FOOTBALL. Alexandra v. Cambridge.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1748, 18 September 1883, Page 2

FOOTBALL. Alexandra v. Cambridge.

The above football match came off in the Government paddock, Cambridge, on Saturday evening hist, resulting in a victory for Cambridge by two tries, or four points, to nil. The weather being exceedingly fine there was a laige attendance of spectators on the ground, but it was evident as the match proceeded that the weather was more favourable to the on-looking public than to thobe who took part in the play. The ground was very hard and the sun exceedingly warm. It is granted on all sides that the match of Saturday was the best and fastest that has ever been witnessed in Cambridge, the play on both bides being very good. During the last two spells Cambridge played one man short. The Alexandia men, from the reputation which pioceded them, were the favourites at the beginning of the contest, but as the play proceeded it was evident that the Cambridge men were too quick and well up in their work to give them an easy victory, if a victory at all. The play at times was very exciting, and occasional squabbles ensued, through the unrulinebs of the spectators in crowding in about the players, and thus preventing the umpires discharging their duties, satisfactorily. It was nearly 3 o'clock before play commenced. Mr Collins acted as umpire for the Cambridge men, and Mr Bindon for Alexandra. The Alexandra men were: Graham, McDonough, Newsham, Marshall, Galvin, Martin, Swain, Hopkins, Chandler, and McKinnon, forwards ; Halls and Julien, quaitei- backs; Giierion and Sullivan, thiee-quaiter-backs; and Morgan, full-back. Halls acted as captain. The Cambridge men weie : Forwards : Baiton, Breakell, Callender, Cainachan, Craig. Davey, Hunt, Odium, Patterson (Aithur). Quarter - back 1 - : Bleazell, Hardy, Giey (Sergt). Half-backs : Mallard, Cuitis. l<\ill-back : Haimona. Julian kicked off for Aloxandia, and sent the ball well up to the Cambndge touch lino. The Alexandra forwards followed up their kick in a very promising manner, and Cambiidge was compelled to touch down in self-defence. The ball having been kicked out was shortly afterwaids returned to the Cambiidge twenty-live. Hardy got the ball, and made an excellent run through his opponents, but was brought to earth befoie leaching the line. Cambridge was shortly afteiwaid-, compelled to touch down for the second time. The ball being kicked out, found its way to within a snort distance of the Alexandra goal po-,ts when the latter team touched down. The ball was again kicked out, and some very good play endued on both sides, the Cambiidge mou woi king better than at the outset. Odium picked the ball out of a loose scrimmage, and succeeded in running in and seem ing a try foi Cambridge. The kick at goal was eiiti lifted to Giey, but the effoit mi an aboitive one. Halls now made some good play for Alexandia, and by a good urn got well up to wauls the Cambridge touch hue, but Blcjuell getting hold of the ball soon brought it back to within a few yards of the Alexandra line. One of the most exciting pieces of play during the day ensued. Carnachan tried to get a try for Cambridge, and Morgan and SulliviMi wanted to touch down. The ball was between the three, and the maul-in-goal, which lasted for about six minutes, during which the excitement was intense, resulted in a force down foi Alexandia. Tune was then called. In opening the .second twenty, Grey kicked off for Cambridge. The ball was soon returned by Alexandra, and was picked up by Bleazell, who, after a few spurts, passed it to liwin, who, after getting well under way, was collaied. A series of good uins were now made on both side->, _ and miiuc fast play was \\ itnes->ed. Cambridge looked like scoring another try, but the ball being .speedily letuined to then twentyfi\e, a good kick sent it over their touch line, losulting in a foice down. The ball having been kicked out, Haidy and Halls made some good play for their lespective sides. Cambndge looked like scoring a try several times, but Julian and Sullivan weie not to be passed easily. A splendid piece of play followed right under the Alexandra goal posts. A good kick f loin Ii win sent the ball over his opponents' touch-line, when Morgan, who wont to touch down m self-defence, was bi ought to eaith by Craig, who succeeded in touching Ihe ball with his lingers, and securing another tiy for Cambridge. The try, however, was disputed by Alexandia, who alleged that the ball had not been touched deadbyCiaig. Ci dig alleged that he had done so, when Sullivan kuocked it from under his hands. The Alexandra umpire decided in favour of Cambridge, but the Cambridge umpire not seeing the touch, did not give a decision. No score was allowed. The ball being again bi ought out, a pretty piece of pacing was made by the Alexandia men, which terminated in a good run by Sullivan, but the attempt for a try was frustrated by Cmtis. Time was then called. In opening the thiid twenty Julian again kicked off for Alexandra. The ball being returned, several warm scrimmages ensued, without any noticeable advantage to either side. Halls made a good run for his adveisary's line, but was collared after a piomisiug attempt. In the scrimmages Kallendar and Grey made some excellent play in passing out to their fast men. Outside, one of these, Hardy, picked up the ball, and succeeded in dodging his way through his opponents, but was finally brought to earth by Griorson, on thu qyq <if what proniised to be a try. The Alexandra men again began to distinguish themselves with some fast play, but the collaring of Cambridge was too good to admit of any startling result. The ball having been passed to Bleazell, he made a splendid pot at the Alexandra goal, but was not successfill beyond compelling the visitors to touch down." Julian brought the ball out, and some fast play followed on both sides. Here an unfortunate accident befell Hardy, who all along had played an excellent game. He was well underweight with the ball, when he was collared and thrown in a very awkward way by Halls, partly displacing his shoulder, and obliging him to letire from, the cqntest. Again the play became very exciting; Sullivan got away several times, but was as often brought to earth. The ball was soon forced well down to the Cambridge goalposts, but time was called before the visitors could distinguish themselves. In opening the last spell, Grey kicked off for Cambridge, but the ball was soon returned by Grierson, and kept well in neutral territory for a short time, when Mallard succeeded in punting it over the Alexa.nfl*ra t°uch line, causing the visitors, tq touoh down. Julian kicked out, and sent the ball well into the opposite territory, when an excellent piece of passing was made by Cambridge. Grey got under way a few times, but was as often brought to grief. The Alexandra men now worked hard to recover their lost ground. Halls succeeded in picking the ball out of a loose scrimmage, and made a very determined run for his line, but Bleazell soon brought him to earth. Again the scene of play was removed to the Alexandra toucL line, and Cambridge looked like scoring. A hard scrimmage ensued, which terminated in Irwin kicking the ball over the Alexandra line, but the latter again saved themselves by touching down. The' ball soon "found its way itito the Cambridge territory, when Alexandra made another determined attempt to score. They succeeded in getting the ball within a foot of their adversaries' line, but the backs worked badly, being evidently badly captained at this particular stage. Instead of keeping in their proper positions they showed an over-anxiety to be. on-look,ers of the fyar4 scrimmage. JDhjs state qf ajffauig diinot escape the eagle eye qt* Irwin, who getting the ball,passed out, and dribbled it well qver the ground; V Bleazell and Craig qooj} game to h.s assistance, when the bafl ,was rapidly puntediinder the visitors' goal post, when Craig ran in and secured a try. •This was the most exciting part of the contest, as the Alexandra^fM^ men never got a show after theball^was started:by;lrwinj The kick" at ~go&Uwaßft etitrustedHd "lrwin, but \, a > fft^K?' ?^ulian">j»gajn kicked btrei" ana^jpha^^f^nqMvi after J&a4e a -muic&li! :'i^»moM^he^Wuo|ie,dia^wn* l for

the Duke of Cambridge Hotel, when a very enjoyable evening was spent. The Alexandra men have challenged Cambridge to a return match to be played at Alexandra next Saturday.