FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9270, 4 August 1893, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

WAIKATO RUGBY UNION V. FRANKLIN RUGBY UNION.

The representatives of the above Unions met at l'ukckolic on Thursday afternoon. The game was played during a continual downpour of rain, accompanied with a gale, the ground was in consequence very wet and muddy, making it impossible for the players to hold the ball. The following are the respective teams: —Waikato (maroon and blue): Fullback, G. Welsh; tureeqnarters, G. Lovell, T. Connolly, and J. Wright ; halves, T. Clarkin (captain) and F. Bowclen ; forwards, Sampson, Seddoti, McSweeuey, Montgomery, Peacock, Williamson, Cassidy, .J. Harris, and Edwards. Franklin (blue and black): Full, McGough : threequarters, Corntliwaitc, D. Roulton, ami A. Jainiesou ; halves, Munro, and WatertOU : forwards, Shaw, Blake (wings), McKean ('J), Cummins ('2), Burton, Hyde, W. Luke (captain). Mr. F. J. Ohlson officiated as referee, and Messrs. Jolly and Potter as line umpires. Hamilton won the toss, and Franklin kicked off. Bowden returned, the ball going out. From the throw in Clarkin marked. Walsh returned to centre. Uninteresting play followed. The Franklin boys proving superior in serums the ball was dribbled across, Luke in the van, but Waikato saved. From the kick out play was immediately transferred to the Franklin territory, hard kicking spoiling a score. From the kick out Lovell and Jamieson exchanged kicks, the ball going out. Some tierce scrums ensued on the line, till Waikato dribbled the ball orer, but failed to steady the oval. Blake headed a fine dribbling rush into the enemies' territory, the ball going out. Franklin essayed a passing run, but the backs failed to hold the greasy ball. The Waikatos, with a high wind at their backs, worked the oval back into the local men's territory, but failed to score. Conolly, picking up from a serum near the local '2o's, was thrown out near the corner by Jamieson. For off side on the part of Franklin, by D. Blake, Edwards made a good but unsuccessful attempt at goal. A tine dribbling rush by Waikatos resulted in a force. Shortly after the whistle sounded, the spell ending, neither side scoring. The second spell opened with a sweeping rush by the Franklin forwards, which was stopped by the fullback. Some fine scrums took place in Hamilton territory, till Franklin broke through, A. Shaw securing the ball and registering first blood. The' kick by C. Oornfchwaite was a failure. From the kick out Franklin, with the help of the wind, worked the play back iuto the enemy's quarters, but the visitors' defence was not to be denied. Play was transferred to the centre by a fine (fribbling rush on the part of the visitors, Edwards in the van. Uninteresting play followed _ till the whistle sounded, Franklin winning by two points (one try) to nil. The local forwards were superior to the visitors, carrying most of the scrums. The backs were unable to hold the oval, and trusted to kicking a rolling ball.— [Pokeno correspondent.]

< The Waikato team of footballers arrived in town last evening shortly before eicht o clock. They were met at the railway station by the committee of the Rugby Union and a large number of local players were al«o present. The visitors were driven to the Royal Mail Hotel, where they will stop whilt-i; in town.

On the way down yesterday the journey was broken at Pukekohe, and a match played at Franklin. Contrary to expectation the visitors were defeated by two points to nil The game was played during a continual' downpour of rain. The ground was in such a condition as to render brilliant play out of the question. This afternoon a practice match will be held at Potter's Paddock, and this evening the visitors will attend the performance " Kindled Souls " at the Opera House by the Gourlay- Walton Company. To-morrow afternoon the team meet th* local men at Potter's Paddock. \\>:' will be without the services of ''diet, one of their best forwards, he having become a victim of the measles epidemic. A meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union was held last evening. A slight change has been made in the team to do battle against Waikato. Pennalligen takes the place of Whyte, who is unable to play. A representative team of Auckland foot. bailers leave for Tauranga this evening at seven p.m. They will play a match there on Saturday, returning to town on Sunday morning.

[BY TELEGRAPH.-— PRESS ASSOCIATION,]

Wellington, Thursday. It is improbable that the football match New Zealand Rugby Team v. South Canterbury will take place, the latter Union being unable, to arrange a public holiday before Thursday.