FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 June 1913, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

to-morrows fixtures. The following fixture* km« *»«n drawn for to-morrow: — Senior.—XJladstone t. United, at Gladstone; ret'ereo, A. Booth. Red Star v. Carterton, at Cartorton; E. McKenzie. Junior.—Carterton v. Red Star, at Carterton; W. Waterson. Dalefield v. United, at Featherston; A. Miller. The Wairarapa representative team is to be congratulated on tho excellent game put up against Wellington on Tuesday, and in, suffering defaat by so narrow a margin showed that the game of Rugby in the Wairarapa is not nearly so much on the down grade as some people would have us believe. It must also be gratifying to the selector (Mr E. McKenzie) that his first attempt as sole selector should turn out so well. With one or two alterations the Wairarapa team may bo expected -to put up some creditable performances in r?p. matches during the coming season. According to Wellington scribes "Bert" McKeii'/ie's play was a feature of the game. It is doubtful if the big Cartorton forward was ever plaving in better form than at present. H. Matson and P. Bourkewere the two backs whp. showed up most prominently, the. laser's try being a decidedly good effort. The four t?ams in the Wairarapa senior competition have finished the first round close together, and several very interesting marches should be witnesssd in the second round.., Carterton and Stars will fight their old battles over again on Saturday, when they meet at Carterton. Stars are at present in the unfortunate position of having Fred Ball and "Billy" Diir.v;il on the injured list* and. it is! doubtful if. either will take .the field, on Saturday. Should such "be- the case Henderson will play _at half and J. Duggan, the exrMartirborough captain, will replace Darvi : . Duggan should considerably strengthen the back division. Carterton will no doubt be represented bv their full team, and •should take a lot of beating.. At Gladstone United and Gladstone will meet. When these teams met earlier in the season a close game ended in favour of Gladstone by three points;. Both teams are now playing at the top of their form; and a great game should result. As each is on the same mark for championship honours the contest should not lack on the score of ke?nness. The principal junior fixture on Saturday -is the Red Star-Carterton game, which takes place at Carterton. The Stars have put up a splendid performance, being so far an unbeaten team, and on form will give Carterton a hard task to put them under. Mr R. (Count) Welch has generously donated a handsome gold medal to the best all-round back in the Red Star senior £eam for the present season. Actions of this nature tend to increase the interest in Rugby matters. The game played at Gladstone last week b?tween Gladstone and Carterton, was one of the best games witnessed this season. Both teams showed evidence of hard training, and the pace was kept up to the last minute. If Hodge, the Gladstone forward, continues to play up to last Saturday's form, his inclusion in the rep team i is* a foregone conclusion. Hodge's try was a splendid effort, and another example of the value of fast following up. H. Henderson, although not so brilliant as last erason, was responsible for a lot of bright clever work, and on one ; or two occasions had the Carterton backs in trouble. &idsMasdn, who wx>k' the field forGladstone last.-'week after a twoyears' absence, in""the south, played quite up to his old form, and ..with.' more training will ty? "of great value to his side. ; Desmond ,the■ Carterton forward, hag not yet shown, the same form as he did last year. He lacks the dash we know he possesses, but may improve as the season wears on. ' A promising young player in the Carterton team is W. Blake. He did a lot- of good" work for Carterton, his footwork being exceptionally good. . Willacy, the United throe-quarter, was prominent in the Star-United' last Saturday, and was responsible for pome very good play. . Quite a large crowd paid for admission to the Gladfitone-Carterton match, £lO being collected at the gate. This is easily the best gate yet taken at Gladstone, and may be taken as an indication of the added interest in Wairarapa football this year.