FOOTBALL. ENGLAND V. AUCKLAND. ENGLAND WINS. SCORE: ENGLAND, THREE POINTS ; AUCKLAND, NIL. (From the " Auckland Star ")

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 298, 12 September 1888, Page 3

FOOTBALL. ENGLAND Y. AUCKLAND. ENGLAND WINS. SCORE : ENGLAND, THREE POINTS ; AUCKLAND, NIL. (From the " Auckland Star ")

A r.ETTER. day for the third great football mutch between England and Auckland could not have been obtained even by arrangement with the clerk of the v eather. The sun was shining brightly and warmly, making things comfortable for the spectators, while a gentle, cooling breeze benefi tted the players. The ground at Epsom was in splendid condition, the turf green and springy, and the very thing to suit the English style of play. Half Auckland seemed to be holiday -making, and from noon the tram cars were tilled with passengers to the ground, while the majority, taking advantage of the tine day, turned pedestrians for the nonce.

Before two o'clock on Saturday afternoon the street in front of the Imperial Hotel was thronged by a large crowd, who assembled to witness the start of the rival football teams for Epsom. The Auckland team emerged from the hotel first and took their seats in the brake provided for them. Shortly afterwards they were followed by the English players, who wore crape round their left arms out of respect to the memory of their late Captain. They hoisted no flag in the vehicle. About a quarter-past two the procession of brakes moved off, the van being led by one of Martin's brakes containing the Artillery Band, who struck up a popular air as they moved off. The brake containing the English players came next, iollowed by the Auckland team's brake, with the Auckland " blue and white bars " floating in the air. A brake containing a number of backers and friends of the team brought up the rear. As the procession moved up Queen-street it was followed by a large number of vehicles of a 1 ! description, bound for the scene of the con f est.

Both teams were in great fettle and every arrangement for the match had been settled. Mr J. Arneil umpired for Auckland, and Dr. Smith for England, while Mr T. Macky held the referee's whistle. Mr T. 0 Connor was once again elected captain for the Auckland team. Mr A. E. Stoddart, the crack International and Blackheath three-quarter back, captained the English team

THE TEAMS. ENGLAND (colours— red, white, and blue) : — Full-back, W. Burnett ; threequarters, J. T. Haslam, A. E. Stoddart, Dr. Brooks ; half-backs, W. Bumby, H. C. Speakman ; forwards, H. Eagles, C. Mathers, S. Williams, W. H. Thomas, A. Paul, A. J. Stewart, A. J. Laing, T. Banks, J. Anderton.

AUCKLAND (colours— dark blue and white) : Full-back : T. Brown ; Threequarters : R. Masen'eld, L. Meldrum, T. Ryan ; Half-backs : M. Herrold, A. Braund, H. Stevenson ; Forwards : T. O'Connor, O. Wells. J. Lecky, W. Hobson, R. McKenzie, P. Gould, A. Stewart, J. Heffernan.

FIRST SPELL. There were about 4,000 present. The teams appeared on the field at 3.5 p.m., greeting each other in the usual manner. Auckland won the toss, and elected to kick with the wind with them and the sun behind their backs. Paul kicked off, and Masefield returned to Haslam, who returned to Stephenson just beyond the half-way flag, going into touch. Some good passing by the Englishmen was stopped by Braund, who secured the ball and passed to Stephenson, who reached * Haslam, and passed to Hobson, the latter to Lecky, and Lecky to Gould, who finally threw to Masefield, and that player kicked out past the half-way flae. O'Connor taking the ball from the line-out, made a dashing run. and fine combined passing took the ball to England's twenty-live. Speakman getting the ball, ran right across the field and punted out to the 25 flag. The quick returns of Brown brought down the gallery on two occasions. Brooks secured the ball, but failed to get away with it, and was brought down in front of the 25. Fine play by Speakman and fast following by Stoddart took the ball to Auckland's 25, where Brown almost spoiled by slipping, but recovering sent the ball into touch past the 25 flag. England's fast rushes kept the play there, and Stoddarb^ from a pass "-by Speakman, took a pot at goal that went wide of the

mark, and Meldrum forced down. The Aucklanders fought the ball back with a fast forward rush, O'Connor being conspicuous, and it was carried to the halfway flag. Bum by got the ball from the scrum, and passed to Stoddart, who was collared by Meldrum. The ball was passed to Brooks, who punted out of bounds. A miss kick by Ryan took the ball to Auckland's 25. Speakman by ci smart run almost got in, Brown bringing him down on the lino. Stewart picking up the ball, punted to the half-way iiag. Givo-and-take play for some time, Auckland being in England's 25 and England in Auckland's turn about, A kick by Masetield and fast following up by the Auckland forwards took the ball to England's territory, and Speakman picking up, feinted past Herrold, and passed to Stoddart, who nonplussed Meidruua and potted at goal j from the 25. He went very close, and Brown forced down. Auckland had the best of the play for a few minutes, and then Herrold, from a throw in from the line out, got off with the ball. Passing several of the backs, he passed to Meldrum, who was thrown out of bounds a few yards from the Englishmen's line. Exciting play followed. Lecky getting over the line once, was rushed into play again, and Meldrum almost got across too, while a dribble by McKenzie was only stopped on the line. England played a defensive game for some time, until Bum by, by a good run and a pass to Speakman, got the ball past the iiffcy flag, when Herrold picked up and made a grand run up to the English twenty-five, reaching the fullback, when he passed to Stephenson, who failed to take the ball. Brooks t-aved an almost certain score b} r kicking into touch in goal just as Herrold was dropping on the ball. Give-and-take play occurred after the kick-off, and then O'Connor by a fine dribble took the ball to the 25 flag. Eagles replied with a long run and play centred in Auckland's 25. A run by Anderton gave Stoddart a chance, and he almost got in. McKenzie, by fast following up, cleared his line. Bumby, Anderton, and Brooks were censpicuous for fast play and combined passing. Bumby passed to Stoddart, who, dodging Stephenson, potted at goal, and Auckland again forced down. From the kick-off, Auckland got up a line rush, carrying the play to England's twenty-five. Brooks punted, and Ryan marked ; takiug the ball past the halfway flag, he made a splendid shot at goal, the ball dropping just under the bar. England forced down and halftime was called, there being no score on either side.