FOOTBALL. THAMES V. AROHA.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 14, 8 September 1883, Page 2

FOOTBALL. THAMES Y. AROHA.

The racecourse was the scene of the abovematch on Saturday last, the same hour at Dunedin the great contest between Auckland and Otago took place, und ended with the same result as our local umteh t with no score for .either, Hide, T in this respect if in no other, a similarity exist.' 1 ?.? The;; match (T. v. A.) of Saturday was played in the presence of not" less* lTianT 400 onlookers, who throughout' the gains evinced the greatest interest in the -proceedings, and edftductrid themselves, in w manner that does credit to themselves and the whole district. On no single occasion was there any necessity for the* energetic Reuben, mounted on his gallant, white steed, to ask the crowd to keep* back the second time ,- in short, insi.le the boundary lioes was as free from «, thepublic as could possibly lie desired. ,The toss being won by the Aroha. captain, jitter a lapse of a few minutes he announced tlje intention of the team to kick up the hill for the first twenty minnt.jfl. The Thames captain kicked the ball off shortly after 3, and then ensued a-strong--and determined rush on the part of theThames f oru ,mk Tho Ardhu, , boysfor the first ten minutuß "werethoroughly overpowered, and their 'goal appeared in great danger several -4 imes, the Tiuimes forwards keeping close on tho ball and packing tho hcrummages well, tlm Ai'oha backs having* all their' work cut out to dr-fo^d their goal and . toucli linos. The la.t ton of, the, first twenty minutes took a turn in favour of tho Aroha team, and some very excellent running and passing on the part of th jArolm h ilt'baekswasnoticabletheb ill being tak< n tutu their adversaries quarter The r<> m.iindei of the first twenty w.is in invinw of the local players. A Kp;ll (much needed by some of the loctl team) of ten minutes, and tho Arohu contingent kicked off, this twenty d<nvn the hill. Tlijj play on both hides w.is Cv>rtiiiily of very superior form, considering ths very littlepractice either team had benn üblt to have together, the Aioha fui wards doing all the work for their side, while it ytook.the Thames backs fill their time to protect the property in their charge, and on two occasions had to force down in selfdel once, the loose scrummaging, passing^ limning, and dribbling of the homj tfam, together with tlu- well picked mtu u n.iges, pretty di opting., and excellent punting of the visitors ro,-ivjd from tiiii; to time the riciily deserved lou»l r.mud-, of applause from the onlookers. Time being called, th : second twenty end <1 no p int& a spell of tea minute^, rt ( 't *r w'ni.;h die visitors for the last time kic'ce.l down tho hill, the ball being started rolling by the Thames captain kicking oil. Aft might have been anticipated, the stringers m ide desperate efforts, having the .idvantage of down hill iv their i'tvotir to. carry off the laurels. The Aro'i i team appeared to play an entirely defensive game, packing the scrmnriu^os, playing close, entirely reserving their last men and hnif backs for the next twenty down, hill ; their tactics proved correct, this being the most uneventful twenty of theday, the bail being kept ne irly all thetime about the cei.tre of the ground in scniimiut>es, the- Thames team lightingpluckily and well, being ably led in their determined attempt to force, the bait through their opponents fortifications by their captain. Time called, thiid twenty finished, no points scored, a spell of tert minutes, the ball kicked off down hill for llu last twenty by tho home team, who now did their level best to pull off a score for the honour of their district ; thistwenty was certainly the liveliest of the match, und play was carried on in a most vigorous manner, at the same time with the almost good feeling existing betweenboth teams. There can he very little doubt, il up to the present tini*j the teams had been evenly matched, the Aroha boys now seemed to have a good deal of their own way, many and close to tho touch line of the visitors were the scrummages that took place in this twenty, the ball being constantly all but over tha Thames touch line, three times the vibitors having to force dawn. The local men should wot have been so anxious to force the ball through their opponents ; but should have played a loose running ond passing game, allowing their backs an occasional pot at goal. The Thames team deserve great credit foi the determined and successful defence they made of their goal. We feel bound to say the last twsnty proved the Aroha team a bstter fifteen than the visitors. Time called — • ball held. Three cheeis for the teams and one for their captains brought to a finitih a splendidly contested game ; a game played from start to finish by both sides in a true football humour, and in a manner in which the noble game of football Rhould be played. We have carefully avoided mentioning individual play, as the teams have not had time to train, and we should not like to damp a beginner's ardour by omitting mention of his name, sufficient it is to say on both sides some really oxcellent piay was exhibited, as also some equally bad. The •follu'.vi.ng aro the names of the players who took part in tlie game : — Thames : Messrs Allom, Anderson, Aperahama, Andrews, Airey, Christie, Douglas, Prater, Gillies, Irwin, Murray, Ogle, Rae, Tregonning, Taylor, Watene, and Steward (captain). Aroha; Whitakei (captain), Bond, Verily, Trude, Purchas, Burgess, Stewart, Quiglcy, McFarlane, McDonald, Hin ton, Whitehouse, Morgan, Brennan, Peacock.

DINNER. Tho visiting team was entertained by th<3 Aroint people in tiie evening at Quinism's British Hotel. The repast waa everything that could he desired, wines of the best quality and cooking excellent. The captain of the hunie team occupied the chair. After every ono had done ample justice to the victuals (the su;king pi^ receiving 1 tho most attention) the chai.muin called on those present to fill their glasses and Jriiiii the health of the visiting team, coupled with the name of their worthy captoin —The t^ast was received with enthusiastic applauae, and drank with musical honor . — Captain Steward, in responding for his team and himself, said Mr Chairu.an a. id gentlemen, I now rise to return thanks. to our hospitable entertainers of this evening. In doing ho, I cannot allow this oppor-« tnnity to pass wit .out expressing for the team I have tne honor to captain and myself our heartfelt thanks for the exceeding handsome manner in which we have beer* entertained by the Aroha pedple here tonight, and the kindly feeling exhibited; towards »s by the Aroha team. The

match of to-day hag been contested on the purest football principles ; there is not ©ne of the tenma who fought for his irospective side in the mutch to-day that cannot now in the most friendly manner possible shake hands* with hk opponent. The play exhibited by our friends was excellent throughout the game, I felt we were over-matched from start to finish, and have i>o he^naii'm in saying 1 their play would compare favourably with any team in the colony ; it is a matter of great satisfaction to me, and I feel sure I am uttering the sentiments of the playeis on my side when I say we feel proud at having held our own against such an excellent team. In conclusion, I would say we shall be happy to meet an Aroha contingent at the Thames before the close of the football s -ason, and [ will venturo to assure the visitors a hearty reception, at the same time let them understand they must not expect a reception eqa.il to the one they have accorded us to-day. I now call on the Thames to join me in drinking the toast of the Aroha football clnb, coupled with the name of their captain. Toiwt drank with musical honors. Several other toasts were proposed, drunk, and responded to, Auld Lang Syne bringing a most enjoyable evening to a close, when all departed for their respective hon.es, ringing for everyone's " A Jolly, Good Follow " and other appropriate songs.