FOORBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7711, 9 August 1886, Page 6

FOORBALL.

THE INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH. — ARRIVAL OF THE WELLINGTON TtfAM. Early yesterday morning the officers of the Auckland Rugby Union were astir in expectation of the arrival of the s.s. Penguin at Onehunga with the long looked-for Wellington representative team. Two drags went out in time to meet the steamer should she have got in over the bar by the morning tide, and other vehioles, all bearing supporters of the game, journeyed across the isthmus in spite of the inclement weather. On account of the strong westerly gale blowing in over the bar it was soon apparent that the Penguin had been unable to catch the tide and she would not be at the wharf till the afternoon. Amongst the gentlemen who went out to receive the visitors were Messrs. R. L. Skeen (secretary of the Union), J. M. Sibbin (treasurer), A. H. Cotter, W. W. Robinson, J. Halyday, O. A. Orchard, R. Garrett, J. A. Warbrick, W. Crowther, and many others. As the steamer had not been seen from Manakau Heads off the bar, owing to the thick weather, telegraphic communication from the signal station was eagerly looked for. About half-past three p.m. news came that the steamer had crossed and was coming into harbour, and many who were about to return to town decided to await her arrival. In an hour and a half the steamer was off the wharf, and on coming into her berth the Wellington men were greeted with three hearty cheers from about 200 persons who had gathered on the wharf. The team responded lustily to the compliment, and on landing honoured Captain Allman, of the Penguin, with cheers. The Wellington representatives' names are as follows :— Messrs. D. G. A. Cooper (captain), H. Roberts, J. King, T. Ellison, ,J., H. Stock, G. P«arce, J. A. Thomson, J. E. Smith, H. Mclntyre, L. Storey, G. Williams, — Shaw, — Astill, — Connell. - Mr. E. Davy, secretary and treasurer to tho Wellington Rugby Union, accompanies the team. Messrs. E. M. McCausland and F. Fairbroiher,. arrive to-day by the s.s. Rotomahana, via the East Coast. Our visitors seemed only too glad to get on terra firms, and about half-past five o'olock were bowling along for the city in Messrs. Dignan and Co.'s breaks. It was then dark and several showers of rain fell en route. The teams were driven via Parnell, and were taken at once to Mr. M. Gallagher's Imperial Hotel, Fort-street, where they put up daring their stay here, till Thursday. The team were met by numerous friends, all of whom gave them a hearty welcome to the city. The movements of the WelliDgtonians today depend a good deal upon the weather. The "lions" of the city will be done this morning after practice, and the view from Mount Eden will most likely be taken. On the trip up the team landed at Nelson, and had a practice there on the ground at the Botanical Gardens and a run round the town. The steamer was unable to communicate with New Plymouth on account of the heavy sea, and had to come right on, passing there about five o'clock on Saturday afternoon. The Penguin had it pretty thick off the bar, and after making an attempt to get in about two o'clock yesterday had to make to sea again, and then returning got over safely. The men are all a fine looking lot of men, and seem to be in the " pink of condition " for the match.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs the following extract from the Post on Saturday night:—'• It is exceedingly gratifying to find that the experiment which has been tried this season by the Wellington Rngby Union in regard to the selection of an interprovincial team, has so far worked most satisfactorily, This year the task of choosing teams has been entrusted to Mr. Dumbell, of the Athletic Club, and Mr. A. O. Gibbes, of the Wellington Club, who have taken the place of the Match Committee of previous seasons. Both gentlemen are thoroughly acquainted with the leading players in the distriot, and each possesses a reputation for strict impartiality. Both are embaed with an honest desire to have Wellington worthily represented ; and, we believe there are few of our readers, competent to judge, who will not acknowledge that the team which Messrs. Dumbell and Gibbes have chosen to do battle against Auckland and Hawke's Bay next week, is the best that could be got away. As we have already stated the experiment of allowing only two gentlemen to select teams has so far elicited little adverse comment from the public, and it la to be hoped that subsequent events will justify the action of the Union in appointing Messrs. Gibbes and Dumbell to auch an important position."

REPRESENTATIVES V. EIGHTEEN SELECTED. The last of the practice matches before the interprovincial contest on Wednesday was played on the Rugby Union's ground, Newmarket, on Saturday before between 700 and 800 spectators, notwithstanding the north-westerly gale blowing and downpour of rain, which made the ground heavy going, and confined the play almost entirely to dribbling and rushes. The representatives won after a bard game by five points (a goal) to love. The features of the game was the splendid work at threequarterback of Ryan, who extricated the reps, out of a good many difficulties (on account of the greasy ball), and Poland's running and good work behind the scrum, while forward O'Connor was prominent in dribbling and following up. J. Warbrick captained the reps, (blue and white bars), and Henderson led the Eighteen, who wore club colours. The teams were—Reps. : Braund, fullback ; J. A. Warbrick and Ryan, three-quarter-backs ; Whiteside, Poland, and W. Warbrick, half backs ; forwardsO'Connor, Moginie, Lecky, Spenoer, Veale, Newman, Arneil, W. Meldrum, Murphy. Eighteen : Lusk, back ; L. Meldrum, Jordan, Brown, three-quarter backs; Davy, Cooper, and Reid, half backs ; forwards—Wells, Henderson, Mills, Skardon, Barton, Stewart,Crowe, Mountford, George, Wooller, Muir. On account of Lindsay being unable to play, Newman filled his place. The reps, took the upper portion of (the ground for the first forty-five minutes. After the kick-off play centred in on the colours' side of the middle flag, when it was soon apparent that the reps, were not going to have it all their own way, as in the previous match, when the ground was dry. The colours played loosely and held their ground splendidly, till the blues worked the leather down in the goal, and middling it one of the forwards passed out neatly to W. Warbrick, who made a quick pot at goal, but the wind was too strong, being right across the ground. Lusk sent off the ball with a high kick, after a second attempt. O'Connor got well away up the touch line, passing prettily to Whiteside, and the Ponsonby crack got through to the colours' whole back, who stopped the try. The colours warmed up to their work, and ft fast run or two by Jordan (who has developed a rather dangerous habit of leaping in the air when taokled), tnok the bull up the field, but the reps' threequarterbacks were too good, and then Poland gained ground by his dodgy runs. A tine rush of the blues' forwards worked the oval well into the colours' 25, but a little too much force was used in kicking, and the leather shot over the line. One of the colours' threequarters made a desperate attempt to touchdown the greasy ball, and it rolling away, Veale steadied it, afer which Cooper got possession for the colours. The try was awarded to Veale, and Arniel placed it for J. Warbrick, who landed a beautiful goal from an angle. The ball was sent off again from the 25 flag, although the goal was kicked, and the first term ended soon after. The colours' forwards had all worked well, considering the splendid men opposed to them, Wells being prominent, along with Wooller on the wings; while their backs were not to be denied in stopping the rushes of the blues. Passing was attempted at the beginning of the term but was soon dropped, as the men could not hold the leather. On changing goals, W. Warbrick, who bad got an awkward kick, took Braund'a place at whole back, who was brought up to threequarter back, and soon after to halfback, to give him practioe, as all through the first term he had not been called upon to touch the ball. The blaes, getting the leather well into the colours' 25, seemed to have almost a certain soore, but a little too much eagerness to send the ball over put it into L. Meld rum's hands, who forced down. ' Three more forces followed, and then a clever run by Poland took the ball behind the posts, but it was called back for being thrown on in passing. Burton, Stewart, and Crowe, got a good rush on among the colours, and warmed np the reps', baoke, but Ryan was too good in his long drops into touch. The Eighteen again asserted themselves in the loose play, although they could not hold the scrums. Reed got within range of the reps', goal, but the ball was too

*1 inner v and it did not rise. However, the ** th« beat of for the last twenty minutes, the selected playing a good defensive game. Among the fifteeo m addition to those mentioned, Arneil shone at times on the wing, while Spencer, Mogmie, and Mnrphy were always m the thick of it. Leoky, although Buffering from a bad finger] was always in his place On account of the heavy ground, no really fast work was done, but the backs had plenty to do rig The t ground' was a good deal cut-up, and several cart tracks across the centre did not improve the turf, but it is expected that a little attention to the turf will remove all traces of Saturday's play from the match ground. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Donedin, Saturday. Rain fell throughout the day, and still continues. The first trial football match to select the interprovincial team against Canterbury had to be abandoned. In the match Town v. Country at Balclutha, the Country won by ten points to two.

HELENS V. MANUKAU. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.! Helenstille, Saturday. The football match, Manukau v. Helensville, was played this afternoon. The weather was very squally and the ground ankle deep in water. The game was played in two spells of forty minutes each, and was declared drawn in favour of the local club, who forced their opponents down six times, but were unable to soore, having had con* siderably the best of the game throughout. The following were noticeable for good play for the visitors : Leahy, Wynyard, Somerville, Brookfield, and Mays; while for the local team Somerfield, W. McManus, Baker, Donovan, Francis, and Johnston played well. Grafton senior fifteen were photographed on Saturday at Mr. Jos. Martin's studio. In the background was unfurled the handsome banner recently presented to the club. There will be a meeting of the Auckland representative team at Mr. A. Tilly's, tobacconist, to-morrow evening to make arrangements in regard to the match.

JUNIOR MATCHES. The return match for the Rugby Union Junior Cup, between the Nelson and Waitemata F.C.'s, created a great deal of attention on Saturday, and was played on the Newmarket ground, resulting, after a most exciting game, in a victory for Waitemata by five points (a goal) to nil. Play was pretty even in the first spell, the Nelsons being unable to effect their fine passing among their backs on account of the greasy ball. In the second term Mackie, by a splendid ran, got well away from Waitematas 25. and gained his try amid great enthusiasm among about four hundred spectators. Gillespie concerted the try into a goal by a fine kick. Soon after Nelson got well up the field again, and Fisher, by a long drop, potted a goal, which was not allowed by the referee. Nelson thus sustained their first defeat this season, but still oooupy first position for the cup, with twelve wins, one loss, and one draw, while Waitemata come next with eleven wins, one loss, and two draws. Auckland and Grafton are a tie for third position. « Auckland and Grafton second fifteens played their match on the Metropolitan Ground resulting in a victory for Grafton by four points to two. Speight kicked a goal from the field for the maroons, while Bailey secured a try for Auckland. Native Hose won their match with Alma by four points to nil. Ties were scored by Hales and D. Wilson. Native Rose had the best of the game throughout. Excelsior defeated Rovers at Surrey Hills on Saturday,