WIN, TIE, OR WRANGLE.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 265, 19 May 1888, Page 6

WIN, TIE, OR WRANGLE.

Wblmnm.ton, May 15. The petty spirit thai has been character istic of football in Wellington ior some years has manifested itsolt again in connection with the Englith match. The local team did not win, and had not even the chance, as in tho case of bhoir Auckland match, to claim that they should have won ; but they talked themselves almost black in the face against the visitors. I append an extract from tho morning paper hero, ironi which your readers can form an idea of tho hospitality of Wellington and its footballers to their visitors. The precious extract is as follows : --" In practising ways that are dark and tracks that are vain tho Englishmen avo, unfortunately, a libtlo too proficient. Indeed, they play very largely on the ' win, tie,

or wrangle' principle, and cannot by any stretch of imagination bo considered, well-mannered. If any advantago is to bo gained by olf-sido play they will gain it. They appeal whenever they loso ground ; use, in some instances, or they did on Saturday at any rate, most disgraceful language ; and in point ot conduct goncrally in the (iold, they arc by no means dosirablo models for local playeis to copy. 1 They started on Saturday to play a tough t game, in which hacking and scragging wore , the most noticeable features and were deservedly hooted in consequence. We un- ' dcrfetand that they complain now that I the local men play roughly, but if > that really was the case, liic vi&itorj > brought it on themselves, anil it New Zealand is to have visit? from any more Engl ish teainn, it is to be hoped that in future » tho players who coino here will be a little ' better behaved, and a little moro given to i fair play than the membeis of the present team appear to be." 1 In justice to tho Englishmen, who are going North, 1 on only nay that the at tide, of which the above is a .sample, i-, an unmerited slander. Tho play . was rough, but it is a bignih- , cant fact that two Englishmen were . hurt for each Wollingtonian. Thetc was home wi angling, but tho visitor-., who appear to bo a good-natured lot of fellow.s, , seemed rather disgusted with it. I will only add that when the Wellington captain, who is known in Auckland by tho soubri , quot of "OIF-side King," wao not talking, , quietness pievailed.