FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2329, 14 June 1887, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The return match between the Hamilton East School Football Club and the Cambridge District and High School Football 'Glub'was played on Saturday afternoon last on Sydney Square, Hamilton, and was a capital game throughout. Len. Bull captained the Cambridge boys and Sage acted in the same capacity for the home team, both of them playing full--back. Shortly after two o'clock Von Sturmer kicked off for Hamilton, and

following up his kick fell on the .ball in the middle of the ground just inside the ' Cambridge 25, where the" ball remained ; during the best part of the first spell, it only getting near the Hamilton 25 flag once during the whole of this time. A series of scrums took place in the corner >'1 >of the ground until ! Chambers relieved his side by a good long run, being'well stopped by Sage. Again by scrummaging and dribbling, Hamilton-drove the ball down on to the Cambridge, line, when Len. Bull .got possession and ran nearly half-way up The field, being thrown into touch by 1-t. Gillett. Cambridge* Were again driven back close to their line, Von Stiirmer all the time playing a slashing game, and ' taking a "lot of stopping. Scrums were the order of- the day for some time until the ball went out to Len. Bull, when ho again i "relieved his side by a good punt into touch beyond the 25 flag. .From tlie throw in Gillett, of Cambridge, and Rish- ■ worth got possession -and ran the ball ' past the centre flag; biit D. Gelling, by a good, dribble, worked it back again to the Cambridge ground, where it remained until the last few minutes of the spell, when Hicks got away and . made a good run, but was stopped by Von Stunner., From the scrummage Cambridge made a good combined rush, and by J hard play and some very good passing kept the ball well in the CCntre'of the field until time was called. No score resulted in this spelt, nor was Cambridge compelled to < . touch down in self-defence, their backs ;■' doing excellent work, and saving a score time after time. In tho second spell Cambridge rallied at the start, and ran the ball - -down towards the Hamilton 26, where it for a time, but Kingsley and ."Edwards together making a good run very aiearly scored, forcing their opponents to touch down, for the first time, close to the goal posts. After the kick at the ball it was driven back again, and a number of well-conducted scrummages took place, from one of which Von Sturmer got the ball, and running in touched it down right behind the post. The kick at goal was entrusted'to Kingsley, who signally failed to put it over tho bar, although everything was in favour of a goal. Von Sturmer again very nearly secured a touch close to the cornor flag, but a force down only resulted, and for the rest of the game Cambridge managed to keep their line well clear. All through the game was stubbornly conducted, and though it was quite evident that Hamilton had the stronger team, yec the superior knowledge of the game shown bv the Cambridge backs saved them from what at ono time looked like a crushing ■defeat. The passing and kicking of the • backs was admirablo, and Home of the tackling was Al., Len and Leo Bull, Chambers, Hicks and Rishvvorth being most noticeable, whilst Gillett also did a lot of hard work, and also a youngster in a rod shirt. For Hamilton Von Sturmer played undoubtedly the. best game on the field. Ho was on the ball from start to finish, doing as much work as any three, and *ully deserved the try he obtained. Several tint's he got past all except the Cambridge f uU . Hack, who, however, was not to be ilr>ni.V and tackled splendidly. Dug. (Telling i 'layed well and hard all through, drihhlino- well several times, and the hrothnM '-Jillett also worked , well, Whilst Kinney at times did' well though suffer." u £f f™" l , s(,re Charlie Edwards at half back was in his risrilfc place, and ul&yed a stoning hard game all through, and fending well Sage, the captain,' at /oil-buck, never missed ' a tackle, but had not J*nch work to ;do all through until .towards# the end, when he came up to half-back for a spell. The Cambridge kicking and jnissmg was a long way aliGud of tho Haintiton work 111 the scrum line, but the play i)£ the latter s forwards, led by Von Stiirmer, wasnot to be denied, and their dribbling was also better. Of the youngsters, " Juinbo,' of.Cami ibridge, and Smith, of. Hamilton;- must be unention'ed, and their hearts are undoubtedly in the right place, their pluck and .en-, ' idurance being, remarked 'on all sides, and *to' see these mites tackling one another was a treat. The umpiring was done by Messrs ■ Porter and Gnbble, and Mr Pilling;acted :as referee, but their services were not; much .required, .and we noticed that one umpire ispent a good deal of his time coaching bis . team. Very laudable, no doubt, but hardly i.in accordance ivith football rules, and it ioiigfitno.tto.be encouraged, even though lshe players are boys.