FOOTBALL MATCH. Waipa v Cambridge.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1275, 31 August 1880, Page 2

FOOTBALL MATCH. Waipa v Cambridge.

TnE Cambridge team left the Criterion Hotel at half -past 10 on Saturday morning to try conclusions for the third time this year with the Waipa. The first and second matches, played at Ohanpo and Cambridge, resulted in "draws," and Saturday's match had an unusual interest attached, being the last opportunity of meeting this season, and because whoever won the palm would bear their blushing honors till another season. H. Kan again handled the ribbons, and with a call on " Louie " away went the visitors. On passing the Duke of Cambridge Hotel, the popular proprietor, Mr Spawn and friends exhibited their affectionate interest by throwing " the old shoe " after the coach ; but, alas ! the good luck never eventuated, as the sequel will show. Before reaching Ohaupo the rain came down in torrents, and continued till the team arrived at Alexandra, and some little doubt was raised as to whether the match should be played or not. However, a break in the clouds decided the captains, the coin was spun, and the game commenced. Cambridge representatives were : Messrs Moore (captain), Mackintosh, Nugent, Grey, Cotton, Worrell, Toyne, Paton, Toleson, Bagg, Martin, Hutton, Stubbings (2), and Hitchman. The Waipa's : Messrs Grierson (captain), Lang, Johnson, Keep. Thwaitcs, Box, E~. Pilling, G. MacfarJano, Morgan, TTnntfM*, Graham, Higginson, A. Mncfarlane, Swaine, and Rogers. It will be thus seen Cambridge way shorn of several oi its best players, while Waipa had additional strength to the previous contests. Play was started by Waipa kicking off, and up the hill, the rain still pouring, which militated against all sound pUy, and thej heavy weight of Waipa at once manifested itself, the first scrimmage taking place almost close to the Cambridge goal line. Aftei a hard tussle the ball was got through, and found its way down te the centre of the ground, its pro gress being stopped by what at other times might be a picturesque little lake, but at present anything but conducive to the game. Waipa got the ball up the bill again ami were nearing their opponents' goal when Rhodos coll ireel it and nude a grand run, covering about two-thirds of the ground, and receiving the vociferous plaudits of the lookers-on. The ball, however, soon found its way up the. hill again, and nearly all the play of the fir.st term wan in Cambridge's twenty-five. Fir.st time was called without a score. Waipa now kicked down the hill, and .soon it became evident that Cambridge had more than enough to Hold her own. A touch-down by Lang .soon came to pass, but Macfarlane's kick did not add to the score. Once more under way, a scrimmage close pn to the lower goal line soon followed, but tUo touch was saved by Toleson, who got it out, and the leather went spinning up the ground, but there was Hunter and there was Lang, who without did some of the best and smartest passing of the day. Before time was called, Waipa had got another touch-down, making two touch-downs or four points to Cambridge's nil. The third term Cambridge had the advantage of the hill, but was pressed too hard ever to feel the advantage, still, with an undaunted spirit, i'qught with the greatest pluck. Worrell was* oojlaring splendidly, and did a useful bit of " drabbling " by nursing the ball clean on to Waipa's quarters, but Macfarlane (terror to small men) had him down, and, manipulating with Clrierson, got the ball away, and at the encl qf the third term the score stood the samo as at the finish of the second. The last change, and down came the Waipas like the Assyrians of old, and the light weights, several of whom had been badly lnaimed, were pressed back to their goal line, and .scrimmage after .scrimmage took placo, when Macfarlane succeeded iv securing another touch-down, which was succeeded by touch-down iNo. 4iu a very n.hors lime, and when, last time was called Waipa had Heaved four touch-downs, or eight paints, and Cambridge nil Mr Kayll umpired for Cambridge, and Mr Connell for Waipa.