FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 35, 23 September 1871, Page 9

FOOTBALL.

The basin rsserve on Saturday afternoon presented the appearance of a midsummer holiday. As to which of the inducements was entitled to chief consideration would be a question hard to decide between the game itself and the weather, which was sufficiently potential in its effect to create a longing for a day out, independently of any other attraction. The ground was in better condition than it had been on any occasion since the close of the cricket season, the warmth of the spring weather having caused the evaporation of nearly the whole of the surface water, which had hitherto tended to make the game anything but a pleasant one on the canal reserve. The members of the Constabulary had kindly made every provision for the accommodation of spectators, a tent with chairs in number being provided for ladies, while seats were distributed in various parts of the ground overlooking the course, the boundaries of which were marked off with flags. About four hundred Jpeople were on the ground, the ladies showing in more than ordinary proportion. The game commenced a little behind time, the requisite number on each side, seventeen, being on the ground at the appointed hour. The play was very equal for some time, the Wellington team playing at a great disadvantage in the first goal, the wind being dead against them. After the first change of ends their play was much the better of the two, and before the play had gone very far MTntosh made a very pretty easy but well direceted dropkick for the Wellington side. Two or three members of the Constabulary played very well, notably Smith, who kept the game alive by a variety of manoeuvres peculiar to the game, which were very amusing to the spectators, but the rest of them were completely outweighted by the superior play of the lighter men. In the next change of ends Wilkinson very cleverly got the ball behind the Constabulary goal at the north end, and his side being entitled to a placed ball Isherwood kicked the goal as

true as an arrow. This was repeated .at the same end with a very difficult side kick, making three goals to the Wellington side. Another goal was made after this, and the result of the day’s play waa four goals and three “ tries” to the. Wellington side against nothing. It is due to the Constabulary to mention, that they have recently lost some of their best players, a number of those on the ground having had no practice whatever. The club members played well, the result of their hard practice of late. “The Governor and Lady Bowen witnessed a part of the play from their carriage, which was pulled upon one of the side roads. When time was called each side cheered the other, a special three being given for the ladies. The Nelson players are expected over by the 27th to play the long talked of match. A proposal to give them, a dinner has been mooted, in the carrying out of which the club intend to solicit the support of the leading citizens.