FOOTBALL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3143, 25 July 1881, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegbaph.] Sib, —In your Saturday's issue I notice a letter si.ned " One of the Chosen," the writer apparently feeling aggrieved at my quiz on him in reference to the forthcoming match Napier v. Waipawa. Well, Sir, Mr (oh, his non de plume is too long to retain in a frail mind like my own, so I shall rest content by designating him Quiz No. 1) presumes "Onlooker" is one of those who stand outside the scrimmages, and are afraid of rough handling. Unfortunately for his deep penetration I may at once inform him tbat his surmise is wrong. " Onlooker " has engaged in as many, if not more, rough and tumble games at that noble pastime as Quiz No. 1, but remembering the motto " Self praise is no recommendation " I must not transgress. He goes on to say " I cannot think he is a player, or else he would know that a back player cannot play for anyone except himself, etc." Now I always like to bestow a little information particularly to those who cannot acquire it themselves, therefore I Bhall endeavour to point out to Quiz No. 1 his fallacy. When the ball is kicked to back, if ho ha 3 a chance, the game is to run ; if He is then in danger of boi&g goll&red by his

opponents, ho should immediately "pass back ' instead of keeping possession of tho ball. I have noticed Quiz No. 1 never adheres to',this rule, but trust some kind friend will remind him of it next Saturday. , _, Again, when he has the ball near his ™n _^L\W^k goal, and the opposite side are almost upo^^^^^H him, he inrariably makes some faintattempt^^^^^H toi'ttn instead of directly kicking the ball^^iP^r clear away from his own quarter. The great danger in following this course is this, if his apponents were good men they would immediately form a scrimmage, woi'k the ball back to their " quarter," and would have either a clear kick from the field or else a "run in." I could mention many other cases in which a " back " can play for himself, but hope the above will suffice. I think it unnecessary to reply to his "general remarks about players," but in conclusion I must say he greatly reminds me of one of the characters in Pickwick Papers, who could on no account read a paragraph without the aid of his spectacles. Now I should advise Quiz No. 1 to once more deign to peruse " the remarks about players," and he will perhaps see that I said " I had not the pleasure of seeing some of the combatants in the field this season. Apologising for trespassing so far,—l am, etc., Okiooxeb. Napier, July 25, 1881.