FOOTBALL.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 30 April 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

MARLBOROUGH F.O. v UNION F.C. Tliis match, which has long been looked forward to, came off in Seymour Square on Saturday last, between the Marlborough (Blues) and Union (Reds) teams, and proved one of the most interesting games ever played in Blenheim. The ground was not in good condition for football, it being very sloppy in parts, but the weather was all that could have been desired. There were a large number of persons present, who exhibited great interest in the game. Buiek and M‘lyer i captained the Marlborough and Union teams respectively. About 3.15 the field was cleared for the socno of battle, and with the northern goal at his back, Gillespie kicked off for the Blues, and placed the ball into central territory, where, after an exciting scrummage, the ball was placed out of bounds. On the leather being thrown in, Hathaway immediately rushed it into tho Unions twenty-fives, wlicro he was collared by tho Bluo forwards, a scrum boing the result, Thompson then got the ball, but was not permitted to go far before another scrum was formed, out of which Williams got the ball, and mado a good attempt at a run, but was collared by Douslin. The ball was then taken up tho field by MTver, who succeeded in getting partly through his opponents, hut was grassed by Watson. Pasley recovering the ball, kicked it out of bounds. The hall was again set rolling, when Watson took the ball and passed it to Poole, who, in the act of a good run, was well stopped by Redwood. The latter then, by a good piece of play, managed to carry tho ball to within a few yards of tho goal lino, and a score was only averted by the determined play of Watson. The hall was again taken out of danger, aiid eventually placed out of bounds. The loather was again thrown in, when Harris secured it and kicked into tho centro of the field. Gaukrodger then secured the ball, aud carried it well across the field, before he was collared by M‘lvor. After a scrummage, Poole got the ball, and succeeded in taking it well down the field, but was successfully stopped by Bhaw. After a lot of scrummaging, Bui’ck secured the ball, and carried it into the Rods’ twentyfives, whoro. lie also met his fate, at the hands of Halo. M'lvor again took the ball in hand, and attempted a good run across tho field, but was speedily collared by Harris, and after another scrimmage the ball was placed in central territory. Here M‘lver took the leather and passed it to Williams, who dropped .it. Poole secured it and passed it to Clinch, who, by a splendid pieco of judgment, succeeded in evading all his opponents, and secured a well-deserved try for the Blues. Watson then made an unsuccessful, although not discreditable kick at goal. Tho game was immediately resumed. M‘lver kicked the ball into a central position, where it remained for some considerable time, neither side gaining any advantage. After this Poole secured the ball and placed it out of hounds. On tho leather being again set rolling-, M'Oallum got it and kicked it into tho air, off which Watson scored a mark, but the kick at goal was not 'a success. The ball was again set in motion, when Redwood took it right up the field before being stoppei by Poole. Buick then secured the leather, but was soou overtaken by the Reds, when the ball was kicked into neutral ground On the ball being thrown i Fulton secured it, but was collared by Rothweli before going any distance. M‘lver was again on the ball, but a good piece of play on Dodson’s part prevented them from gaining any material advantage’. : After a little delay, Gaukrodger secured the ball, and passed‘clean through the Red forwards, but when within a couple of yards of the goal line, was brought down by Ballantyne, and the ball was kicked out of bounds, where it remained till time was called.

In the second spell both sides played with great determination, and although a point to tho bad, the Unions showed no lack of heart. MTver kicked off for the Reds, placing the ball in the Bines' twenty-fives, when it was taken by Poole, but ho failed to do anything with it. Shortly after this Hathaway secured the ball, and by a rattling good run placed it within a foot or two of the goal Hue before'he was stopped hv Mow; it, when a scrummage ensued. Clinch then took command of the leather, but was not long in possession of it ere ho was upset by the Red forwards. Thompson then passed the ball to MTver, who unfortutunately dropped i!>. Thompson again recovering the bail carried it out of bounds. Watson secured the ball on being thrown in and kicked it into the air, off which MTver gained a mark, but the kick at goal was to no effect, the b ill being'stopped by Rothweli. Aftcr a little loose play Mowat got the ball fan : carried it across the field, when another r ark was made by Watson, but with norw Jr. On play being again started, Dodsoi dribbled the ball elogg the field until st ped by

Shaw, who took the hall and charged the field, hut his life was of short being neatly collared hy Watson. The* ball was then placed into the centre of ttm field, when Fultou took it, and with a splendid kick placed it m the Blues twenty-five, where the leather was lorcecl down, Pasley took tho kick from twenty* five, but tho bait was immediately kicked back again, and a scrummage, formed on the Blues’ goat lino, but the Marlboroughs wero not to be denied, and succeeded, iu putting the leather into a less dangerous position. Tnompsou then passed tho ball to itFlver, who was uoablo to take any advantage, the Blue forwards being in oloso proximity. After a lot of unnecessary scrummaging Shaw made a splendid attempt to score a try, and was,. on several occasions, within an ace of scoring. After a short delay M-'lver then took the ball, and had passed all his opponents, - when ho unfortunately fell, otherwise a try might have been placed to the credit of liia side. Clinch secured the ball, but was forced down by the lied forwards. Watson then kicked from twenty-five, and the ball was well rushed by-the Blue forwards, and secured by Gaukrodger, who was neatly collared by Shaw. . A scrum ensued, after which somo little time was lost, owing to one of the Blue forwards being injured. On resuming, Thompson rushed tho leather down the field, when it was taken by Pasley, and kicked out of bounds. In the throw-in the Blue forwards took the ball into custody, and dribbled it across the field, where it was kept for some length of time iu scrummage, after which the hall was punted up tho field, and for the third time tho Blues wero forced down. The ball was again kicked into the Blues’ twentyfive, but was immediately returned by MTver, after which it was secured hy Gaukrodger, who succeeded in kicking it I out of bounds. On the ball again being thrown it was rushed across the field by G. Redwood, who was neatly grassed by Roth well. Clinch then secursd the ball, but before getting very far was splendidly collared hy Shaw. Clinch again got tho hall immediately after, and succeeded in evading the Union backs, but when iu the act of scoring tho ball was called back. Play was quickly resumed, and the leather was rushed across the field by the Blue forwards aud landed out of bounds. When tlie ball was thrown in the Blues took it up the field with a great rush, when the ball was punted into tho air—Ballantine securing a mark, but the lack failed to alter the score. Pasley then took the kick from twenty-five, which was returned out of bounds, and remaining there until time was called, tho Marlborough thus winning the ganjo by one try to nil.

ENGLISH TEAM v. OTAGQ. (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, April 23. Tho first match of tho English football team in New Zealand came off to-day in tho Caledonian Ground. Tho weather was lovely, a little warm if anything, and the attendance enormous, boing between 9000 and 10,000. Dr Smith umpired for the visitors, Milne-for Otago, and Wynks was referee. The Englishmen’s colors were red, white and bine ; Otago, blue. The teams were as follows :

England —Full back : J. T. Haslam ; three-quarter backs : A. E. Stoddart, H. C. Spealcman, and J. Anclerton; halfbacks : W. Bumby and J. Nolan ; forwards: R. L. Scddou (captain), W. H. Thomas, T. Banks, R. Burnett, T. Kent, H. Eagles, C. Mathers, S. Williams, A. J. Laing. Otago.—Fullback: W. Thomas; threoquartor backs: W. Noel, T. Linch, and C. J. Davie: half backs: J. Thomson and D. Simpson ; forwards : C. Book, A. Gibson, J. W. N. Hunter, R. Martin, E, E. Morrison (captain), W. Turnbull, W, M‘Pariane, J. Montgomery, and 11. Tressedor.

Tlie game was oven in tho first spell, but in tho second, when it was thought the visitors would tire a little, they played tho hardest game evor seen on tfiq ground, and their combined play, collar; ing, running, and passing enabled them to have it pretty much their own way. Of individual play there was little ; they all played as one man, and when one got away he passed at once to others if pressed, and it was all done so quickly that the ball passed through the hands of perhaps seven players or more. They were always on tho ball, and always had it.'

Later. The Otago men quito upheld their own in the first spell, play being as often in their opponents’ twenty-fives as in their own. Tho goal which was potted was a bit flukey. Anderson secured a try for tho visitors, hut tho place kick was verypoor, and did not enhance tho score. In the second, spell tho play was very fast, and Qfergo was ‘overmatched at every point, the visitors scoring a try, the place kick again being very poor, and two potted goals, making their scoro 8 tq Otago’s 3. The combined play of tho visitors was a great treat, and quito a revelation to tho Otago players and tho spectators, as also was their excellent and aeourato passing, livery man appeared to bo always in the place where he was wanted and was of most service. Anderton and Stoddart are not only fast, "but strong runners, and arc only stopped! when brought down. Speakman shines iu potting a goal from passes. All the others played so well and sq much together that no distinction could hq made. The visitors were greatly delighted with the result of this their first game.

THE IUAY

The Englishmen won the toss, an kicked of?, rushing the Blues for sonn time. By good fallowing up, and stead combined play, they cleared the linos an carried the brill to half flag. Bumb passed to Anderson, and that player mad a good run until collared by Lvncl After some give and-take-play, in wliic both sides collared well, Thompson mad a good run and the Colors a goo rush back again. An dor ton mado a gram run from pass, and was in touch in goa at eonier’nag, a maul resuming in favoi of Otago, who cleared their lines anc looked very much like scoring, when Bumby again secured the ball and carried play by a good run to half flag, and again, after the throw-out, the B'ues were again pressed'. They again chaired then twenty-fives, and after some give and take play in the centre, Thompson (foi Otago) male a good mu, assisted by fresseder and AfT'arhu. , and the Colt -V

■ goal was in danger, ut after a Lw • seconds ili-y were give i a tree kick lot an infringement of the rules. Hunter returning well, cause i play to appear again in the Englishmen's twenty-fives. Scram followed scrum rn quick s: cc« -uiotj, none of them lasting long. Thompson (for Otago) made a good run, hut was called back. Anderson then got away f.r the Colors, hut was brought dovm by If. mo* Then came a combined 'rush by the Blues, when Morrison potted a spknd'd goal, and o[ago thus drew nrsfc bio J. The Blues were pressed again after the kickoit. Thompson relieved them by a good run, but Stoduart more than I'.eu'r ii’iecd it a few seconds after by a sti i moi <3 brilliant one, and was put out of touch just at comer flag. The Colors threw out well, and their splendid passing resulted in their scoring.a Cry. Kent took the kick—an easy one—but a good run by Lynch and a jump succeeded in proven ting the score. The Otago m;n then woke up, and a splendid ■ dribble by Thompson resulted in England being forced'down; From the kick-off N>>.-I made a grand run, and then Davies should have scored, aa

from tho throw oat ho had tho ball nicely to him, but ho milled it. Sonic givo and tako'play followed, Noel making another good run, which was answered by Stoddart, who got away several times, but was always collared by Lynch or Thomson. By good play on the part of tho Blues, especially M'Farlano, tho hall was in the Colors’ twenty - five, and though play swayed back and forwards, it remained there until half time was, called, with Otago’s seoro 3 and England’s 1. Morrison kicked off for Otago after a short interval. M‘Farlane’s splendid dribble was tho most noticeable ovont which followed, tho ball going over the lino, but the kicking was too hard. The Englishmen now commoncod to give a taste of their quality, and played harder and rougher. A o n .iaed rush by the Colors took the play into Blues’ twenty - fivo, and the Englishmen, were determined to score. Their efforts were neutralised

for some time by the conspicuous play of Lynch, M'Farlano, Morrison and Gibson. Easter and fastor became the play, the Colors playing into each others hands so well that it was impossible to distinguish individual play. The leather was passed to Audorton, who made a splondid fending run along the lino, and got in at the corner flag. Tho kick by Haslam was a miserable exhibition, and the score now stood at Otago 3, England 2. From the kick-off, marks were gained by each side, and Otago got the worst of it, as play was soon in their twenty-five again, and notwithstanding their strenuous efforts they could not get it away, tho running and passing of their opponents being too good. At last the. ball was passed to Speakinan, who potted an undeniable goal, and the Englishmen’s seoro was now 5 to Otago 4. A few seconds after the kick-oil, play was back again in Otago’s twenty-five, tho combined play of the Colors being beautiful to witness. Once or twice tho Blues got on way with a dribble, in which Martin and others wore prominent, but it was back again almost immediately, Timo after time tho Colors Horowcd the serum and got away with the ball, and it was evident they would add to their seoro beforo time was called. Their play was rough, and once one of their men was hooted for scragging 1 Thomson and throwing him into "touch 1 awful roughly. The Blues at length got 1 tho ball up to lmlf-flag, but from tho scrum there the Colors, by a rush, took it 1 back, arid Speakman getting another pass * potted another goal within five minutes of 1 timo being called. Tho seoro now being } England 3, Otago 3. From the kick-off, * the Blues rushed the leather into tho r polora’ quarters, and a good run by Noel 1 pearly resulted in'a seoro. Throwing tho c bull out before a lino was formed, tho c Colors dribbled it down tho lino, although 1 many of them were off side. One umpire ( held up bis flag, but the leather was not t brought back. Tho Blues carried the 1 play out of their twenty-five, and hero it * was when the whistle sounded, and the : Englishmen wero r.ietors in the first c match, '