THE ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9161, 17 September 1888, Page 3

THE ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS.

MATCH AT NAPIER. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS association.] Napier, Saturday. The England v. Hawke's Bay football match was played on the Recreation Ground to-day in the presence of several thousand spectators, who cheered the good play of both sides. The teams were :— England : Back, Speakman it hree-quarters, Stoddart, Dr. Brooks, Anderton; halves, Nolan, Bumby, forwards, Dr. Smith, Stuart, Eagles, Kent, Paul, Thomas, Burnet, Laing, Will* liaras. Hawke's Bay : Back, McKay ; threequarters, Wi Hape", Mcßae, Taku ; halves, Taiaroa, Dempsey ; wings, Swan, Morrison ; forwards, Childs, Hawkins, Moore, Fleming, Synionda. The ground and the weather were splendid. England invaded Hawke's Bay's quarters immediately, and commenced passing beautifully, but the Napier forwards drove them back. Stoddart made several fine runs, but the ball kept near the English line for some time, the local wings frustrating all attempts at relief, and after a long struggle England was forced down. After the kickout, Bumby's punts and Smith's dribbles took the play to the local 25, Stoddart and Anderton trying hard to score, and Hawke's Bay wa3 forced. The ball was rapidly passed from hand to hand by the Englishmen, but the fine collaring of Hawke's Bay prevented a score. Taku was especially brilliant, bringing down man after man. Swan, Morrison, and Taiaroa carried the play past the centre, where it became very fast, dodging runs and punts by Nolan or Stoddart beine retorted to by punts by Dempsey and Mcßae, and dashes by Taiaroa, Swan, and Morrison. A fine run and kick by Paul, followed by a -followed punt by Anderton, invaded the Napier 25, but Mcßae kicked back. England rushed to fullback, who dropped on the ball and stopped them ; Wi Hape immediately getting possession dashed through to the centre, where he passed, but Nolan intercepted, and running in scored near the corner. No goal was kicked. Stoddart soon after marked, and made a splendid pot from the centre, the ball going beside the posts, and the local men forced. Brooks made a dodgy run to Hawke's Bay quarter, and after more passing Kent potted, but missed. The play now changed to the English quarters, and Speakman, for England, and Taiaroa, McRae, Morrison, and Swan, for Hawke's Bay, becoming prominent. Eagles at last broke through the scrum, and ran to Napier's 25, Wi Hape and Dempsey driving the ball back to the English goal line, and ends were then changed. On play being resumed, Taku and Taiaroa by fine kicks and runs left the play in the English end, scrums being contested on the goal line. The English forwards cleared their 25, but Trotter picked up from a dribble, and scored for Hawke's Bay, amid cheers. Taku made a fine kick at a bad angle, but failed. Wi Hape failed to return kick out, but Dempsey cleared his lines till Anderton left the play in the Hawke's Bay territory. Mcßae punted back to the centre, and Taiaroa dashed down the touch line to the English 25, Swan dribbling on and scoring a try near the corner. Taku kicked a poster from the touch line. The excitement was now intense. Anderton now made strenous efforts to scorn, but Taku each time brought the ball out of the 25. Wi Hape and Taiaroa spoiled several passes, but the bail coming to the local fullback near his line, he punted straight in the air, and Nolan got it and ran in, and scored a second try. Paul made a fine attempt but failed to increase the score. After the kick out Wi Hape caught the return near his own line, and amid cheers the ball was passed to man after man until well past the centre where he threw it to Taiaroa, whom Stoddart sent into touch. Taiaroa immediately threw far in to Trotter, who with Morrison dashed to the English line, where a long scrum ensued. Anderton, by a dodgy run and a kick, which the Hawke's Bay back failed to return, changed the aspect of affairs, but Morrison passing from the throw in to Wi Hape, the latter, who was playing without boots, went at great speed past the centre. Eagles sent the ball back to the local 25, Dempsey relieving, and a desperately fought scrum occurred in mid field. This broke, and Eagles dribbled to Napier 25, Symonds stopping the rush, and scrums followed in front of the Napier goal, round which Nolan dashed and scored his third try. Paul's kick was again unsuccessful. Williams returned the kick out, and Taku catching the ball, dodged through to the English end, where he passed, but Paul intercepted the ball and punted part of the way back. Swan, in two spurts, again reached the English line, Speakman returning to the centre. Another bad kick by Hawke's Bay fullback enabled Smith to mark in the local 25, where Stoddart tried at place, which just missed the post. Another bad return gave Paul a mark, but this, too, was unsuccessful. The game then ended in a win for England by three points to two, after an extremely fast and exciting game. The features of the play were the splendid passing of the Englishmen, and the screw punting of nearly all the team. The manner in which the backs followed their own kicks, too, was admirable. Ail the backs played well, Stoddart being particularly admired. Nolan was very smart, securing all three tries by profiting by their opponents' mistakes. The fine dribbling of Eagles, Smith, and Laing was very effective. For Napier Taku played magnificently, frequently bringing down the gallery by the manner in which he grassed several men in rapid succession or gained ground with long runs or punts. Taiaroa was also prominent, and Wi Hape spoiled much passing, while Mcßae was smart. The wings played brilliantly. The Englishmen were entertained at dinner after the match, and left by steamer for the South.

THE MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH. Christchctrch, Saturday. The following will represent Canterbury against the English football team :—Fullback : F. Hobbs ; threequarter-backs : A. Richards, Allardyce, Berney ; half-backs: F. Fuller, J. Donnelly ; forwards : Bean, Dow, Crowell. Evans, Garrard, Plank, Sincock, Turnbull, Weokes.

INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH. Ikvercargili,, Saturday. The weather for the interprovincial footballmatch, Ota.gov. Southland, was glorious, although a trifle too warm for the game. A puffy northwester was also blowing athwart the ground. The match was looked upon as a sure thing lor the visitors, and rive to one was offered on Otago. Neither scored, but Southland had decidedly the best of the game, Otago being forced down ten times to the local team's three.

TAURANGA V. AUCKLAND. [BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] Tauranga, Saturday. The long-talked-of football match between our local players and an Auckland team came off to-day. The weather was perfect. Our visitors had a beautiful run down from Auckland in the Clansman, and were cordially received by representatives of the local club. After breakfast the Auckland players were taken for a drive round the suburbs, which they appeared to enjoy immensely. About half-past two o'clock the public and the players congregated at the Domain Reserve. The teams were composed of the following players :—Tauranga: W. Robinson (fullback), J. C. Webster (captain), Henry Tanner, and W. Mansell (threequarterbacks), Joe and Sam Tanner and George Morris (halfbacks), and Andy and Jem Haua, a. Turner, R. W. Turner and H. Dowell, Fossy Maxwell, Joe Jordan, Mansell (forwards) ; umpire, Mr. Moss. Auckland : Fullback, H. Kissling ; threequarterbacks, T. Ryan, R. Masefield ; J. Ameil ; halfbacks, J. Conway, A. Tanfield ; forwards, R. Crowe (captain), W. Hobson, R. McKenzie, F. Edwards, J. Baxter, J. Johnson, E. Binney, P. Gould, and Gough ; umpire, R. Whiteside, referee, L. D. Easton. The Auckland players were driven to the ground in a couple of drags. It was the general feeling that Tauranga would have all their work cub out to hold their own. As the time drew on to three o'clock, at which hour the match was to commence, the ground, which had been roped in, was cleared, and the deep interest taken in the match was plainly evident by the comparative silence that prevailed as the respective teams came on the ground and gave each other three cheers. It was decided to play two spells of three-quarters of an hour each. The choice of goals fell to the Auckland captain, who elected to take the western goal, havinjr the wind in his favour and the sun

in his opponents' eyes. The kick-off was I taken by Webster, who sent the ball well down the field to Arneil, who returned, and the ball went into touch off Joe Tanner. From the throw-in a scrum resulted, from which loose fast play followed which ended in the ball going again into touch. After some dribbling pTay by which the Auckland players made ground, Morris mulled the ball and some very quick play took place in front of the Tauraaga goal until Jordan by a sharp take of the ball got away and re lieved his side's lines. Some fine passing amongst the Auckland players now took place, the ball being in dangerous proximity to the Tauranga goal, bur, Tauranga by a quick rally carried the ball out of danger, but after some give aud take play the ball landed near Tauranga's twenty-five. A throw-on now spoiled a good show of Tauranga getting clear away, but this was quickly followed by Jordan getting a good run and by a judicious pass to Sam Tanner the ball was kicked into touch in the Auckland half. At this time Auckland had all the best of the play, their passing and screwing the scrum putting the local players all at sea. Out of the scrum the ball was passed back to Arneil, and he kicked up to Tauranga's 25, where, after a scrum, some very fast play took the ball well into the middle of the field. A loose dribble by Maxwell, Sam Tanner, and Morris, took the ball well down the field amidst the cheering of the onlookers, and it was finally touched down by Auckland in self-defence. The kick off by Ryan was returned by Joe Tanner, and some indifferent play on the side of Tauranga let the Aucklanders close up with the ball, when Jem Haua got on a nice loose dribble, and took it well into the middle of the field. Some good passing then took place between Tanfield, Masefield, and Ryan, but the Tauranga forwards were too quick on the ball to allow much advantage to be gained. After Tauranga had forced down from a pot by Ryan, a loose rush by the Auckland forwards was neatly stopped by Webster, and the ball went into touch near the Tauranga 25. From the throw-in Sam Tanner got the ball, ran well up the field inside Auckland's 25. Some fine passing took place between the Tanners, j and play was just outside Auckland's 25. | Quick play by the Tauranga forwards ! ended in a mark, the kick from which was taken by Henry Tanner without success. A good dribble by Baxter took the ball well into Tauranga's quarters, but Sam Tanner got it quickly away, and after some returns it went into touch just outside Auckland's 25. Tauranga was now playing a grand game, and were more than holding their own. Fast dribbling by forwards on both sides landed the ball well in Tauranga's 25, when Ryan got a good run, but was collared by Henry Tanner. Masefield made a fine run, and took the ball well up the ground, and ended by a fine kick to Robinson, the Tauranga fullback, who, in return, by a high kick, sent the ball just before the goal, where it was cleanly taken by Crowe, and marked. From the mark Ryan, by a fine kick, scored a goal, making the first score of the day. Webster kicked off, the ball being returned by Ryan, when, from a throw-in, Webster got a good dodgy run, and took the leather up the field, but Arneil, in return, sent the ball rolling behind the Tauranga goal lines. Webster took the kick-off, from which Conway got a mark, Ryan taking the kick. Some good passing by the Auckland players, and a grand run by Masefield took the ball right up to the Tauranga goal line. Sam Tanner getting the ball made a grand run up the field, when Tanfield secured the leather and sent it to Robinson, who returned, and some quick play ended by the Tauranga forwards taking it just inside Auckland's half, where it remained till time was called, the score being—Auckland 3, Tauranga 0. During the first half Auckland had the advantage as the ball was several times dangerously near the Tauranga lines, and only once was Auckland's goal menaced. It was hoped that Tauranga would be able to turn the tables before the game ended. The second spell commenced by Crowe kicking off. Some quick dribbling by the Auckland forwards took the ball into the Tauranga ground, but it was sent clown the field by Sam Tanner. Strong play carried the ball close to Auckland'? 25, and some combined and steady dribbling followed, when Sam Tanner got the ball and by a dashing run took the ball over the line, but the umpire disallowed the try, saying that Tanner did not touch the ball down. From the kick off quick play resulted, and Sam Tanner again got well off, but was called back for some off-side play. From the scrum and a kick and return Mansell got the ball and made a good dodgy run just into Auckland's 25. Some fast play gave Tauranga a little advantage, but the play was gradually worked to the centre. After some give and take play Crowe got neatly away and the ball was in the Tauranga 25. Joe Tanner got it and by a splendid dodgy run took it up to Auckland's 25, and quick play by the Tauranga forwards took the ball close up to the Auckland goal line. From some hard scrummaging the ball went out at the corner of the Auckland line, Jordan carrying it over. The try was disallowed, a piece of hard luck for the local team. Ryan's kick-off was followed by fast play with alternate advantage. At this time Tauranga was playing a dashing offensive game, and looked like scoring. After some mote fast play the ball was taken to the Auckland 25, when Andy Haua got it and made a good run, followed by another by Webster, and much ground was gained. The play was all in the Auckland ground, and it was evident the Auckland players were tiring, whilst the Tauranga players were fresh. The ball was taken up the field for a few minutes by a combined dribble of the Auckland forwards, when Sam Tanner got a mark and kicked into touch well up in Auckland's 25. A good run by Crowe was well stopped by Joe Tanner. Some nice passing took place amongst the Tauranga players, which ended by Crowe getting the all and punting into touch well in the centre of the field. An excellent run by Jordan was called back, the reason being offside play. The disapproval of the spectators was both loud and deep. From some quick play Tanfield got away, but was stopped by Henry Tanner, who took the ball and kicked. The catch being mulled Andy Haua picked up quickly, and by a good run got in behind the Auckland lines and touched down, amidst enthusiastic cheers. The kick was taken by Henry Tanner, but was a poor one. The score was now: Auckland, 3 ; Tauranga, 1. Ryan kicked into touch, when some fast play took the ball into touch at the centre, when from the throw-in Sam Tanner took the ball by fine play well up till it went into touch close to the Auckland line. From the throw-in Sam Tanner took the ball and was quickly behind the Auckland goal posts and touched down, but off-side was again the reason for disallowing the try. Some hard scrumming work followed, and the ball went our. beyond Auckland's 25. After some more give and take play, some fine dribbling by Auckland took the ball into the Tauranga quarter, where Ryan got the ball, and took a pot, sending the ball over the bars. After some disputing the score was allowed, and now stood Auckland, 6; Tauranga, 1. The kick-off by Webster was returned into touch, and shortly after time was called, the usual complimentary cheers finishing up a hard fought and exciting game. A dinner in the evening, and a turn at the rink, finished the day, and the visitors got a good send off by moonlight from a large crowd who were on the wharf to see them off. The play throughout was of the fast and furious description, and Tauransra had all the best of it in the last half. Considering that the Tauranga team have nearly all "picked up the game, and that they have never played against a team before as good as themselves, they acquitted themselves remarkably well. I The decisions of the umpires gave some dis- \ satisfaction. The result of the match has, however, had the good effect of putting the local men on their mettle, and next season they are determined to go to Auckland and "do or die."