FOOTBALL MATCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4530, 27 September 1875, Page 7

FOOTBALL MATCH.

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. The football match which was played on Saturday, 18th inst., on the Albion ground was in many ways an immense improvement on any previous efforts of the same description which have taken place in the city. Everything seemed favorable, the weather, which is sometimes rather a damper on field sports, was on the occasion referred to beautifully fine, and the number of spectators who thronged to the ground greatly inspirited the tsams by thenfrequent marks of approbation as the different players distinguished themselves. The number of people present was, roughly estimated, about 2500. The remarkable success which attended the Auckland cricket team which lately visited Wellington and the other parts of the colony led : many to believe the same success would attend the football players, and not a few of. the Wellingtonians backed the visiting team to win. The uniform of the Aucklanders was blue, and white stripes, while the Wellingtonians wore the usual red and white; the contrast was very good indeed. On the teams taking the field, it was apparent to the knowing ones that the only chance for the Auckland team in so small a field would be their great activity. The choice of goals was won by Welling'on, who chose the end facing the sun, which was at the commencement of the game tolerably high above the hills, and during the last half hour just in a line with the goal, so that had the Aucklanders been fortunate enough to get a try at goal, it would have been very perplexing for them with the sun In their eyes. So much for the good diplomacy of Werry. The following are the names and weights of the Auckland team :—S. Dunnett (captain), 14st. ;H. Whitaker, 9st.; H. W. Henderson, 13st. ; G. Carter, Sat. ; W. Woon, lOst. ; F. Sharland, list. ; F. Abraham, lOst. ; E. Ellis, list. ; L. S. Dacre, 12st. lOlbs. ; H. Niccol, list.; W. W. Gudgeon, list. 71bs.; G. W. Burgess, 13st. ; J. Nokn, lOat. lOlbs.; F. Earl, 9st.; and F. Pilling, list. Umpire, Mr. Pollen. The Wellington team comprised : Bishop, Bume, A. Campbell, G. Campbell, Hickson, James, Knapp, Park, Palliser, Riddiford, Sheppard, Snodgrass, Stohr, Webb, and Werry. Captain, Mr. Werry. Umpire, Mr. D. McLean.

Dunnett kicked off for Auckland, and the Wellingtonians darted off after the ball, and kept it down close to the goal for the first half-hour, gaining by their splendid backing up lj points. It may be well to state here that the arrangement arrived at to prevent the possibility of a tie was, that the result should be decided by the scores at the end of the game, 6 points to count for goal, 2 for a try at goal, and J a point for a ruse or forced touch-down. During the first half hour Peter Webb came to the fore, and played inhis usual desperate and ferocious style, striking terror into the stout hearts of the Aucklanders. Park also made a Bplendid run up the field. When the sides had changed over, the ball again showed a strong predilection for the Auckland goal, the Wellingtonians gaining this time 4J points (two tries and one ruse), Stohr, Bishop, and G. Campbell being the heroes of this half-hour on the Wellington side. The Auckland team seemed to flag rather, but were roused up by their captain, who played throughout in capital style. Not being in 'possession of the names of the Auckland team individually, that is so as to the possessors of those names in the field, it is impossible to record their deeds of daring in the same manner as those of the Wellington men. Again the third half-hour added fresh victories to the red and white jerseys, who scored 3£ points (one try and three ruses). Werry and James made some splendid charges, much to the amusement of the crowd, and apparently not with any dis- I advantage to themselves. Thompson, too, was within a few yards of the Auckland goal line, having successfully battled his way through all the Aucklanders with the exception of one, who, though half his size, manfully charged him, fastened on to him, and brought him down within only two yards of the line. The crowd one and all cheered them both for their plucky play. Auckland also scored 1 point (two ruses) during this half-hour. The fourth half-hour again added.6J points (one goal and. one ruse) to the Wellington score, making a total of 16 points to 1 of Auckland. The teams before leaving the field cheered one another. The result of this match took many by surprise. ■ , The Auckland team were obviously at an immense disadvantage,having been at sea for some considerable time and not having had sufficient time to recover; indeed, one of the players lost 11 lbs. in the trip down. That they are good players and played pluckily there is no doubt, and on their return trip we may expect them to regain their lost laurels. One thing is very

certain, if they had had the same chances at goal that the Wellington men had, instead of being only 16 they would have been 28. Some of their performances in Auckland in this lino have hoen immense, altogether eclipsiug the celebrated kick which Montgomery of Wanganui accomplished. So our local football celebrities must avail themselves of the spare time between this and the return trip to practice place-kicking. The long useless struggles' which used to take place were strictly forbidden, much to the advantage of the game. Before concluding, we must notice the very efficient manner in which the police kept the ground clear. THE DINNER As is usual on occasions of this kind, the two teams met in the evening, and dined together. The stay of the Aucklanders was not expected to be, so long, and consequently there had been no suitable preparations made for their proper entertainment; nevertheless, through the kindness of host Urwin, of the Postoffice Hotel, a very pleasant, although im- | promptu, entertainment took place. Mr. Buchanan occupied the chair, with the captain of the Auckland team on his right; Messrs. Pearce, Werry, and Park the vice-chairs Among the guests were Messrs. J. Sheehan, Dransfield, Crawford, and others. The chairman having proposed the toast of "The Queen," which was duly honored, called upon all present to charge their glasses for the toast of the evening, which was "The Auckland Team." Mr.'Dunnett, iu returning thanks, expressed himself as greatly surprised at the manner in which the Wellington team had played; he had seen them playing two or three times since he had been in Wellington, and had anticipated an easy victory for Auckland, and was very sorry he had been mistaken. However, on their return trip he trusted to be able to return the beating which his team had received. (Applause.) He then proposed thehealth of " The Wellington Team," which was drunk with musical honors. Mr Werry returned thanks, and called upon Mr. Ellis'for a song; after which Mr. I-iherwood proposed the health of "The Chairman " —(cheers)— coupling the names of Messr--. Pearce, Sheehan, and Buckland, who were present; the toast was received in the most enthusiastic manner by all present. In returning thanks Mr. Buchanan expressed his p!ea ure at seeing the Auckland team in Wellington, and hoped that on a future occasion tne Wellington team would visit Auckland. The evening's entertainment was brought to a close by all present singing "Auld Lang Syne.''