FOOTBALL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1510, 25 May 1886, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

MERIVALE F. TEMUKA. This match, which had been arranged about a fortnight ago, was played in the Temuka park yesterday. The Merivale team arrived at Temuka by the express train, and, after having changed their clolhisg, proceeded to the ground, where play commenced shortly after 1 p.m. The teams were placed as follows: Merivale; Full back, A. Turner; half backs, Richards, Crow and Dallas; quarter backs, Monntfort and Ashby ; forwards, Garrard (Captain), Horner. Hoskins, Dewsbury, Sowle, Lowery, E. Turner, Woodward, and Bennett. Temeka ; Full back, R. Smith ; half backs, G. Cole, E. S. Smith, and W. J. Wood ; quarter backs, J. Velvin (captain), and Harte; forwards, G. Velvin, Dyson, Stewart, Gray, Shah lard, Blyth, Polaschek, Ogilvie, and Thomsoli. The umpires were Messrs J. J. Heap and Jones, and Mr G. P. Wood acted as referee. When the game started there were a good many spectators present, whoa* numbers considerably increased as the game went on, and towtrda the end the attendance was very large, and much interest waa manifested in the play. The ground waa in good order and everything was well arranged. Captains Velvin and Garrard tossed up for choice of goals with the' result that the Temuka team won and- selected the western goal. Captain ' Garrard kicked off and sent the ball well into the Temuka ground, where it was picked up and smartly returned by E. S. Smith. The Temuka team followed well np, and a series of scrimmages ensued, (he play on both sides being pretty warm, and it scon became known that Merivale was the heaviest and strongest team, while their play waa much closer, and they kept better together than Temuka. After a bit of smart play on the Merivale side, Horner secured the ball, and by splendid play obtained the., first try for Merivale, but no goal resulted. On the ball being kicked out again by R. Smith some good play was shown on both sides, the ball being kept well into the Temuka quarters until E, S. Smith by a splendid run took it well into the Merivale 25 yards, and -some tough play resulted, Gray, G. Velvin, Dyson, and Blyth doing good work for Temuka. After some rough play the ball found its way back into the Temuka ground, where it was put out of touch. On .being thrown in Hoskins secured the ball, sodgot the second try, but failed to score. There was some doubt as to the fairness of-this, the Merivale umpire giving his decision against his own team, but Ob the question being referred to the referee he admitted be had not noticed the mistake,- and the Meriaalaa got the benefit of the doubt. Shortly after this time was eallsd, After s few minutes’ spell Velvin kicked off the ball again, and goals having bsan changed Temuka appeared to belter advantage. For the first ten minutes the ball remained within a few yards of the Merivale goal, and Temuka looked very much like scoring until Dallas by s good kick sent it into the middle of the field, whence it was parried on tp the Temuka quarters, Some heavy sgrimunges ensued till R. Smith was forced down, when he kicked ofij sending it well into the opposition. The play henceforward was very even, no advantage being observable on either side. During the bet five minutes some

splendid play was shown, grand kicks and runs being put to the credit of both sides, amongst which Colo was conspicuous. The second spall was over at 3 p.m., and cheers were called by Captain Yolvin for the Merivslo club. The compliment was returned, and play came to an end. The Merivale team was much heavier and more evenly matched than Temuka. They were all about the same size, and showed by their play they had practised well together. They played splendidly forward, their passing being grand. On the other hand several of the bast player* of Temuka were absent, but on the wl.ele they playad a very creditable, and if they only practiced more together, and studied passing with better judgment, they would be able to give a good account of themselves anywhere. The forwards were weak and passed badly, bat as regards running and kicking they had decidedly the beat of it. Cote, Wood, and E. S. Smith as half backs did splendid work for Temuka, but the quarter-back was very weak, Captain Yelvin being the only one in that department, that seemed to understand the Caine. In scrimmages ' Gray, Blytb, Yelvin, Dyson, Shallard, Harte, Thomson, Ogilvie sad Polaschek played well, and on the whole it was thought that only for some of the best players being absent Temuka would doubtless have made a draw of the game. Immediately after (he game came to an end all the players adjourned to the Royal Hotel, where a splendid spread was laid for them in Mrs Heap’s best styl«. Captain Yelvin occupied the chair, and Captain Garrard the vice-chair, and after the good things had b»en done full justice to, the Chairman proposed the health of the Merivale team in a few words, and said that only for having been disappointed by some of his men he would have turned defeat to victory. The toast was drank with musical honors. Captain Garrard in responding said, though beaten, the Temuka team played a capital game, tie hoped to see them in Christchurch, where they would give them a good beatiog, and at the same time mask their visit as enjoyable as they possibly could. He wound up by proposing the health of the Temuka team, which was drunk with musical honors, and responded to by Captain Yelvin. The Chairman proposed the toast of the Referee, the Umpires, and the Press, which was duly honored, and the proceedings came to a close with singing “ Auld L ing Syne.” The Merivale team returned by express train to Christchurch. They were accompanied to the station by the Temuka team, and as the train moved off there was great cheering on hoih sides. TIM ARC V. SYDENHAM. This match was played at Christchurch yesterday, and resulted in the defeat of the Timaru team by 20 points to nil. GERALDINE. The Geraldine “ Wanderers ” Football Club held tbeir opening practice of tho season on Saturday afternoon. A fair number of members put in an appearance, and some good play took place. A meeting of the Club was held in the evening, Mr P. Bethuno (Captain) in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The report of the deputation appointed to wait upon the Chairman of the Domain Board, asking permission to play in the park, was received. It stated that the Club would be allowed the use of the ground, provided they did not play over the cricket pitch. It was unanimously resolved to accept the conditions upon which the ground was offered. It having been stated that goal pests would be necessary, Mr G, H. Patrick, kindly presented the Club with a pair. On the proposition of Mr A. Erekine, seconded by Mr E. Millard, Mr H. N., Hiskena w»a elected TiceCaptain. A. hearty vote of thanks to Mr Patrick for his gift of goal posts was passed. Several new members were enrolled, making 19 now belonging to the Club, and with diligent practice they should soon be able to give a good account of themselves in the football field. It was decided that Wednesday and Saturday afternoons should be the days for practice, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.