FOOTBALL MATCH.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1572, 1 August 1882, Page 2

FOOTBALL MATCH.

Civilians v. Constabulary.

The return match between the Civilians and Qohstabulaly 'oame;off" in ;-the. ''Gb.vernifient paddock'' opposite |the National Hotel, Cambridge; on" Satiirday last. Owing to the heavy rain of the past week the ground was in anything mifc a favourable conditionforfootball; b\it notwithstanding this defect the game was probably the ..most exciting, we. have seen in Waikato for some time, and certainly the play-was not of the mildest •• character. Owing to the result of the last match being in favour of the Civilians, the Constabulary 'were bent on distinguishing themselves in the return match. Consequently they gathered in their best men frrm the outlying stations, and the teani may be said to have entered upon the match with a fixed determination to win. This feature, indeed, may be said to have characterised the play on both sides. The Civilian team played one man short, some of their men who had promised to take part not turning up, among whom were Ring and Sheath. But this deficiency was to a great extent made up by the play of James and Pillipg, who did not appear in the last contest. The play ot Wood on this occasion is particularly worthy of note, and the same may be said of Grierson. James, Cussen, Pilling, N. Hunt and VV. Von Sturmer also played extremely well, the last4named doing; as on the previous occasion, excellent service as a full-back. The Constabulary showed what mettle they were possessed of, Halls, who was well. backed up by Dalziel and Beazell, making excellent play. The slippery nature of the ground prevented any good running being made, and indeed the teams were too well matched to permit of large scores being made on either side. The weather was unusually fine throughout the match, and there was a fair attendance of spectators. Mr Collins, of the Armed Constabulary, performed- the duties of sole umpire, and liia decisions throughout the match gave the utmost satisfaction to both sides. J. Wood captained the Civilian team, and Sergt. Grey the Constabulary. The following is a more detailed accbunt of the play :—ln the first twenty, Wood having won the toss, elected to play off against the wind. The A.C. being favoured by the wind, kept the ball'well in the Civilian territory, and before time was called had made the Civilians touch down four times in self-defence. During this twenty Wood played remarably well for his team, and Blazell and Dalziel for the Constabulary. Hunt got some severe marks on the face during the play, but not of such a. nature as to cause' him to withdraw from the game'—ln the second twenty, Wood kicked off, and his team having the wind in their favour, drove the ball into, the A.C. territory, where, several hard scrimmages' took place. During the' play McNicol, when the teams were playing well on the ball, passed it ,tp, Wood, out of the f scrimmage, who ran in and obtained a try well' behiud the goal posts, but by some mistake forgot to touch the ball down. Wood having gone back to his twenty five in order to kick the ball at the goal, the captain of the A.C, owing to bad judgment, took upon himself to rush out alone to prevent the try, but Wood being one too many for him easily passed him and ran; in;'and obtained another try. . Halls/ however, prevented his getting near the goal posts, thus giving the Civilians an awkward kick at the goal.—ln opening the third twenty. Grey kicked off. The ball soon found its way into Civilian territory, and Halls being dead on it throughout the play at last managed to pass it to Grey, who ran in and obtained a try ; but Blazell failed in his attempt to kick over the goal, Dalzell, however, not long afterwards by a good drop-kick very nearly obtained a goal. The play throughout this twenty was decidedly in favour of the A.C. —During the last twenty the play was certainly the most exciting and the roughest throughout the match. The play was principally confined to the middle of the ground, where the water was lying a few inches deep. During the scrimmages several of the players rolled 'luxuriantly in the water, and the garments of others were put past doingserviceonanyfiitureoccasion. Wood having kicked the ball well into the A.C. ground the full-back through deficient play did not alter the scales, and the ball being well followed up by the Civilians was kept in the A.C. twenty five till "time" was called. —This ended the match. As it was decided on a former occasion not to count force-downs the Civilians were declared victorious by 2 tries to J. The A.C, however, only touched clown once in self-defence, whilst the Civilians touched down eight times.—After the match both teams were entertained at tea by Host Gillett of the National Hotel.