FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2681, 17 September 1889, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Hamilton v. Huntly. (By Oval.) Thk last and best match of the season camo off at Ngaruawahia on Saturday last. The ground on which the match was played vvas a tine paddock on tho bank of the Waipa river. It is a public reserve, leased by Mr Kkcwes, and if it were levelled would make one of tho best football grounds in Waikato. The day was splendid, and there wa;; a large attendance of spectators, about i'IOO, a number of whom ware ladies, who' took a keen interest in the match. It is said that a little money changed hands, the betting being even. Tho Hamilton team (blue), consisted of: Full-back, O'Neill; three-quarters, Sage, Fisher and Gaudin ; halves, Hume, G. Mayos and Wright; forwards, Giibble, Peacock, Jolly, Reid, Gu-ynno (captain), (,Juinn, Cassidy, and A. Mayr-s. The Huntly team (maroon) wore represented by : Fuli-bacl;, Marshall ;tbrcequartois, Harris (captain), Murray and Turner; halve*, Connolly, Ralph and Smith; forwards, Bailey, J. Harris, McCane (2), Williams, Waugh, Sampson and Attrill. Mr Crookes umpired for tho former and Mr Carter for the latter. Mr Marshall (of Ohaupo) filling the position of referee, and all gave great satisfaction. Huntly won the toss and elected to defend tho northern goal with the wind and sun in their favour. Fisher kicked off and Marshall returned, for some little time the play was very even, the ball being kept at half-way. Kicks were then exchanged, and the maroon forwards rushed the ball across tho bines' line, and forced them within tho first 10 minutes. Shortly afterwards the Huntly forwards by a determined rush, again invaded Hamilton's territory, Turner dashed across the line.

securing ;i touch-in-goal. Gaudin kicked en' andl Sago golling the ball made a fine run, taking it into Huntly's 25 where a scrum was formed. From some foul play mi their opponent's side, Hamilton was awarded a free kick, hut Fisher's attempt at coal wis a failure. J [arris kicked out, and Sage returned, Harris then punted out of touch at the Hamilton 25 flag, from the throw in Fisher punted to half-way where several scrnms wore formed, the Huntly forwards took the hall back again, and obtained a free kick, Marshall had a place but failed to score. The play was then taken to hall-way, the Huntly forwards getting a splendid rush on, got through to their opponent's 25, Huge, however, relieved his side by a smart run to Huntly's territory whero ho was thrown out of bounds. The ball was soon taken back again by Murray, who made a fine run round the Hamilton backs, but ho ho was floored by O'Neill. Gaudin secured the leather, and took it to mid-field, whero he was grassed by Turner. Fisher then gained a lot of ground by his smart sciew punting. Hamilton secured a fiee kick, which sent the leather to the Huntly goal line. Marshall limited to half-way, where it stayed till a scrum was formed, and the maroon forwards rushed the ball through to the 25 II ig, and, owing to some olf-sido play on the part of the Hamilton forward.-', Huntly obtained a free kick, but Marshall's kick at goal was not a success. The play then remained in the blue's 25 for some time, the maroons getting another free kick for offside j>lm y. There was great excitement over this, as it was deemed a certain goal for Huntly, being light in front of the bar. Marshall took the kick, the result being a poster. After the kick out the Huntly forwards rushed the ball risrht up to the' Hamilton goal line. Wright put his side out of danger by taking »tle ball to half-way, where it remained till half-time was calh'd, no score having been made on either side. Marshall kicked olf, and the oval was returned by Gaudin ; then the Hamilton forwards, who wart- playing with iiinro combination than in the first spell, rushed the Dall through to Huntly's 25. M. Hume then dribbled it a short distance, picked it up neatly, and dashed across the line, securing the try . for Hamilton, from which Fisher placed a splendid goal. Marshall kicked off, and O'Neill punted to half-way; a serum was formed, the Hamilton forwards carrying the ball over the Hue, Ileid secgi ing a touch-in-gi'iil. Murray kicked out, and Wright marked. The Hamilton forwards then followed up woll, and again rushed the. leather awoi-s the lino, Huntly being obliged to save. After a few more minutes' play they were again forced. From the kick-out the ball stayed at half-way for a short time, until Fisher got a fieo kick, Gwynne then made a strong run and punted, sending the ball well up into Huntly's ground. L. Hanis cleared his line by a grand run to half-way, where he was collared by Hume. The ball here crossed the field several times, but remained about midlield. The maroons then rfot a free kick, which sent the leather to the other end of the field. ,)'. Harris made a dodgy run, and dashed across the line, scoring the try for Huntly, amid great excitement. L. Harris took the kick at goal, but failed to convert it. The play was then kept in Huntly's quarters, till T. Connolly made a full run to half-way, where he was floored by G Mayes, tint the.ball was rushed back again to Huntly's 25. Huntly then got a mark, and play was taken to half-way, but it was soon back again, and they were obliged to force once more. Their forwards then rallied, and by a fine rush, carried it

through to tliu 2o llacr, wlicvo u fcrum was formiirJ, they took it right across the lino, and O'Xi.-ill saved. At this st-iffo of tlio

game C!. Smith, wlio was working very hard, unci playinp a very rough Ramp, was hurt, ivnd had to bo carried off the field. Thoball then went to halt-way, when Fisher made a splendid run and potted, but lie failed to increase the score. Sampson

here came to grief, and was carried off the

field just before time was called. The score being Miitniltnn J, Huntly 1. Among the Hamilton forwards when all played so well, it was very dilticult to mention any single player, but I think Hume and Fisher deserve special notice among tho backs, although the running, collarinc, and punting of Gaudin, Sage, and Wright was much admired. For Huntly J. Harris and llailey worked hardest among the forwards, but the latter spoilt a good deal of his play by his roughness. L. Ha-ris, Italph, Connolly, and Turner doing most of the back work. It is pleas-

ing to stato that notwithstanding one or two squabbles between tho more excitable members of tho opposing teams, the game,

though a very fast one, was contested in a more friendly spirit than any match hitherto played between Hamilton and Huntly, who are very evenly matched, and between tffrivhom a very strong rivalry has existed.

The Hamilton team on arriving in Hamilton were met by an enthusiastic crowd of sympathisers, and loudly cheered for their victory, tho scorer (Marty Hume) being carried round shoulder high, but quite a gloom was cast round when it was heard that Auckland had been defeated by ■Wellington. At half-past eight the winning team, together with the officers of the Club and several visitors, at tho invitation of the captiiu, Mr 11. ,J. Gwynne, sat down to supper at the Hamilton Hotel. After full justico had been done to tho good things provided, the tables were cleared and the evening spent in conviviality, Mr (!. Fdgocumke, vice-President of the Club occupying the chair. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been honoured, the vice-Chairman, Air L. (.'usspii, in 11 few well-chosen remarks relating to the good feeling that should always" prevail at football, proposed the health of the " Hamilton Football Club, tho Winning Team," which was drunk in bumpers of champagne, with musical honours. Mr 11. J. Cwynne, captain of tho team in responding, referred to tho unprecedented success of his club (luring the past season. During the season the club had played six matches, and had won them all, having scoied fifty-eight points, and had only had one point scored against them. Ha said

that he felt proud of the positi m the team had attained to, and hoped that next season they would be equally successful. Before concluding, the Captain said ho had n veiy pleasing duty to perform, and that was the presentation of two medals. At the beginning of the season two medals had been presented to the Club, one being presented by members of the Cklb tor the highest number of points scored, which was won by Mr Fisher, with ths score of eight points (two goals from the field and two tries), The other had been presented by Mr Fisher, for the most consistent play during the season, and this had been awarded to Mr Hume, The medals were then presented amid loud applause. Various other toasts were proposed and duly honoured during the evenin sr, among them being "The Auckland Representatives," responded toby Messrs Fisher and Sandos, the latter of whom was one of Auckland's first representatives. "Tho Waikato Clubs" responded to by Mr V. Marshall, "Umpires and Referees" responded to by Mr Crookes, " Captain of tho Hamilton Club," responded to l.y Mr Gwynne, "The Native Team," "Tho Scorer '" responded to by "The Scorer" Mr M. Hume, "Tho Hostess" responded to by Mr Gwynne, and "The Ladies " responded to by Mr M. Hume. Between the toasts, songs and recitations were interspersed two with local hits on the Hamilton Club, causing great am'.-.sement. During the evening, Mr Gwynne on behalf of his mother, announced her intention of noxt season, presenting tho Hamilton Club with a banner. This announcement was received with loud applause. The evening terminated shortly after eleven, and all returned home having thoroughly the day's and evening's amusement.