FOOTBALL.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 25 June 1888, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

ST ANDREWS F.C. v. MARLBOROUGH P.C.

Tho members of the St Andrews F.C. played their opening match on Saturday afternoon in Parker’s paddock, when they were pitted against a team of the Mark borough F.C. It was generally expected that a very good game would result, and those who witnessed, the match were not in the least disappointed in that respect, for the game turned out to be a rattling good one. C. Nesbit captained the St Andrews team, and Frank Dodson acted in a similar capacity for Marlborough. The Colors (St Andrews) kicked off, and give-and-take play was indulged in iJor a short time about the centre of the fiold. The Blues (Marlborough) at length got away with a fine dribble, and Gaukrodger increased the advantage with a short run. Goraaz attempted to release his side, but from a hard kick Gaukrodger got the leather, and was only collared by several of the Colors about a foot from the goal line. ,A fierce scrum was carried by the Colors, and Baillie stopped the rush. Tho Blues here went in for a pretty bit of passing, tho ball going through Frank Dodson’s, Baillie’s, Pasley’s and Buick’s hands in as many seconds, but the latter player was bounced upon before he could get away. A nice dribble by the Dodson Brothers brought the ball into the St Andrews’ territory, where Gomaz got hold of it, but he was soon brought to earth by Burns. By a smart run Driscoll carried the ball to neutral territory, but it was quickly returned by Frank Dodson. A dribble by Boyd wn* stopped by Fasley, who punted a return. Gomaz and Young went off in a combined dribble at a rattling pace, but their rush was promptly stopped . by Burns. Play was confined for some

- time to the Colors’ twenty-five yard, and a couple of efforts to break loose were frustrated by Hanly and Baillie, Among the Blues’ forwards, Hale, Buick, Healy and Gillespie were most conspicuous at this stage, but they were strongly opposed by the Gomaz Brothers, Murphy, and soma others whose names we could not ascertain. Pasley got the ball and punted it into Robinson’s hands, who returned it, and was smartly taken up by Gaukrodger. The latter player made a great effort to Bcore, but was collared before he could cross the line. The Colors were shortly after this forced down. On the kick off Nesbitt obtained the leather, but he was collared by Harris. The ball was passed to Burns, who in turn passed it to Buick. This bit of play had the effect of again putting the Colors on the defensive. Seifert punted the ball, but it was quickly returned by Buick. Dodson then got the leather at his toe, and was just getting under weigh with a fine dribble, when he was stopped by Nesbitt. Play was now confined to the Colors’ twenty-five yard territory, where several light scrums were fought, without much advantage being gained by either side. Half-time was then called, each side’s score standing at nil.

F. Dodson kicked off for the Blues. Gomaz returned the leather, but Baillie equalised matters by a long kick, and a scrum was formed about the centre of the field. The Colors’ forwards carried the ball down the field with a swoop, but Burns fell on the ball and stopped their career. Wright made a serviceable run, and Driscoll, backed up by Young and Murphy, dribbled the ball right into the Blues’ twenty-five yard territory. Harris, Baillie and Pasley atiempted to relieve their side, but Nesbitt was always on the look out, and it was chiefly owing to his efforts that the ball was kept so long in the Blues’ territory. From a pass Pasley got the ball and took a long kick, which was the means of his side gaining a lot of ground. By some hard kicking the Colors got the ball right through their opponents, but Watson was on the alert, and prevented any advantage being gained. F. Dodson made a splendid run, and Buick followed his example. Chiefly through the efforts of Dodson (2), Healy Hale and Gillespie, the scene of action was shifted to the Colors’ quarters, where Nesbitt obtained the ball and made the best run of the day before he was collared by Wright and Baillie, within the Blues’ 25. Jellyman now showed up, as also did Gillespie, and a rush of the Colors, headed by W. Gomaz, was stopped by Bums. The Blues’ forwards then rushed the ball almost on to the Colors’ goal line, and an almost certain score was averted by Bob : nson, the full-back. Siefert relieved his side by a good kick, and play was once more in the Blues’ territory. Young, Nesbit, Murphy and several others tried hard to score, but the Blues’ backs wero equal to the occasion. Scrum after scrum was forced, most of which were carried by the Colors’ forwards. Nesbit had the ball passed to him, but he potted, and thus spoiled what appeared to be an excellent chance of getting across the line. A forcedown was tho only result. Shortly after this, time was called, the game resisting in a draw, neither side having scored. Messrs Shand (St. Andrew’s) and Fisher (Marlborough) acted as umpires, and Mr E. M'lvor gave universal satisfaction as referee.

The game throughout was played in a very friendly spirit, and we think the St. Andrew’s Club should feel very proud of the result of their first match. Considering the time the Club has been organised, their play on Saturday deserves very favorable comment. Their strength lies chiefly in their forwards, one and all of whom played a dashing game. Saturday’s match was a very interesting exhibition of football, both from a players’ and a spectators’ point of view.

UNION F.C. The members of the Union Football Club turned out in strong force on Saturday, but owing to tho wretched state of Seymour Square, the match which was to have been played did not come off. Several members, however, found their way to a paddock adjoining Mr Parker’s, Grove Road, where they had a short game. WARBRICK’S NATIVE TEAM V. HAWKE’S BAY. Per Press Association. Napier, June 23. The football match to-day between Warbrick’s Native team and fifteen of Hawke’s Bay was witnessed by about 1000 persons. The game was very hard and fast throughout and was in favor of the Native team both spells. The visitors are much heavier all round than tho local players, who, with one or t vo exceptions, were all light men, though speedy. In the first spell Warbrick’s team scored four for a potted gaol and a try, and the local players were forced down three times. The second spoil, was as hard a hit of football play as the district has seen for a long time, the play being of a determined description and all over the ground, the distinguishing feature on both sides being passing. The only score in this spell was a try by Warbrick’s team, but the local men were forced down eight times. Judging by the play in this match (the first of a series to be played in the Colony before the team leave for England), Warbrick’s combination will give provincial clubs some work to do.