FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7246, 29 August 1902, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Albion I. v. Rover I.

Albions Win the Banner.

[BY " IJLUK AND OOLP."J

Tho match between tho Albion I. and Rover I, which practically docided who would win tho Thursday Bannor, camo off on the Park, yesterday aftornoon. Tho ground was in a slippery condition, but not as bad as was expected. Tho Albions wcro minus the services of Dawes, Eastliopo and H-lton, but tho substitutes Chapman, Porcy and King earned their places. Winning tho toss, tho Rovers had tho advantago of tho wind, and kept tho Albions busily defending their lino for a timo, Tho Albions wero forced twice in quick succession, but eventually play was shifted to tho Rover territory through a splendid run by Carpenter. Play was centred for a timo, after which the Albions, through the instrumentality of F. Reed, Carpoiitor, Chapman and Porcy, carried the ball well towards tho Rovers territory, but a freo kick to Rovers—through obslru tion by A. Reed, saw play again centrod. Rovers returned to tho attack and kept the Albions busy, but Corbett relieved the pressure. After remaining in tho centre a short time, tho Albions took play to the Rover territory, but Barker saved with a smart kick. Albions again rushed tho ball towards the Rover line and, Barker's kick being smothered, a score looked imminent, but a knock-on spoilt the chanco. From a free kick, Rovers forced. Finlnyson broke away, but was brought down by Barker in fino style. The Albions made things lively for a timo, but tho Rovors defence was good, Lcvick, Hall and Wallis showing up prominently. From a free kick, Ivy O'Connor mado a good, but unsuccessful, kick at goal. Tho balance of the spell was in favour of tho Albions, but no score eventuated, tho Rovers showing good defensive work. The Albions commenced the next spell by,making strenuous efforts to scoro. Carpenter broke away with the ball, and carried it right to tho Rover line, but Barker brought him down. Shortly afterwards Carpenter got away again, and got over the line, but the ball was brought back for a knock-on. The Rovers hud a lively time for a quarter of an hour, but they staved off the attack. Play slackened down for a while. From a quick follow-up, J. O'Lcary got over the line at the corner for the Albions, amidst great cheering. Corbett failed with the kick. Albions 3pts., Rovers nil. Twice in quick succession the Rovers were forced after this, through quick following up by Carpenter, Percy, Ivy O'Connor and Bush. The Rovers now had a turn at attacking, and rushed thoball down to the Albion territory. The Blues made strenuous efforts to score, but the Albions defence was good. From this ou to the end of the spell the Rovers mado attempts to equalise matters, but their efforts wcro unavailing, and the gamo resulted in a win for the Albions by 53 points to nil.

The game was very interesting to watch at times, but the state of the ball militated against back play, the game being a forward one, and in this department the Albions excelled themselves. There was not much to choose between tho teams, they being evenly matched. Tho Albions had more than their share of luck. Tho Hovers had the best of the first spell, but tho Albions made up for this in the second half. Dawes was sadly missed in the Albion team.

Of the Albion backs Ivy O'Connor was far and away the best. The others played a fair gamo at times, but the ball was dilliult to handle on account of its greasy nature. Carpenter was the pick of the forwards, ho playing a rattling game, being on tho ball all the time. " Snowy River' Bush ably assisted him, and played the best game ho has this season. Of the others Chapman, Percy, Kingdon and Fielding played a hard game. The Rover forwards, ono and all, grafted well, Levick, Wallis and Hall being, perhaps, the best. Of the backs Barker, at full, played the best defensive game on the ground, his kicking and collaring being sure. Several times he got the Hovers out of a tight corner. Fairbrothev and King were, perhaps, tho best of the others.

Mr Len Williams gave every satisfaction as referee. Messrs Newman and Armstrong were the toucb-line judges. By their win tho Albions secure the Thursday Senior Championship of 1902, and they are to be congratulated on their success, which in no small sense is due to their indefatigable Secretary, Mr W. Hogg, who has kept the team up to " scratch." The Albions' win was a welldeserved one, seeing five of their best men— oi-:., Dawes, Wickens, Charlie Gillespie, East-hope and Hilton—were absent.