A SYDNEY APOLOGY FOR THE DEFEAT.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 54, 14 June 1884, Page 3

A SYDNEY APOLOGY FOR THE DEFEAT.

The day before the match the S.M. Herald had the following sub-leador — ' ' Heaven send our city footballers better luck or power than the county of Cumberland men displayed in their match with New Zealand yesterday, or we shall indeed have to lower our flag or pull it down altogether. Of course it was not to be expected that the Cumberland village would beat the stalwart Islanders, but most people thought, like Captain Griffin, that they would have had a better show. A better show we shall have on Saturday, but by no meons a certainty of winning. Football is not our game; never can be our f game. It does not suit the climate. Our short three months of winter give no chance to acquire proficiency. By the time the team is licked into shape the brightening spring weather brings the irresistible impulse for cricket, and the striped jerseys are pitched aside for the snow-white flannels. We shall always court defeat if in this game we court contest with New Zealand, just as the thoroughbred racer would be given away if put to carry weight with the steeplechaser across fences and water. Still, if New Zealand desires to play us a game there is no reason why we should not endeavour to play them a good game, and give them at least sport in the winning, for can we not at any time send over a second eleven and retrieve the laurels at cricket ?