FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1044, 10 September 1883, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON.

The interprovincial match between Auckland and Wellington came off on Saturday, and resulted in a tie, each aide obtaining a goal. The weather was threatening in the morn-

ing, but later on the clouds lifted, and although there was a drizzle throughout it did not interfere with the game. Play co menced at 3 o’clock, and the Auckland men were placed thus—Webster, full back ; Warbrick, Darby, and Ryan, three-quarter back ; Arneil, King, and Whiteside, half-backs; their forwards being Carter, Henderson (captain), Oloxton, Moginie, Mearns, Biggs, Leckie, O'Connor, and Simms. The Wellington team being—Moore, full back ; A. D. Thompson and Allan, three-quarter backs; Davy, Perry, and Dumbell, half-backs ; Young, Cooper, Campbell (captain), Harvey, Thompson, Udy, and Webb, forwards. Wellington having won the toss chose the eastern goal, and gave Auckland the benefit of what little ground there was from the kick off. The Aucklanders were backing themselves at 3 to 2 to win the game. Warbrick ki.cked off for Auckland and sent the oval well dcwn to the Wellington quarters, where it was obtained by Moore, who by one of his usual long drops returned it to almost the same spot from whence it was sent. Arneil, for the visitors, got away and ran well down the field until upset by Cooper, when the leather passed to Dumbell, who Wound up a good run by a long punt into touch near the Auckland twenty-five. ’the Aucklanders made a determined rush, but the Wellington f rwards were not to be denied, and George Campbell, the captain, getting hold of Carter almost turned him a somersault. The first scrimmage now took place, and this was well within the Auckland twenty-five line. The visitors played the same off-side game as they did South, and which called forth so much disapprobation. The Wellington people were not slow to notice th s, and the Aucklanders were hooted from all sides of the field. The Wellington team were keeping the ball well towards the Auckland line, and the opposition backs were doing all they knew to keep the local team from scoring. Time after time did Ryan and Ring attempt to get away, but the Wellington forwards were on them. After this Whiteside attempted a run, but he was upset, and Cooper and Roberts, of the local forwards, gaining possession, dribbled the leather until close to their opponents’ line, when Ryan fell on it, and from the scrimmage which ensued he parted to Ring, who made a brilliant run, but here Roberts was again in the way, and the Auckland man had to succumb. The local forwards, who no doubt were a heavy crowd, averaging close upon 13 stone, were making the game unpleasantly fast for Auckland, and once or twice it was an anchor to a needle that the visitors would be forced down. For several minutes was the ball close to the Auckland touch, when lie derson, who was in the centre of the scrimmage, “heeled out,” and Ryan picking it up wound up a long drop into touch. This was the first time after ten minutes’ play that the ball was worked towards the Wellington goal. After the first ten minutes the crowd again hooted Auckland for their off-side play, and there was a continual disputing (on the Auckland side) of the umpire’s decision. The ball was returned again and again, and it was not until Wellington worked it close to their opponents’ goal that Auckland came to the decision that unless they played up the game would go against them. Davy, for Wellington, and Warbrick, for Auckland, now had a smart game to themselves. Both are well-known pedestrians, but Warbrick having to carry the ball was handicapped, and before he could get well away was upset. The ball was now kept well in the centre of the ground, without advantage being gained on either side. The men behind the scrimmages were having it all to themselves, until Arthur Cooper, backed up by his captain, made a tremendous rush towards the Auckland touch-line, and was only stopped when within a few yards of the coveted line. Cooper fought gallantly, but the weights of his opponents would not al ow him to get any further, so he had most reluctantly to give in. Here the wretched ofl’-side play of Auckland was again noticeable, and the visitors were hooted by all sides for what the most uinnterested footballer must have decided was unfair play. The]Auokland forwards, particularly Carter, were working hard, and squeezed the ball ; owards the Wellington line, but it was no good, as the only headway that ] Auckland could make against the Wellington men was when Warbrick, Ring, ind Ryan had a long drop, and ;o their credit it may be said that I ;hey never lost a chance. The Auckland 1 nen were now taking advantage of ] reeling out, and from frequent calls from t heir side to do so, gained but little i idvantage, as Wellington had their team i io placed that the fast players of the £ tforth never had one opportunity through- 1 mt the game of getting away. Here again f he crowd hooted Auckland for their off- 1 day, and there could be no doubt it was 1 leserved, as Auckland was continually I loubting the umpire’s word, and the ball fi lad to be returned- Davy elicited ap- d >lause by a brilliant run, which Warbrick I topped. Here little “Dummy" had a I hauce at goal, but lost his head, and o ttempting to run he was at once collared. s< 'his lost Wellington one of the finest A bailees they had. The Auckland, backs 6 fere working hard to pass the opposing 5 rrwards, but Udy, the Greylown forward, 7

was impenetrable, and, working in donjunction with the others, time after time brought the visitors to mother earth. A scrimmage now was had close to the Wei-

ingfcon goal, and in the throw out Ryan t lassed to Warbrick, who had a “ blind ” n hot at a goal, and with greater precision 2 ban he expected. It was given a goal, p this was scored as the first point for 1 Auckland, but the unanimous opinion of t hose behind the posts was that it was a f poster. Immediately after this score f Whiteside most unfortunately hurt his f leg, and had to retire, thus leaving Auck-. t land with only fourteen men. From this point of vantage it was anybody’s game . until the next spall, whan Wellington had the wind. After seven minutes’ spell the game 1 resumed, but Wellington was allowed the ' kick, which resulted in their forcing Auckland well down towards their goal posts. Here it was kept until Carter, getting possession, wound up one of his runs by a draw behind, which counted nothing. Auckland was still being hooted for their unfair play, and at one time it was doubtful if they would not get mobbed. The Brst spell ended in Auckland leading by a goal from the field. This score appeared to inspire the locals, who rushed the Northerners and the ball well within their twenty-five yards’ limit. Then Davy got possession of the ball, and passing to little Dutnbell, the latter had a shot at goal, and had it as fairly as could be between the posts. Auckland disputed this, and never on a Wellington field was the hooting the same as occurred then. The decision was given in favor of Wellington. In the second spell Wellington were ten to one better than Auckland in the scrimmages, and in the touches-down were exe < plary. No alteration was made, however, in the score, and the game was left drawn. ASHBURTON v. RAKAIA. This match, which was played in the Domain on Saturday afternoon, turned out to be a very onesided affair, the visitors being decidedly overmatched. Rakaia did not send down a full fifteen, and the requisite number was made up from Ashburton players. The local men very early showed their superiority, and the game had not progressed far before a toucliTdown was secured. From this to the end Rakaia never had a chance to score, and it was evident that they had not gone through the same practice as their opponents. Touch-down after touchtdowp was scored by the Ashburton men, and when “ no side ’’ was called the game stood at one goal and nine touch-downs to m . Of the local team Baddeley was conspicuous for his dashing play, making several good runs and collaring well, while Leohner, J. Fooks and A. Fooks also did good service on the same side. Brett was useful among the forwards, his dribbling in the scrimmages being especially good. For the Rakaia several showed excellent from individually, and if they had played more together the game would have been considerably closer. Hugonin and Reid deserve special mention for their brilliant play. The game throughout was thoroughly i njoyed, and at its conclusion cheers were given for each team. The Rakaia men returned home by the Express.