FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9450, 22 August 1889, Page 6

FOOTBALL

SELWYN V. PI7KJSKOHK. About 500 people assembled at Pukekohe on Saturday, August 10, to witness the match iKitweeii Selwyn and the local men; and, after a very pleasant and exciting match, in which the Selwyn boys treated us to an exhibition of football that we are not likely to forget, but Pukekohe, by good defensive play, prevented them from scoring, the game, to the surprise of everyone, ending in a draw. lioulston kicked off for Pukekohe, the ball being well returned by Cook, and some fast work was done in Pukekoho's 25. Cook and Sheriff, by short spurts, carried the ball near the goal line, but Scott relieved his side by a punt into touch. From the throw-in the ball was again worked into Pukekoho's 25, whore Edwards marked ; but the kick at goal was a failure. Prom the kick out, Maxwell and Graham heading, a rush carried the ball well down the field, but a good run and kick by Edwards again caused the play to centre in the maroon 20. Hero some fast work was done, the Selwyn's trying very hard to get across ; but Roulstou by a run and kick relieved his side. The Selwyn forwards rushed the ball down the field, hut, Pukekohe responding, the play was centred about the half-way Hag. Selwyn, headed by Murray (Gordon), again got a rush on, the ball being carried well down the field; but Scott and Jamieson, by a combined run, carried the ball to the half-way (lag. Here some grand play was done by the Selwyn backs, who. by combined running and passing, carried the ball almost across the line; but Wilson, Maxwell, and Graham showing lip in a, good dribble, carried the ball out of danger, the ball going into touch near the 25 flag. From the throw-in some more good spurting and passing was done by Selwyn's backs, but the maroons, collaring well, always prevented them from getting across. From a throw in some more fast work was done in the ojien, the ball begig gradually worked towards Selwyn's 23, ad _ Maxwell, Brownlee, and MeShane getting a good rush on, carried the ball right down to I otter, the fullback, but he, picking the ball up very neatly, by a run and punt relieved his side. Selwyn now again got a combined rush, and, keeping togther splendidly, carried the ball right down to Pukekohe's goal line, where Sheriff fell on it, but, not being across, Pukekohej was ordered .a free kick. _ From a scrum Scott got the ball, and, punting high, Graham and Maxwell followed up fast, and again carried the ball up the field, Potter again having to relieve his side by kicking into touch. From the line out Selwyn again got on one of their seemingly irresistible rushes, and, sweeping the Pukekohe forwards before them again l«.irc down on the maroon goal line ; out the Pukekohe backs by cool play prevented an almost certain score. Some more fast open work took place in Pukekohe's 25, and Cook marked, but the ball went wide. From the kick out Pukekohe, headed by Graham and Wilson, got a rush on, but Cook and Buchanan regained the lost ground. D. Roulston by a run and punt gained some ground for his side, but Selwyn rushed the ball back, Murray, who was playing a grand game, always seeming to be in the va.ii. Jainieson by a short, dodgy run carried the ball up the field, but' Cook"getting the ball punted, and Roulstou marked; Potter, getting the ball from his kick, returned into touch well down the Hold. Some more fast work was done in the open bv the forwards of both teams, McShane and Blake showing up for Pukekohe and Murray, as usual, for Sctwvn. Soon after half-time was called, the Pukekohe boys appearing to be astonished at having stood a spell against a tirstclass team like Selwyn. The second spell was of a similar nature to the first, Selwyn at times pressing their opponents very hard, but Bocre, playing a cool, determined game at fullback, always relieved his side. Pukekohe turned the tables once or twice on tlioir opponents, and were within an ace of scoring at one time. Maxwell did get .across, but was ordered back for some breach of the rules: at another .1. Blake and Moor dribbled the ball down the field past the fullback, and a score seemed certain, but a hard kick just as they got across the line sent the ball into touch in goal. With these exceptions, Selwyn had the ball mostly in the maroon 25; but they, collaring well, and making no mistakes, kept the stripes well away from the goal line, lieure at this game ' was a host in himself. At one time Buchanan was right across, but Bcere. rising to the occasion, picked him off his feet, and swung him back again. When the whistle sounded cheers were given for both teams, and the visitors adjourned for refreshments provkied by the local men. When the train arrived a I large crowd had assembled to give the visitors a good send off The Selwyn captain, as the train left the station, called for three cheers for the local club, they responding with " For they are jolly good fellows.— [A Correspondent.]

11 HI.KN'SVIIjLE V. ARATAPU. What lias been looked forward to for the last week or two with considerable local interest eventuated on Saturday. Our footbailers, who for the last two years have been invincible, met a Helensville team on the local ground arid came oil' victorious. About three years ago a Northern Wairoa team went to Helensville and won an easy victory by 1!) points to nil, and on Saturday a Helensville team arrived here to try conclusions not with a Northern Wairoa team, but with the Aratapu Football Club. The two teams met at the Heawa wharf, and, headed by the Northern Wairoa liaiul, marched to the paddock, accompanied by a large gathering of the general public. The road to the paddock was marked by several flags, whilst in the field itself a tent had Ik;en j erected, also a few seats for the ladies, and the whole surroundings were made gay with flags. The visitors averaged 11 stone 91b, whilst our boys averaged Sib less. Mr. H. Poland, the Helensville captain, won the toss, and chose to play with wind and sun behind. Messrs. Nield and H. J. Coutts acted as umpires, and Mr. A. W. Jones as referee. E. .bassett (Aratapu captain) kicked off at three p.m., and during the first spoil no scores were made, the local forwards being too good for the visitor's. The odds of wind ami mm were now a-gainst Helensville, and our boys managed to pull off the match. Alex. Smith kicked a goal from the field, and A. W. Legge scored a try, which L. tolling converted into a goal. Aratapu six points. .Just one minute before time was called A. Otway sceurod a try for Helensville but failed to convert it. This makes the only point scored against Aratapu during the last two years. At half-past six p.m. the visiting team were entertained at dinner in the Public Hall, to which some sixty persons sat down. Mr. Thomas Bassett, president of the local club, occupied the chair. Everything passed off well. The usual toasts were drunk in teetotal liquors. A danoo followed the dinner, and was kept up till midnight, The Helensville boys left for home early on Sunday morning. The Northern Wairoa band deserve special mention ; they willingly gave their services from mid-day to midnight in order that the reception of the visitors might be made as hearty as possible, and their labours added much to the success of the day.—[Own Correspondent.]

JiOMBAY V. MANGATAWIIIUJ. The return match between the Bombay Football Club ana Mangatawhiri Club was played at Bombay on Saturday last, August 10, in Mr. J. Wilson's paddock, and resulted in a win for the Bombavites by five points to nil, C. Cornthwaite and H. Piggott each scoring a try in the first spell, each trying at goal, but failed ; in the second spell TO. Smallfield scored another try, whiclfwas converted into a goal by D. Morrow. The visiting team played four men short the first spell.—[Own Correspondent, August 12.]