FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1678, 5 July 1875, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

The match, New Zealand v. the World (played on Saturday at the North Shore), was, as had been anticipated, the most keenly contested game of the season. The two teams showed Tip very well to time, and the crowd (which accompanied the players on fcoard the half-past two o'clock boat) must have coßsinerably enhanced the takings of the Ferry Company for the day. Arrived on the ground, very little time was allow* rl t 0 lapse before the proceedings ocrome «■<!. Mr Thomas Henderson u-r the . Coirnialp, and Mr Bees for the World, acted as generalissimos. The World won the toss, and elected to kick from east to west. The afternoon was fine, the ground in gooc! order, and what little wind there was blew athwart the field. The contest began with a fine rush on the part of the New Ztakiidets, who carried the ball right across the ground to start with. It did not, however, long remain in the vicinity of the World's goal. With a rapid rally it was repelled sturdly by the active sons of the Nations, and in less than ten minutes, King, who was hovering on the outskirts of a scrummage, right in front of the "Natives" goal, obtained a "mark" in such dangerous proximity to the posts that it was thought certain "No 1" would be kicked for the World. The " drop," however was miserably mulled, and the hearts of the enemy took fresh courage. For the rest of the half time a stubborn fight was maintained. Another fair kick was obtained by the same player as before, but this time in a more difficult position, and the " try" was again unsuccessful. The strength of the World lay in their good "half back" play, while the New Zealanders were conspicuous for their brilliant " runs." T. Henderson, Burgess, and R. Duder were, each in their turn, nearly successful at different times in getting through the hordes of the foe; but the vigilance of Eees, Fvrns, Hales, and Clark was well sustained and every rush was foiled. The splendid " drop "-kicking of Whewell was a treat to witness. As surely as the ball came through the front ranks into the three-quarter back area where he was played, it was unerringly sent back flying half-across the ground, over the heads of the astonished players. E. Ellis, of fleetfooted renown, tried hard to get a chance of a run-in, but was prevented each time by the partizans of Zealandia. When the goals were changed, the same equal fortune marked the game. Not a point was scored by either side, and when time was called it was impossible to say which side had possessed, the advantage. About 200 spectators witnessed the game. A few , disputes occurred as to players being offside, but they were all amicably settled.