FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9467, 11 September 1889, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE AUCKLAND FOOTBALLERS. MA TCH AT DUNEDIN. TII E RESULT A DRA W. Owing to telegraphic communication with Dunedin being partially interrupted yesterday no news of the football match was received beyond the fact that the game ] m d resulted in a draw, each side securing a goal. TAURANGA V. MERCURY BAY. [BY TELICGRAFII. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Tauhanoa, Tuesday.— The long-talked-of football match between Mercury Bay and Tauranga took place to-day on the Domain here. Considerable interest was manifested in the game, and both sides were expected to put strong teams into the field. 1 lie afternoon was very fine, but a strong wind was blowing across the ground. Tauranga was represented by F. Robertson, fullback; H. Tanner, A. Robinson, and Mansell, threequarters; J. Tanner, J. Jordan, F. Warbrick (captain), halfbacks; J. Darrigh, J. C. Mansoil, W. Turner, A. Hand, J. Hand, W. Rusdeiij R. Dowell. and C. Sutherland, forwarils. Mercury Bay playedll. Eyre, full; T. Buchanan, T. Edinotul, and J. Eyre, threefjuartcrs; YV. Rvan. IT. Edinond, W. Cleaver, halves ; and \V. Conway (captain), T. McGregor, \V. Cowie, I). Peebles, W. Billings, H. Owen, Albert White, and Alexander White, forwards. The Mercury Bay team won the toss, and Tauranga kicked off". Some sharp play resulted in a fine run by H. Tanner being brought to ground by I l *. Edmond. The play then kept in the Mercury Bay 20, when a fine show of scoring by Joe Tanner was stopped by off side play being called. The Mercury Bay team by hard play brought the ball into the Tauranga quarters, which were relieved by some fine work and a beautiful exhibition of passing by the Taurauga players. Good play was exhibited by each side, the ball being alternately in Tauranga and Mercury Bay quarters, till a long kick for Edmonds was returned by W. Robinson for Tauranga, and some fast following up resulted in a touch down near the side line by Jordan. The kick wast an exceedingly difficult one, nevertheless H. Tanner scored a goal from it for Tauranga. The kick was such an exceedingly splendid one that friends and opponents alike cheered. >Some fust play resulted tjll half-time was called. Shortly before this Ryan got hurt severely, but piuckily took his place again after a short, spell. The second half-hour was full of free and fast play, the Mercury Bay team having slightly the best of it till some quick play Iwouglit the ball into the Mercury Bay quarters, and Jon Tanner by ;i lino fending run got in and touched down. The kick, a diilieult one, was taken by H. Tanner, but the ball passed a foot outside the post. No further score was made, and the game resulted in Tauranga winning by a goal and try to nil. The game was a most pleasant and enjoyable one throughout, the Mercury Bay showing an unexpected strength and staying power, and if they had been able to bring their full strength it would have been even a closer game. Jn the evening the visiting team were entertained at a luncheon and to a performance given by the Amateur Athletic Club.

COUNTRY MATCHES. ALBEKTLAND V. WAKKWOKTII. Oil Saturday, the 21th inst., in consequence of a challenge from the Albertland Football Club, the Warkworth club mustered a team to meet tiioin at F. Grimmer'a paddock, but at the time fixed only seven Albertlauders made their appearance, to the disappointment of the Warkworth men. However, a scratch match was played with borrowed men. R. Hawkins captained the Warkworth, and F. Hurst the visitors, and after an exciting game, time was called with the result of nine points to the credit of Albertland, and one to Warkworth. Cheers were given by each to the opposing sides, and an adjournment was nude to Harrison's boarding house, when full justice was done to an excellent supper, well prepared and served ; after which an enjoyable social evening was spent with song, speech, and smoke.—[Own Correspondent.]

I'AI'AKUKA V. BOMBAY. On Saturday, August 24, the Bombay F.C. journeyed to f'apakura by Mr. K. S. White's brake,"to try conclusions with the Papakura b\C, und had a very pleasant game, which resulted in a win for Bombay by six points to three. During the first spell J. Wilson and Similllield scored for Bombay. Both kicks at goal were a failure. H. Wilson, got a try for Papakura, which W. Wilson converted into a goal. In the second spell the Bombay backs, by good passing and running, pressed the Papaknra boys hard, and but for the pod defensive play of W. Wilson would have scored on several occasions. T. Douoyan at last got across their line, which Morrow converted into a goal. Soon after the kick oil' Sturgeon again scored, but the kick at goal was unsuccessful. For the losers Wilson (2), Avery, McLennon, Clow, and Harrison played a good game, while for the winners strong, Lnwry, Donovan, Cornthwaite, and Andrews played well. The visitors were entertained in the evening at a dinner and smoke concert in the Public Hall, and a most enjoyable evening was spent by all. As the visitors departed Papakura gave them three cheers, and they responded with three cheers and " For thev are jolly good fellows." —[A Correspondent.] OPUNAKI V. MAXOAWKARE. A football match, Opiumki versus Mangawliare, was played on the latter ground ou Saturday. The game was played in heavy rain, and the ground was a sea of slush. Mangawliare started with three men short, but with the wind and rain behind them. They soon found that Opunaki would give them plenty to do, for the latter by a splendid rush took the ball down the field and over the Mangawhare line, where Willis secured a try. No goal resulted. A few minutes later Te Hera made a good run to within a couple of yards of the Mangawhare line, where he was thrown into touch. From the throw in Ouuuaki rushed the ball over the Hue, but, after sone hesitation, it was given no try. Soon after this two recruits joined Mangawhare, who played the rest of the game one man short. During the second spoil Opunaki still had the upper hand in the game, and pressed their opponents hard. A. Heather played a splendid game throughout at halfback; Lowrie also did well. Willis, amongst the forwards, was good ; so were some of the natives whose names 1 failed to get. The Opunaki team comprised twelve natives. For Mangawhare C. Matthews was very good, while forward. He dribbles well, and is very dangerous at times. He played well on side. Cunningham made one or two good rushes on the same side, while Stevens made a good threequarter back. The game ended : Opunaki, 1 ; Mangawhare, nil. Messrs. Coutts (referee) aiid P. J. Darßaville and Stallworthy (umpires) were the officials. The visitors returned to the Kaihu Valley by the afternoon train. — [Aratapu Correspondent.!