FOOTBALL.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 11, 13 July 1885, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The return match between the Poneke Club, of Wellington, and the Prinoe Albert Club, of Nelson, came off at Newtown on Saturday, and resulted, as most people had anticipated, in the defeat of the visitors. The ground was in a fearful condition, mud inohes thick covering the surface, and a few minntes af tec play had commenced it was a diffioult matter; to distinguish some of the players, owing to the quantity of slash with whioh their features got covered. There waa a very fair assomblago of spectators. Nioholls (Poneke) won the toss, and elected to detend the northwestorr goal. Simpson (Prince Albert) kicked off shortly after 3 o'olook, and the visiting forwards following up well, some loose play took place in tho centre of the ground. Eventually, Ball, one of the threequarters, obtained possession of the leather, and ran towards the Poneke quarters, but was oollarcd by Mnir before he could reach the 25 line. The Poneke members worked np to the other end of the field, and, after some very exciting play, Merlet ¦tarted the scoring by obtaining a try for the looal team from a pass by Mnir. Louis Dixon tried for goal, but owing to the diffi- • oult angle and the heaviness of the wet ball, the attempt was not successful. Immediately after this, another try was got by Mnir, owing to the fault of one of the Nelson backs in kicking the leather hard along the ground when he should, either have dribbled it or pioked it up. L. Dizon again endeavonred to kiok a goal, bnt the attempt proved a failure. The Poneke team managed to Jtsep the play in and about their opponents' 25 for some time, and at hist they were able to add to their score. Just outside the 25 flag Morlet took hold of the ball and ran aloDg the tonoh-line. Ball (Nelson) attempted to stop him, but as the ground was very greasy he slipped down and allowed Merlet to continue his run. On reaching the goal-line Merlet very unselfishly threw the ball to Nioholls, although he could have got in well enough himself, and the skipper placed the leather well between the posts. Morlet converted the try into a goal. After the ball was kioked Out tho Nelson men followed up well and Ball made a good run along the touch line towards the Poneke quarters. The visitors were gradually repulsed, and in turn their goal was attookod. Some loose scrimmaging took plaoo within their 25, but the defenoe being a good ono tho Ponekos were unable to inorease their score. The Nelson team now rushed the leather up tho field and succeeded in carrying it with the Poneke's 25. L. Dixon, however, was on the alert, and by running the leather along the touch line he relieved his geal from danger. Other members of his side followed np, and a maul in goal took place olose to one of the Nelson posts. Astill (Ponoko) and Simpson and Morris (Nelson) were engaged in the tuaslo. After tho usual amount of fighting the umpires decided in favour of Nelson. Halftime was called soon afterwards. The Nelson men worked much better during the second spell than they did in the first, but they were nevertheless unablo to score. The Ponekes opened the term by a rush towards the quarters of the opposing toam. The attack was cheoked, but in a few momenta tho visitors were driven further baok, and Johnson ran over the line, making the fourth try for the home team. Muir kioked a goal. Nelson now made their way to the opposite end of the ground, bnt were unable to cross the coveted line. They were gradually driven baok to the middle, whero the leathor remained for some time. Nothing remarkable ooourred during the remainder of the spell. Tho play was faster and moro interesting than before, but no score was obtained on either eide, and the game was thus won by the Ponoke Club by two goals and two tries to nothing. The umpires were Messrs. Litftejohn (Kelson) and M'lntyro (Welling, ton). Mr. Knapp was appoir - ad referee, but his services wore nover called into requisition. In the evening the visitora were entertained at a smoke oonoert in the Post Office Hotel by the Ponoke and Union Clubs.' Dr. Hutohinson oooupiod the ohair. The affair waß a very enjoyable ono. The following toasta wore given :— " Tho Queen " ; " The Visitors," proposed by the Chairman and responded to by Mr. Simpson; "The Poneke and Union Clubs," proposed by Mr. Simpson, and acknowledged by Mr. Nioholls and Mr. Jaoka; " Kindred Clubs," proposed by Mr. Astill and responded to by Mr. Davy; " Kindred Sports," proposeilby Mr. Kilner; "The Press," given by Mr. Luokie, and responded to by representatives v present. Songs and reoitations were contributed in the intervals between tho speeohea, and liquid refreshments were served out unsparingly. Mr. Foden presided at the piano. A matoh took place on Saturday between

the interprovincial team and a fifteen belonging to the Union. A first-rate garoo was played, some oxcellont form being~shown by the team which is going South. The latter won by a number of points. The other Bide wore unable to ecoro.