The Inter-Provincial Football Match.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3655, 13 September 1880, Page 2

The Inter-Provincial Football Match.

"Wellington Victorious.

(Pee Pbbss Association.) Auckland, Saturday.

The match, Wellington v. Auckland, was played to-day at three o'clock. Brandon kicked off for Auckland. Berry received it and started to run, but was quickly met. A. Thomson then got it and made a splendid run, almost reaching the Auckland "25," and was grandly collared by King. Some grand passing then ensued, after which C. Burgess and Carter working well together carried the ball well beyond the half distance, when Carter, played it into touch. It was thrown in, and Wood at once pounced upon it. He essayed to kick, but was smartly collared. He passed it cleverly to King, who made a splendid run to the outward side and well along the ground, gaining a considerable distance. Several packed scrimmages then followed, in most of which Wellington had a decided advantage. The ball having been dropped amongst our backs. Verity and Webster simultaneouly tried for it and bungled it badly to a scrimmage inside Auckland's 25. The ball was twice worked by a series of scrimmages and short kicks to the western touch line, whence it was taken by W. Berry to the centre, and there a scrimmage was formed and on a ball emerging, the Wellington forwards, and notably O'Ronaldson and J. Thompson; conveyed it up to the Auckland gaol and through the posts. For an instant the chances seemed probable for, a try for Wellington, bat C. Burgess averted the danger by falling on the ball at a critical moment, this being the first force down up to this stage of the game. Verity kicked with a high goal dropper, thus giving the forwards plenty of time to get up, so that Thomson's return was not a good one. After this, Wellington, in a I series of scrimmages, worked the ball I considerably past the centre of the ground, but Carter managed to get one of his noted runs, finishing with a long, low, punt, thereby saving much ground. Shortly afterwards J. Berry got a very good run, carrying the ball nearly to the western touch line, where he passed it back to his brother, who though running a considerable distance did not gain anything-as he went off straight across the ground. A hard bit of play, in which the Berries were conspicuous, followed, and then A. Thompson had a flying * drop at the gaol, but failed to score, the ball being touched down by Verity. Here the superior passing of Wellington was very noticeable, the ball being passed through at least five or six hands before being held.- At this juncture the ball went into the touch at the centre of the eastern touch, when time was called. A spell of two minutes ensued. Wellington kicked off, and Auckland made a smart return. After a bit of rapid play Warbrick got a flying drop at a gaol, from half distance, and then .sent the ball fairly between the posts, making the first score of four points. Verity kicked off for Auckland, seeming determined to regain the position. The ball was forced well up the ground, when by a succession of short runs and rapid passing Wellington carried it up to their opponents' 25 post, whence a good bit of forward play brought it to the centre of the ground. Here Davey secured a mark, which Auckland disputed, and the ball was backed off. Some steady scrimmages were now formed, nothing remarkable occurring, and the ball going in and out of touch on the eastern line. Wood gained considerable ground by a long punt with touch. On being again carried into play, J. Berry made a good run across the ground till hard pressed on the western touch line, when be passed it to A. Thomson, who dropped it into touch. A good bit of play by Auckland forwards drove the ball in a S.E. direction, when J. Thomson got a run. Using his strength to the utmost he forced his way on, and was only stopped by half backs Wood. A good punt recovering ground the Auckland forwards followed well up, till they reached the Wellington's 25, whence J. Berry managfd one of the best runs of the day, fencing remarkably well and running strong. The game was, perhaps, the fastest ever seen in Auckland. Wellington here worked the ball well in front of the opposite goal, but oat-timed by a judicious drop, defeated their intention. Closely packed scrimmages became.the order of the time till Carter got another of his full punts, which was promptly returned by Warbrick. The ball then went into touch, and half time was called. Bindon kicked off, and shortly after Berry obtained a mark from one of Wood's punts. Warbrick took the place, but failed. J. Thomson drove the ball back to Verity, who, instead of. kicking, tried to run, and was at once collared, thus losing ground. A very fast bit of play by Wellington forwards took the ball to ■ the Auckland " 25," after a good deal of spirited play on both sides, but without further scoring. "No side" was-called when the ball was at the Wellington end, the game resulting—Wellington 4, Auckland 0. Wellington gave three cheers for Auckland, which was reciprocated. A fair admirer of the Wellington team presented young Warbrick with a boquet of violets. There were from two to three thousand present, and a large number of ladies. At the dinner at the Star Hotel, the Mayor presided, and excellent speeches were made, and good: feeling was manifested between both teams.