FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8557, 10 August 1888, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Iq the Auckland-Ponsonby match (writes “Actmon” in the Auckland Star) “an accident occurred that needs a few lines. Fisher, one of the Auckland backs, was running with the ball when one of the Umpires somehow got in his road. There was no player within yards of Fisher at the time.and he pushed the Umpire aside. An appeal was made and allowed for ‘touching the Umpire.’ Now, I cannot see where the Umpires and Referee get the grounds for their ruling. The law governing the case is very clear, and is as follows; ‘ S. The ball is dead whenever it touches an Umpire or Referee, and a scrummage shall be formed forthwith at the spoc where the touching occurs.’ “The case in point could have made no difference to the result of the match, but it is well to have these matters correct." If “ Actcoon” will turn to “ Decisions of the English Rugby Union on points brought before them,” he will find an explanation of the Officials’ decision. It is as follows “ The ball is dead whenever it touches an Umpire or Referee, and whenever a player carrying the ball touches an Umpire or Referee.” Vide page 31 of the “ Auckland Football Annual.” J. M'Cleary, captain of the Wellington Union Club, a sterling forward, left for Melbourne on July 23. J. W. Kilner was elected to fill the vacancy. The English football team beat Sandhurst by three goals to two. The football match between the English team and Kyneton was won by the former by two goals to one. In the football match between Eaaendon and the English team, the latter were defeated by seven goals to three. The Sydney Sporting Life says that Anderson, one of the three-quarter-backs in the Queensland team, was far and away the best man who played in the Intercolonial football match. If we are not mistaken this is the Anderson, whose prowess on our football fields is still remembered by many of our retired players. The Queensland football representatives played a team of New South Wales juniors and defeated them by nine points to six. One of the juniors, R. Cameron (says the Sydney Mail ) made the best run that has been seen on the ground for many a day. Being a lightweight he could not. of course, afford to bo tackled, and as he was in the centre of the ground he was fairly in the thick of his opponents. He nevertheless, by sheer hard running, and by dodging here and there like a *nipe in its flight, managed to go right past t hQueensland halves, three-quarters, and full back, finally grassing the ball near the goal post. It was an exceedingly pretty piece of play, and, as Macaulay hath it, “ even the ranks of Tuscany could scarce forbear a cheer.” In this case Tuscany stands as a figure ot speech for that classic home of the cultivated rum and umbrageous banma, our northern neighbouring Colony. • C. Wade, an English player, was in the New South Wales team which defeated the Queenslanders, on July 14. when (says 3 contemporary) be fairly, came out of his shell, and those who had the good fortune: to. witness his play can quite understand how it was that he earned bis English reputation. His play against the Britishers was nothing extraordinary, and, . indeed, during the season his work was not such as to attract attention. Against Queensland, however, he was ia magnificent foim, and he practically earned the.'three tries for New South Wales, as it was he who carried the ball up to the line when Tanga got over. That the public should expect great things from Wade is only natural, considering the reputation be’ held in the Old Country. This is what the editor, of Athletics and Football, published ia London in 1887, says of him:—“ We are rather inclined to think, however, that Wade, the Oxonian, was the best thre«quarter we have seen. He and W. N. Bolton, of Black heath, were great rivals and contemporaries, both being strong, fast men, and very hard to stop, and one day one, on another day the,other, pleased their critics beet. Button, however, though perhaps faster, occasionally played clumsily and made mistakes, although he was always a very dangerous player to have on the other side. Lately Stoddart, of Elackheatb, has eclipsed both in reputation, being a very fast, clever runner and a capital drop, and, on his day, marvellously good; but, as a defensive, player, he is not, in our opinion, the equal of Bolton or Wade, and ia more uncertain in his play than either of them.”