INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue IV, 27 July 1895, Page 109

INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

GISBORNE V. AUCKLAND. THIS match was played on Saturday, July 20th, at Potter’s Paddock, Epsom, and resulted in a win for Auckland by 14 points to nil. As regards the play, the visitors beat Auckland during the first spell in every department of the game. The Auckland backs made a most wretched display, as men who are generally most reliable were utterly unable to take a pass, notwithstanding a perfect ground and dry ball, and if the form displayed on Saturday by the Auckland team is a forerunner of their abilities, then what a series of disasters await the blue and white banner on the Southern tour ! The forward play of the Gisborne team was excellent, their line work being the best we have seen for a long time at Potter’s, Poynter, Eskdale, Caulton, and Pitt being a long way ahead of the Auckland men, whilst Rees, for Gisborne, played the best back game on the ground. The score, 14 to nil, does not convey the least idea of the game, and had the Gisborne team a fair slice of luck, the score ought to have been reversed. After Saturday’s exhibition it behoves the Auckland reps to devote their utmost energies to get into good form to meet their doughty Southern friends at the game, or else they will be beaten all along the line.