FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1500, 4 October 1883, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

BY TELEGRAPH. [prom our special reporter]

Greytown v. Wellington,

This match took place at Newtown Reserve yesterday. A large number of spectators, including many from Greytown, were present. The. game was hotly contested, but all through the first spell Greytown had evidently the best team, and near the end Wenham got past all the Wellington backs, and touched down between the posts. There was great cheering from the crowd, Udy essayed the kick but made a miserable failure. Time was then called.

The ball was soon again in motion, and, notwitbatanding tliedashing play of Firth and the good running of Robert?, was soon down in Wellington quarters, where some very hardplay and splendid passing and collariug took placer The ball was gradually worked back, and Greytown was forced to act on the defensive. When about twelve minutes to the end of the spell, the ball was .within ten yards of Greytown's line, when a Wellington man secured it, and it was "held." v .As soon as he was let go, howeYer,%.enable him to put the ball down, he passed it instead, to one of his quarters, who passed ifc'tb; Moore and he ran in near the eastcorner and touched down, amid'tumultuous cheering. The Greytown umpire (Mr Dumbell) ordered the ball back to' where it was held, but on the Wellington captain (Firth; referring "to the umpire for his side the latter (Mr Morrah) said he had not., seen what had occurred, and Firth appealed to the referee' (Barnicoat), .who,* as he had seen Moore carry the ball over the line, gave it in favor of Wellington. Udy declined to allow the try, but finally agreed to allow the kick under protest. As it was at an awkward angle, Firth punted out, and his men tried a rush in. for a second score,, but were splendidly foiled by Greytown. A most desperate struggle took place during the last fire minutes within a dozen yards of the Greytown goal. The Wellington men appeared to freshen up as time went on; and made desperate efforts to score, and came very, near it more than once. Greytown held their ground stubbornly, however, and when no side was called the; ball was out of touchabbdfc fifteen; yards.' from the Greytown goaUtee: the game thus ending in favor of Greytown by one try to (at best) a doubtful one. The ,game was very fast, and though played 'w'ith'jjr'eat determination on both sides no fedent occurred., ForGreytowh th'e whole; team played well, .and we cannot select one more; than another for special 'cbmmetidatibn.' : : Wmight gtoe, how;ever,se'!wayoungplayerai^'pat on the back/and say "well done" to J, Te)?y and J. Humphries for their plucky play, as they frequently did good service, the former's running being particularly good, for Welling'

ton, Krth played a thoroughly sports-mfiii-like and dashing game j he plays eon am&rii evidehtly plays for the game's sake, and would not give a straw to win by any'■'other:.than "straight" play, It cannot.be said altogether that his side backed him up well, as they loat several good chances by, injudicious kicking, and played a great deal off side. The running of Roberta was frequently of great value, and Aitken did good service for his side, as did ; also Johnston Thompson, who, though so large a man, is very active, and keeps on the ball. When no side was called cheers were given, and the teams left the field; It is thought the protest will bq decided in favor of Greytown, as so many of the spectators saw the passing which caused the dispute. .;