Cambridge v. Hamilton.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1739, 28 August 1883, Page 2

Cambridge v. Hamilton.

The return match between the above teams was playeil in the Government paddock, Cambridge, on Saturday afternoon last. The weather was anything but pleasant, rain falling heavily at the beginning of the game, and the ground in consequence was very heavy and sloppy in places. There was a considerable number of onlookers on the ground, but the weather was not of such an enticing nature as to ensure an attendance ot ladies. The general opinion was that the men were pietty evenly matched, but the Cainbiidge people seemed very confident of the success of their men, though it cannot bo said that the friends of the Hamilton team in any way anticipated a deteat. The following die the names of the playeis with their respective positions in the Held :— (Jainbiidge : Forwards, L. Cdrnachan, Barton, Grey, E. Patterson, D Patteison, W. Simms, Davy, Craig, and Bieakell ; quarter- backs, HaLdy, Bleazell, ami \V. (Jarnachan ; half-backs, Cuitis and Fearson ; full-back, Haimona. Hamilton : Forwards, Allught (2), Biuiloti, Bannatyne, Crowe, .Scddon, Stewart, Odium, Palmer; quarter- backs, Irwin, Pilling ; half-baok&, C. Beale, Yon Hturmer; full-backs, Owynnc, Osbome. Grey acted as captain for the Cambridge men, and Mr Collins as umpire ; \V. Yon Stunner acted as captain for the Hamilton men, and Mr Green as umpire. Hamilton won the toss, and elected to play against the w ind. Grey kicked oIF tor Cambridge, and the ball was well followed up by the Cambridge forwards, who succeeded in keeping it well into the Hamiltou twenty-five for a time. Several hard scrimmages were experienced. The ball having been worked down to within six or se\en yaids of the Hamilton goal line Patterson picked it up, and succeeded in running in and scoring a touch down for Cambridge. ttrey placed the ball for H.udy to try a kick at goal, but owing piobably to the dirty state of the ball tlie kick was anything but a success. During the remainder of the twenty the ball was kept hard up in the Cainbiidge t\venty-ti\c, where it was when time was called. The second twenty was opened by Pilling, who kicked off for Hamilton witli the wind. The Cambridge men soon returned the ball, which for the most part of the term was kept well in the centre of the giound. A series of well contested suiiunmigcs followed without any advantage being gained on either side. When the ball was worked out of a scrimmage the man who was fortunate to pick it up seldom succeeded in making a run, but was more frequently collared betore he got it properly in hand. At one time, however, Ha-nilton looked liked scouug a point, the ball having been worked well up to the Cambridge goal line, toicini: the Cambridge men to touch ilown in self defence. JL. Carnaehau'h play as foiwaul was very conspicuous ; Yon Stunner having picked up the ball on two occasions he (Carnaehan) succeeded in bunging him to the ground befure he got away. Barton's play was also very piomiucnt. It was genet. illy consideicd tint Yon Stunner did not conic up to his usual form, but this to a great extent may be attubuted to the shppeiy nature ot the ground. Bamiatyne played an excellent forward, and made several good runs. During the tint d twenty the ball was pretty well all over the field, and many good kicks were made on both sides. Bannatyne made an excellent run for the Cambridge line, but was collared on the eve of a touch-down. Hamilton then kept the ball well in their adversaries ground, Irwin having made a good kick out of a sciimmage, and again Pearson for Cambridge touched down in self defence. The ball, however, soon found its way back to the Hamilton gaol line ; and the Hamilton men likewise touched down in self defence. The last twenty was opened by Pilling kicking off for Hamilton, A series of very haul sciimmages followed. Both, sides woiked well, and both looked confident of scoring a point. Pearson for Cambudge made some very good play, but seemed to depend too much upon his running. Givy got away with the ball once, and looked like a safe run, but was collared, and came to grief befoie reaching the Hamilton line. The ball was soon worked back into the Cambridge twenty-five, and when the Hamilton men had succeeded in getting it within a fewfeet of their adversaries' line, the latter touched it down in self defence, the ball being very cleverly handled. Grey kicked out, but his first three kicks were abortive. His fourth, however, put the ball well into the Hamilton ground, and time was called in the middle of a tough scrinvnage in the centre of the ground. Cambridge was, consequently, declared victorious by two points. Irwin and Pilling played a hard game for Hamilton, whilst Crowe, Stewart, G. Allright, Palmer and Odium also distinguished themselves. The ground was in a most filthy condition, and at the conclusion of the game ths appearance presented by the players on both sides was ludicious in the extreme. The umpires gave universal satisfaction, no complaints whatever being made. In the evening the visitors were entertained at dinner by the local team, at Mr Kirkwoods Duke of Cambtidgc Hotel, when a very plentiful spread was provided. The table having been cleared, the usual progamme of toasts, interspersed with music, was disposed of, aud altogether a very enjoyable evening was spent. Mr Kirkwood made a very efficient chairman. It is the intention of the Cambridge men to challenge their Hamilton adversaries to another contest at an early date.