3 points (a try) to ail. Maryborough were much heav

ier than their opponents. For Masterton, Daniell Hanley, Harding and McHatlie were the pick of the forwards, and of the backs Holmes and Jackson were the best. Mr J. Nicholls acted as referee. . By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 25. Out of eight L Otago men nominated for the inter-Island match, the following six have signed the declaration issued by the New Zealand Rubgy Union:—Booth, Eckhold, Dansey, Paton, Casey, and Fitzpatrick. By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 25. The following are the results of the senior football matches on Saturday : Zingari - Richmond beat Taieri Rovers by 14 to 3; Southern beat Alhambra by 13 to 9, University beat Kaikorai by 33 to 3, Dunedin beat Pirates by 6 to 5, Port Chalmers beat Union by 18 to 0. (Southern are now leading for the senior championship). By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 26. The Auckland Rugby Union's District Senior Cup competitions were continued, yesterday. Results:— Parnell defeated North Shore, 22 to nil; City beat Grafton, 27 to nil; and Ponsonby beat Newtcn, 6 to nil. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 26. The Senior football matches, yesterday, resulted as follows:—Oriental (12) beat Melrose (nil); Poneke (14) drew with Athletic (14); Old Boys (8) beat Wellington, (3), St. James (9) beat Victoria College (nil). By Telegraph —Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 26.'"" The Senior football matches, yesterday, resulted as follows:—Albion (20) "beat Old Boys (12), Sydenham (18) beat Merivale (nil), Christchurch (3) beat Linwood (nil), Canterbury College a bye. NORTH ISLAND TEAM. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 25. The following players have been selected to represent the North Island in the North v. South Island match: Full-back, G. Spencer, Wellington. Three-quarters, Wallace and Mitchinson, Wellington; Dive, Taranaki. Five-eighths, Hunter and Mynott, Taranaki. Half, Roberts, Wellington. jjWing forward, Cobman, Taranaki. Forwards, Wilson and Spencer. Wellington; McNae, Manavvatu; Baillie, Hawke's Bay; j O'Sullivan, Taranaki; Hogan, Wanganui. Emergencies O'Leary, Wairarapa; Guscott, Wanganui. No Auckland players are included in the tean, those nominated having declined to sign the necessary affidavit concerning their amateur ' status. All the other players in the North Islarid except two at Petone and one Red Star (Masterton) signed as required. Those players who have declined to sign will not be considered for the team to visit Australia.