Football Match.

Hastings Standard, Issue 335, 31 May 1897, Page 2

Football Match.

♦ CLIVE v. COUNTY. The first senior contest of the season took place 011 Saturday on the Queen's Square, Hastings, between the above teams. The strength of either club was not fully represented and emergencies were called on at the last moment. The weather was unfavorable and the greasy state of the ground rendered brilliant play impossible. At the start of the game a blinding shower, accompanied by a southerly buster, set in and shore the game of a considerable amount of interest. The visiting team looked in better condition than the local men and proved so during the second spell. The County, although lighter than their opponents, fought a plucky game and may turn the tables at the return match. Clive were victorious by 8 points to nil. The northerners won the toss and elected to defend the southern goal, with a strong wind in their favor, and Collinge kicked off for the local team. The ball was mulled by the Clive backs, and the local forwards following up smartly brought the play to dive's 25's The foreign forwards, however, soon shifted the play and the Greens were put on the defensive. A penalty kick, within range, was given against Hastings, but Caldwell's attempt fell a little short. From the kick out, play was mostly confined to line and scrum work. J. O'Connell secured the oval and made a rush for the line but was smartly grassed by Hewitson. From a Clive pass W. O'Connell made a determined drive for the line but failed to get past Lynskey, who was playing a good defensive game. Ebbett, L. Collinge, and Stubbs relieved the line by a fine rush and brought the ball into neutral territory. Caulton secured the leather from a line pass, and, with a judicious punt, sent it to the County full-back, who failed to take, and P. Keys, following up smartly, scored an easy try for Clive. Caldwell took the shot at goal and increased the score to 5 points. Collinge kicked oft', and Stubbs. Humphries, and Hewitson's fast following up, smothered the Clive backs and brought the play into the Blue's 25's. Half time was called with Clive leading by 5 points. The ground had by this time been completely torn up, and the ball was in such a state that it was very difficult to take. The backward condition of the local men now asserted itself and the whole of the second spell was taken up by scrums and kicking the ball from one end to the other. Individual play was almost absent, and the local backs seemed to fall to pieces. Lynskey averted a certain try by securing the ball after it crossed the line from a forward rush of Clive men. Friday's cunning saved the home team once or twice during the second spell from the splendid rushes of the foreign team. From a smart pass by the O'Connell brothers Caulton secured the ball and crossed the line near the corner flag. The shot at goal failed to increase the score. From this to the finish of the game the play was brought to the Clive 25's and at the call of time Clive were bo\hg hard pushed within a few yards of the line. The game terminated in a victory for Clive by 8 points to nil. The game was devoid of brilliancy throughout, but the heavy going and the greasy state of the ball had more than a little to do with this. The game was fought out in a very friendly manner and wrangling was entirely absent. The Clive men played a good game, and were undoubtedly the better team. The forwards followed up well iu the open? and fed the backs in the scrum, while the O'Connell brothers, Caulton, and Troon were the pick of the backs. The local meiy-pltfcyed" a fine up-hill game, and are*£f>able of doing much better with a little practice. It would be unfair to individualise any of the forwards, as they all played an honest game. The backs appeared to be disorganised at times, and trusted too much to one another to take the ball. Lynskey played a good game from start to finish. Peglar and Sutherlandalso worked hard. Although defeated on Saturday the local men have no reason to be ashamed of their efforts. Future matches may see them victorious. Messrs Mcßae and Bissell acted as line judges, and Mr k. C. Norris gave every satisfaction as referee.