FOOTBALL IN WANGANUI.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 270, 20 August 1872, Page 3

FOOTBALL IN WANGANUI.

The following description of a football match played at Wanganui is from tho Evening Herald of August the 12th. Our players will see that the rules there are very different from ours. The report says: — 11 Soon after the kick off, tho superior weight of the Scotchmen forced the ball in dangerous proximity- to their opponents’ goal, requiring all the skill of the Englishmen to drive it back. Back it went, however, by some excellent play, and the ball was kept closo to the other goal for some considerable time. Several touches down were obtaiued, but the chance of a goal seemed hopeless. Bylh sides were playing admirably, the scrimmages being pluckily contested. Several times the forward players of the English forced the leather through the crowd and were on a fair way for the desired goal, but the active keeper, McDonald, was always ready to obtain a touch down, and the usual 25 yards law. After a spell play was resumed with renewed vigour, and a touch down behind the Scotch goal, obtained by good play on the part of two of the English forward players. The free kick allowed was sufficient, Mr Belts planting the ball safely over the tape. First goal was thus scored by the John Bulls. Sides were changed, Scotch having the advantage of the wind. The play varied, being all over the field, but by an excellent kick bv Mr Bennie a goal was obtained for bis side. Ibis made the game equal, and the excitement increased tenfold. No time was lost in changing sides and commencing play, each man having his courage screwed to the kicking point, whether it was on an opponent’s legs, or the ball, it did not seem to matter. A formidable charge by the Scotch was well met by tliei'- opponents and for sometime the field presented a very lively picture. Scrimmage after scrimmage, tussle after tussle, followed in quick succession, the unfortunate ball finding qo rest. Then was made the grand mistake of the day, the English goal-keeper instead of wateliing the play, and defending of his goal rushed out and joined in the fray. By a few well judged kicks, the Scotch sent the halt spinning along towards the English goal, the absence of the keeper being greeted with cries of disappointment and gladness. Leisurely the hall travelled through the posts with players in hot pursuit, but tho touch down was obtained by a S otclnnan, and the ball brought out for the kick. Even then it was extremely doubtful whether a goal could be kicked against the adverse wind, but Mr Bennie judging tbe distance and strength of tbe wind most admirably managed to kick the ball over, tlius scoring tbe game in favour of his side. The Scotch victory was well received by the unusually large number of spectators. The game was a very good one, the excitement being kept up to tho very end. The usual number of casualties occurred, Mr A. Mitchell injuring his shoulder by a fall caused by colliding with Mr J. Notman. The return match will be fixed at an early date.