Intercolonial Football Match.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4273, 11 September 1882, Page 2

Intercolonial Football Match.

AUCKLAND WINS. (Pee Peess Association.) Auckland, Saturday. At the football match, Sydney v. Auckland, 4500 persons were present. Goals were pitched north and south, and the turf, thanks to the recent rain s was just springy enough to favor good running. There were several showers in the morning, and two during the game. Shortly before three o'clock (he final preparations for commencing play were made. Ring had signified that he would be unable to take part, and Carter had cheerfully consented to take his place ; this morning, however, he was suffering from ■ a stiff neck, and Biggs was taken on in his stead. Mr T. Henderson was selected as captain for the team, and' the choice, seemed to give general satisfaction. Punctually at the appointed time two teams took their respective positionsAuckland defending the southern goal and New South Wales protecting the northern one. The captains had arranged their : men as follows: — I

New South Wales —Baper (captain); Bayliss, back; Graham, Walker, and Howard, half-backs ; Thallon and Hawkins, wings; Flynn, Fligg, and Mann, quarter-backs; Raper, Addison, Barry, Richmond, Jennings, and Hill, forwards.

Auckland.—T. Henderson (captain); Warbrick and Webster, backs ; Sibbih, Wood, and Whiteaide, half-backs; Byan, three-quarter back; Henderson, Croxtoh,

O'Connor, Arneil, Spencer, Biggs, T. Macky, Sims, and Jewett, forwards.

A. H. Cotter acted as umpire for Auckland, and McClatcbie (one of the visiting team) as umpire for the risiting team, while W. W. Robinson was chosen referee.

O'Connor kicked off well, and the ball was returned by Walker with a long low punt. Warbrick sent it with a fine drop kick into touch line, and some loose forward play was indulged in, the ball being kept well in the centre. Wood by a good punt sent the ball a considerable distance. The Sydney men forced the ball through the first scrimmage, when Whiteside picked up the ball close to the touch line in the hospital corner. Another loose scrimmage ' was - formed, shortly after which the Aucklanders obliged their opponents to touch down in self defence. At this time the Auoklanders had the ball within' 2 yards of their opponents'. touchline. It was repeatedly out of bounds, and the Sydney men:by good forward play, got it back to the centre of the ground. In some loose scrimmaging Auckland had the advantage,-., kicking well, on the'ball. Macky, Henderson, Spencer, and Arneil all showed up well. Richardson made a good run for Sydney, and was collared by Warbrick. Once more Whiteside came to the fore, and by a fast run. got the ball back to the Hospital corner, and passing all but two men, Raper ggft^he ball back by some. good dribbling^ 1 A fine run by H. Thallon placed the Auckland goal in danger, Whiteside, Ryan, and others being passed in succession. Some loose, open play showed a great advantage for Auckland, and vthe Sydney men, coming up;once more,-Wood punted into touch once, more,, up near the Australian goal, and after a closely packed scrimmage Jennings touched down in self-defence for Sydney. Walker : ; kickedr-ofly and

Whiteside, trying to " mark," fell; Auckland pressed the Sydney team very much through excellent forward play during the first term; at the second term Eaper kicked off, and Sibbin took the ball, but was neatly collared by Jennings. One of the Sydney backs, in attempting to kick a running ball, mulled it, and Biggs dribbled up well. Howard made a fine run across, aid was collared by Croxton. Henderson and others dribbled a fall across the goal line. ,The Sydney back, Baylisa, failed to touch down, and Biggs, by following up scored a try for Auckland, while Eyan, by a good kick, placed a goal to Auckland's credit. The score for Auckland was now 5 points, and JNew South Wales 0. A good ran was made after the next kick off by-Eaper, but he was given off side; O'Connor followed up on' a good dribble. Some good drop-kicking on both sides, was ended by Walker putting the ball into touch. Eyan's attempt at a goal failed, and Sydney was again forced down. Score: Auckland, 7 points; Sydney, 0. At the beginning of rthe third term, Eaper, captain of the Sydney team, fell put, being badly cut under the right eye, through coming into' collision' with an Auckland man. He went to the Hospital, and had the wound "stitched and dressed, and desired to return to the field, but was dissuaded from doing so. In the third term O'Connor kicked off

for Auckland. The forwards getting well on the ball worked it up into Sydney quarters, but the vistors' back play was very smart; their passing and running being . very fine, though their kicking, with one or two exceptions, ■ was not so good in this spell. Wood's punting and Arneil's dribbling, assisted by Macky and others of the forwards, slightly," removed their adversaries. New South Wales played up in grand form, but the superior weight and unity of Auckland's forwards told its tale, while their dash in getting on to Sydney half-backs before they could get away prevented any success, notwithstanding the clever attempts of Walker, Howard, Thallon, and Hawkins to pick up and pass. .O'Connor did good service in touch line, frequently nearly getting through.

In the final term the play.was verisimilar, the Auckland forwards generally forcing scrimmages and keeping New t'outh Wales backs very busy. The Auckland backs were now kicking better, and making it easier for the forwards. One of the New South Wales backs picked up a ball from a thrown in, and ran the whole length of the ground, but a try was not allowed. No side was now called, after a splendid match, resulting in Auckland winning by a goal and try (seven points) to nothing for Sydney. The team are great favorites with the public from the very gentlemanly way in which they played a losing game. Jennings, one of the Sydney team, put his shoulder out during the game, but got it pulled in again. Waiter (Jumbo) got slightly injured, and some Aueklanders got slight contusions, but nothing serious. Of the Auckland team, Whiteside made splendid runs ; Ryan, Warbrick", and Henderson also distinguished themselves, but every member of the team did well. Of the Sydney team, Baper, Walker, Bayliss, and Thailon were specially conspicuous for activity, and still they state that the team had had .little practice together, and was not the best New South Wales could produce. : The betting in'general was very largely in favor of the Sydney team,.but shortly after the game' began it was seen they were overmatched; The .'Auckland men were a stone heavier on the average, and weight told in the scrimmage. There was some disputing during the game, but I the umpires' decision were fully sustained and gracefully abided by. . A" banquet, to the football team took place at the Star Hotel on Saturday night when about 70 sat down. The Mayor, Mr J. M. Clark, presided. Mr Baper, in replying, said his team was not the best New South Wales could send. At the beginning of the season they had a capital team, but as the < time came for leaving for New Zealand many could not gel away or leave their business for so long a period, and he had to take those who could go. It was a very fair team taken individually, but wanted practice together, so as to ensure unity of action ; this they expected to get on their trip South, and on returning to Auckland would wipe out the score against them, or endeavor to do so. Mr Baper then- proposed the toast of the " Auckland Football Team." He said he had seen a good deal of football in his time, but never met a better team for working together. Th» Sydney team were grateful for the cordial reception they had received at the hands of the Auckland footballers, and also from the Press and the community generally.