Football Gossip.

Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 112, 14 May 1885, Page 3

Football Gossip.

The two adult clubs of the city meet for the first time this soaaon in Newtown Park on Saturday alternoon. A keen struggle may be expected. The rivalry between the Wellington and Athletio Clubs is still as groat an ever, and no stone will be left unturned by each to win the matches during the current season. Both cluba possess come new blood this year, the influx into the Wellington being greater probably than into the Athletic Hunter, a back with a great reputation from Napier, J. Koberts, late of Timaru, and_ Roberts, a resident of Potone, are considered to bo the best amongst the new men in the Wellington Club. Johnston Thompson'i burly form will bo missed from the forwards in tho senior team of that clnb. Some good players have joined tbe Athletio Club, bnt none of them, we believe, are what may be oalled " first-ratera." Mr. Jewett, of the "Silver King" Company, now playing in this city, haa been selected to represent ths Athletic Club in Saturday's match, bnt it is somewhat doubtful whether he will take part in the game. The Wellington Club hold that he is not a hona fide member of the Athletio Club, and say that ho must not play in the match. Mr. Jewett is a remarkably good footballer, and on one occasion did excellent work for the Athletics in a match against Greytown. The Wellington Club have decided not to play unless he is out of the team. We understand that the Principal of the Wellington College has notified that in future none of his pupila aro to take part in matches »n whioh adults are engaged This will mean a great loss to the Wellington Club, for whom the boys have been playing. It is undir* stood that the recent aooident to Master Glasgow induced Mr. Mackay to prohibit the boys playing in Senior Cup matches. The Athletio Club aro abont to lose the serviooß of ono of their smartest forwards in the person of " Jack " Pearce, of the National Bank, who is about to be transferred to Auoklacd. He leaves for that city by the Tarawera to-morrow. He has wonderfully improved in football during the past two years. Last year he played splendidly, and ono or two matches were won through his instrumentality. The Poneke Club will be btronger than ever this reason. Louis Dixon (back) and M'lntyre (forward) Lavs seceded from the Unions, and aro now active members of the Ponekes. The Karori Club are going in for a lot of practice this year, and expeot to be able to give some of the city teams a drubbing. Last season their want of practice was very noticeable, but excellent form was Bhosvn by individual members. Wellington footballera will loam with much pleasure that the health of " Jimmy" Wood has improved so much since he took up his residence in Napier, where he is aotiug as agent for the Government Insurance Department, that he feels himßelf quite fit to recommence playing. If he carries out his present intention, we shall no doubt hoar a good deal abont him during the current season. M'Cardoll, captain of the Rugby Club, is in the Hospital suffering from typhoid fever. He is dangerously ill. In Saturday's match several of the new men in the Wellington Club will be sent into the field, the Match Committee desiring to find out how they shape, to that when the cup matohos coma off tbo very best teams may bo picked. At the annual meeting of the English Rugby Football Union, which waß to have been held on 25th March, the following alterations in the laws of the gamo wore to bo proposed :— l. That in law 43 tho words " and thore mako a mark on tho goal line" precedo the words " unless between tho goal posts, in whioh case he shall bring it to either post." 2. That in law 44 after tho words goal line," in lino 10th, the words be added, "except when tho try was obtained between the poßts." Another resolntion to be submitted for approval will bo "that the committoe be instructed to consider the duties of umpires, and draw up regulations for their guidanoe."