Football on Saturday.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2604, 14 May 1877, Page 2

Football on Saturday.

The first football game this season was played on Saturday, at Parawai, between sides chosen by E. Eobinson and Thomas. The side of the former won by a goal, kicked by W." W. Robinson from a touchdown by Stewart, and two touch-downs (B. Eobinson and Nelson) to a goal kicked for Thomas' side by Woodward. Some good runs were made by W. Eobinson, Stewart and Mercer, but the play of the half-backs (the prettiest part of Eugby football) was to a' great extent neutralised by the persistency with which the forwards would attempt to run with the ball when there was not the slightest chance of getting through. The truth is that Thames players, as a rule, will not recognise the .fact that it is not the game for the forwards to run with the ball unless under exceptional circumstances, and so a good part of the play on Saturday con- j sisted in mere pushing matches. Men should learn* to play for their side and not attempt to do all for themselves. On Saturday each man seemed to try and win the game, solely through his own efforts, | and it is hardly an exaggeration to say tbat not a single man played the game on Saturday with the exception of J. Walker (back) who was always in his proper place, and perhaps Curtis. We do not except W. W. Eobinson or Mercer, each of whom ought to have known better, when playing half back, than to go needlessly into a scrimmage. There is a good chance of the Thames getting a capital team this,, year if they will but turn out regularly. A harder working forward than E. Eobinson would be hard to find. Curtis should be a great assistance, as he runs well, and Mercer will go far to supply the place of S. Paul. Besides these Woodward ought to turn out Very useful, and the old players of last year may be expected to improve.' Stewart developed some idea of that very necessary point in football " passing the ball," and, when he gets over a tendency to fumble in picking the ball up, will be hard to beat. We are glad to hear that the secretary has tent

for 2.0 copies of the rules, and we hope that a careful perusal of them, with such, explanation as the Captain is well qualified to give on doubtful or obscure points, will do- away : with all the unseemly wrangling which marked the play of Saturday. .