FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1721, 26 August 1879, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON v. OTAGO.

The second of the series of in’erprovincial football matches came off to-day in Mr Anderson’s paddock, Cashel street east, Wellington and Otago being the opposing teams. The ground was very wot and slippery, and the play was consequently not so good as on Saturday. The following are the teams Wellington (yellow and black)—Warbriok, in goal; Cooper, three-quarter back ; Bajly and Thomson,'half-backs ; Davy and Berry, quarter-backs; Oowie (captain), Lynch, Smith, Hale, Galbraith, Stewart, Ronalson, Wright and Campbell, forwards. Otago (blue)—McLean and Kerr, backs ,- Leitke and Murray, three-quarter backs; Cargill and Northcote, half-backs ; Austen, Kennedy* Mills, McKennon, Reid, Robb, Sleigh, Snodgrass, and Wylie, forwards. Otago having won the choice of goals, Oowie, the Wellington captain, took the kick off from the cast end, Eor a minute or so the play was in the Otago quarters, but the blues all rushed on to it, and without much difficulty took it down to within ten yards of the Wellington goal line, and only for the timely interference of Warbrick a touch-down would have been recorded. The blues wore playing well together, whilst their opponents were very much disorganised, and at first the general impression was that the Otago men would have things pretty much their own way. Gradually the Wellington men pulled themselves together, and by some very fast and heavy forward play forced the ball back into the middle of the ground, from whence the Otago men again took it into the enemy’s camp, and by a chance shot Cargill narrowly missed dropping a goal. As on Saturday, however, luck was against him, and the ball fell a littl* short. From this to the end of the spell the play consisted of a series of hard, rough scrimmages, relieved occasionally by short runs on both sides, Otago finally working the ball back and compelling Wellington to touch down in self-defence just as lime was called. On play beiug resumed, the ball was sent well in the Wellington quarters, the backs smartly returning to mid-ground, and into Murray’s hands, who claimed a free kick. The ball was placed for Wylie, who took a

*hot at goal, but without effect. A good deal of hard and exciting play hero ensued, which resulted in Wellington having again to touch down in self-defence. Some very good drop-kicking on both aides then took place, after which the Wellington men rushed the ball in the Otago quarters, when Bayly smartly picked it up, and by a brilliant bit of play broke through the blues and got a touch-down on the south-east corner of the ground, amidst loud and continued cheers. Oowie took the ball out and placed it for Bayly, but the try was not a success, the ball being too greasy to kick with any certainty. Time was shortly afterwards called, and the game up to this unexpectedly stood in favor of Wellington by one try to nothing. The third spell was commenced by Oowie kicking off for Wellington, and, elated by their success, the northerners played up capitally on the ball, and managed to keep it well away from their own goal. The blues repeatedly tried their usually effective passing back play, but the Wellington men were quick and safe at collaring, and seldom gave their opponents a chance to get away, though some good attempts were repeatedly made by Murray, Sleigh, Cargill, and others. At the close of the spell no alteration had been made in the score, though the blues fought hard to turn the tide in their favor. The last spell was commenced by a good kick from Murray, and for some time the blues had to act on the defensive in their own quarters, and once again had to touch down in self defence. The blues were now playing up in fine form, and things were made particularly warm for the Wellingtonians. But they are pretty well used to stormy times in the Empire City, and they also proved themselves sufficiently hardy to cope with the heavy pressure brought to hear on them by the Otago men at this particular juncture. Murray especially fought desperately for a touch ■ down, _ and once got clear away and within a yard of the goal line, when Bayly who played remarkably well throughout, came into violent collision with him, and spoilt the chance by sending his opponent over the touch line, and almost immediately after a wily Wellington back touched the ball down in self-defence. Play was resumed with unabated vigor, and amidst much excitement, but time was called before anything further resulted, and the game ended in favor of the Wellington team by a wellearned try to nil. The Otago team was slightly different to that of Saturday, Kerr and Kennedy taking the place of Gibb and Hamerton, the latter being unable to play through a broken nose. The absence of Hamerton considerably weakened the hack play of the Southerners, and had he been able to play in the place of Kerr, the touchdown in all probability would have been saved. All the forwards on the Otago side played a hard game, especially towards the end, but the backs had little to do compared with the match on Saturday. For Wellington, Bayly played in splendid form, and his efforts were well backed up by Berry, Oowie, Davy, Lynch, Ronalson, and Warbriok, each of whom rendered good and effective service in various departments and at various stages of the game. Bayly and Murray were heartily cheered at the close of the game, the former being hoisted on the shoulders of his comrades and carried off the ground in triumph.