FOOTBALL MATCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4429, 31 May 1875, Page 2

FOOTBALL MATCH.

TOWN VERSUS CIVIL SERVICE. The first match at football between the Town and Civil Service ever played in Wellington, took place on Saturday afternoon on the new ground near the Albion Hotel. As was anticipated by many, the Civil Service team proved the stronger of the two. The captains of the sides tossed up for choice of goal, which fell to the lot of the Town team, who chose the end which was slightly favored by what little wind there was at the time. On the teams getting into position play immediately commenced, Werry sending the ball flying over the heads of Ins opponents, who, nothing daunted, soon returned the compliment, and bore down to the further end of the field, but only to find that they were not strong enough to tackle their burly opponents, who from this time kept the ball hard down by the goal of the Town throughout the first half-hour. Mr. McLean, at present unable to join the Town team on account of a severe sprain, acted as timekeeper. When the sides had changed over, strange to say, the Town team kept the ball in close proximity to the .Civil Service goal. In this period of the game some very excellent play was exhibited by the half-back players on both sides. For the information of those uninitiated in the mysteries of the game, we will explain the object of the half-backs. On the choice of these players greatly depends the successful working of the team. They are so placed in the field as to be in readiness, should the ball be forced through the forward players, to send it back immediately over the heads of their opponents, and in case they make one false step it is generally the cause of a touch down behind goal in favor of their opponents. Messrs. Park and Kirk, on behalf o' the Civil Service, and Messrs. J. and WBishop, for the Town, did good sendee in this post for then- respective sides. It is not necessary to follow the game throughout, as it was one constant struggle from beginning to end. The result of the game was in favor of the Civil Service by 1 goal (which was splendidly kicked by Lynch), and 2 touches down behind goal. The Town team, we believe, had 2 tries from the field, which, however, are not recognised by the laws of the gamer Now that about forty players muster in the field for a game, we hope that they will work up the rules of the game, and give a good account of themselves in the coming match with the Nelson province, which takes place in about one month from this date. All suggestions offered in our columns must be taken in good part by the players. During the recent game many excellent opportunities of getting the ball towards the opponents’ goal were entirely lost by delaying to throw theballinfromboundary touch until some particular play er came up to take it, and who, in nine cases out of ten, is never even allowed to get near it. It is by taking advantage of chances such as these that a team gains that which, in other cases, it might lose. As a rule, it should be the aim of every player to keep the ball constantly in motion, and on no account to delay the game for one player, or afford time for a number of players to congregate together. The Town team are much to be congratulated in their playing, and it is to be hoped they will bo more fortunate in their return match, and also that Mr. McLean will be able to join them. Mr. Isherwood was unfortunately out of the game soon after its commencement, having met with a severe sprain. Amongst those present, numbering some hundreds, we were glad to see Mr. Pearce, the president of the Star Club, who takes a lively interest in the newly formed club. At the conclusion of the game, three cheers were called for the Town team by Mr. Werry, and cordially responded to, in return for which Mr. Isherwood proposed a like compliment for the Wellington Club, which was given with a hearty good will by the Town players.