ARRIVAL OF THE SYDNEY FOOT

Evening Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 48, 15 September 1882, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE SYDNEY FOOT-

? Notwithstanding the very inolement state of the weather this morning, a large number of people assembled on the Qaeou's Wharf for the purpose of witnessing the arrival of the New South Wales football team by the s.b. Hawea, and according them a hearty welcome to our shores. It was expected that the vessel would arrive at the hour stated, and a number of football enthusiasts, with a fair sprinkling of the outside pnblio, braved the elements, and proceeded down the pier at 10 o'olock. Unfortunately for their comfort, the Hawea did not show up at the Headi until nearly 11 o'olook, and as the sheds on the wharf were inadequate for their accommodation, and the rain oame down in torrents, they passed anything but a p'eaaant t'me of A few minutes before 11, the firing of a shot from the signal station announced that the stoarnor was in eight, and all eyes were strained to discover the first glimpse of her as she oame round the point. In half-an-hour after she had been eigoalled she oame up the harbour, and tome little excitement was manifested by those on the wharf to oitoh sight of the New South Wales champions, who oould be 6een clusteredtogether on the after-deok. Some delay took plaoe in bringing the Hawea alongside, but as soon as she waa made fast the Wellington footballers gave three hearty cheers for the visitors, and, in a few minutes, the compliment was lustily returned. His Worship the Mayor was to have been present and welcomed the Sydney men to the Empire City, but was unable to attend, and in his absence Mr. A. T. Bate, the indefatigable Secretary to the Wellington Football Union, and ihe Eeoeption Committee proceeded on board, and aooorded the visitors a hearty welcome. Arrangemente had been made by the committee for conveying the team and their luggage to the Empire Hotel, where they will reside during their stay here, and in a small space of time the men and their traps were whirled away to that well-known hostelry. Ihe Sydneyites left Onebunga by the Hawea on Wednesday morning, and had a very good trip down. They are all in excel, lent form, and, although two or three of them Bbow indications of reoent mauls, will take a goodjdeal to overcome them when on their metal. They are a fine lot of men, but not nearly so stalwart as we have been led to expect They are of the average weight, and the team comprises some of the beet players in New South Wales. The following notes on tho respective merits of the men will be found acceptable to our readers : — Addison (University), forward, good dribbler. Barry plays back for the University team, and also plays a good ' forward game. Baylies (University) will play baok for the team; is a good long-drop-kick, runs and tioklos well. Flynn (University), quarterbaok for the team; ttrong runner, uses his hands well, and is a good place-kick. Fligj? (Wallaroo), quarter-baok and halfbaok, runs and dodges well, and kicks fairly. Graham (Wallaroo) plays anywhere, and is a good man all round. Hawkins (Balmain) is a good forward and fast rnnner, taokles well, and is one of the fastest men in the team. Hill (St. Leonards) is a good forward and dribbles well. Howard (Balmain) plays anywhere, but generally half or quarter-back; is a good dodger, and tackles well. Jennings (G!enhead) ia a good, hard-working forward. Mann (University) is a good quarter-back and first-rate taokler. MoClatohie (Birwood) is a good heavy forward, and plays on the ball well. E. Raper (captain of the University team, also oaptain of this team, U a strong, heavy forward, ÜBes hi« hands remarkably well, and is well up in all points of the game ; he also dribbles well. Riohmond (Wallaroo) is a very good forward, and difficult man to tackle when "under weigh." Thallon (Balmain) plays anywhere, tackles and kicks well. Walker (Redfern), the drop-kick of the team, is a sensational drop-kicker ; he runs well, is a diffioult man to taokle, and always winds his run with a long drop. At the time ot writing, we are unable to tay whether the natch will come off tomorrow, as arranged. Should the weather continue as wet as it is at preterit, it cannot but the iocal tcatn have every hops that there will be a change for tho better during tho ensuing 21 hours, enabling the match to be gone on w.th. The gamo is to be playeJ in tbo i^evvtown Park, and will commence — if commence it dees — at 315 sbarp. The manager of tho Tramway Company has arranged thit oars shall ruu to and from the ground every few minuua, and little difficulty need be experienced by the publio in proceeding to the scene of play. Four terms will be played, each 25 minutes in duration. In consequence of some dissatisfaction having be«-n expressed at the selection of tho local representatives, many of the Wellington footballers holding that the Athletic Club was not properly represented on the team, the' Union met list night and referred the matter back to the Selection Committee, who, after some consideration, decided to strike out Campbell and substitute Brown instead. No other alteration * were made. The team consists of ten forwards and five baoks, and is as follows s-B:own —Plays both back and forward; gocd all-ronnd man. Beard— Good forward; keeps well on the ball, and useful in heavy scrimmages. Cooper— An excellent forward ; runs and collars well ; good kick. Harvey—Passable plajer ; plays ftrward. Hinchberg— Playß quarter-back and very smart runner ; good dodgor. tieenau — First-c'ass halfback ; k'oks well and smart find-.r. Morrison—Comes from Masterton ; fast in backing up and considered good man. M'Cardell — Fair player ; was at one time a Canterbury representative, but not so good now as thon. Peat-Promiiing forward; fairly good .man in scrimmages, bnt slow ; indifferent dribbler. Roberts— Really, good d-ibbler, but cinnot stay or collar. Somerville— Plays forward well. Bonaldson— Good place kick, and collars and dribbles nicsly. Thomson, A . — Firat-olasß half-back, runs and picks up well; cerUin collar. Udy — One cf the beet forwards in Greytown ; good man in scrimmages.