FOOTBALL.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 4 June 1888, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

X MARLBOROUGH y. UNION.

The return match between the above clubs took place in Mr Parker’s paddock on Saturday last, and proved a decided win for the Unions by a potted goal and a try (4 points) to nil. P. Redwood and Pulton were unable to play for the Unions; and the Marlboroughs su3tainod a heavy loss owing to Buick, Harris,Empson,Rothwell being absent. The match attracted a largo number of people, who encouraged the players throughout the game by constant cheering.- Owing to the lateness of the hour before starting, tho latter part of tho game had to bo played in the dusk. The ball was confined to forward play almost from the kick-off to the call of A o-side, and was played in two spells of minutes each, Dodson captaining tho Blues and K. MTvor tho Reds. Tho Blues kicked off, and tho half was taken by MTvor and placed out of bounds. On the ball being thrown in, Redwood secured it, and by a neat run succeeded in putting it over the line, thus scoring a try within five minutes of the kick-off. The kick was taken by Nesbitt, but proved fruitless. Pasley then took tho kick, and after a series of scrums the ball was rushed up the field by tho Blues, where it was rescued by their opponents and forced into neutral territory, and another scrum was indulged in before Clinch secured the leather, and after a splendid run placed the ball insides tho Reds’ twenty-five, where it was well collared by Redwood.

On tho ball again being set in motion, Hathaway secured it and passed it to Pasley, who took it across the field before ho was grassed by MTvor in tho act of passing. Scrummaging was again sought, and in this department tho Reds held a slight advantage over their opponents, their forward being so much heavier. At this stage Gaukrodger socured the ball, and by a pretty run was successful in passing nearly all the Red forwards before ho succumbed to Redwood, and the ball was kicked into touch. After tho leather was thrown in, it was neatly passed to Coster, who made good use of his chance, and neatly potted a goal from a rather difficult angle, thus increasing tho Reds’ score to four points.- Tho ball was again kicked up the field by the Blues, hut was immediately returned by MTvor, from whom L. Dodson took it, and endeavored to dribble it up the field, before the ball was secured by Nesbitt, and landed out of bounds. On the ball being thrown in, Clinch took it and kicked it over the line, when a splendid rush took place, and had it not been for the spectators manipulating the field, F. Dodson would undoubtedly have put a try to the credit of his side. Tho scene of play was again changed to tho other oud of the field, where Hathaway passed the hall to Gaukrodger, who like an arrow shot through nearly all his opponents, but was neatly collared by Shand, full-back. From a kick by Douslin, Coster secured a mark, but it proved of no advantage. The hall was then rushed into the Blues’ territory, where Poole secured a forcedown, at which, for some reason or other, several of the Unions and spectators started hooting, and had to be called to order by their captain. The ball was again set rolling, but without any beneficial result up to the call of halftime.

The second spell was for the most part a worry between the Blue and Red forwards, and it was only towards tho latter part of the game that the services of the backs were called into requisition. Immediately after tho kick-off the ball was taken with scrummaging, after which it was kicked up the field by the Reds, and was quickly taken by Clinch, who, whilst in the act of kicking, was neatly collared by Shepherd, and resulted in a scrum. The ball was again set moving, when Baillie, of the Blues, secured a mark, but the kick at goal had no effect. Tho leather was returned by MTvor, and a series of passing was indulged in on both sides, after which Nesbit secured a mark, and took the kick, but tho ball was well stopped by Douslin. Clinch and Gaukrodger made one or two attempts to get away, but their efforts were always I shattered by the collaring of Redwood, Thorup-on and MTvor. The latter then secured the ball from a serum, and after a good run up the field was brought to a (standstill by Pasley, inside the Blues’ twenty-five. Tho ball was once 'again kicked out, and scrum after scrum followed each other in .rapid succession, (without any material advantage being ‘gained on either side, until Ballantino got tho ball and took it into tho Blues’ territory wheu ho was interrupted by Hathaway. At this stago Nesbitt scored anothor mark, but with the same result as before. Shortly after a scrum took place, the Reds rushing it within a few yards of tho goal lino when Poole showed to tho foro and was successful in changing [the scene of strifo to neutral territory. Tho game now became very exciting and 'although playing an up-hill game the (Blues worked like niggors to avert a (defeat, hut the Reds who wore not to he (denied, retaliated with several good hushes. F. Dodson took tho ball in command and carried it well down the field and then passed to his hrother, hut unfortunately, tho hall was called back, it having been thrown forward. After a serum Po'ole secured tho hall and a good spin carried it into central territory whore ho was collared by Ballantino. But towards the last five or ten minutes tho Blues appeared to rally, and soon made amends by changing tho sceno of play to the Reds’ twenty-five, where it remained for some time, and owing to an infringement of the rule* the Blues were granted a froo kick, which was without result. At this point time was called. The two clubs are now on an equal footing, having won a match each this season. Messrs Fisher and Simson umpired for tho teams . respectively, whilst Mr Oldershaw acted ' as referee.

BOROUGH SCHOOL Y. STARS, g

This match was played on Soymoursquaro, and resulted in a win for the School by two points to nil. Bush acted as shipper for tho Stars, while Allan captained the school team It ws after two o’clock before play was commenced by Draper kicking off for the Stars. The ball was well returned, and kept within the Stars’ twenty-fiye, where some rough scrummaging was indulged in until tho ball was kicked behind tho lino and touched down. Tho leather was once moro set in motion, but tho Stars were unable to shift it from their own ground, and at last Allan carried the hall over tho line, scoring first blood for tnc p.obinson took tho kick, but failed to increase the score. After tho kick-off, the Stnrs seemed to warm to their work, and when half-time was called the ball was within a few yards of the School’s territory. . On resuming play, Burns sent tho ball spinning into the Stare’ ground, and by a good rush it was kept in close proximity to tho goal for some time until, by some neat passing, Burns took it behind, scoring a second try for the ->Sc])pol. Tho kick, being a difficult one, was a failure. When the ball was returned into play, tho Stars made a desperate effort to score, and Draper carried it in from the middle of tho field, but a dispute arose and the try was disallowed. Again the Stars rushed on and succeeded in keeping the ball within their opponent’i twenty-five for some time, but only foreec tho School down, and time was called sooi after. Conspicuous among the losers wen Bosh. Draper, Ball, Coward, Carter ant Honnor; while Kobinson (2), I'armar

Allan, Burns, Chaytor, Nosworthy and Markmann (2) played their usual dashing game for the victors. Mr Lucas umpired for tho School, while Mr Oldershaw (for the first spell) and M‘Donald (for the second) acted likewise for the Stars. ENGLAND V. N.S. WALES. Per Press Association. Sydney, Juno 2. The English team of footballers played their first match here to-day and were pitted against a New South Wales fifteen. The Englishmen had the best of tho game throughout, and won by 18 points to nil. Later.

Tho first match which the English football team have played in took place to-day against 15 of New South Wales. The weather was all that could bo desired, and 10,000 were present, including the Governor and party. The English team played a capital game, and had the best of tho game throughout. The passing of tho local team was very weak, and the forwards iverc slow la following tho hall. In tho first spell Eagles, Seddon, Bumby and Stoddarfc secured tries, only one of which was converted into a goal, by Anderton. In tho second spell Haslam and Bumby were successful in crossing the opponents’ goal lino, and from one of tho tries Paul kicked a goal. Hales, of the local team, made a brilliant run during the latter part of tho spell, and passing bis opponents’ backs, secured a try for New South Wales. The kick at goal was a failure. The scoring was under the old rule, tho Englishmen thus winning by 18 points to 2.

A very objectionable feature of the football match, Marlborough v Union, which was played on Saturday, was the great amount of “ jawbation ” that was indulged in among the players. This must have proved not a little disgusting to those players who behaved themselves on the football field as gentlemen would do. Tliis sort of thing has happened frequentlyat previous matches between these two clubs—first and second fifteens and on Saturday on ono or two occasions about a dozen of the players were all talking at once, while the umpires aud referee wero powerless to settle the dispute. It is this sort of thing that brings the game of football into disrepute. Why not let the respective captains do the talking, when talking is necessary, and by that means a detestable spirit of nagging and ill-feeling between opposing players would be averted. Tho members we refer to are estimable fellows when thoy aro off tho football field, and wo do not see why tho same should not bo said of thorn while upon it. We trust the hint will be taken.