FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2472, 15 May 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Wellington v. England. Tiikuk were seven thousand persons present to witness tlio first match between the English teim and Wellington players on Saturday. Tho colonials played a determined but rough game and several of the Englishmen wen; disabled, The match ended in a draw, both sidm having scored three points each. Tho Englishmen state it was the roughest g ! une they have ever played. Through some mUmanagiiuient the return match with a combined Wellington and Wairarapa team, has fallen through. The Encrlishnion leave for New Flymouth to-day. An effort is being made to form a team to play to-morrow.

(BY TELEGRAPH —PR. ESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, Monday. The match between England and a second Wellington team, was not played under the auspices of the Union. The game came ufF this afternoon, in drizzling, cloudy, weather, before two or three thousand spectators. The grass was very wet, but tho ground still remained hard underneath. The Wellington team remained as chosen yesterday. At the start Wellington swept all before them, their dribbling tactics proving much superior to the English passing, which was a failure with the greasy ball. Most unfortunately Wheatman, the dashing Wairarapa player, snapped his left leg above the ankle. Dr. Gillou set it on the spot. Another misfortune happened soon after, Thomson getting his shoulder hurt. The local men played a gallant game, and kept up a bold front. After a very hard-fought and exciling match, the game ended in a victory for England by four points to one, but there was little doubt from the splendid defence shown by the Wellington men, and the easy way in which they disposed of the Englishmen before their ranks were thinned, that it was a nominal victory only. The game was superior in every respect to Saturday's, being much more open in character, and free from unpleasant disputes. The visitors were in better form after their day's rest, and none regretted Wheatman's accident more than they, especially after the unjust way in which they had been charged with all the rough play of Saturday.