FOOTBALL.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4593, 24 September 1883, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

TE AEOHA V. THAMES

The return match between the above clubs was played in the Parawai Gardens on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of over 400 people, and was from every point of view a decided success. The visiting team . arrived by the Despatch al the Goods Wharf about twelve o'clock, and were met by a sub-committee of the Thames Club. At a little after two o'clock the players left Symington's Hotel in a drag and proceeded to the scene of action. The men were placed on the ground as follows, viz :— i

Te Aeoha—Backs, Cook and McFarlane; Half-backs, Brennan and Verity (captain); Quarter-backs, Whitehouse and Quigley; Forwards, Hinton, Burgess, Stewart, Smith, Trude, Gordon, Morgan, McDonald, and Coleman.

Thames —Back, Lowe ; three-quarter back, Watene; half-backs, Christy and Jones; quarter backs, Tregonning (captain) and Aperahama; forwards, Allom, Anderson, Douglas, Frater, Ogle, Kae, Taylor, Gillies, and McGregor.

On taking up their positions a great difference in the respective weights of the teams was observed. While the visitors averaged over 12st a man, the home team was not much over lOst each player. The game was played in four spells of '20 minutes each. Verity kicked off for Te Aroha, and brisk play at once began. Jones seized the leather first after it reached Thames territory, and made a good run half way down the field, but here he got out of bounds. Upon the ball again getting into play, its pos« session was eagerly contended for—Trude for Te Aroha, and Tregonning for Thames obtaining several times in rapid succession. The back play of Watene was admirable, and his well judged kicks were often salutary ia saving the Thames goal from attack. Steward played hard for the visitors and made several dashing attempts to locate the play at the Thames end, but " our boys " were equal to the occasion, and although the ball was in rather unpleasant proximity to our goal during the second and third spells; the resolute resistance of the forwards, and the excellent coolness and judgment of the back players prevented, scoring several times. The Te Aroha men played a very hard and fast game, and the most brilliant piece of passing it has been our lot to witness for some time was executedby them. Aperahaniamadean attempt to secure a " touch," but the opposing backs were too much for him. In the second spell owing to capital play on the part of Tregonning, Watena, Douglas, and Gillies ia passing the ball, a touch down was secured for the Thames by the last named. Lowe had the "try," but failed to send the ball over the bar. Id the next, the third teim, some pretty play was shown by Coleman, Verity, and Stewart, and. the sphere of contention was worked into close proximity to the home goal, but the backs were " all there "■. and Jones by undoubtedly the prettiest run of the day temporarily removed danger from the Thames citadel, but he was called back on account of being "off side." Daring the next few minutes the Thames men had to "force down" in self defence, and shortly afterwards Trude managed to get over the goal line of his opponents, and secured a "touch down" for Te Aroha. Although the kick for goal was a ridiculously easy one, Verity, the visiting captain, missed the gpal, and left the game even. The last spell was mainly conspicuous by its fast play ; each side made their best efforts to score, and run after run met with the hearty applause of the spectators. The drop-kicking was admirable, the passing brilliant, the running excellent, the fending capital, and the best temper prevailed amongst the players. After a hotly contested game the result was a draw, each side having secured a "touchdown." The ' Thames men had allowed themselves to be " forced, down " three times. Those who most distinguished themselves were—For Te Aroha: •Coleman, Quigley, Stewart, Smith,' Trude, Verity, and Whitehouse; and for the local club: Allom, Aperahama, Christie, Douglas, Gillies, Jones, McGregor, Ogle, Tregonning, and Watene. Messrs Airey and Thomas acted as umpires, and Mr I>. B. Gellion as referee.

In the evening the two teams sat down to dinner at Symington's Hotel. Mr L, Ehrenfried, the Club's President, occupied the chair, the vice-chairs , were filled by Messrs Veale and Airey; and a number of townspeople were present—amongst whom were Messrs Brodie, T. L. Murray, Greenville, Gellion, Gallagher, 4.. Price, Reid, Eowe, and Wilson. The usual loyal toast was honored, and the Thames Cap* tain proposed " The Visiting Team," re* ferriDg to the pleasant feelings existing between the teams, and expressing the hope of matches between the Clubs being recurrent.—Mr Verity, Captain of the Te Arohans, responded and reciprocated such wishes and hopes; he trusted that next match his feam would score a win instead of a draw ; he then propqsed the toast of the Thames men, which was duly responded to. "The local Governing Bodies" was proposed by Mr Airey and responded to by Messrs Brodie and Veale ; " Commercial Interests " proposed by Mr A. Prioe.^and responded to by Mr Veale. " The Mining Industry " proposed by Mr Hiokey, aad responded to by J\sr W". S. Greenville ; '•Kindred Associations" proposed by Mr Verity ; "The umpires and referee," proposed by Mr Christie, and acknowledged by Messrs Gellion and Airey; " The Press," enlogised v by M? Hall, and answered, by Messrs Westou, and Hickey; <« The Aboriginal players," given by Mr Verity and responded to, on. behalf of the natives, by Mr Ajrey; "Tl^e liadies," proposed by Mr Prater,'

and acknowledged by Mr Trude. The "Chairman" was then given and responded, to with acclamation. In sresponding.Mr Ehrenfried offered to give a cup, to be played for by the Thames and Te Aroha teams according to terms of their own selection. The health of the •f Host and Hostess " having been honored the company dispersed. „ The Te Arohans returned to their homes by the s.s. Despatch 1 last night.