Football.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4551, 6 August 1883, Page 2

Football.

Kibikibi Natives v. Thames F.C.

A match was played on the Waio Karaka Flat on Saturday between the Thames Club and the Kirikiri natures. In our last issue we gave the result of the game up to the time of our going to press, that was a goal kicked for the Thames Club. The remainder of the match was to a certain extent interesting, in so far as it showed the eagerness of each side to score, and the hardness of the players; but we must say that fa little more strict attention to the rules of the game would have made the match more enjoyable, not only to the players, but also to the onlookers. Local kickists seem to be getting a notion that main strength, hard knocks, and' generally displayed desperation are necessary adjuncts to the noble game of football; this is not only erroneous and very absurd, but tends to do more harm than good to the sport. A knowledge of the rules is absolutely necessary to play a game under the Eugby Union rules, and we would suggest that the members of our Clubs suspend their operations unless they are prepared to acquire that knowledge. One very necessary rule, viz.,' the ball shall not be picked up in a scrimmage, was frequently and flagrantly violated on Saturday; and the most important part of the game, the matter of " off side," seemed to be almost totally ignored. Many other little details also received scant attention. Altogether the display of football was not first class. During the third " spell" Wirope secured a touchdown for the Kirikiri team, and Watene was entrusted with the try, but he failed to place a goal to the credit of his side, and the ball was again kicked off. The play was fast until the end of the term, but no further score was made. In the last twenty minutes some hard work was done, the bkll being alternately at both ends; shortly after *'kick off" the, ball was well carried down to the Native goal : line, and after a good rushu Steward cured a touch-down v and took ithe try to himself, the result being a second goal to the Thames. The ball was hardly in play again when it was sent up to the Thames end, and after a brief tussle, Anderson touched down for the K^irikiri team; the ball was placed in the hands of'Watene, who kicked goal number one for his side, Shortly after wards time was called, and '■the result of the game stood, Thames: goal from field four points, and touch down and goal five; total, nine; against their opponents : touch down two points, and touch down and goal five; total seven points. The play of the Thames Club was not what it should have been, and it bad a somewhat weak team in the field. Steward, Tregonning, Frater, Ailom and Douglas did- well for their side; and for the visitors, Murray, Andersod, Watene, Wiro-pe, Tjha, and N»he

were foremost. Owing to the presence of the police, the ground was not so much crowded by the public as on former occasions.