FOOTBALL. MATCH BETWEEN HAMILTON AND CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 518, 14 September 1875, Page 2

FOOTBALL. MATCH BETWEEN HAMILTON AND CAMBRIDGE.

Thb return match between a tejim selected from the Hamilton Football Club, and a scratch team from Catnoridge, came off on the football field, Hamilton West, on Saturday last. The- Ham ii* ton team was under its captain, Mr C C. Wood, and the Cambridge men under Sergeant Macintosh. Mr Bellara of the AC. officiated as timekeeper. Play was commenced shortly before three o'clock, the men faking the northern goal, which is on slightly higher ground than the gqol towards jHamilton. Fiom the outset of the" game it appeared that the, Hamilton men were determined to play well forward, but they gained no decided advantage during Ihe first half-hour, up to the time for eh inking goals. Dn the Hamilton team securing tho slight advantage in ground, however, the play began to tell upon the Cambridge team, aud the Hamilton men played well down towards theiv opponent's goal. Mr Whitaker secured a touchdown , and the goal was Bplendidly kicked by Wood. On again chinking goals, there was some spirited play for a quarter of an hour, with a few lively fccrimmages. The Hamilton men, however, continued to play a forward game, and Frank Pilling secured a touch down Mr Wood again attempted to kick the goal, but the ball was carried by tho wind about a yard tfide. In the fourth change, Frauk Pilling got another touchdown, and the goal wae well kicked by Wood. Shortly afterwnrds Waitfe scored another touchdown, and the goal was splendidly ki<:ked by Cox. After some fuither play the shades of evening compelled the playeis to desist, Humilton bomg the victors by three goals aud a touchdown. On tha side of Cambridge, Davy exhibited some fine ] lay. Xhia footballist is a capital forward phx)er, and would baAe been a great acquisition to the Auckland champion team, had he been able to accompany them on their Southern tour. Macintosh also shewed some fine scientific play. KelJy proved himself to b» an active player. This time tho Cambridge team abandoned their usual tactics of playiuj; a defensive game, and played an offensive game. The Hamilton te,im were in decidedly superior condition, and having had more practice than their opponents, completely out-winded them. The Cambridge team were also under the further disadvantages of not having practised together, of being comparatively ignorant of each othen'i play, and having suffered from the effects of a journey of many milea undertaken at short notice in the rain. In fact considering these tircuraitinces they displayed great pluck in coming down to play a practised team. On tho Hamilton iide, Messrs Whitaker, and Waite displayed some spirited forward playe and Cox some excellent back play, making soms fine drops and keoping the ball well up towarde the opposite goal. Frank Pilling out out the running at a tremendous pace whenever he contrived to get hold of the ball, and we think the viotory of the Hamilton team is i-rincipally duto his exertions. Forbes also deserves a meod of praise for his capital forward play on the Uamilton side. Altogether, considering the Telativr advantages and disadvantages of the teams the pl*y was alike creditable to each, and we trust that rext year they will ggain meet in similar friendly rivalry, and with the like good-feeling and esprit de corps.

At seven o'clock the two teams, with a few invited guests, sah do.vn to a sumptuous dinner provided by host Gwynno in his best style, though at very ahort notice, in the Hamilton Public Hall, which was gaily decked for the occasion with flags and evergreens. About thirtyBix gentlemen sat down to dinner, Mr C. 0. Wood, captain of the Hamilton team, occupying the chair, with Mr Macintosh, captain of the Cambridge team on his right, and Mr Waite as vice. Ample justice having been done to the banquet, tho tables wero cleared Mr 0. C. Wood then rose amidst loud ap plause and proposed "The Queen," which was drunk with enthusiastic demonstrations of loyalfy. The Chairman having again requested the company to charge their glasses, said : Gentlemen, bb Captain of the Hamilton Football Club, it now devolves upon me to perform the pleasing duty of proposing the toast oi the evening "The | health of Mr Macintosh, and the Cambridge Football Team." (Cheers.) I consider they displayed gieat pluck in flooring down as a scratch team to play us— a regularly formed and practised club. (Cheers.) Their courtesy and pluck contrast favorably when compared with tho treatment we have received at the hands of another club in this province (Hear, hear ) I am sure we must all feel gratified at the pleasant way in which tKe match to-day has been played. (Cheers.) We could not have wished for a better gume. It ia true that mistakes were observable, but they were made on both side?, and the plucky and spirited manner in which our opponents contested the gume does them great credit. (Loud cheers.) I have much pleasure in proposing tfie health of Captain Macintosh and tho Cambridge team. (Cheers.) The toa*fc was drunk with three times three, and " They are jol'y good fellows.' Mr Macintosh, in responding, said : Gentlemen, as Captain of the Cambridge team, it falls to my lot to return you our grateful acknowledgment both for the toast, and for the handsome mauner in which you have entertained us. I regard football as a noble g*me. (Cheers.) Hamilton has hitherto taken the lead |in the gume, but I hops Cambridge will shortly not be far behind. The existet-ce of two rival club* will do much to foster the gitne. (Cheers) I hope we shall be able to arrange in future to have two or three matches regularly every yearI have now great p'easure in propoein^ the health of the Hamilton Football Club, coupled with the name of Mr C. O. Wood. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with all the honors. Mr Wood said : I beg to express the hearty thanks of the Hamilton Football Club for the khidly manner in which you have proposed md drank oui- health. I trust you will again meet us next year, and that you will havo better luck. (Choera and laughter.) There is, however, another game which is equally as good as football, I allude to cricket. I trust the people o£ Cambridge will get up a t«am to play a cricket match against us during tae approaching season. We have been victorious in one or two games down here, but I trust Cambridge will pby us a^am with more success. (Cheeri.) I will conclude by again thanking you for the handsome manner in which you havo drunk our health. (Clu-era.) Mr Macintosh : Gentlemen, charge your glasses. I beg to piopose the toast of "The Press," coupled with the name of Mr C. O. Montrose. (Cheers.) The Press, gentlemen, is an institution which we could lli afford to spare. It is the means of encouraging us and fostering noble and manly epjrte. The toast *yas drunk with enthusiasm. Mr Montrose responded as follows :— Mr Macintosh, and gentlemen, I thank you very heartily for the cordial manifestations with which you hive toasted the Pross. Ab a member of that great and powerful institution, aptly styled, the Fourth Estate, and as editor of one of it most

adratitspd organs- (lau g hter)-an organ which I consider second in importance only to the • London lime* i» ie |f f (loud laughter.) I f oe l a huh adnUratton for the nob.c old Bngluh m of V° -i, •„ r tU * fc B aine a8 a spootator (Uu*ht«r). I will yield to none in the height and -depth of my admiration. A. a spectator, I can cheer 'ar loud as the loudest, especially in the -eioitempnt of those delightful fcnmraages which I bi>li«ve you call " haoklin/r." I truat the gam« of Football will always flourish in the Waik.ito, and that when railway communication shall have facilitated travelling, football, cricket, and boating clubs in the various settlements will meet in that friendly rivalry which is so calculated to develope and foster mutual feeling! of good will between settlers. Speaking for the proprietors of the Wjiijcato Times, oi:e of whom is a footballi9t, and the other a spectator like inyßelf, I can confidently assure you that they, desire to foster thise manly games, and that mutual good feeling to the utmost, and I hope the day is not very distant when my Aspirations will be realized, whrn the progress of the Wuikato will have made th*? Waikato lim^s ft second London Timks. (Laughter.) In conclusion, gentleman, I thank you very heartily far the manner in which you have toasted the Press (Chee's). Mr Macintosh proposed the health of Mr Frank Pilling, which was drunk with three times three. Mr Pilling, in responding said, Mr Macintosh and gentlemen, I beg to return you my heartfelt thanks for the kind manner in which you hive drunk my health. 1 feel that Ido not deserve any honour for what I hare done to day. (No, no.) I hope I shall always be abl; to do as much for my team no matter on what side I play. (Cheers.) Mr Waite proposed the toast of " The Ladies" in felicitous terms. The toast was drunk with every mark of respect, followed by " Here's a health to all good lasses." The company then pang'" The Old Countrie," the chorus being rendered with good effect, and the festivities were terminated at an early hour, the Cambridge team being anxious to set out for home. The whole of the proceedings of the day were characterised by the utmost harmony and good feeling, not a solitary hitch occurring to mar the enjoyment. The affair it calculat d to cement still closer the bonds of friendly emulation between the " sporWof Hamilton and Cambridge, and to leive an enduring impression, untiaged with a single regret.