FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 3845, 21 June 1875, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

A considerable number of spectators were present on the Oval at the Southern Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon, to witness the football match announced to be played between the Union and Dunedin Clubs, which, as was anticipated, proved to be a most exciting and well-contested game. Both sides engaged inthemimic strife with great ardor and determination throughout, and when time was called one goal each had been secured by the rival kickists. The first goal was scored for Dunedin in a very simple manner. One of their players during a scrimmage managed to make a catch within a few yards of goal, and of course had no difficulty in sending the ball through. On resuming the play it was soon made apparent that the Unionists were determined to retrieve their lost laurels, the ball being now almost constantly kept in dangerous proximity to their opponents’ goal. The fatal moment came at last, when Israel, by a well-directed and splendid drop kick, sent the leathein sphere flying clean and high through the enemy’s goal posts. Play was again commenced, and carried on with undumshed ardor, the Union Club having decidedly the best of it; their light weight all round, as compared with thdlr antagonists, now beginning to tell; and had the game been continued half an hour longer they would imdoubtedly have come off victorious. M‘lntyre, M Lean, Murray, and the brothers Thomson did good service for their side; while Little, Israel, Tait, Stuart, and Logan played well for the new club. Messrs Hope.and Park officiated as umpires, and gave universal satisfaction. So much foriSaturday’s match; and now a word or two as to the ga.me and its prospects in Dunedin. Football is acknowledged to be the most popular out-of-door game in the Colonies ; it admits of a larger number of players than cricket, and is far more interesting to spectators generally. It is a manly pastime, and during the winter months takes the place of cricket and provides healthy out-of-door recreation for those who care to indulge in such invigorating exercise. Notwithstanding assertions to the contrary, .football is not a whit more fruitful of serious accidents than any other British sport or pastime. Accidents happen to the most care ful, and occur even in the best-regulated estab bailments ; and to advocate the discontinuance of a popular game on such grounds, is, to say the least' of it, unreasonable and ill-advised. The growing popularity of the game in Dunedin is evinced by the appearance of new clubs, and the increased attendance of members and spectators at matches. There is something radically wrong, however, in the way these matches are arranged. Why should the number of players be limited to eleven or fifteen, when twenty or even twenty-five a-side could be obtained ? Such narrow exclusiveness will ruin any club. On Saturday last there were at least a dozen who would have been glad to play, but who had to remain inactive spectators on account of the wrong-headed opposition of two or three obstructionists. Let those who have* the management of affairs be more liberal and conciliatory, and they cannot fail to gain the confidence and goodwill of all footballers. During last Saturday’s match the Victorian roles of football were played for the first time in Dunedin, and with satisfactory results. To impartial observers their superiority to the comparatively tame and uninteresting rales at. present in force was very marked. Greater latitude is allowed, and there is far more scope for skilful play. While holding the ball and running with it is prohibited, it can be taken in hand for the purpose of kicking, thus permitting the introduction of the finest and most effective kick of all—the drop kick, which unfortunately is entirely excluded by the rules as played by the Dunedin Club. Already an improvement is notieeable in the play of a number of new aspirants; and as the season advances and opportunities for practice occur, other skilful kickists will no doubt develop their latent talents. Meanwhile|the game is evidently growing in favor, and is more largely patronised this season than it has ever been before.