FOOTBALL.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 762, 7 August 1894, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

[Br Oval.]

In my report of last Thursday’s match 1 gave the Club team one point more than was correct. The goal obtained by A. Davidson was from a penalty kick, and not from a mark, as reported.

Now for a few further remarks regarding the play. To compare the two teams, as they lined up, a spectator could not held noticing the wonderful difference in weight. Some of Clemett’s men would, I am sure, have gone mighty near 14st., while the Club were compelled to include its three lightest members, who would not scale nine stone. This is evidence that brute strength, without science, is of little avail in football. The first spell of the game was played in good spirit, but I can’t say as much for the second, both teams being responsible for rough play, the more deliberate of such coming from—well, not one of the Club team. When a man is intentionally punched in the face it requires a cool head not to resent such brutal behaviour, and the aggressor may thank his lucky stars that the Club man did not teach him such a lesson as the Wellington boy—he was no more at the time I refer—taught one of the Kaikoura players a few season’s back. Anyone who cannot control his temper has no right to take part in such an exciteable game. For the losers, last Thursday, A. Clemett played the hardest game, while J. Low, F. Close, Schroeder, McDonald, W. Smith and H. Smith showed up prominently,—the latter often attempts, when about to be collared, to jump over his opponents’ head. Unless he puts a stop to this practice he will either injure himself or someone else.

The more noticeable of the reps, were Turnbull, Cox, Morris—Morris is good on the line out, —Ritchie, Gray, A. Davidson and D. Haswell. Washington, as full-back, did all that was required of him. He tackles well, and has improved in his kicking, but should punt more. J. Low talks of arranging a match with the Club, and will very likely include an ex - Wellington College ’ boy ’ in his team. Well done Joe I Teach your men to play the game in a friendly spirit.

(by proteus)

“ ‘ Proteus ’ is not looking on, bothered if wo won’t take advantage of his absence and go in for a bit of rough play,’ appears to have been the spirit actuating some of those engaged in last Thursday’s contest, between the reps, and Clemett’s team. I am sorry for it, because I have seen that the offenders can play the game in a proper spirit when they like- This time I am going to let them off, by not naming them, teaching them that in my strength I can be merciful, as

they should ever be. .Should, however, there be a recurrence of the rough play, I shall not hesitate, first, to publish the names of those’chargeable with rough, play or using rough language, and, next, pursuing the matter until they either abandon the objectionable practices or are drummed out of the game here. It should be remembered that the Referee has the power to order off the ground any player who acts improperly, and, further, as the enclosure is under private control, anyone who disobeys the Referee, or who refuses to leave the enclosure—not the field of plav only—when so ordered can be treated as a trespasser and dealt with as such. Players had, therefore, better take heed. It will not be my fault if football is played roughly here, or improper language is used, for I shall ruthlessly pillory those guilty of such conduct. Should I not be present I shall be advised by * Oval ’ of the names of the offenders. I am informed that one of the All-comers—-the particular one is stared—asked, in almost as many words, that an imaginary grievance should be settled bv a fistic contest. When he found that Barkiss was willing ’ he cooled down. It occasionally happens that people who are anxious lor an appeal to arms come off second best. They get more than they bargain for, as did the Kaikoura man who presumed that people of knightly mien cannot fight, he therefore tackled an Earl(e), but very soon found that he had caught a tartar, who taught him a lesson. I hope it won’t be lost on him or any other local player.

Auckland beat South: Canterbury by 16 points to 3.