FOOTBALL.

Evening Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 61, 30 September 1882, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

-, ♦ NEW SOUTH WALES v. WELLINGTON. The return football match was played on the Newtown ground yesterday afternoon, and attracted a good deal of attention. The attendance of the general public was not ho large as on the previous ocoasion, but a great deal of interest was manifested in the contest, and at times the excitement reached a very high pitch. According to arrangement made prior to the arrival of the Sydney men, the game was to have commenced at 2 o'clock sharp, but as the vessel reached port several hours overdue, and her departure was fixed for 8 o'clock instead of 4, it was decided to start play at 3. The visiting team arrived on the ground in drags shortly after the latter hour, and after a long delay in arranging preliminaries the teams took up their respective positions. The local men were placed as follows : — Forwards •. Campbell, Cooper, Webb, Connal.M'Gregor, Peat, Morrison (Wairarapm.), Gibbet and Boberts; quarter-backs, Brown and Kirk; throe-quarter-back, M'Cardell; half-baoks,' A. Thomson and H. Smith ; foil-back, Firth. At twenty minutes to 4 o'olock the ball Wai kicked off by Baper, the captain of the Sydney men, who sent it flying across the field. In a moment it was returned, and Graham having got hold of it, made a spurt towards Wellington's quarters. Thomson was quickly upon hip, and ho then passed the leather, but Peat immediately collared the second man, and a scrimmage ensued. The ball having rolled out from the mass of moving legs, Baper carried it away with a magnificent run, but his career was stopped by an opposition' half-back, who brought him to earth very nicely, and a moment afterwards " Out of bounds" was called. On the ball betas returned to the field a local man obtained possession of it, but almost in the twinkling of an eyo it was taken from him. Morrison returned it, and Walker (better known as " Jumbo ") responded by sending it over the local boundary line. Firth then lacked from the posts and the leather got in the hinds df Flynn, who attempted to score. Thomson again showed his capabilities by stopping the Sydney man's career. Bayliss, however, who ' had been watching his opportunity, also ran for a try, but he shaiedithe fate of his predeceßsor. Baper then dribbled up, but the for* wards would not allow him to approach their quarters, and a scrimmage resulted. A smart forward of the visiting team picked up the leather as it rolled ont into the open, and dashed towards our goal. On being collared he passed the ball, but Webb brought him down, tho tackling being very nioejy performed. At this stage of the game the passing and dodging of the visitors were very noticeable, and several times they were applauded for their pretty play. Tho bail having got out of bounds, Thillon threw it in, and George Campbell (captain) worked it up towards the Sydney goal, and a scrimmage took place in the corner. Fligg made two ineffectual attempts to run throngh the opposition backs, and on being brought to bay, he looked the leather out of Bounds as a last resource. Shortly after this, the forwards of the visiting team forced their opponents back, and at one time there appeared every likelihood of a try being obtained, owing to a. local player Allowing the ball to run through his legs. Firth, however, who made a really good full back, seized it in a moment, and amidst cheers, sent it away towards 1 Sydney's quarters. Oar forwards having followed it, a scrimmage ensued near the enemy's goal posts. Walker managed to get hold of the ball, and with a tremendous spurt he ran towards Wellington's line. Thomson ende&vonred to collar him, but failed, and then Firth essayed the attempt. " Jumbo's " career was stopped somewhat, but before he was brought down he succeeded in sending the leather very close to our goal posts. Flynn got a pot at goal, and succeeded in making the first score on either side. Sydney, 4 points ; Wellington, nil. Campbell then kicked off, and the ball was returned by Bayliss. Thailon, a moment or two afterwards, made a tremendous kick from drop, but no good resulted, some unfortunate player on the other side receiving the full force of the ball in the pit of the Btomach. The local forwards worked up towards the New South Wales quarters, and the visitors, being in imminent danger of losing a trj, touched* down in self-defence. Nothing very noticeaUe occurred daring the remainder of the lirut term of 40 minutes, with the exception of some excellent running and dodging on the part of the Sydney captain. After the players had had five minutes' rest.goals were changed, and Campbell kicked off, and on the ball being returned, Peat dribbled it up for some distance, giving pkceto Bayliss, who in turn allowed it to fall into Boberte' hands. Boberts looked like scoring but on being tackled he passed on, Walker eventually petting possession of tho leather. This player did not succeed in getting far ; and a minute or two afterwards _• one of the local representatives almost got the ball over the line. On being taken into the middle of the field. Walker sent the ball towards our goal with a good drop, and the opposition forwards followed up, the result being a force-down. Baper again showed to the front at this stage, and made some very fine runs. Richmond also made two or three good sports about this time. The leather having gone out of bounds, M'Clatchie threw it in, and Baper getting hold of it, secured a try, but Thallon failed to convert it into a goaL Sydney, 6 ; Wellington, nil. After the kick-off had. taken place, Baper dribbled up, and very soon there seemed every probability of the visitors getting another try. However, the local representatives succeeded in repulsing the enemy, and Smith, with a good ran, took

the leather towards the New South Wales v posts. Walker gotting poßseasion of it, made a run towards our goal, bat was brought to bay, and Richmond followed up with a good run. Three lninutos afterwards Walker saw his opportunity, and ran right through our men, placing another try to the credit of his team. Flynn failed to convert it into a goal. No funhetusooring took placo, although the Wellington men -exerted themseves to obtain r a few points, at times- playing a. vary fast game, and the match closed at five minutes past 5 o'clock, hating resulted in a Tiotory for-the visitors by eight points. Tho local roprcsontatives were unable to score. It may be mentioned that; the weather ttas not unfavourable for football playing, but the ground on which the contest took place was very unsuitable, being hard and rutty. The Wellington team played muoh better than tho spectators anticipated, aKhonghx they had cover practised togetior previjrasiyjand it appeared to be tho general opinion that if previous practice had been indulged in the score of the visitors would not have been bo large as it was. . m — — — — ™ *" »