FOOTBALL.

Western Star, Issue 1384, 28 August 1889, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

* RIVERTON HIGH SCHOOL V, OREPUK SCHOOL.

[Br Poster.] / A team from the Riverton school journeyed to Orepuki on Saturday last to play a match with tho school team there. As usual, “Jimmy” Richardson, “the gay old sport of yoro,” kindly placed the billiard-room at the disposal of the Riverton boys to prepare for the fray. Owing to tho short time allowed by the railway time-table, the spells were confined to 30 minutes each.y/E. Mills captained the visitors, S. Hirst acting in a similiar capacity for the home team ; the former having won the toss. Hirst kicked off for Orepuki. The play at the beginning of the game was fairly oven, but the Riverton forwards gradually worked the ball up to the Orepuki 25, where owing to some misundoistamdicg on the part of the Riverton players, Hirst got possession of tho oval and was allowed to run in, scoring try No. 1 for Orepuki. Tho same player took the kick at goal, but did net add to the score. On Cassels kicking off again, Geary, Young, Pankhurst, and Mills showed up' to great advantage, the latter especially distinguishing himself by making some fine runs, and playing the game with great judgment. Tho ball was worked up to the Orepuki territory, and from a scrum, F. Reid got possession and was over the line at once. The kick for goal was entrusted to Cassels, but being a rather difficult one, no goal resulted. Half-time was shortly afterwards called, with tho scores a eac h. On ends being changed, both teams worked vigorously to improve their scores. Mills, Acheson, Reid, Dickiosoc, and Geary (Riverton) showed up well, as also did Hirst, Riddell, and Evans (Orepuki). The last spe 1 was greatly in favor of the visitors, as they had matters prettv well in in their own hands and compelled the home team to force down more than once, the ball being rarely out of the Orepuki territory. After a scrum or two had been indulged in Acheson who had been playing a good back game hut who would have helped his side had he passed more, crossed tho lino and ouehed down. The kick was again entrusted to Oassols, but no goal resulted. The ball was soon again in motion, and after some give and take play, Mills made a splendid !un, passed forwards, three-quarters and a , an ran in, making Riverton’s score now stand at 3 points t 0 their opponent’s 1. The ball was brought out for Cassels once more, hut that p] ayer) who ov tf o ptly was not goo. poking form, failed to place a goal, n ns setting tho ball going RiveHpn showed up bettor than evor. and rushed the ball back again t 0 the Orepuki quarters; through some good passing on tho part of e ” forwards Rico succeeded in placing another try to the High School’s credit. The 'ic ’ a goal was again a failure. Orepuki now made a big effort to raise their score, Evans, Hirst, Lindsay, Riddell and Roiohel making strenuous attempts to get awav, hut owing to the Smart play of Reid,'Mills, oung Eioo and Geary every attempt was 1 us [rated, and Mills, from a pass, ran in and raised Riverton’s score once more. Although e other attempts at goal were fiascos, on . 13 occa sion Acheson was successful in placnig a goal to the credit of his side, the ball just houn c ; n £ OVOr tho bar. The whistle sounded shortly afterwards with tho oval in the Orepuki 25, tho scores being—Riverton, 7 points ■ Orepuki, 1 point. For the winners, Cassels, as full-back, had very little to do. Mills and Willett (three-quaHcrs) both played a first-rate game; "Hector” distinguishing himself by his running and tackling and altogether was the best player on tho field. Reid and Acheson (halves) were also in good form ; the former playing a good hack game from start to finish, and also passing well. Acheson also did good service. All the forwards played a good game, the most conspicuous being Geary, Rice, Pankhurst and Young. For the losers, Hirst was the most prominent, although Reichcl, Lindsay, Riddell and Evans wore not to ho despised. Messrs T. Winton and N. McLean acted as umpires for tho respective sides, while W. Hirst had command of the whistle. 'The return match between the Pirates and Riverton will ho played on tho local ground on the Wednesday succeeding the interprovincial match. The Riverton plavers will be on that day photographed bvMrW. Dougall, who is coming down ap' , cinllv to perpetuate the expected victory of the R.F.O team. The Orepuki juveniles come to Riverton on Saturday to play the return match with the High School. y The Native team met with their first reverse since returning to New Zealand on Saturday, when in the Auckland match—the last before disbanding—they only succeeded in scoring two points to Auckland’s seven. Without disparaging the Auckland team, it should ho remembered that the Natives were not playing nearly their full strength; Keogh went no further than Dunedin, and other prominent players stayed at different places en route to tho northern capital.