FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2895, 10 May 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

It may nob be generally known that after playing through New Zealand during the present month, the English Footballers go to Australia, and playing a series of matches there, return to this Colony about the end of August, when they engage in a second series of contests, and then probably leave for England some time in October. In Victoria, the Englishmen adopt the Association game, which is universal there, and for the same reason in New South Wales they follow the Rugby rules. It may be mentioned as regards the former Colony, that a Rugby Club has just been formed in Melbourne for the introduction of that style of play to Victoria, This Club, it is understood, will be among those who challenge the English team.

With regard to the probability of the Waii'iirapa men meeting the Englishmen, we may say that there is now really no possibility ot them doing so, until the latter return from Australia. Mr iS. H, Wickerson, Secretary of the Wairarapa Rugby Union, is going down on Saturday to see the Wellington match, and observe the style of play of the visitors, and lie will also at the same time take the opportunity of interviewing Mr Lillywhite, with the object of seeing upon what terms and about what date the Home players are likely to come to Masterton on their return.

England v. Canterbury. The final score in yesterday's contest with Ohristchurch was England four points, Canterbury, nil. The match was not nearly so fast as Saturday's. The English total was made up by four tries. Paul in each case essayed the kick at goal for them. In the first attempt he missed a fairly difficult kick. In the second instance he made a splendid attempt but again failed, in the third lie went only a few inches to the side of the post, and Canterbury accordingly had a very harrow escape from a larger increase of the score against them. In the last essay, Paul once inoro missed the kick, a very easy one. The play for the remainder of this—the final—spell hung about half-way, and in three minutes time was called, and the match resulted as above.