Football.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 16, 17 July 1883, Page 2

Football.

PALMERSTON V. FEILDING. The return match between the above clubs took place on Saturday last on the ground of the former. The weather was all that, could be desired, a light breeze blowing at first, which was, if anything, slightly in favor of the home team. The Feilding men were somewhat late in rolling up, one or two bpi fig absent altogether. However, with the assistance of A. Smith (Sanson) and Oliver (Foxton), the Feilding captain (Thomson) was. enabled to face the enemy. The ball was kicked off by Feilding, and for the first five minutes the play was decidedly in favor of Palmerston, the ball being kept well on to the Feilding goal. Paltridge soon obtained a touch down for Palmerston, hut H. Smith was'hmsuccessful in trying at the goal. Feilding now succeeded in getting the ball more into their opponent's quarter, some exceedingly hot work ensuing. If was, however, soon taken' up to the centre of the ground, and the game was very evenly contested for some .time, some good running being shown _j£ H. Smith, Salmon, and Alabaster, of Palmerston, and Roe, of Feilding. The Feilding men now succeeded in getting the ball again towards their opponent's goal and the Palmerston men were twice forced down. After abput five minutes even play the ball was again taken up to the Feilding goal, when time was called, and the first spell of 40 minutes ended. At the commencement of the second and last spell Palmerston kicked, off but were soon again forced down. Salmon -then threw the ball forward, and "a very hot scrimmage ensued close to the Palmerston goal, resulting in another force down. It was then carried down to the Feilding goal for a short time, and after some even play A. Smith (Feilding) got away with the ball, hut was splendidly collared by H. Smith. Some very good play was then displayed by both sides close to the Palmerston goal, another force down being obtained by Feilding. Soon after this I homson made a really splendid drop kick, the ball very narrowly missing the Palmerston goal. Thomson then made a capital attempt to run in, but was well collared by Salmon. Soon after this a dispute occurred amongst some of the players, and whilst indulging in a slight wrangle over it, Booth got away with the ball, and succeeded in touching it down. The try was taken by Dawson but without success. From this point to the end of the game the ball was kept well down into the Feilding goal, and some very hot play took place in that quarter, when time was called, the game thus resulting in a draw, each team having scored one try. Among those who distinguished themselves for Feilding were Thompson, Roe, Dawson, Taunt, Booth and C. Halcombe, whilst for Palmerston H. Smith, Alabaster, Paltridge, Honr.slow, Snow and Stallard were decidedly conspicuous. Thomson's drop kicking and general back play was almost perfect, whilst H. Smith and Alabaster showed wonderful activity and skill as quarter backs. I would like to give a friendly word of advice to one or two players on both sides. Jackson should keep more in his place as a forward, and not usurp the place of a quarter back during the scrimmages, whilst Paltridge and Goodbehere should be more caieful not to play off side. Paltridge has also a ••very ''had habit of picking the ball up in a scrimmage. This is not only against all rule, but is exceedingly dangerous. -With these few exceptions everything was as it should have been. Moreover, the faults I have endeavored to point out are very common amongst all young players, and I will no doubt disappear entirely with a j little more practice. Messrs Pratt'andCaverhill acted as umpires for Palmerston and 1 Feilding respectively, and Mr E. Cox, of Foxton, acted as time keeper. "After. the game was concluded the usual cheers were given by each team. The outside public were well represented on the occasion, but were, I am - sorry " to* say, rather apt to trespass too much on the ground, so much so as to interfere with, the play once or twice. I would suggest that those footballers present, who are not playing, should act as stewards, and keep tho way clear. ScBIMMAGE.