FOOTBALL. Cambridge v. Waipa, Return.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1266, 10 August 1880, Page 2

FOOTBALL. Cambridge v. Waipa, Return.

This match was played on Saturday last in Mr Sharp's paddock, near I ambridge, which was kindly lent by that gentleman for the occasion, and the thanks of all players ate due to him for this, as the field' was a great improvement on the Government paddock, which is hardly large enough for a good game. A heavy wind was blowing all the afternoon, at times increasing to a strong half gale, and as it was pretty well down the ground it is easy to imagine that the bulk of the play was confined to one corner of the field (the north-east). Such was the case. Both teams were fully represented : Waipa under the command of Mr J C. Gnerson, Cambridge being looked after by Mr Moore. I omitted to get a full list of each team. "Waipa had the wind against them to commence with, and after the kick-off Cambridge made it very warm for them, by means of some good runs made by their backs, Rhodes particularly, and managed to keep their opponents' goal line in danger. From the first it was plain that Waipa had weight for scrimmaging superior to their opponents, who, however, made a good fight at many stages of the game. No advantage accrued during the first 25 minutes. In the second 25, Waipa again had the better of the play for some time, the wind favoring them, and iv a series of well formed scrimmages carried the hall down to the Cambridge goal line, where Hunter very nearly touched down in goal, the try being saved well and luckily by Moore, just 18 inches in goal. During the last five minutes, however, Cambridge, with a splendid rush, carried the bail clean through tbe Waipa forwards, Pilling and Warrell doing good work, and only being stopped within 15 yards or so of the Waipa goal. It was a splendid bit of play in the face of such a wind. A few scrimmages aud time was again called. Play on both sides became harder during the third 25 minutes, which commenced by a fine run up to 20 yards from the goal by Rhodes, and Grierson was forced to touch down in defence. Play was fast aud furious after the kick-out; a good run by Grierson, also one by Pilling, Waipa being again forced down, their back (Morgan) playing well. Another good run by Keep (Waipa), who was admirably collared by Tolson, was followed up by a strong run by Lang (Waipa), then a hcivy &crimm,ige, followed by a strong run by Keep, who is a powerful player, though very green at the game at present; with practice he should do well forward, having a fair dash of foot and being very strong. Warrell, for Cambridge, was collaring splendidly, aud Kayll aud Cotton were everlastingly ou the ball. Grierson made a good run before time was called, also Macintosh, who passed well to Hutton, who was immediately laid low. Time again. Waipa with the wind would not be denied, and although Rhodes made a fine run and carried the ball well away to beurin with, back it came again, Waipa forwards following up well, and Cambridge was forced down, Hunter being mighty adjacent. F. Stubbing, for Cambridge, made a good dart, but did not kick, and a grand scrimmage took place in front of Cambridge goal. Lang, Rl o les, X ayell, and Hunter quickly followed one another, Lang also tackling well, but Waipa could not be denied, and Cambridge was forced down again, Hunter again being well up. Shortly afterwards the ball was kicked well into Cambridge ground, and Brindie being fleet of foot obtained a touch-down for Waipa. Grierson had the try, but the wind was too strcng, and after five minutes very hard play was brought to an end the best game of football I have seen played in Waikato, and I have seen most. Many whose names are not mentioned played remarkably well, but the forwards generally got all the knocks and little mention, so they must not mind this time. Good temper prevailed throughout to a remarkable extent, and the umpiring, which was well atten 'ed to by Mr J. Wood, was, as is not often the case, a pleasant duty. One thing I noticed whs that the men when runninsr, as a rule, allowed themselves to be collared too often. This is a great mistake. They t-hould kick more, and always try to kick into touch. By doing this their side gain all the gro-ind coveied by the run and the kick, the ball being brought straight in again, whereas if they are collarel a scrimmage comes off, and very likely all the advantage gained by their run is lost. I know a good run looks well and pleases the gallery, but players sho^d think more of the good they could do to their side and less of personal glory in this matter. Pacing too, I should like to iet more practised by "our boys" Our kicking is good enough, so is our running and standing, and with a little more knowledge of the game our teams would be good ones. On Saturday next Auckland pl-iys Waikato, on Sydney \Square, and the following players have been chosen to represent Waikato :— W. Ring, 0. F. Pilling, A. Wan-ell, Kayell, and C. D. Macintosh (Cambridge F.8.C.), J. C. Grierson, G. Macfarfane, F. W. Lang, J. Keep, C. Johnson, and S. Hunter (Waipa F.8.C.) J. Wood, 9, Pilling, and Park (Hamilton F.B.C), Willis (Waitoa F.8.C.) ; Rhodes, and Colemen are emergencies. Play will commence at 2 p.m. on Sydney Square, and Mr T. G. Sandes has been selected as umpire. I say to "our boys," go in and win ! play fairly, and keep your temper ; remember " no iron tips allowed." Fall Back.