CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1278, 7 September 1880, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE.

Football Match, Fen Court v. Gorton Estates. It could be plainly seen something unusual was astir in Cambridge on Saturday afternoon last, as one crowd followed the other leaving Duke and Victoria-streets in the rear. Buggies too form part of the procession, and in one might be noted "six precious souls, and all ajog, &c," one the enterprising proprietor of the Mail, with the manager and his colleague of the Cambridge Branch Wahcato Times (that buggy ought to be preserved), a large land owner and two worthy citizens, all wending their way to Mr Sharp, nurseryman's paddock, who kindly lent it for the occasion of the above match, which has excited so much interest throughout the district for some time past. Kallender captained Fen Court, and F. Pilling Gorton, the latter winning the toss decided to kick down the hill, and as the two teams faced each other a finer set of men one would rarely see in a football field. The nsual "are you ready" and it then went, the ball finding its way down to Fen Court quarters, and here one scrimmage after another took place, mostly in favor of Gorton. Kallender, however, called on his men, who responded like Britains, and some distance was grined by Fen Court, Vernon particularly distinguishing himself by his capital dodging. Mcllraith, for Gorton, made some capital rums, when Pilling coming out like a twinkling with the ball ' bore it into the Fen Court quarters. No goal was kicked, and time was called with a touch down to Gorton's credit. The first bit of play in the second " 20" was a fine run by Roberts for Fen Court, but this was agaiu equalled by Mcllraith, who certainly was play in sr in the priinest form. Pilling wanted all Kallender 1 s nursing, and well did he take care of his cliarge. At the commencement of the third " 20," Heath, for Fen Court, worked the ball well up the hill, but Pilling saved any score, and ©n the ball getting into play again Fen Court made a capital rally and secured a toach-down, but in consequence of an infringement of the rules the try was not allowed After this Gorton got the ball down the hill and Pilling scored another touch-down, but the kick was of little benefit. Mcllraith almost immediately after got another tonch-dcwn for Gorton, but this too failed a goal. The last term was led off by a desperate rush by Pilling, whose " pins " seemed inoculated with " go," but the careful nurturing of Kallender stopped his course. Roberts here did about the only bit of dribbing of the day, and got it well on to Gorton's goal-line, when Fergusson tenderly lifted it and bore it up the ground, and as one stride succeeded the other he looked a formidable opponent to tackle, and it was almost amusing to see the little effort one plucky little fellow made who collared him and was borne along till Kallender came to the rescue, and then ensued one of the best scrimmages of the day — a scrimmage that would have done credit to any teams. It was fought inch by inch with the greatest goodwill and pluck, and ended by Gorton gaining several yards. Fen Court, however, Boon made it up by gaining a touch-down by Kallcnder, who richly deserved it. This met with the same fate as the re^t, no goal being 1 secured, and the match fiuished with the finest run of the day by Pilling, well up to Fen Court's goal. Ringing cheers terminated the match, the score standing : Gorton, 3 touch-downs, or 6 points, to Fen Court's 2 touch-downs, or 4 points. Mr Cotton acted as referee. It might almost be called wonderful with two what might be termed in some measure uncultured teams playing with such goodwill and in such a friendly spirit throughout. E. Maclean and R. H. D. Fergusson, Esqs., may well be entitled to boast of their station hands. The former was on the ground and took great interest in the game as it proceeded, and the latter, to his great credit, took part in the game, reminding one of the days when he played in a Waikato v. Auckland match. In the forthcoming match Cambridge v. Armed Constabulary it is to be hoped Mcllraith will not be lost sight of, and, if he possibly can, should be got to play, and no Cambridge match should ever again be played without Kallender.

The Dinner. After the match both teams were entertained at dinner at Kirkwoods Duke of Cambridge Hotel. The entertainment was a really sumptuous one and reflected the greatest credit on the caterer. It is needless to say that after such a hard days work the fullest justice was done to the repast. The chair was ocenpied by Mr R H. D. Fergusson of Gorton, and the Vicechair by Mr Kallender of Fen Court. The cloth havintf been removed. Mr Every Maclean said he would call on Mr Kdllender to propose the toast of the winning team, but he wished to say a few words himself first. When the challenge was received from Gorton the Fen Court men rose as one man eager for the contest, now it had taken place he did think there was much to boast of on either -side. [Mr. Fergusson: "Oh, oh." (Laughter.) "Well, somebody must be beaten. (Laughter.) Personally it gave him very great pleasure to see the men coming together to know each other better, and he hoped that when they met one another in other places they would exhibit the same friendly spirit which he had seen manifested in the game that day. (Applause.) | The vice-Chairman said it gave him very much pleasure to propose the toast of the winning team. Although his side had been beaten this year, a little practise would no doubt enable them to make a better show next year, when no ctoujto

the match would itself he a better one. He gave " Thpmdn of Gorton. " The towfc waa heartily drunk with musical honours. Mr. Fergusson, in responding, thanked the men of Fen Court very much for drink'.ng to their health in such a cordial manner. He hoped it, would not be the last time that the worthy vice-ohair-man would have to propose the health of the winning Goiton team. (Laughter.) Ho probably would have to do it again, next year. He might be wrong, but that was his impression. (Laughter and applause.) When he sent the challenge to Mr. Maclean, that gentleman sent baok to say Fen Court would- be moat happy to play, and inquiring at the same time whether he should lend Gorton a few men. (Laughter.) This kind offer was, however, declined, because he had an idea that they could pull through unaided, and therefore he had no desire to crow over it ; the result had proved him to be right. They had played a first* class game, and he thanked his men very much for keeping their tempers. He had seen much more squabbling among men thoroughly acquainted with the game than he had seen that day, and that circumstance redpunded to the credit of the men. He hoped this was only the first of the football matches between Pen Court and Gorton, and if the men continued to play with the same fair manly spirit which had characterised them that day, the contests would, he felt assured, be productive of much benefit. (Applause.) Before sitting down he would ask the men of Gorton to drink to the health of thpir confreres of Fen Court. Mr. Fergusson said it was not intended that any of the toasts usual all such occasions should be introduced buttttey^ ought not to separate without drinking to the health of their host Mr. Rofcrt Kirkwood. (Applause.) He was not going to say much about him because he waa aa well known to most of them as he was to the speaker. He had catered for them remarkably well and they were greatly indebted to him. Mr. Maclean endorsed the chairman's remarks. He had seldom seen a better spread than that which had been placed before him that evening. The toast was duly received with musical honors. Mr. Kirkwood thanked the assembled company very much. He was extremely pleaded to think he had been successful in meeting their wishes. He had witnessed the game and was greatly pleased with the performances of both teams. Put together he thought they could foim. a team which it would be hard to beat, what he would like to do would be to incite the people of Matamata to challenge the both. (Applause.) The Chairman proposed "The Umpires." He had been an umpire himself and he could say with truth, that he would rather play forward in the hardest game than umpire. In the game one got kicked about by one side, but an umpire, figuratively speaking at all events, generally got kicked by both sides. (Laughter.) The umpires they had had that day had performed their arduous duties well and impartially, and he had very much pleasure in drinking to their healths. The toast was heartily received. Messrs. H. E. Cotton and Moore responded in suitable terms. The vice- Chairman said there was yet another toast which he thought should receive notice, and that was the Press. On many occa^ons footballers had received attention from the Press. The toast was duly honoured and responded to by Mr. S. G. Smith, representative of the Waikato Times. "The Ladies," proposed by the Chairman and responded to by Mr, E. Maclean in very felicitous terms, exhausted the programme, and after singing the National Anthem, the company separated thoroughly pleased with the manner in which the day's spore had been brought to a close.