FOOTBALL MATCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 233, 2 October 1871, Page 2

FOOTBALL MATCH.

{From the Evening Post, September 30.) The football match between the Nelson and Wellington teams was played on the Cricket Ground yesterday afternoon, before, an assemblage of about 400 people, amongst whom were many of the fair sex, who honored tbe game with their presence, in spite of the threatening weather, which happily repaid them, by holding off till night. Sir George and Lady Bowen viewed the game from nearly the com-,, mencement to the end. On arriving on the ground, the players gave three hearty cheers for Lady Bowen. The Nelson side won. the toss,, and chose the upper goal, which, on account of the fresh breeze that was blowing, was decidedly the most •advantageous. ; j The ' Nelshnians wore a very pretty uniform of red stockings and white jerseys, which gave' them a much better appearance* j that., dje,) Willing. on team, .who have not as yetfixedon any one color. The first half-hour the football was seldom more than 50 yards from the

Wellington goal ; the Nelson men were evidently determined to win, and, played iv splendid style, well together, in fact, a more scientific game than their opponents. When goals were changed, however, and the Wellington team had the wind, which had increased, in their favor, they showed up better, and some very good individual play took place, resulting in a try, -which Capt. Isherwood, by a splendid kick, nearly made a goal. This gave the Wellington men confidence, and their play manifestly improved. Nothing more was gained till the third half-hour, when, though the Wellingtonians had the wind against them, they made a try and a goal, the only goal during the game. This try was made by a splendid run by Partes over nearly the whole length of the field. The ball was' then punted out, but fell short; luckily, however, one of the Wellington men succeeded in ruuning in with the ball, aud touching it down behind the goal, which gave them the privilege of a fair kick at the gpal, when Capt. Isherwood, by a good kick, this time made a goal. Directly afterwards time was called, and tbe last half-hour nothing was gained on either side, though some very good play took place. The Wellington men were heavier than the strangers, and had it all their own way in the hack downs, and also had ihe best of it in running in with the ball. There was much laughter on tbe bank at the tumbles, which were often very grotesque, but sometimes rather heavy, one young man on the Nelson side having to be carried off the field; but we are happy to hear he is all right to-day. The game was played throughout iv a good spirited manner, and no bad temper or ill-feeling of any kind shewed itself, which, in so rough a game, says a great deal for the gentlemanly behavior of the the players. On the last half-hour being called, the Wellington men were the winners by one goal. After the match the two clubs sat down to dinner at the Empire Hotel, when a most pleasant evening was spent, aud the small hours had arrived before the company separated.