FOOTBALL NOTES.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XXI, Issue 1074, 5 July 1890, Page 3

FOOTBALL NOTES.

NASEBY V. MATAKANUI.

j Last Saturday a team representing the Matakanui Football club journeyed to Naseby to try conclusions witb the Prospectors. The weather was perfect, and upwards of 200 spectators witnessed the match. During tlifc afternoon the brass band, under their able conductor, Mr. Webber, very kindly played several selections, which were greatly appreciated by those present. At, the time appointed for starting (2. 30 p.m.) it was found that three of the visiting team had not arrived, and after waiting over an hour the Naseby skipper {M'Donald) proposed that the visitors should accept substitutes and commence the game. The Matakanui men, however, were not inclined to do this, as their captain (Boddington) was one of the absent players, and it was agreed to wait half-an-honr longer. A few minutes before four o'clock a trap with the missing footballers hove in sight, and on their jumping out all ready for the contest they were greeted with cheers. It transpired that shortly after starting their conveyance broke down, the occupants narrowly leaping serious iujury. Thtough the accident Boddington disabled his right arm, which of course greatly handicapped him in the match. In consequence of the late hour of starting (four o'clock), it was decided to make the spells only half an hour each instead of the usual 45 minutes. The following report has been kindly furnished us by " A Spectator " : On the teams lining out it was at once apparent that the visiting team were much heavier than their opponents. Afterexchau"--ing cheers, J. Buchanan kicked off for the Colours. (It may be here stated that as the colours of the Matakauui men are similar to those of the Naseby Club—viz., navy blue—the home team played in coloured jerseys.) The ball was well returned, and an exchange of kicks between the backs resulted in a scrum half-way, which the Colours carried. The leather was then carried out by a Bine forward, and from the line-out the Colours got on a dribbling rush as far as the Blues' twenty-five, where a fierce scrimmage ensued. The Colours heeling out well, Stewart started a passing run, which ended in a maul between S. luder and Conn, resulting in favor of the former, who thus drew the first blood for Naseby. The kick at goal was entrusted to Preston, who failed to convert it. I—o. Conn kicked off for the Blues, and Stewart getting possession made a good dodgy run, but was collared and passed to Costelloe, who kicked rather hard, and a force-down resulted. The ball being again brought into play, it was very soon worked into the Blues' quarters, and J. Buchanan obtained a mark in front of their goal. The kick was taken by Costelloe, but the only result was a forcedown. The ball was no sooner kicked out than it was back again, and one of the Blues hand-balling a scrum was formed very close to their line. The Colours' forwards again heeled out well, and a pass to M'Gregor enabled that player to obtain a try. Again the score was not enhanced. A. Williamson kicked off, and shortly afterwards M'Gregor made a good run along the line, carrying the ball into touch at the visitors' 25 flag. From the line-out, M 'Donald got on a good run, and passing sharply to Preston the latter got over the line in capital style. M'Donald took the kick, which was again at fault. Appleby kicked out, but the home team, headed by Geddes, got oa a splendid dribble, and again penned their opponents on their lines, but Conn got possession of the leather and was quickly on the way for a try. He, however, came in contact with Marshall, and was nicely grassed. From a scrum Marslin passed to Costelloe, who made a beautiful kick into touch. From the lineout M'Lean obtained the ball and by a good dodgy run gained a lot of ground but was not backed up, and play again centred in the Blues' quarters. Appleby by a fine run removed the danger. From a tight scrum the Colours heeled out, arid a splendid bit of play on their side followed. After some excellent passing Costelloe got over the line, but owing to a pass forward the ball had to be brought back, and a scrum was formed. The Blues by a loose dribble then took the oval into the Colours' twenty-five—the only time during the first spell they succeeded iw doing so. M'Donald removed the danger, and off-side play on the part of the Blues gave the Colours a free kick. M'Donald dropped successfully at goal, thus making the score s—o. A series of scrums followed the kick out, and a spleudid dribbling rush, again headed by Geddes, was the means of carrying the ball into the quarters of the Blues, who were compelled to force down. After an exchange of kicks between the backs the Colours started a loose dribble, and Costelloe by a smart piece ot play scored between the posts. J. Buchanan took the kick, but the score was not increased. 6—o. Soon after this Truesdale distinguished him self by a good run, but M'Gregor was in his way, and he had to resign possession of the ball, which was quickly worked up to the vicinity of the Blues' goal, where Kirby charged a kick by M'Lean. The eagerness of the Colours to score only resulted in another force-down. Soon after this halftime was called. No time was lost in changing sides, and it soon became evident that the Blues intended making it much warmer for their opponents. By good combined play they carried the ball into the Colours' 25, and the home team at last had to force. Costelloe kicked out, and a good rush resulted in forcing the Blues down. The ball being picked out of the scrum by one of the Colours, their opponents were awarded a free kick, but not much advantage was gained. Stewart started a good run and passed to M'Gregor, who was unable to elude the grasp of Conn, and forced to embrace Mother Earth. Some fierce work was done in front of the Blues' goal, when a clever pass was made to Boddington, who made a grand run and gained a lot of ground, but want of combination lost it again. One of the Colours picking up the ball when dead, the blues were again awarded a free kick. Shortly after this the home team lost a certain try by Costelloe neglecting to pass to Preston. A good passing run by the Blues carried the ball into the centre of the ground, where several scrums were formed. From a pass by Preston, M'Gregor secured the leather and made a good feuding run. Had he passed to M'Donald when in front of the goal, u try must have resulted. Scrum followed scrum in quick succession a few yards from the visitors' line, and S. Inder again succeeded in getting over. The try was not improved. "7—o. Conn followed up a free kick in good style, but was collared by M'Donald, and the ball went out at the half-way flag. From the line-out a scrum was formed, and A. M'Lean made a good run up to the Colours' 25. The ball went up and down the field at a rapid rate, the game at this stage being very fast. The Blues were eventually forced down. After the kick out one of the Naseby backs lost a lot of ground by a selfish bit of play, but it was soon regained, and from some loose play Marshall ran in without opposition. No goal resulted from the try. S—o. ; Conn shortly after this made a grand run | half the length of the field, but again he was I not backed up. After some give-and-take ! play a fine bit of loose dribbling carried the ball into the Colours' quarters, and F. M'Lean well deserved the try which he obtained in the very corner. Of course the was a very ditiictllt one, and A. M'Lean, who took the kick, did not improve the score. B—l. This try was gained by the Blues at the very last moment, and " noside " was called immediately after the attempt at gonl.

j The game was played in an extremely ' friendly manner, and proved very enjoyable. The principal feature of the match was the excellent passing of the Naseby players, who have greatly improved since the beginning of the seasou. The umpires (Messrs. Clements and Morris) gave every satisfaction, and Mr. J. Wilson performed the duties of referee in a thoroughly impartial manner. The customary cheers having been exchauged at the conclusion of the game, the teams fell in and, followed by a large crowd, marched up the street to the* strains of most inspiriting music by the band, halting in front of the Royal Hotel, where most of the visitors put up. Again cheers were exchanged, and the procession then broke off.

In the evening the visiting team were entertained by the Prospectors at the Royal Hotel. A mo3t r<cherc!u2 supper, served'in that superior style for which Host Horswell is famous, was partaken of by nearly 60 gentlemen. A fter full justice had been done to the excellent" viands provided the tables were cleared, and the usual smoke concert followed. Mr. William Guffie, President of the local club, presided in a capital manuer. In every respect a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent, and the visitors expressed themselves exceedingly pleased with their reception. The following toast-list was gone through : —" Queen and Royal Family " ; " The Visiting Team," propesed by the Chairman, and responded to by Mr. Boddington ; " The Naseby Team," proposed by Mr. Boddington, responded to by Mr. James M'Donald ; " The Otago Rugby Football Union," proposed by Mr. Wedderspoon, and responded to by Mr. Morris ; " L T mpires and Referee," proposed by Mr. Vernon King, and responded to by Messrs. Clements, Morris and Wilson; " The Ladies," proposed by Mr. T. Conn, and responded to by Mr. D. J. Stewart; "Kindred Sports," proposed by Mr. Hogan, responded to by Messrs. John Dawson and S. luder; "The Press," proposed by Mr. Wedderspoon, and responded to by Mr. Stewart; " The Brass Band," proposed by Mr. Clements, and responded to by Mr. R. Webber ; and " The Host and Hostess,"proposed by Mr. Morris, and responded to by Mr. E. Horswell. Recitations were given by Messrs. Wedderspoon and John Dawson, and songs by Messrs. A. Ball, Clements, Campbell, Ryau, Hogan, Boddington, Guffie, Conn, Inder, Strachan (who gave a topical song relating to the match which was greatly enjoyed), aud others. The gathering broke up in good time by the siuging of " Auld Lang Syne."