FOOTBALLS

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 49, Issue 14960, 11 July 1923, Page 5

FOOTBALLS

/WAIRARAPA RUGBY UNION. THIRD ROUND FIXTURES. CONTINUED NEXT SATURDAY. Third round fixtures in all grades continued next Saturday, July T4th when some strenuous and exciting contests are expected, as the result of The ‘games in several grades will practically’ decide the championship win- / aers for 1923. There will be no matches in any grade upon Saturday, July 21st, owing ■to the senior representative match, Hawke’s Bay v. Wairarapa, at CarterJ ton. , ... The senior match for Masterton will be provided by the two local teams, Red Star and Masterton. Both these sides played drawn games in last Saturday’s fixtures, and a very hard, even and willing go should result upon this, -their last meeting of the present season. Both elubs have out their strongest teams, no regular players being on the accident list, and given favourable ■weather and conditions, the game should prove the best of the four played between these two local teams this • season. At Carterton the two local teams, Gladstone and Carterton seniors, also meet for the last time this season in - championship fixtures. On the showing of Gladstone in their last three matches there are many who predict that they will'defeat the championship leaders, and it must be admitted that -their prospects of doing so seem brighter than those of any other team.. Given the right conditions, .a splendid exhibition is expected between these two old rivals, and Gladstone especially can be relied upon to provide something spectacular. A big attendance is expected. The senior game at Grevtown is Featherston v. Greytown, on No. 1 ground, Grevtown Reserve. Featherston, who were short of several of their best player last Saturday, owing, to accidents and holiday causes, will again have out all their regular players. With a weak team they did remarkably well against Carterton last Saturday, and at Greytown are expected to : give the local team a strenuous game. Greytown do not seem to be playing up to their usual standard, and will need to put forth their best effort against FeavJfc>iherston on Saturday. In the North junior Section two of the best matches of the third round eventuate. Mauriceville, the championship leaders, will play Masterton on Memorial. No. 2, at 2.30. Masterton juniors, who were short of several of -their regular members last Saturday against Taueru, will have out their best side, and expect- to give the country : team a good solid go. At the Opaki racecourse ground the . local team will meet Taueru. The Taui eru team, considering the limited numvbei of players they have to select from, owing to the sparsely settled nature of rtheir district, are doing remarkably -well, and have improved a hundred per ;'fipnt;:upon their displays of last year, < which was their first season in-regular ’Wairarapa championship fixtures. The ■ match on Saturday between them and ■Opaki is expected to be a very even contest. In the Northern third grade hx--tures, -the match Which will probably . decide the championship winners in this section will take place on CarterTon No. 2, at 2.30, when Masterton meet Carterton. Masterton are at present - one point in the lead, so that a draw or-jfl,-win will keep them ahead. On the pother hand, Carterton will need to win .take the lead in championship points. .A very interesting display of fast, open --football is expected from these boys. High School thirds have a bye this -week-, as well as Red Star thirds. . ;In fourth grade fixtures, the most important game is that between Carterton . and -Masterton upon Memorial No. 1, .at 1.30. Carterton are at present leading -by 2 championship points from MastertdSi, who are runners-up.' A win ' or a. dTaw will therefore practically assure them'of the championship in this -seetioft}’ Should Masterton win, however, they will be equal with Carterton, - and'a‘ play-off will be necessary to decide 'the championship. ■ The other local fourth-grade match is between High School A and High Sehool B, upon Memorial No. 2, at 1.30 also.

The other local fourth team, Red Star, journey to Greytown, and provide - the curtain-raiser there, previous to the •Greytown v. Featherston senior match. The Senior representative team to meet Hawke’s Bay will be announced -throughout Wairarapa after next Sat- ■ urday’s games. The selectors will meet #jjt Carterton. Wairarapa nominations for the North team will probably also be made known.

The Maurieeville team has withdrawn from the third-grade competition, and High School secure a win by default, | VICTORY FOR N.Z. Tuesday, team play■*'i, 1 ; y : r- tour against Hew goals to nil. The nd cold, and the against brilliwere Donaldson (two and Dacre. the New Zealand captain, Buffering from influenza, and did H^^lav.—-Press Assn.