Huntly v. Ngaruawahia.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2183, 6 July 1886, Page 2

Huntly v. Ngaruawahia.

t Another football match, Huntly v. Nj?a* rua^ahja, Was played -on the ground of the further <jiub on 3atiu?d;»y, and was decided iv favour of Huiitfcfr by one try to nil. The K»me waa a very rough one, the Ngaruawnhia men kicking in the Hcrimniagea without any regard to consequences. Huntly played a very fair game, but I notice they are rathet backward in passing, a point in the game which it would be well for them to practice. For Ngnruawahia McSweoney played well, and made numerous efforts to get away with the ball, but at every attempt waa brought to the ground. —(Correspondent).

TO THR EDITOR. Sir,— After seeing the first match of the season, Cambridge v. Hamilton, I, with many others, came to the conclusion that football was most decidedly improving *jn Waikato, and that we stood a good chance Of having a very fair representative team to play against Auckland this year. This opinion | w&» strengthened by lhe accounts I Jbeard Of the Cumbn^ge-Kihikihi match, which was unfortunately marred by the accident to Julian. But I must nay that } after the match played nt Cambridge •on Saturday between the Cambridge and Hamilton football clubs all these ideas were completely dissipated The i game, which began well and promised to be a success, degenerated before long into a series of miserable squabble,*, and was, in fact, nothing but a mere gnnie of bullocking. For the first 20 minutes play ■\fM good, and football was played by both Rides, but after that a few players, finding that they were unchecked, went in for the win-atrany-price game, and I was - forcibly reminded of the Mackintosh and Gray days of football in Waikato, when might was right, and science .nowhere. There were its many hands as feet seen in the scrummages at times, And ft was nothiug uncommon to' see a man carried along yards on his knee?,, holding onto the ball all the time, and yet the ■ o*p* tains of either side spoke not. The umpires were not supposed! to speak unless appealed to by the captains, who by the way never did appeal, and both of these Yon Stunner of Hamilton and E. Pilling of Cambridge, seeemed to have no command at all of their men, who played each on his own account, according to his ■own sweet will.- Confusion Was the natural result, and Morrissey starting the bullocking business, aided by McCann, Paltridge, Oarnachan, and a man in a red and black jersey, »vas, I am sorry -to say, backed up by soveral Hamilton men, who ought to nave known better. Stoele, Hinton, Mclntyre and even Odium who as a rule plays s,uch. a. square game were all Continually off side, whitat even \rthur Suiter was playing unfairly. The whole of this in my opinion is the result, of the absurd notion that the umpires must not speak unless appealed to. This idea is a new one (although I know that a certain rule will be quoted against me) and does not obtain in Auckland, Wellington or Dunedin where they now act as follows. The two umpires enrry sticks, aud on observing any foul play or breach of rule hold up the stick whereupon the referee whistles, and the game is stopped until the point of dispute is settled, as it still is, by umpires and referee. As the game was played on Saturday, the, umpires were mere dummies (although?' Beale did talk too much). Now, as to the v captaining, I must say that neither captain of tho teams is suited for the position. Yon Stunner has not command enough of his men, although an excellent player himself ; while Pilling, although one of the best and hardest playing quarter-backs in Waikato, has not the knack of watching his team and still playing his own game. He evidently lacks knowledge of the game, and showed bad form on Saturday when one umpire (Beale) gave a try to Wood, (the other umpire (Ring) and the referee (Sandes) not being able to give any decision not having seen the occurrence), he said that he would - not allow the try, and that if the Hamilton men took it he would stop the game. Is this, I ask, football? Is not the umpire's decision, even if wrong, final? Yon Stunner, foolishly I think, gave in and no try was allowed, althoneh Hamilton undoubtedly was entitled to one. Not that I know whether Wood touched down or not as I did not see it, but simply on the umpires decision. Then again Morrisey's try was decidedly unfair as he picked the ball up from the middle of a scrummage, and ran in with it. This his own capUin admit*. The only really clear, fair, score of the day was 1-Mllinp;'-* try, pjot at the last moment by good, hard following up. From the first it was evident that Cambridge had the best team, and the game would have been a good one if rules had been observed, but unfortunately it was not so, and if the sort of game played on Satur-, day is to be carried on, we need not be surprised at parents objecting to their,, boys taking part in this pastime, as"" there is real danger about such rowdy play. I say that men like Morris/ sey, McCann (senior), Paltridge, and Caruachan should not be allowed to take part in matches, such as we want in Waikato ; if they are allowed to continue as they are now doing good bye to any improvement in the game. Had Mr Hunt been in command of tho Cambridge team I feel sure that nothing would have happened to mar the harmony of the play, as he has always full command of his men who know they are bound tjo obey him or «top playing. For the ' winners Suitor .played a splendid game and he is certainly tho best follower up in the'two teams. Willie Moon at back had not much to do but never made the slightest mistake, whilst Hannon, Roberts, and Pritt played the game up to the handle, and in a nice quiet way, never doing anything against the rules, and Richardson, ■ too, for a youngster, shaped well. For Hamilton, Wood, Yon Stnr'mer and Odium did their work well, and Guird, at fullback, showed that he would with practice make ajgood player. Altogether the game was a most unsatisfactory one, and had. Cambridge played according to rule I beHeve they would have won by a good deal more than the two points to which they are entitled. I am sorry to have to write so ■ strongly of a game of which I am person- ! ally so fond, but strong diseases require strong remedies, and I unhesitatingly say that if Saturday afternoon's work is to be repeated there will be an end to nil football in Waikato for some .time to come. In case there should be any doubt as to the author of this letter, I append my usual signature, and accept all responsibility for any remarks which may not be pleasing to those concerned. — I am, Sir, yours, etc., T. G. Sanhes.