ENGLAND V AUCKLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1846, 21 May 1888, Page 3

ENGLAND V AUCKLAND.

J (per pkess association.) Auckland, May 19. The football ma*ch England v Auckland took place t '-day at the Tramway Company's ground, Epsom The weather wag unfavorable, a drzz'ing rain falling the greater part of the day. Tula of oourae militated against the attendance, but notwithstanding this about 6000 persons witnessed the match, visitors from the Themes, Tuak^u, Waiknto, Hellenaviile and other oountry placm being amongst those present The following played for Auckland—Fullback, Lusk; three quarter b<okß, Whlteside, McCinslaiid, Madigan; half-backs, Oon*ay,Braund, Elliott : forwards, O'Oonmr, Leoky, Keefe, Hobaon, Well*, Toraine, Marshall, and MoKsnz c. Dr. Smith aoted as umpire for England, and Mr J. Arnell for Auckland, whilst Mr T. McKay waß referee. The game commeuoed at 2 55 p.m., and the Englishmen when they entered the ground were reoelved with loud and long continued oheering, For the first ten minutes Auckland had the beat of tbe play, the forwards being particularly noticeable. From a punt by Luak, the return of which was mulled by Paul, Billot and MoKenzia rushed the ball aoross the'line, Elliot falling on it. He failed to seoure it properly, and a maul ensusd, a force down being the result. After the kick off the fortuce3 of the game begaa to turn against Auckland. Spoakman attempted a goal, which waa misled, but Seddon, for England, followed rapidly, secured a try, which Paul converted into a goal. About this time Whiteside met with an accident, receiving a kick on the leg from one of the English playere, and though he endeavoured to continue his share m the game, he had to retire shortly after the second spell oommenoed, Auckland being thus considerably handicapped. Previous to the termination of the secoad spell Anderton obtained the second try for England from which P.:ul again kicked a goal. The game was very fast m the second speli, the forwards on both Bides working splendidly, and the scrums being toughly contested. From a scrum m a centre of tbn field, BTars'ia'i and Con way carried the ball paat England's b.cka, and Hoblon getting it, secured a try, which McOaualand converted into a gaol. F.e cc play followed till the coboioaion of the match, but tbe score was not further added, to, the game ending m a victory for England by 6 poiijts to 3. The raatoh throughout waa very close and even, the oollaring betufc excellent on both Bides, whilst the Englishmen, despite the fact the bail was a wet one, did eocne excellent passing;