Football.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 285, 14 July 1877, Page 21

Football.

The football club had a meeting on Thursday to choose the team which is to play the Wanganui " kickists " on Saturday at Wanganui. The following team was selected : —Pollen, Chapman, Thomson, Major, Budge, Welsh, Nixon, Brandon, Mclvor, Fitz Gerald, Churton, Gordon, Speed, Kreeft, Cooper, Hickson (emergency). The team left by the Manawatu at 6.30 p.m. last night. FOOTBALL MATCH—NELSON V. WELLINGTON COLLEGE. The football match—Nelson v. Wellington —took place on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large body of spectators. The rival teams met at half-past two o'clock, but play did not commence till 3 o'clock. Each side found its supporters, those of Nelson being strongest, owing to their weight and uniformity of build. From the commencement of the game the Nelson team had the best of it, and with the exception of the half-point at the finish successfully defended their goal. It was arranged to play "four twentys," and the game started shortly after 3, the ball being in the vicinity of the red goal for some time, till kicked by Vickerman. It was brought out, but again quickly returned by "Vickerman, Nelson thus scoring one point. During the next twenty the charges were frequent and the scrimmages fierce, but the Reds atill lost ground, several of the youngsters

being afraid of their heavier opponents. Martin's play was good, but as he was not backed up, it failed in effectiveness. In the third twenty the Blues scored their first touch-down, which Askeir failed to goal, Webb played back, but failed to retrieve the fortunes of the day, the back play of the Nelsons being good. During the final twenty Wellington played better, but were not moie successful—Martin, Pell, and Taylor kicking very well, but, the forwards failing to follow up (Cooper excepted), without avail. Nelson again secured the ball, and took it behind the Reds' goal, but in the try failed. Score: Nelson, 8 ; Wellington, 0. Webb now roused his team, himself doing wonders, and by hard struggles drove the ball behind Nelsou goal, thus scoring first blood to Wellington. But the effort was of little good, as time was called, and the game ended—Nelson. 8 ; Wellington, \. Our boys played very pluckily, but were outweighted from the start. The new system of scoring by points was used to prevent a draw. The rival teams were entertained at the College by Mr. Wilson, and, after a pleasant evening, went on board for home.