FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5331, 29 April 1878, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Tho football season was opened at the Basin Reserve on Saturday under very favorable auspices. There was a large muster of players present,lwho entered into the game with the utmost spirit, and from the number of new members present, Wellington should be able to pro- - duce a very creditable representative team. Several clubs will pay us a visit this season, and unless practice is kept up the result will not, be satisfactory for Wellington. The ground on Saturday was a little hard—particularly to those who fell down—bnt we are happy to say no one was hurt. There was a fair sprinkling of visitors present, who appeared thoroughly to enjoy tho game. The Wellington Club this season have several new members amongst their number, who will doubtless prove a great acquisition. One new player, by the name of Berry, was conspicuous ail through the game on ’Saturday. Chorton, Brandon, and Kerr are also new men and good players. The match was only a scratch one, by players picked by Messrs. Pollen and Bavey. Tho following are the names of the players:—Pollen's side—Grant, Paul, Berry, Boyle, Churton, Kane, Taylor, Weymond, Brandon, Williams, Bums, Bennett, Howe, Hooper, Gallway, Reekie, and Cooper. Ilavey’s side—Messrs Kerr, Castelli, Dmnbell, Keeft, Wright, Campbell, Davis, Brown, Kennedy, Baker, Ballinger, McGirr, Tully, Kembeli, and. Hotting. ‘' Berry started the. match by a good kick i/osards the south goal. The ball was smartly : Collared by Cooper, when he was at once surrounded; and the first scrimmage took place. Both sides appeared pretty even ; after a considerable amount of pushing the ball was got clear by Brown. A good run was then obtained by Kerr; bat his progress was stopped short by Berry, who tripped him, the i result being that both players measured their ■length on tho ground. Dumbed then collated the ball, and.obtained the first goal by a 'splendid kick. Davey next got tho bladder; and made a splendid run, but was collared close to Pollen’s goal. Castelli then came to the fore, and was very near securing a goal. Several scrimmages hero took place, after which Berry secured a touch-down, and had a try for goal, but failed. Davey obtained the next touch-down, but he, too, failed in his try. Berry, after getting a severe mauling from Davey's side, got another touch-down. Hooper secured the next, and allowed Berry to kick. This time he was more fortunate, as the ball was sent flying through the- goal posts. This was decidedly the best Icicfc of the day. The ball was then kept pretty well in the centre of the ground until_ .Cooper by some good play dodged through his men and by ,a well-judged kickobtained another’goal. The players particularly’worthy, of notice were Messrs. Berry, Churton, Brandon, Kerr, Cooper, Dmnbell, A. B. Campbell, Burns, and Castelli. The match throughout was very well contested. AYhen time was called the scores stood—Pollen,(2 goals, 2 trys ; Davey, 2 goals, 1 try.