FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 839, 30 March 1888, Page 14

FOOTBALL.

THE ENGLISH EOOTBALL

TEAM.

At the meeting of the Rugby Union a letter was read from Mr Lillywhite relative to the visit of the above team. The writer stated that he would be considerably disappointed if the matches were not played on the Basin Reserve, and he expressed the opinion that football would not be likely to damage the ground. Ho anticipated that the team would reach Dunedin about tha 20fch April, a,ud play there on the 2Sth and Ist May ; Christchurch, May sth and 9th ; Wellington, 12th aud 15th; Nelson possibly, but Napier likely, 17th, and, if possible, Auckland on the 19th. and 24th. The team would be a strong one, nine international players having promised, provided business matters would permit, to accompany the team, and by a cable message he had learned that as many first-class players as they wished would eomo. The letter was referred to the Management Committee.

Tho first meeting of the Oriental Football Club was hold at Oriental Bay last week. There was a large attendance, about 35 members being present, and Mr W. R. Hill was inthechair. It was decided to join the Welling, ton Ru“by Football Union and to enter for the Junior Cup. Messrs W. R. Hill, E. D. Dunne and J. P. Triugham were appointed delegates to the Association. The colors adopted were black and white. It was announced that the club would have the use of one of Mr Tringham’s paddocks at Newtown. Two members of the English cricket team mow in New Zealand were to have been in the English football team—Messrs Bmith and Braun. Mr Smith, however, has received a cable message calling him Home, and will not be able to visit us again. Mr Braun has also decided not to join. Mr Shrewsbury will stay behind for the purpose of attending to business in .connection with the football team.

The Secretary of the Poneke Club received a telegram from the Secretary of the East Christchurch Club on Saturday night, stating that the latter Club had definitely decided to visit Wellington to-morrow (Saturday.) Tho match between the two clubs will therefore take place on that day. A practice match was played at Newtown Park on Saturday between the Poneke and Union Clubs, the former winning by a goal aud a try to nil. Muir and Mclntyre secured tries, and Ellison kicked a goal from the former’s.

Two matches will be played at Newtown Park to-morrow, namely, Merivale (Christchurch) v. Union, and' Poneke v East Christchurch. On Easter Monday the Poneke will meet Merivale, and there is a probability of a match being arranged between the East Christchurch and Union Clubs for that date. The Ponoke Club will, be represented by the following players in their match against the East Christchurch Club on Saturday : Backs Sim, Gage, Moorhouse, Merlot, Barr and .Moore ; forwards—Muir, Dixon, Astill, Broderick, Beck, Ellison, Williams, Mclntyro and Nicholls. Emergencies— Back, W. Dixon ; forward, Reich.