FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2660, 30 July 1889, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Hamilton v. Rovers. Turn match between the Hamilton Football Club and To Awamutu Football Club, or, rather, "The Rovers," came off on Saturday last, in Mr Mear's paddock, and refilled iu a win for Hamilton by four points (four tries) to nil. The following were the teams: — Rovers: (ir.-iham (captain), Corboy, Ormsby, Cowley, Sibley, ISockett, Rybuin (2), GiveiL Holden, Xorrisli, Murom, Senimens, Kusabs and Ratima (a Maori). Hamilton: Gwyune (captain), Hume, o'Neill, ilohnson, Gaudin, von Stunner, t,Juinn, Mayes, Cassidy, Gillelt, Keep, Gnbble, Peacock, Sage and Wright. The game ivas anything but a good exposition of football, being spoiled by the ignorance of the now rules displayed by some of the Ohaupo. The Rovers only mustered ten men, and made up then- team by taking in Morgan, Norrish, Kusabs, Semmens and a Maori, named Ritima. Mr G. Maefarlane umpired for the Rovers, and Mr Marshall for Hamilton, Mr Fisher acting as referee. Peacock kicked off for Hamilton, and twice put the ball out of bounds and, after kicking oil the third time, play centred in the Rover's 25, and eight minutes from the start Peacock came through a scrum with the ball at his feet, being followed by Hume who made the Rovers force. For 10 minutes play was close to tho Rover's goal and Peacock taking the ball from a throw-in got over the lino but the whistle sounded and the try was not allowed, Hamilton not having thrown in at a right angle. The Rovers got a good rush on and carried tho ball right on to the Hamilton goal line but O'Neill soon put it back again and Peacock with Cribble coming through a loose scrum ran it right down to the Rovers line, and after soma loose play Mayes got a try just falling over the line in 2(j minutes from the start. Cassidy took the kick but made a very poor attempt at a goal. Mayes' try was disputed by Morgan, the Rovers full-back, but allowed by the umpires and referee. Just on timo O'Neill got a mark right in front of the Kovers goal. Morgan again disputed the decision, and owing to his decisions being so constantly cavilled at Mr Fisher left the ground and refused to act any longer as refereo. The game was delayed for some time until Mr T. G. Sandes agreed to act and a fresh start was made. O'Neill took his kick at goal but nothing resulted. In the second spell Gaudin got a try, again disputed by the Rover's fullback, and Cassidy failed to convert it. After seventeen minutes play, Qumn got over the lino, making the third try for Hamilton. Peacock made a fine kick, just getting a poster. From this out play was all in the Rover's 25, and close on time the referee gave a free kick to Hamilton for one of the Rovers holding Gwynne after he had dropped the ball. This was the cause of another dispute, and the referee refused to act any longer and left the ground. Peacock took the kick, and the Rovers not trying to stop him, followed up and got a try, which he converted into a goal, having the field of play all to himself. Time had, however, been called before ho kicked tho goal. The game was, as I before remarked, a poor one all through, and I have seldom seen so much off-side play in a match on both sides. The Te Awamutu men are not to blame at all for all the bother, the Ohaupo contingent being tho principal offenders, and this was really owing to them not knowing anything about the rules, for although there were frequent interruptions to the game, and many disputes, there was, I am glad to say, no ill-feeling displayed, nor any rough play. For the Rovers the Maori Ratima undoubtedly played tho best game, and he is well worth looking after—Kusabs also shone c-evoral times, but he was dreadfully olf-side, and might have been culled back a dozen times if appeals had been made, Graham played a hard honest game, I :uid Corboy too shone several times, whilst Sibley was very good on tho line out, his long roach serving him in good stead— Morgan is a good man at full, kicking and collaring well, but most lamentably ignorant of the rules of the game. For Hamilton I think Wright. Hume, and O'Neill played well at back, they getting the most chances, whilst Peacock, Gnbble, Cassidy, I i wynni', and Mayas as forwards did well, and < >uinn certainly deserved his try, as he followed up well all through, but I have : seen Hamilton play many a better game than they did on this occasion. Tho constant interrupting however may have had a lot to do with this. Fullback.