FOOTBALL. Auckland v. Waikato.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1269, 17 August 1880, Page 2

FOOTBALL. Auckland v. Waikato.

On Saturday last the annual contest between these teams came off at Mr. Jolly's paddock next to the Railway, which that gentleman kindly placed at the disposal «-f the committee at the last moment, Sydney Squire being too rough and gravelly to play on. The weather during the early part of the morning was "tormy and wet, and fears were entertained that the match would not take place. Towards midday, however, the sky cleared, and the afternoon was moderately fine. A very f,air ground was laid off, and at 2.20 p.m. Waikato kicked off, having the wind iv their favour. Fully two thirds of the play took place on the South Eastern* end of the ground throughout the day, owing to there being a North Westerly wind blowing. Waikato rushed the ball well down the ground and at 2 36 "Wood obtained a touchdown, but the ball being handled by another player on his side the try at goal was prevented, though of coarse two points were scored by Waikato. At the end of the first 25 the ball was well in the middle of the ground. Soon after the second 25 began, Auckland having carried the ball down to the same old corner, a run in was made by Simms, but no tot o lrisulted from the try-by ; the kick however being a very good one and quite straight for goal but not quite hard enough. Nothing but very hard scrimmaging took place during the remainder of this 25, if we except a splendid drop at goal by Sibbin from about 25 yards, which was only 18 inches wide of being successful. Again play concluded about the centre on the western touch line During the third 25, although Waikato had the wind, Auckland managed to keep the ball pretty well in the middle of the ground, and %ace actually got inside the Waikato 25, but not for long, as F. Pilling, making a splendid run, carried it well back, and, being tackled, scrimmages became the order of tbe day, the Auckland backs playing so well that no advantage could be gained. Then came the last 25, and Auckland, with the wind, determined to do or die, and well indeed they played, forcing Waikato back well on to their goal. In a few minutes a run-in was claimed by Auckland, but it was ruled by the Waikato umpire that Carter, who kicked the ball down, was offside, and after a long dispute Waikato kicked out again. A splendid drop at goal, from outside a scrimmage, was made, again by Sibbin, which went about four feet wide of the post, the wind not being favorable. After this nothing of moment happened, play finishing about 40 yards from the Waikato goal. The game was therefore drawn, but in favour of A uckland. As regards the playing- of the men, Auckland certainly carried off the palm, as they understood the game much better than our men, and consequently played well together, and made the most of any advantage. Hendorson, the captain, was a good and able leader, and Burgess, Carter, Sibbin, and others whose names we failed to catch, deserve special mention. Wood, Grierson, Lang, and F. Pilling for the Waikato did their duty well for their side and the forwards on both sides fought well and strongly for their colours. Good temper prevailed throughout, and although thpre were occasional breaches of the law, yet the play as a whole was very fairly carried out. The Auckland men took a trip to Cambridge on Sunday, and were hospitably entertained at dinner by Mr Robert Kirkwood at the Duke of Cambridge Hotel, and returned to town , yesterday well pleased with their visit although the weather was not as good as it might have been. The Aucklanders wish the Waikato- team to go to Auckland next Saturday week to play the return match, and also with a view of allowing the Selection Committee, who are to choose the team to play against Wellington, to see the players, in order to form an opinion as to who should be chosen from Waikato in the provincial team. The committee offer to allow £25 towards the expenses of the team to Auckland. No doubt arrangements can be made to get a team to go dewn. The Auckland team comprised Messrs T. Henderson (captain), Webster, Ryan, Biggs, Bindon, Davis, Stewart, Simms, White, Cook, Sibbin, Burgess, Bravewater, Carter, and Orchard. Waikato team: Messrs J. Wood (captain), F. Pilling 1 , Grierson, Macfurlane, Park, Willis, Lang, Ring, Keep, Worrell, Johnson, Kayll, Hunter, E. Pilling, and Mackintosh. Full Back.