ENGLAND V. AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 215, 12 September 1888, Page 8

ENGLAND V. AUCKLAND.

RETURN MATCH.

A DRAWN GAME,

Another glorious day has favoured the knights of the oval, and the weather 'ia all that could be desired for th e ; return football match between Eng- | land and the local representatives. No public half holiday was observed, but a lartre number of the principal business places in town let their employees away at lan early hour, and the management have j decided to delay the start of the match, unI til aquarter to foufj to allow of the business | public getting out. The match' _ lias at- ' tracted considerable public attention, and there is already a large attendance at Epsom. "'r-':;■■'■■: THE TEAMS. ENGLAND (red, white and blue.)

Full-back, WV Burnett; three-quarters, A. E. Stoddart' (captain), J. T. Haslanij Dr. Brooks; halves,: W. Bumby, H; C. Speakman ; forwards, A. Paul, A. J. Stuart, T. Batiks, A. J. Laing, S. TVilliams, T. Kent, EL Eagles^ R. Burnett, W. H. Thomas. /: ■■■

AUCKLAND (dark blue and white,) ;. Full-back, R.B.Liisk; three quarters, R. Masefield, T; Brown, A. Tanfield; halves* A. Braund, H. Herrold; forwards, T. O'Connor (captain), O. Wells, N. McLean, C. Marshall, R. Crowe, W. Hobspn, J. Lecky, R. McKenzie, J. HefFernan. '

THE -UMPIKES,

Dr. Smith is to act as umpire for England and Mr R.: Whiteside for Auckland, while. MriE. W. Burgess is to act as referee.

THE. START. Ab. usual a large Icrowd congregated in front of the Imperial Hotel to see the rival teams atart. At a quarter to 3 o'clock they got away. Hunter s band was in the leading brake, next came the Englishmen in a six-horße brake, closely : followed by . the Auckland reps' in another vehicle. Aline of cabs and carriages brought the procession to quite and imposing spectacle. The Aucklanders took with them the Rugby Union banner, although this game ie nob under the auspices of that body.

THE PLAY.—FIRST SPELL.

T. Brown played full-back instead, of Lusk, the latter being shifted to threequarter. The teams appeared on the* field lat a quarter to 4 o'clock, and greeted ; each : other in the usual manner; O'Connor won the toss for Auckland, and elected to defend the western goalj.thusgiv- ■ ing the Aucklandors the bun: at their back! Paul kicked off, and Lusk returned well down the field, the -Auckland forwards spoiling , Stoddart's return, and the ball' went out at the 25 flag. A loose ecrum took place, Eagles dribbled the ball in the centre of th 6 tieldi Stoddarb 'kicked the ball back to Brown, who neatly stopped a rush of his opponents; From a scrum, Haslam eecured the ball, and made a splendid punt, the ball ■going a few jfeet under the bar. Lusk kicked.-out, and O'Connor spoiled Has- ; l'am'fl return. A number of loos© rushes, !of a give - and - take nature, took place I in Auckland's 25, and from a mark by liusk the; ball was carried past the half-way flag; Masefield received ebme applause .for I a very smart return, which the , Auckland- forwards-backed up by rushing •.the* ball; behind tho lino, whera it went among the spectators saving what appeared likely to .eventuate in a certain Bcore forjthe local team. kicked out, and a number of ' packed scrums endued in the centre of the-field. :Neat forward work, with AVells and Crowe in the van, rushed the ball to within two yards of Englanda's line, Haslam saving his aide by kicking a rolling ball back to Brown; who smartly returned and the play again centred in mid-field. .', The blue and white forwards with Marshall and^ O'Connor' at their head rushed the ball inside England's 25 again, Speakmah smartly returned to the centre flag. ; Buinby and Banks then: did some good dribbling, and the. Auckland ■three-quarters, all waiting for each other to take the ball, let the English forwards through. Brown stopped the rush splendidly, .taking the ball right off Banks's toe, averting an almost certain score for the visitors. From a loose scrum Williams secured a mark and Paul tried a place kick failing to'score. Lusk returned the ball to mid-field, whoii McKenzie was conßpicious by goodtacklingf and, the forwai'd rush by Auckland, headed by Leckie and Bobsori; worked the ball up the field, but Kent and Stuavt, by another good rush, returned the leather to the Auokland line. From a scrum there, Speakman passed to Stoddart, who made a grand kick at goal, the leather^going a good yard outside of the post. Auckland forced dawn. Lusk kicked out, and play again centered near the 50 flag. Tanfield, by a good run, gained a slight advantage for Auckland, arid Dr.;Brookes returned by a long kick to the Auckland , 15.; . From the throw-in, Speakman passed tp Stoddart, whojiby a grand run, eluding all the Auckland ba^ks, touched down for England, The kick was taken by Paul, who made ;a creditable but futile attempt to increase the score : — ; England ... ... 1 point Auckland ~. ... Nil Brown kioked off, and McKenzie spoilt Rent's return, Then Lecky andLO'Connor, by a pretty piece of,- dribbling,. oftmed the ball to England's 25. 5' Bumby returned to the half-way flag, and half-time was called without further acore,