FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 7254, 4 July 1887, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

MONTBCILLO v. UNION. The return match between these clubs came off on Saturday afternoon on the Caledonian Ground. Since their last match both clubs have succeeded in keeping their record from being broken, and they again met on pretty oven terms, The day was magnificent both for onlookers and players, but the condition of the ground was very Sery, occasioning a littlediscomfort to the s, wlio to contend with a greasy ball. Notwithstanding counter-attractions, the attendance was quite as large as at the previous match between these clubs. We arc sorry to find betting on football increasing, and that a considerable sum changed hands over this match. This practice cannot be too severely condemned. One result of it appears to be that interested persons encroach on the field of play, and call on the players to do all sorts of ridiculous things. It is a pity that those who have the management of these important matches cannot secure the attendance of a few more constables to keep tho spectators within proper bounds. To the individuals who indulge in betting the rough play in those matches is in no small degree attributable, and unless something is done to check the practice the popularity of the game will, we fear, be endangered. The competing teams were much the same as those that played before. Hope was replaced by Grieve, and Skitoh and Simpson filled the places of Reeve and Gregory respectively. The teams and their respective positions were Usioh.— Backs D. Fraser, Bee, Grant, Beadle, Hunter (captain), Ooxfoid; forwards—Henderson, M'Parlano (2), Wright, M'Queen, M'Kinlay, Sligo, T Forsyth, Walking. Mostkciu.o. - Gordon, Watson, Aitken, Cooper, Noel, Simpson, Isaac?, Beck, O’Oorman, Tattersal), Skitoh, Twlname, Simpson, Shepard, Thomas. Messrs Rose (Montecillo) and Wyinks (Union) acted as umpires, and Mr T. L, Austin (is referee. The Montecijlo defended the northern goal, and the Union played with the sun in front of them. Punctually at three o’clock Hunter kicked off for the Union, and play was rushed into their quarters; but gradually the ball found its way to the centre by the aid of Bee, Hunter, and Henderson. Through some bad play by Aitken the Union forwards took thp ball over the Montecillo goal-line and Gordon fell on jt. Shortly after the kick out tho Montecillo forwards headed a spjepdid rush, which forced the Union dowj}. The leather was again set in motion, and some punting was indulged in by the opposing backs. The play kept in neutral ground, when Noel got underway and was within a yard of the Union goal-line before he waa brought {fawn by Fraser. The Union forwards managed to push the Red forwards a few yards, and the ball went into touch. From tho throwout Beck got the ball and dashed through the Union forwards, scoring a try amidst hearty cheering by Montccilfa’s supporters, Watson was entrusted with the kick at goal, but, through nervousness, failed to add to the score, After the kfekrout’the Union fqrv/ards, by good play, got within reach of their oppot nents f goal, out failed to keep it there for any length of time. Beck and Isaacs proved ,

invaluable both in the scrums and open play, and mainly through their efforts the Union twenty-five was again reached. From a loose scrum M'Kinlay kicked hard, and Bee, following up smartly, penned Gordon before he could get his kick. The Union now had a show to equalise matters, but their forwards would not keep their opponents long enough in the scrum in order to give their backs a show, consequently the Montecillo forwards were on to their backs before the ball reached them. Again the play was centred, and Simpson got a mark and kicked to the Union twenty-five, where Bee pluokily kicked into touch. The Union forwards now pulled themselves together and carried the play well into the Montecillo quarters before they were stopped. Hunter, in attempting to pass, threw the ball away, and no Union men being near at hand the Montecillo forwards carried it at top speed into the Union twenty-five, when Bee fell on it and checked what would have been a try. Beadle and Croxford, by their short punts, had , the play removed from the vicinity of their goal. The Union forwards made another determined effort to cross their opponents’ lines, but Watson and Simpson proved too much for them. The Union, however, managed to keep the Montecillo on the defensive for a little time. Bee had a shot at goal, and ought to have been successful, because he had plenty of time to take his kick. Nothing of further note took place, and half-time was called. After a few minutes’ interval, ends were changed, and Shepard started the second spell. Play was confined to the Union twenty-five for a short time, and Watson had an ineffectual shot at goal. This roused the Union to the danger in which their goal was placed, and, through the efforts of thebrothers M'Farlane and Henderson, the Montecillo quarters were reached. After some loose play had taken place, Noel was in the act of moving off, but failing to pick up the ball M'Parlane saw his opportunity and kicked it into touch. The Reds were now very hard pressed and it took them all they knew to prevent the Maroon forwards from crossing their goal line. But, much to the relief of the Reds supporters, bad passing again cost the Union a lot of ground. The Montecillo wing forwards had their eyes on Bee who when in his opponents’ twentyfive is a costly customer), and, when the ball was passed out to that player, the Red forwards were there before it reached him. The Red forwards carried the leather to the centre before they were checked by Fraser. Simpson got another mark, and, punting high into the air, gave his forwards a chance of following up, which they did, and, charging, the Union backs kept the play for a few moments in the Maroons’ twenty-five. Bee relieved his goal only for a short time, for Beck and Gorman came through a loose scrum and brought the play back to the Union twenty-five. Bee again made himself conspicuous by getting hold of the ball and attempting to run, but was collared by the jersey, which gave way, causing his opponent to release his hold. Bee finding himself free made off again, and, amidst roars of laughter, travelled through his opponents, winding up by kicking to the Montecillo twenty-five. Had the Maroons followed up the kick they might have had a chance to place themselves on terms with the Reds. Watson had plenty of time to return the kick, which fell into touch near the Union twenty-five flag. Play now became very fast, and the Union men showing up rushed the play to neutral ground, and thence to the Montecillo twenty-five. Here Simpson and Watson proved in valuable to their side by checking the attacks of the maroon forwards. Assisted by Noel’s short runs and the sharp punting into touch by Simpson, the Montecillo shifted the scene of play to the centre, but the Reds’ goal line was again reached by a good kick of Croxford’s. The Union had another fair show of scoring, butlostit through more wretched passing, which enabled the Reds’forwards to clear lines, and, taking command of affairs, put the Union on the defensive. The ball afterwards found its way into neutral ground. All hopes of the game being a drawn one were now at an end, for the Montecillo men evidently had made up their minds to keep their opponents from getting within reach of their goal, and at all hazards watched Bee. when no side was called, the ground presented an animated scene. Both teams and supporters cheered one another lustily, and Simpson deservedly receiving special notice. Montecillo were thus victorious by 1 point to nil. The game was a hard-fought one, and if anything the victors had the better of it. The Union men were too slow to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them, To this they may safely attribute their defeat. Some splendid forward play was shown by Isaacs, Beck, Shepard, and Thomas (Montecillo), and Henderson, M ‘Queen, MTvinlay, and Wright (Union); whilst of the backs young Simpson, of Montecillo, deserves to be singled out for the excellence of his kicking and collaring. Several times during the game he secured marks, and gained considerably by them. Bee (Union) played a very good gamp, but not so well as I have seen him. The other backs—Watson, Noel (Montecillo), Groxford and Fraser (Union)—did a lot of good work tor their respective sides. Drof-kiok.

OTHER MATCHES. The Gordons and hfontecillo Second met at Montecillo, one try (obtained by Farquharson, of the Gordons) being the only score made. The Pirates Second Fifteen defeated tho Port Chalmers First Fifteen by 5 points to 2 (twq tries and ope plaped goal to two tries). The Pirates played with three Third Fifteen men and two small boys as substitutes. Kaikorai v. Alhambra, played on tho Kaikorai Ground, resulted in a win for the home team by one try (obtained by Keogh)to nil. The Taieri somewhat unexpectedly defeated tho Pirates, scoring 7 points to 5 by the Pirates. The Port Pioneers v, Ravensbpurne resulted in a victory for the former by 4 points to 1, although the Pioneers were playing with four emergencies. Shortly after the kick-off the ball appeared in the Eavensbourne’s twenty-five, where it rcremained for the greater part of the, spell, The Bavensbourne forwards worked hard to take the ball away from the vicinity of their goal line, but did not succeed in doing so, as Taylor crossed the line and secured the first try for the Pioneers. The second spell was a series of scrummages, the ball being confined in Ravensbourne’s twenty-five, but towards the epd Holden secured a try for the Pioneers, which Stevens converted into a neat goal. No further scoring was done, and the game consequently resulted as above, The match Dunedin Second v. Pacific First, played at Musselburgh, ended in a win for the Pacific by two tries (2 points) to nil. Towards the end of the second spell Hudson secured the ball, and by a splendid run got across the line. Shortly afterwards Hudson again got the ball, and was almost in when he fell. Hamhleton, who followed up well, secured the ball and ran in. The United First v. Kaikorai Second resulted in a win for the United by one goal and two tries (3 points). With regard to the match Caversham First v. Zingari-Richmond Second, considerable dissatisfaction was felt owing to the latter not turning up. This is the second time the Caversham have been disappointed, Caversham v. North-east Valley was played on the Gordon ground, and resulted in a win for Caversham by G points (one goal and three tries) to nil. The Valley played two men short. Imperial v. Montrose resulted in a victory for the Montrose by one try (I point), obtained by M'Kenzie. The Montrose team left the field twelve minutes before time. Bavensbourne v. Port Pioneers resulted in a win for the Bavensbourne by one try to nil. M'Clue obtained the try for tho Bavensbourne. A Christchurch telegram states that the costume football match on Saturday afternoon was a great success, between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators being present. The funds of tho Rugby Union will benefit to the extent of about LIOO. After the costume matph Sydenham and East Christchurch played a return match. Tlfetground was very soft and muddy, but tho game resulted in East Christchurch winning by a goal (kicked from a try got by Roberts) to nil. East Christchurch had the best of the game, and were several times near scoring, once Francis sending the ball within a few inches of tfie pogts. The smartness of the East full-back saved a score on the part of Sydenham. East Christchurch now lead for the championship. A Wellington telegram states that the final heat for the Senior Gup between the Poneke and Union Football Clubs resulted, after an interesting game, in a win for the Pqpekes by one goal and two tries (5 points) to nothing. Ellison kicked a goal from bis own try. The Poneke Club won the cup last season, and it is now their own property.

The Junior Cup heat between the Melrose and Epuni Clubs resulted in a draw, with no score on either side. \ The Alhambra Second defeated the Union Second by one goal (3 points) to nil. The game was pretty fast, and the first spell ended in Cower potting a splendid goal. The Union forwards made it pretty warm for the Alhambra in the second spell. J. and E. Hutchison, Dray, and Inglis played well for the Union. The winning team played well together, and at times indulged m some good passing aud dribbling. Dunedin v. Zingari-Richmond resulted in a win for the latter by 1 point to ml.