FOOTBALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2899, 15 May 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

ENGLAND v WELLINGTON,

Yesterday's Match.

Whatman Breaks His Leg.

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, Monday,

Wellington won the toss, and played with the wind behind them. There was a drizzling rain throughout. .After a few minutes play, Wellington rushed the ball into the English twenty-five, where Roberts got a mark. Fairbrother took the kick, but without result. As soonas the ball was kicked out, the English goal line was again endangered, and with a fine rush the Wellington forwards carried the ball across the line, and Ellison touched down behind the post. Moore took the kick, an easy one, but made a bad shot, the ball falling low. On the ball being brought out, the Wellington backs returned it to the English twenty-five. Speakman took the ball, and was charged by Whatman. The two collided, and Whatman had his left leg broken just above the ankle. He was attended to by a medical man, and removed from the field. From this time the game was pretty well confined withiii the Wellington half. Speakmaii and Haslam made a splendid run, only being collared when near the line. Towards the end of the spell, Wellington removed the play to within the English twenty-five, where it was when half .time was called.

Lithe second spell the Englishmen had rather the best of it throughout, and soon after it opened obtained a, try, which, however, was not allowed until the referee had been appealed to, as one of the umpires gave it no try, holding that the ball had gone into touch in goal, The referee, however, 1 decided that it was a fair score, and the ball was placed for Paul, who failed to kick a goal. From the kick off, the Colors, by brilliant running and passing, carried the play into the Wellington twenty-five, and the latter were. obliged to force down, On resuming, some good work was doneby Moore (back) and Roberts, but the Englishmen, who were now having the best of the scrimmages, carried the play up to the Wellington line again; and bim was once more instrumental in saving his side by forcing down. Following the kick out the Colors made a most determined rush, and Eagles secured another try right under the goal posts. Paul kicked an After this .the Wellington.!

men woke up, and showing better play had the ball for a time in the English twenty-five. Soon a lucky kick by Thomas brought it back to Wellington ground and the latter were again hard pressed, both Andertoiwid Haslem nearly getting in, Aftefllay had temporarily gone into English quarters, time was eventually called with the ball in Wellington's twenty-five, and the game finished with a final result of England 4 points; Wellington one; the former thus winning by three points. -

TheN.Z, Times thus describes the , accideut to Whatman : ■ " A most unfortunate accident occurred during . the progress-ef the football match on : the Basin Reserve yesterday. During the early part first spell, Whatman,'the well known Wairarapa forward, had the misfortune to break his leg just above the ankle. He was in tlio act of charging one ofyrtie , English backs when ho tripped unifniet ■ with the accident. The game was of ■ \ course stopped, and Dr Gillon, who was ' ' on the ground,- immediately ran to Whatman's assistance, and on ascer- .. taiuing the nature of the injury he roughly set the broken limb with the .v' aid of a couple of walking sticks. An old gate was procured, and the injured . 'man carried off the field.jtfe was • subsequently removed to and on enquiry last'night we learned that .he,was getting on very well. ; Whatman was playing- excellently when the accident occurred, and he would have proved of great service to' the Wellington, team. He took his misfortune very cheerfully, and indeed his only regret was that the accident did not happen an hour later.

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, Tuesday,

The takings at Saturday's football match were £298 and at Aftlay's £105; total £403. Lilly white'roreives eighty per cent of this.

To-morrow the Englishmen play Taranaki and on Saturday next Auckland.

It is estimated that the tour of the. English team through the Colonies will cost upwards of £12,000.

It is stated that the Auclj&k Rugby Union have decided to send a team round the Colony during the present season.