FOOTBALL. Civilians v. A.C,

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1560, 4 July 1882, Page 2

FOOTBALL. Civilians v. A.C,

Tjik abovenamed match eventuated at Cambridge on Saturday afternoon, and contrary to general expectations, the civilians not only managed to hold their own, but actually had the best of the game, although it ended in a draw, they having forced the A.C. team to touch down in self-defence six times, whilst the ball never went over the civilians' goal line during the game. There was a lamentable want of knowledge of rules on the part of the majority of the A.C. team, and also on that of one or two of the civilians, in fact I have never seen a game played less in accordance with Rugby Union rules in all my life. There was little or no hacking atter the first five minutes, and very little off side during the game, except in the scrimmages, where men -were frequently seen with their heads in the very direction of their own goals kicking the ball out of the ruck to their own backs. It was no use the umpires saying anything. The civilian umpire was accused of partiality if he said anything, whilst the A.C. umpire kucw literally nothing of the rules as I once heaid him exclaim. " He's not off side. How can a man be off side when he's got the ball in his hands ?" This was when the captain of the. A.C.'s went to form a scrimmage with his back towards his foes, and sent the ball out to his own backs as I said above. Fortunately the large majority of players on both sides seemed to be good-tempered fellows, and the game though rough, was played in excellent spirit throughout. The A.C. kicked off against the wind, and things were at once lively. The ball was quickly returned, and for the best part of the time was in the middle of the play, or in the A.C. 25, who were forced down twice. It was principally a struggle amongst the forwards the backs having had little or nothing to do. In the second 20 minutes again the A.C. were forced down, and Ring made a splendid mn in and touched down right behind the goal. It was not allowed, however, as one of the A.C. had knocked the ball on just before Ring got hold of it, and it had to be taken back. In the third 20 the A.C. were forced down twice, and in the last spell once. During the last 5 minutes, Patterson, through the bad kicking of a young back player on the civilian side, got a catch right in front of the civilians' goal, and only about 15 yards away, but instead of marking, he ran away, and so spoiled what • ought to have been a certain goal. For the I civilians Wood, Ring, * * L'ang, Grierson, McNicol, and ' several others played splendidly. Blazell, as full back, for the A.C, kicked splendidly and tackled well. Grey played a hard but rough game, and Brewer played hard, occasionally showing great dash, but he talks too much. Bounce is not football, and would not be tolerated on an Auckland field. Altogether the 'game was disappointing, as not bringing forward nearly as' many good players, as had been expected. I was sorry to see, our oldfriend C. "Johnson absent, but' l near that he is stall up country. , However, I hope to see him at the return" match. ' ' - " " v • Full' Back.

-i The Dinner.^ ,< -■ '• u -j« Sj.' After" ; Ahe^jfaatch, J>oth^tearas, ' aft^r 'Uft'defgoing ;WeT^usual\ ablutions^ and^

vice-chair. After dinner the tables were cleared, and the more convivial part of the' programme entered upon. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts t having been disposed of with the usual enthusiasm, Mr Brewer proposed the health of Mr and Mrs Raynes. In doing so he felt assured they would respond to his call willingly; /and < with, .feelings of pleasure. For the very handsome manner in which both,teams had. that evening been entertained, they would all, He felt sure, join him in-according theirmost hearty acknowledgements. The toast was drunk with musical honours and duly-;., responded to. "~ "" . ' '??** Mr H. B. Cotton proposed the health/ i of the A.C. team, coupled with the name of their captain, Sergt. Grey. He had taken part in niany football contests, "but,)' the one which they were then ceiebra- ' ting had afforded him unusual satisfaction. From the appearance of the company, and the general harmony with which the game had passed off, he felt warranted in saying they had all enjoyed themselves thoroughly. This was the feeling, of. the civilians, and he only hoped that feeling was reciprcrated by the oppo r . site side. . ' There had, undoubtedly, be"en on both sides mistakes as far as the observance of the rules was concerned, ' and before they had another contest he would recommend all to read ' these over carefully and keep them in mind when playing. In conclusion he hoped they would have another tussle before the constabulary went on the roads' again. Sergt. Grey had never seen a more gentlemanly piece of play than he had token part in that clay. Indeed, it was a pleasure to have a contest with such a team as that with which they had contested that day. He had great pleasure in proposing the Waikato team. The toast was duly responded to. Mr J. Palmer prbposed "The Umpires." ' Mr T. Sandes, in responding, said, he always took a great interest in football matters in the district, and had always tried to help them along. He had umpired in a good many matches in Waikato, and played in a good many, both here and in the old country, and though the match which had been kicked off that day was one of the best he had ever seen in this district, still he could ignore the fact that during the play a great lack of knowledge in regard to the rules of the game had been manifested by both sides. He would advise players to always learn the rules before playing ; and if they stuck to the rules' throughout, no fault could be found, and the umpire's office would be a more pleasant one. He wanted to see a Waikato team play Auckland this year and beat them. They had never been beaten but once, aud he now thought they were perfectly able to hold their own. " The Ladies" was proposedby Mr A. B. Stubbing, and " The Press " by Mr J. Wood. Songs and music brought 'a most enjoyable evening to a close.