THE FOOTBALL TEAM IN AUSTRALIA.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1696, 10 June 1884, Page 2

THE FOOTBALL TEAM IN AUSTRALIA.

Tee following is the account in the Sydney Morning Herald of May 29 of the match between the New Zealand Football Team and the team selected from Cumberland County: — The New Zealand Football Team, who arrived here on Tuesday last, for the purpose of playing a series of matches in this colony, opened their tour yesterday at Parramatta, against a team chosen from the clubs in the County of Cumberland. The visitors, accompanied by a number of friends, went by steamer yesterday morning, and much enjoyed the many beautiful views t<| be seen on the river. On arriving at Parramatta, Mr Hugh Taylor, the member for the town, cordially welcomed the visitors, and proposed their health in a suitable speech, after which they sat down to an excellent lunch, provided specially for them at Cripps' Parkside Hotel. Before proceeding to the ground the New Zealanders were driven round the town and through the park in a four-horse drag, and expressed themsolves much pleased with, the picturesque surroundings of the ancient metropolis. The weather was warm and genial, the ground in good order for playing-, and there were present during the afternoon about 690 spectators, including a number of ladies. The following are the names of the opposing teams, and the places they occupied during the game : — New Zealand : "Warbrick, back ; Ryan, Taiaroa, Dumbell, three-quarter backs; Helmore and Roberts, half-backs ; W. V. Million (capt.), Robertson, O'Connor, O'Donnell, Allan, Lecky, Wilson, and E. B. Millton, forwards. Cumberland County: Howisonand Wilshire, backs; EL. Thompson, W. Coates, and Settler, haif -backs ; Johnson, quarterback; Griffin (capt.), Emraett, E. W. Hicks, Auchterlonie, Morley, York, Howell, Hendron, and Thompson, forwards. The New Zealand Captain won the toss, and elected to kick toward the eastern goal, but as there was not a breath of wind the winning of the toss did not give any advantage save that they had the sun at their backs instead of in their faces. Though the dark blue uniform of the New Zealand team in a measure subdued their physical appearance, a close examination of Millton and his men showed that they were a fine lot of athletic young fellows, the majority of them being of the stalwart order of footballers. The Parramatta team were a very unevenly- sized body of players, and had an ill-assorted aspect when compared with their smart-looking opponents, whose preliminary propulsion of the leather gave promise of what was in store for the representatives of thp county. From the kick off it could be seen that the local players would be unable to cope successfully with the visitors. The ball was at once forced dovm towards the Parramatta' goal lines, w!:.c::o, after a clover piece of passing to Taiaroa, thai player made a bold and determined rusli to get over the line, but he was collared, and 'He attempt failed. The ball for some time was kopt in dangerous proximity to the Parramatta stronghold, when IT. Thompson, of Pennant Hills, obtained the ball from a scrimmage, and averted the threatened danger. After that Taiaroa made several splondid efforts to rush through his opponents, but the Maori champion's prowess in the field had preceded him, and he was well watched by his opponents. The splendid passing of the visiting team appeared to perplex the local players, and after a good struggle near the goal Helmore ran in and secured the first try for his side. Ryan took a place Mck, and, though he made a splendid attempt, the try was not converted into a goal. Despite the vigorous way in which the Parramatta men worked, the ball was kept in front of the Parramatta goal lines, whence it could not bo removed. From one of the scrimmages which now ensued Roberts passed the ball cleverly to Ryan, who "dropped a neat goal from the field. After a few minutes' more play W. V. Millton neatly passed the ball from a host of foes to Robertson, who by a resolute rush got safely over the line for a try. Ryan was entrusted with a kick, but did not send the ball in the desired direction. It is needless to further doscribo the play, as tho Parramatta men were hopelessly overmatched. Some of them took off their boots, but that did not improve their play, which, it must be said, was of the crudest kind. Helmore got .another try* which Taiaroa failed to further score from, 'and after that Helmore, by a magnificent run, in which he evaded a dozen

savage grasps, got over the line, the New Zealand captain converting it into a goal. At half-time the visitors had scored 17 points, while their opponents had only once sent the hall past the half-way flags towards the New Zealand stronghold. The latter; part of the game was as. disastrous ,t$ the local players as the .first part: Had .bee'jjj fdr, ih'eNejto^ealandei'si ran ring's Mind theid, aiid added 19 more points to their already formidable score, the Cumberland men being kept entirely on the defensive. Those who scored tries in the second half of the game were O'Connor, Roberts, Leoky. The run of the day was made by Taiaroa, who, getting hold of the ball) cleverly dodged about 10 of the opposing side one aftei? the otherj andj amid great ex* (Jitementj. obtained the tryj giving W; V. MiUtpri. an, oasy.ch>rice pf Making, a goal, which the sl^pei' of the New Zealaiide'ri!, did not miss. This brought the game id a cldsa, the visitors having scored 33 points, or 4 goals and 7 tries, to their opponents nil. .The New Zealanders played in fiie form, thoir accurate passing and concerted action of their forward players bsing greatly admired by those present. Whore all played so well it would be ;nyidious to gin glo put any one. of the visitors for special nientibnj tltit it must be said they p-ay a most unselfish game, and were ably handled by their captain, W. V. Million. On the other hand, the lecal team betrayed a sad want of knowledge of the game, and hence their opposition was of a very feeble character. The umpires were— for New Zealand, Mr Davy ; for Cumberland County, Mr W. R. Buratt, while Mr Stuppart aotqd as referee.