FOOTBALL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1749, 12 June 1888, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

WAIHI (TRICOLOR) V. TIMARU (BLUE).

The above match, which is the‘second played for the South Canterbury Rugby Union’s Senior Cup, took place in the Geraldine Domain on Saturday last. The weather was perfect for football, and this, in addition to the fact that the local men were to meet such a redoubtable team as that from Timaru, attracted a very large number of spectators to the ground. Tbe surrounding districts were well represented, and a large proportion of those present were ladies. The ground was in perfect order, consequently the ball was dry, and passing could be done without fear of its being mulled, as is generally the case with a greasy ball. In spite of this, however, the game was far more confined to the forwards than would be expected under the circumstances. This may be greatly accounted for by the fact that the forwards of both teams worked splendidly, and when they got the ball amongst them they kept it there and rushed all over tha ground. At times, however, some very pret’y passing was shown among the backs on both sides. The Waihi forwards seemed to hayejsoman hat the best of their opponents, their superior weight telling in the sernms. Taken all round, the Waihi men were the heavier. The match may be looked upon as a very fair test of the strength of the two teams. The game throughout was characterised by the heartiest goodwill. At times the spectator nuisance was very pronounced, the onlookers in their eagerness crowding over the touchline some distance. In one instance a spectator who had encroached bn, the field of play some eight or ten. yards found himself by a sudden turn of the game suirounded by the players, and was treated to some uncomplimentary remarks. If the public could only realise how galling it is to a player, when both sides are doing their utmost, to score to find his way blocked by onlookers they woald . surely have tbe good taste to keep behind the tonchline. , The habit, too, of crowding round close up to tbe goal line is also most objectionable. Both teams are striving to get over their opponents’ goalline, and those lines should be kept perfectly clear. * Instead of that, 100 ; often «s the play gets on either line the crowd presses close up, and in the event of a player breaking away he not only han to pans his opponents, but finds himself confronted by a serried rank of onlookers, who block his wsy. Should the ball happen to be kicked a little hard it probably strikes an onlooker and rebounds into the thld. In this matter the players are almost at the mercy of the public, and in is to be hoped that at ail future matches played, at Geraldine at least, there will be no cause for complaint. The Timaru men arrived on the ground, by road, shortly afier 3 o’clock, and immediately began to prepare for action. The game commenced about 3.30, anden account of tbe lateness of the hour it was decided to play two spods of 40 minutes each. The Timaru captain, haring won the toss, decided to take the kick off, while the Geraldine skipper elected to defend the western: goal. , The teams took up their respective positions as .follows ,Waihi— Fill’-back ; H. W. Moore ; three-quarter-back ; Kalaugher, Temple, and Fi zgeruld; half-backs; Hart and Macintosh; forwards : E. Mabin (captain), F, Shallard, A. Shallard, H. N. Hiskens, A. Stewart, Wagstaff, Brinkmar, 'Lewis, and J. McLeod, Timaru—Full-back ; McLean ; three-quarter-backs: Shappere, Wood, and 0. A. Perry; half-backs ; Goadall (captain) and Lawrenson ; forwards : Matheson, MoNaugbt, Fish, LsOren, Pearce, Stubby Ford,' and Daveney. Qoodall’s kick off was well returned by Kalaugher, and WaihiVfollowing up well, rushed tbe gams into the Blues’ quarters. The Waihi forwards played‘up splendidly, and a series of scrums took place on the Timaru goal line. Goodall made an excellent attempt to relievo bis lines by one of his punts, hut the ball was baulked by one. of tbe Colors. A neat pass from Temple to Fitzgerald caused the latter to dart like an arrow for the Blues' line, but be was quickly grassed. The Blues, by some good quick play, relieved the pressure for a time, and got the ball back to their own 23 flag, where Lawrenson came to earth while trying to get ayr&y. Timaru still continued to gain ground, Matheson and some of the otherforwards working it to the half-way flag; when the Colors, getting on one of their rashts, carried the bull back to their opponents’ goal-liae, butc'ould not get over. The Blses immediately answered them by taking it to the half-way flag, from whonc i their opponents took it back to the Blues’ twenty-fives.i Here Lawrenson, Stubbs, and Sbappsre did their utmost to relieve their side, but in vain till Goodall secured a mark, by means of which he made a lot of ground with a kick into touch. Frera the throw oat Waihi seouisd the ball, and with a combined rush carried it close’np to the Timaru goal posts. Here a number of scrums endued, both sides working desperately. Neither side, however, secured much advantage for some time, as every man who got the ball was immediately smothered. The Timaru men made a most stubborn resistance, but the superior weight of the Waihi men finally told, and their opponents had to force down in self-defence, Timaru returned the compliment by rushing the ball down the field and compelling Waihi to- force down. Play bow continued for a short time in the Waihi quarters, but their forwards, getting to work, took it back to their opponents’ twenty-fives, where Hart had had an unsuccessful pot at the goal, and again Timaru forced down. Again the Blues were put on the defensive, and Fitzgerald, from a quick pass by Hart, looked every inch like scoring, when he was knocked out of touch close np to tbe corner flag. The ball now travelled very quickly from one end of the field to the other, and twice in rapid succession Timaru were forced down. When half time was called tbe ball was on the Timaru goal line. No score had yet been made by/ either side, though the home team / bad had much the best of the game. From the kick off in the second spell by Waihi they carried the ball to the Blues 26’a, and a number of scrums close on their goal ! lino kept them hard at work. From one of these scrums Macintosh got the ball, and with a furious and powerful rush got over ihe line with the Timaru men dinging on to him. The securing of this tiy called forth deafening cheers from tbe spectators

and Waihi men. Tbe try was entrusted to the same player, and he, with a magnifies!) t kick, placed an undeniable goal. Waihi were now three points to the good, and their demonstrations of pleasure were veiy marked, Macintosh coming in for some hearty hand-shaking. The same player returned the blues’ kick off, and again compelled them to force down for the fifth time. Tbe ball being again brought into play tbe colors showed their opponents that they had still a good deal in them, and some bard work took place in the blues’ 25’s, Both sides were now working like Trojans, Waihi to increase their lead, and Timaru, if possible, to stave off defeat. The excitement among the spectators was at fever heat, and each player who became prominent was cheered and urged on by cries of every description to do his best. Players on both sidss were heartily applauded for any exhibitioh of skill or dash. The play was now terribly fast, every man working desperately. Macintosh, who wae playing a magnificent game, made another powerful rush to get over the bines’, line, but was hauled down. The ground thus made by Waihi was again taken from them by the blues, carrying the ball to tbe centre flag, only, however, for the colors to take it back to the blues’ goal line. Every moment as tbe time was getting shorter the play became more fast and furious. Both teams were new playing a desperate game, and proved that the staying powers of the nea were second to very few in tbe colony. Tbe backs were as keen as hawks, and smothered their men like lightning, while the forwards wore straining every nerve to score for their respective aides. Despite the excitement of the game not a word of bickering was to be heard, In f-*ct, the quietness of the game was very noticeable. Timiru having relieved their goal line rushed the ball down to the centre, and then into Waihi’s 25’s, from whence it was carried back to the centre again. Hero Perry got hold of it and darted for the colors’ line, till Moore brought him down splendidly, and returned the ball to tbe centre of the field. Wood soon after this got his hands ou, and getting under way Timaru looked like scoring. The Waihi full-back, however,! had got his eyes on him, and soon had him grassed within a short distance of the Waihi goal line. Again the colors worked it to the centre, and with a fine rush carried it down and put tbe Timaru goal line in extreme danger. Matheson rushtd the ball down the touch line, and from the return Timaru forced their opponents back. Fitzgerald shortly afterwards got possession, and in an instant darted for the blues’ line. A splendid run was only stopped within a foot or two of the coveted goal line. Again Timsru worked it out, and for some little time the ball flew about from side to side over (be middle of the fie'd. Fitzgerald, Kalaugher, Macintosh, and Mubin were playing a brilliant game for Waihi. The Blues worked the ball into tbe Waihi quarters, but the advantage was only momentary, for the colors iimnediate'yl lock it directly under their opponents’ goal posts. Stubbs came to the rescue and rushed the ball to (he oentre, where Shippers got it and ran close up to the northern touchiine. Here he was collated, and dropping the ball kicked it over tha Waihi govl line. A race for pousessiao took place between Moore, Temple, and' Shappere. The former was tbe first to get the hall, but instead of falling oi it he picked it up, and then losing possession S hnppere dropped on it and gained a try for Timaru amid loud cheering. McLean took the f kick, but the ball flew badly to the left, to the great joy of the Waihi men. Time was now called. Waihi thus scored ihe first winning bracket for the cup by three points (a goal) to one point (a try). The former cup match which they played against Temuka resulted in « draw. Saturday’s game was a most enjoyable one to-both players and onlookers. The win was exceedingly popular, the Waihi men being heartily congratulated by both their lady and gentleman friends. The victors were very jubilant at having turned the tables on their opponents, who a few weeks age beat them by a disputed goal to a try. As mentioned above tha men on both sides played an exceptionally fine game, and it would be hard to bestow very special praise, on one more than another of the forwards. Of the winning team, howover, Mabin, Stewart, and F. Shallard were very conspicuous with Pearce end Matheson among the losers. Of the Waihi backs Macintosh took the palm. He gave both players and onlookers a grand exhibition of Rugby football. Fitzgerald and Kalaugher played grandly throughout, as did also Hart, while as for the full, H, W. Moore, he was as safe ns a rock and a host in himself. This gentleman represented Canterbury in the Interprovincial teams of 1876 and 1877, when he made a good name for himself as full-back, Gf the visitors’ backs McLean won the admiration of all for his cool safe game, while Goodall, Lawrenson, Shappere, and Wood wore very conspicuous. Mr H. E. Smith umpired for Waihi, and Mr F. K. Gray did lik« service for Timaru, both giving satisfaction, while Mr J. L. Flint carried the referee’s whistle, the choice being highly satisfactory to all. At6.3Gp.m. victors and vanquished sit down to an excellent spread at Mr R. Taylor’s Geraldine Hotel, the visitors being the guests of the home team. Ihe Vice-President of tha Club occupied the chair, having on his right and left respectively the captains of the Timaru and Waihi clubs. The dinner and the match having been favorably d scussed a number of toasts were proposed and duly honored, while songs were sung by many present. The singing of “ Auld Lang Syne” wound up the affair, and the Timaru men left for home about ten o’clock, after lusty cheering on both aides. ENGLAND V. N.B. WALES. The return match was played at Sydney on Saturday, and resulted in the defeat of the Australians by 18 points to 6.