FOOTBALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 212, 7 September 1891, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RIWAKA V. ALBIONS.

[By " Tally-Ho.'"]

A team from the Albion Club left Nelson on Saturday morning by the s.b. Elsie and arrived at Riwaka after a splendid trip at about 12 o'olock. On going up to Arnold's Hotel. they found lunch awaiting them, after whioh the team left for the field of play, Mr Cook's paddock, where there were numerous spectators including a very large number of the fair sex. The Albions winning the toss elected to defend the northern goal. Soon after the kick off the Riwaka (Blues) found themselves on the defensive, and from a forward rush of the Reds, Weir scored a try for the Albions, which Bird by a good kick converted This end of the field did not seem to suit the Blues for from the kick out their play improved, and by the smart play of A. Askew, their skipper, and Duncan, the play waß brought close to the Albions line, where, if the Blue forwards had been up to the heeling-out game, they would most probably have scored, but they were too eager to try to," bullook" over the line. A Blue man, kicking rather hard, allowed the Reds 25 out for a force-down. Some good kicking by Bird, the Red's skipper, who by the way was playing a splendid game, Boon put the Reds out of danger, but through some good passing amongst the Blue backs, they Boon gained the lost ground, The Riwaka backs, being fast men, always gained ground when they were able to get the ball amongst them. The first spell ended about mid-field, with the score Albion 3, Riwaka nil. After the usual spell the Albions started the oval with a good kick well down into touch; but the heavy Blue forwards told on the Reds and by some good dribbles took the ball into the Albions' 25, where the Biwaka skipper receiving the ball let her go at the bar and was awarded after some dispute with a goal. Here the officials were a bit mystified, not knowing whether it was a goal or poster, but the Albion captain took the ball to kick off and allowed the Blues a goal. Thia put sides even as regards point?, and now a most determined fight ensued, both sides trying their utmost to score tho winning point, but "no side *' was called before they were able to do so, the game ending in a tie, One thing noticeable on the Riwaka side was the good running powers of their backs, who gave the Reds any amount of woik. With a little more practice at kicking, some of the players will be equal to our senior backs here. On the Albion Bide the good passing of Cederman at centre half to the three-quarter was much admired. Although a little two much rough play was indulged in, the game was a most pleasant one. The visitors were entertained by the Riwaka club at night. At 10 o'olock on Sunday morning a start was made for home and after a very pleasant trip the steamer arrived at the wharf about one o'olook, All the Albions speak with high praise of the treatment received both at the hands of the Riwaka footballers, and from Mrs Arnold, hostess of the Riwaka Hotel.