FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3131, 9 August 1892, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

[Bv Goal Post , .] ntOHABLES V. FOSSIUIiES. Thk second pructicn match between tho , Probable and Possible teams fur the Anck-land-Wiiikiito match, which will be playod aI. Hamilton on Saturday next, came off on Satuiday afternoon. The IVibabbs as picked, with the exception of Odium and L. Harris, nil tinned up, but "J. Singer" wan played as full-back behind the Possible-, so as t'i givfl him some work, while his place in the Probable* was filled by R. Gillett. Thn teams wern as follows :—Probablns : Full-back, R. Gillott ; three-quarters—C. Kn-iilis, W. Hammond, C. L-.vell ; halves —J. H. Hume. F. Bowdnn, T. Connolly; forwards— J. Sampson, F. Carter, K. H. Aubin, J. Libeller, A. Peacock, J. Gillott, W. R. C. Walker, W. Macky. Possibles : Full-back, "J. Sinner" ; three-quarters— M. Delunoy, A. N. Scott, S. Reid ; halves —A. Kusabs, V. Marshall, J. Wright ; forwards—A. Cassidy, F. R. Sedtlon, J-. Montgomery, E. Kusabs, J. Ryburn, J. G. Berry. The Possibles, wh.i were allowed the advantago of thn wind, played two men short for the first spell, when F. Jolly and •I. Quion joined in. The piny wai not nearly so good as on the previous Saturday, caused no doubt in some degree by the wet, and also by the eagerness of the Probables to score, causing them on many occasions when they were on their opponents' line to overrun the ball and lose what seemed a certain score. Throughout the two spells the Possibles were forced a number of times, but the ' Probs.'did not manage to register a score. The Possibles several times cleared their own lines in a very clever manner, carrying the play right up to the other end of the field. The game was continued for a short while after time was up when C. Kusnbs,by a good run, gut behind for the Probables, but W. Hammond failed to convert, As the representatives have now been Dieked, I will try to deal with their play as it appeared to me. BACKS. Full-back, "J. Singkb.' ; Thew is no doubt that he is the only man iii Watkatu fit to occupy this position. His play on Saturday showed great coolness and judgmunt, and many times he relieved his side when they were sorely pressed by the opposing forwards. Three-quarters : C. KoSABS certainly played up better than at the first practice, but had L. Harris been well he would not get a place in the team. His picking up and passing are very faulty. His short, dodgy runs were very effective, but he holds on to the ball too long, and often could get rid of it to advantage by kicking or passing. W. Hammond, at centre, did not play up to his previous week's form, but I have heard that he was not well, and next Saturday I have no doubt he will be all right again. His place-kicking from marks, considering the bad ball, was very good. C. Lovkll ha 3 improved considerably, his weak point being that he does not remember he is not the only back. His kicks gained considerable ground, but he should practice with both feet. Halves: T. Connolly showed the best form among the backs, being about the only man whose attack is any way strong. I look to him to score for Waikato. F. Bowdbn showed an inclination to work out to his old place as wing, but his play justified his inclusion in the team. J. H. Humk played as usual, his screw kicking and short runs gaining ground every time. This finishes the backs, and with the limited men at their disposal, I do not think the Selection Committee could have made any improvement. The backs will, I fancy, have a good deal of work to do, and at hrst no doubt will be rather upset by the combination which will be shown by the city . man. The feinting tactics will be new to many of them, and I advise them t , ) make sure of the man not heeding bis feigned pas 3. The halves want to watch closely their opposing halves,,and while keeping on side get round so as to spoil the centre's -pass. The emergency backs are : Threequarters, J. Wright, and half, A. Kjs-aba. The former is the fastest man in \\ aikato with the leather, and had his play in the first spall been up to that in the sficond, the Selection Committee would, I fancv, have hud to include him in the "reps." No doubt he played with great luck, and his kicking at a rolling ball (a most dangerous practice for a back at any time, especially with a wet ball), which was always successful, took immensely with the spectators. His display at the end of the game was a disgrace to football, and, I think, a severe reprimand from the Union would not be out of place. A. Kx'Saus showed considerable improvement, but would not displace any of the selected halves. With the FORWARDS, I feel sure that the Selection Cuinmittee had a difficult task with the forwards and from the comments which have been passed, their picking has not met with universal favour. Two men, Carter and Odium, have been re-placed in the first-chosen Probables by "Libeller" and J. Montgomery, whose play at thn two practics matches has shown that no Waikato team could be considered complete without them. On Saturday, J. Sampson shone out most prominently und his play in both scrum and open was brilliant. In J. Gii.lbt'B play I was glad to see an improvement in that he did not kick so hard when going in the loose. A Peacock and W. R. C. Walker both played up hard and earned their places. W. Macky was <>11 there in the hard graft but showed a tendency to kick too hard. E. H. AuntN I have left to the last as I cinsider him the weak spot in the forwards (and I may say I am not singular in this opinion). Hβ played in the scrums better than on the previous Saturday, but when play got loose was continually offside as if waiting for an opportunity to shine,, which no doubt, he did on several occasions. I am afraid he will cost the team dear in penalties, and I think he might with advantage have been replaced bv any nf the emergency forwards, F. Carter, F. R. Seddoii and J. Ryburn, but as the committee has seen fit to include him I must, bow to their decision. The forwards should be able to hold their own in the pack and in the loose their eagerness must not make them over run as they did on Saturday. Keep on side, is my best advice to them, as their opponents will nut be slow to take advantago of any little breach of the rules. Now boys I have had my say and if I have said anything which you do not like, I hope you will take it a* it is meant for the good of the team, as there is nobody who would sooner see Waikato score a win than I would.

Itnme'Ji.'itely after the "reps" were picked they held a meeting, at which T. Connolly was elected captain. The representative j...r.«vs weiv. received by the Union on Situr.lay, and f.h>:y hive given entire satisfaction. Thii colours make a pretty uniform and it is to he hoped that they will be worn for the first tune by a winning team. The jerseys have been m-ide by Messrs Hallenstein Urns., in the firstclass style in which all that firm's work is carried out. The uniform for Saturday wili be navy blue cap, maroon and blue jersey, white knickerbockers and maroon socks. As the Union funds are very limited the representative caps could not be provided. The Auckland team will arrive at Hamilton, »n Friday afternoon, and during their stay will be quattered at the Commercial Hotel, whore Mrs Bright, I am sure, will do her utmost to make their visit enjoyable. A dinner will be given on Saturday ■ w.ning at the Commercial Hotel and on Sunday the visitors will be driven over as far as Cambridge. (by telegraph—own correspondent.) Auckland La-t Night, The following team has been to play against Waikato on Saturday :—Fullback, Ki.-sline ; three-quarters— Tanh'eld, Riley, and Branson : halves—Ronayne, Edmonds, and Brady ; forwards—Stone,, Dacre, Canlton, 0. Speight.Geard. Wright, Walker, and R. Green, The team is light, but considered a fast lot, Mr W. C. Speight, a member of tho Rugby Union, will accompany the team as manager. TAUAWAKI V. AUCiCLAXD. Theinterprovmcial footoall match, Tannaki v. Auckland, was played at l'otWr's paddock, on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a win for tin local toam by 5 points to 4. The visitors in the first spell when they had the advantage 'if the wind am) all the best of the game, scored 4 points, tries obtained by F. Bayly and Oontts. Liisk failed in his attempts to register the major points. In the second spull Auckland, although making continual attacks on the Taranaki line, h.-id not scuwi up to within live minutes of time.. The forwards then with one desperate rush t ink the ball over the line and Brnne secured i> try, which Pe.nnallig.m converted amidst groat excitement. No further score was made, and the game ended hs roovp.