Football.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4473, 7 May 1883, Page 2

Football.

THAMES V. SHOBTLAND,

A well^contested match was played between the above clubs at Paravrai on Saturday afternoon. The teams appeared to be fairly matched, what the Thames players had in their favor in the matter of a knowledge of the rules of the game, was made up on the other side by superior weight, and being augmented by two Auckland " kickists " playing for them. Certainly a closer attention to football laws. "would be of much benefit to the Shortlaud team; their attention to rules in the mttter of scrinimages, "off side" and such details would assist them ; very much, in playing the game, besides removing the source of many appeals to an umpire; - During the first spell of twenty minutes Baume for the Thames men ran in and " touched down " the ball behind the opposing club's lines, but a dispute arose owing to one of the Shortland men claiming that he had the touch. The umpire decided that it should be a " maul," which resulted ; in favor, of Baume. Christie was entrusted with the kick, and although some of the bystanders declared that the ball went over the,bar, upon the matter being disputed the umpire gave it as •• no goal." In the succeeding spell the Shortland men, by good play, succeeded ;in rustling the ball up to their opponents end, and securing a touch down immediately behind the goal. This made matters look rather blue for the Thames fellows, as the try was ridiculously easy, but the team simultaneously jumped as the leather sphere . went over the, post, and ," no goal" was proclaimed. In the same spell Tregonning for the Thames secured a run in, but. after getting behind the goal line he touched the ball down too : far outside the boundary post, and what; would have been a ■" touch; down" only ; scored a " touch in goal. A•' force down in favor of the Thames-occurred frequently, but as it had been decided not to; score these, the game resulted in a." touch : down," and a " touch in ;goal" to the Thames, tow touch doWn'* to fcjhortland, There was some .very „ good, play shewn on bpth side^, and the' rieit match betyHeen . the clubs, which takes place shortly'should excite a keen; contest. back ": seemed to be entirely neglected, and as this is a most important feature in;the game, the clubs should practice it. " Place kicking " also did not seem to have been paid much at* tendon to. Mr Steward captained the Thames team, and Mr Irwin the Shortland tplayers.: Meisrß. Airey and Adams very 'satisfactorily fulfilled, the arduous duties. of umpires, There was a fair attendanoe of spectators, several ladies being amongst those present.