The Native Footballers.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 189, 30 August 1888, Page 3

The Native Footballers.

THEIR DEBUT IN AUSTRALIA. CARRYING EVERYTHING BEFORE THEM. Melbourne, August 13. The attendance on Saturday, at the first match which Warbrick’s team played in Victoria, was fully 5000, the visitors being warm’y welcomed. In physique they contrasted very favorably with the local men who were much lighter. The game was divided into two terms of forty-five minutes each, the players taking about five minutes at ha'f-time. It was apparent at the outse; that the Maoris were too heavy for their opponents, carrying all before them scrimmage after scrimmage, and except for a brief period just before h ilf time they were never really pressed, and may be said to have had the game we'l in hand from the start. The local forwards kept well on the ball, but were useless in the scr mmages against the superior weight of their rivals, and it frequently happened that a majority of them were “ off side ” for the greater part of the scrimmage ; in fact, frequent breaches of the nff side rule were noticeable all through he game. The one redeeming feature of the local men’s play was the plucky manner in which they time after time caught and brought down their ponderous rivals. Shortly after three o’clock the Melbourne men led the way into the field, and were soon followed by the New Zealanders, all attired in native mats, of various colors and deigns, which they discarded b-fore commencing play, the latter receiving hearty cheers from their opponents which were as heartily returned.

Murrry won the toss, and chose the eastern goal, thus having the advantage of what wind there was. Waibiick kicked off for the visitors, and the ball almost immediately went out of bounds on the south side. A •uccession of loose scrimages followed, and then then the play was transferred across the ground by good runs, the ball ultimately going out of bounds On being thrown in, it was carried into the Melbourne territory twenty five yards, when more scrimmaging took place, Scarborough ultimately r- lieving the pressure by a brilliant run. The relief was only temporary, however, for the ball was soon back in the vicinity of the Mel bourne goal, and for some time the New Zealanders seem-d likely to score at any moment. A succession of neat passes ou the part of the local men got them out of their difficulty, and for a time the visitors were forced to act on the defensive. They soon rallied, however, and once more the local men had to exert themselves to their utmost to prevent opponents sco-ing, the play for some time being within their twenty-five yards. A series of scr mmages fo lowed, during which it was noticeable that the local forwards were cons'anti y on the off-side, the weight of their opponents carrying all before it, and the ball went out of bounds on the south side. Directly it was thrown in it was carried across the ground, and after going out of brunds on the north, was gradually worked into the Natives’ twenty-five yards, where Miller, who had played a good game throughout, kicked it over the Natives’ goalline, and following up his kick very fast compelled Warbrick to force the ball down. The latter kicked off from the twenty five yards limit, and the ball was speedily brought back to within the Natives’ twentyfive yards, where a desperate scrimmage ensued, and for a time the visitors were put upon their mettle. A. Murray eventually obtained possession of the ba 1, and tried for a touch-town. He succeeded in getting the ball over the line, but, to the disgust of the local men and their supporters, the touchdown was not allowed, owii g to an infringement of the off-side rule, and the bull was called back The scrimmage was re-formed, and the Melbourne men pressed their opponents for a time. The latter, however, gradually, worked the ball out of danger, and when half time was called were compelling their opponents to act on the defensive, the score at th s period of the game being nil. After a brief interval the teams changed •-nds, and hostilities were at once resumed. The visitors played with more dash than in the first half, and soon hud their opponents in trouble. After the ball had been out of bounds on the south side, the play was quickly transferred to the Melbourne touchline, where a scrimmage took place, and in a very short time a touch-down was secured. McCausland t ok the try, and made a good attempt for goal, the ball unfortunately hitting the northernmost post, thus only scoring one point instead of four. Un being kicked off, open scrimmages in the centre we e the order of the day for some time, and then the home team were again in trouble, the outcome of a scrimmage in their end being that Keogh brilliantly secured a second touch down. Me Cuuslaud again took he try, but his kick was an indifferent one, ■•nd the score was only doub.ed instead of quadrupled. On being kicked off, scrimmages, as usual, were frequent, and ihe Melbourne were hard pushed for some time, Stohr at length doing good service to his side by a brilliant run on the south wing, carrying the ball into the visitors’ 25 yards. The attack was only for a short duration, however, the ball being quickly taken to the opposite end of the ground, and for some time play was entirely confined to scrimmages in the home team s territory. A neat run on the part of Lee, backed up by some judicious passing, averted danger for a time ; but the visitors were not to be denied, and speedily worked the ball back into Mel bourne territory, the outcome bieng that Lee , smartly secured a third touch down. McCausland made another attempt for goal, but QQQe more his kicking was faulty, and he failed to go anywhere near the posts. After being kicked off play was confined more to the centre, scrum after scrum occurring in quick succession, Miller at this stage of the game being conspicuous for brilliant p ; ay. No further score was made, the match thus ending in a victory for the New Zdalanders by 3 points to nil.