FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12883, 25 September 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

JWNEBS V. TRAINERS AND JOCKEYS. The return Rugby match, owners v. trainers and. jockeys, was played on the Roc. yesterday aitc-rnonn, when the weather was fine and there was a good attendance of spectators. Tiie game proved j wry even one, each side straining every nerve to get ahead, but they were still going neck and n©ck until well into the jlraight, when the trainers and jockeys got the lead, and looked, all over winners. However, the owners threw out a desperate challenge, and coming with a wot sail just got iiome on tlie pnat. Three spells of 20 minutes each were played, the owners having to play in the first spell with the sun in their eyes. Their colours were white, and as they "lined up at the barrier" it was seen that tho last race had sharpened a few of them up, although it was evident that "Rapanui," "Frisco," and a few others would have benefited by another gallop or two. The trainers and jockeys (all blacks) were all in at the minimum so far as weight was concerned, and one or two at least could have done with a. bit of "building: up." Want of space. prcL-ludcs us giving a detailed description of the play, .which caused heaps of inn. Perhaps, one of the most amusing incidents was the first effort made by the whites' full-back to field the ball. Tho wonderful agility he displayed in turning was ouly equalled by his masterly efforts to stoop. It i airly made the ito\u1 roar with laughter. "Wally" Gieson occasionally became imbued with the idea tha.t he was a flying machine, and so did Gorinw Johnston, while Gibbous also was responsible for several remarkable sprints, but they turned turtle at variolas obstacles. The scrums' were amusing. With their weight, led by Blair, the whites would biinply sweep the blacks before tlwm ;iko cha.tt before the wind, but in the loos© tho trainers and iockeys were too -.Hart ior their opponents. Frank Lind instructed the blacks to make the game oijlii, bul the others managed to kt^p it laiily tight, llfMigh now and again home parsing was indulged in by both, sides, Atkins, Percy Johnston, Frank Lind, and Wadbam being conhincious ior the blacks, and tho Shannon Bros., Robertson, and (jirson for tho whites Both sides were within an ace of scoring more than once, but there was i*o score until about five minutes before time, when Wadham broke away irom a line- out in the blacks' 25, and put in a sensational run up the line, just getting over as Matthews tackled him, 'ut he had scored. Atkins failed at goal, though he made a fine effort from a difficult angle. The blacks' supporters were now on good terms with themselves, as the game seemed as good as won, but I. to unexpected hanviened — Goring Johnston suddenly dashed away from midfield, came a cropper over "Mick" King, but passed to Glenn, who shot out of the barrier with a desperate effort, and side--a >p|)ing two or three, fairly bolted, crashing right through all opposition, and stored risrht between the p-osta. Taking Lhe kick himself ho landed the ball fairly over the bar, and thus got the judge's verdict by a neck — the scores standing — Oniurs 5 Trainer and Jockeys 3 — when tho whistle sounded. Mr Atkinson refarood in a most satisfactory manner. ASSOCIATION NOTES. •THE BROWN CHALLENGE SHIELD MATCH. BY "CENTRE HALF." According to the Dominion, the challenge match against Wellington for the Brown Shield seems likely to be abandoned. This is extremely regretable, as the ?nafccli had been long looked forward to by the local players. The action of Wellington in refusing to play on October '2nd docs not reflect much credit on their Management Committee. If Association football is to be encouraged in the pro- \ iuces, some consideration ought to be allowed provincial players who have often difficulty in obtaining leave of absence. i\ctions like that of tlie Wellington Association in refusing to make allowances lends to absolutely discourage "soccer" football in the provinces. Of course, after all, tlie match may possibly be arranged, but there seems small hope. If the Wellington match cannot be arranged, it is proposed by the writer that Taranaki be nsked to send a team to play an exhibition game in Wanganui on October 2nd. This match ought to give a fillip to local "socoor" football, and it is hoped that the local committee will see their way clear to hring this about. —^ —