FOOTBALL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1935, 21 May 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE ENGLISH TEAM IN NEW ZEALAND.

ENGLAND v. AUCKLAND.

THE AUCKLANDERS DEFEATED.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, May 19.

The football match England versus Auckland took place at the Tramway Company's ground. The weather was unfavorable, drizzling rain falling the greater part of the day. This, of course, militated against the attendance, but, notwithstanding this, about 6000 people witnessed the match, visitors from Tuakau, Waikato, Helensville, and other country places being amongst those present.

The English team was composed as follows : — Full back. A. Paul ; threequarters, Haslam, Speakman, and J. Anderton ; half backs, Nolan and Bumby; forwards, Seddon, Eagles, Kent, Stuart, Pinketh, Laing, Burnett, and Williams.

The following played for Auckland :—: — Full back, Lusk ; three-quarters, Whiteside, McCausland, and Madigan ; half backs, Conway, A. Braund, and Elliott ; forwards, O'Oonnor, Lecky, Twinatne, Keefe, Hobson, Webb, 0. Marshall, and McKenzie.

Dr. Smith acted as umpire for England and Mr. J. Arneil for Auckland, whilst Mr. T. T. Mackay was referee.

THE GAME.

First Spell. — The game commenced at 2.55 p.m., and the Englishmen, when they entered the ground, were received witb loud and long-continued cheering. For the firßt ten minutes Auckland had the best of the play, the forwards being particularly noticeable. From a punt by Lusk, the return of which was mulled by Paul, Elliott and McKenzie rushed the ball across the line, Elliott falling on it. He failed to secure it properly, and a maal ensued, a force-down being the result. After the kick off the fortuue of the game began to turn against Auckland. Speakman attempted to pot a goal, which missed, but Seddon, for England, following up rapidly, secured a try, which Paul converted into a goal. About this time Whiteside met with an accident, receiving a kick on the leg from one of the English players, and though be endeavored to continue his share in the game, he had to retire shortly after the second Bpell commenced, Auckland being thus considerably handicapped. Previous to the termination of the first spell, Anderton obtained a second try for England, from which Paul again kicked a goal. Second Spell. — The play was very fast in the second spell, the forwards on both sides working splendidly, and the scrums being toughly contested. From a scrum in the centre of the field, Marshall and Conway carried the ball up past England's backs, and Hobson getting it scoured a try, which McCausland converted into a goal. Fierce play then followed till the conclusion ot the match, but the soore was not further added to, the game ending in a victory for England by 6 points to 3.

The match throughout was very close and even, the collaring being excellent on both sideß ; whitat the Englishmen, despite the fact that the ball was a wet one, did some excellent passing.