FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 843, 27 April 1888, Page 14

FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND PLAYING.' (per press association.) Auckland, April 23. The football season opened on Saturday, when the two matches played by the senior clubs—Ponsoabyv. North Shore and Grafton v. Auckland—were witnessed by a large number of spectators. In the firff-named match, played at Devonport, Ponsouby won by five points to three, whilst at Potter’s paddock Grafton beat Auckland by three tries to one. A number of junior matches were also played. ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH TEAM. Dunedin, April 23. Tho English football team arrived by the Kaikoura to-day. They were met by the representatives of the Rugby Union, and welcomed. On reaching Dunedin, Dr Coughrey, the president, met them, and they were driven in drags to the Grand Hotel. The men are of a splendid physique. They had some practice during the afternoon. Dunedin, April 24. The English football team indulged in some practice to-day, but as the ground was wet very little idea could be formed of their play. They are very confident of being more than able to hold their own in New Zealand. Four or five of their players are exceedingly fast, and this they expect will stand them in good stead. They consider themselves representatives of a Rugby team, as they were selected from about 3000.

The London correspondent of the Auckland Star sends the following particulars of the English team : - London, March 9. I was down at Plymouth yesterday, and witnessed the embarkation of the fine team of English .footballers, who should arrive in your Colony, per s.b. Kaikoura, a few days after receipt of this. It should be distinctly understood that the team is not exclusively English. It is a British organisation of a representative charactor, and tho colors worn will be red, white and blue, and on a cap to match will be a suitable inscription. Each member has been presented with two jerseys and a cap. It is estimated jthat the tour will cost upward of £12,000, and as no effort must bo spared to make its success, secure it is thought that Lillywhite will need the support of Shrewsbury, otherwise the crack Nott3 bat will return to England for the cricket season. Should the latter elect to remain in the colonies his loss as a cricketer will be seriously felt during the ensuing season, not only by his own county, but the country at large. Duriug Shrewsbury’s absence in Australia his numerous admirers have organised a testimonial with which to present him on his retui'n home. The testimonial has been restricted to Nottinghamshire men only, and already nearly £IOO, limited to 5s per subscription, has been raised. But to return to the footballers. Some of the English sporting papers call them a scratch team, and the Rugby Union have placed them under the ban of professionalism. ' The following particulars regarding the team will be of interest:—Backs : J. T. Ha3lam (Yorkshire County and Batlev), age--25 years, height sft 9in, weight list 101 b ; A. Paul (Lancashire and Swinton), age 23, height 6ft, weight 14st 71b. Three-quarter-backs : A. E. Stoddarfc (Blackheath and English International), a splendid kick with both feet, strong fender and runner, the best scorer England Has ; H. O. Speakman (Cheshire and Runcorn), age 22, height sft Sijin,' weight list 121 b , Dr H. Brooks (Durham and Edinburgh University), age 38 ; J. Andertoip (Lancashire and Salford), Half-backs : YV. Burnby (LancashireandSwinton), age 27, height sft 9in, weight list 131 b; J. IN olan (Rochdale Hornets), age 24, height sft 7in, weight list 81b ; YV. Burnett (Roxburgh County and Hawick), age 23, height sft 9in, weight list 71b. Forwards : C. Mathews (Yorkshire and Bramley), age 27, height sft BYin, weight 12st 81b ; S. Williams (Lancashire and Salford), age 26, height sft 9in, weight list 7lb ; T. Banks (Lancashire and Swinton), age 30 ; R. L. Seddon (Lancashire and Swinton), age 26, height sft weight 12st; 11. Eagles (Lancashire and Swinton), age 26, height sft weight list 121 b ; A. J. Stuart (Yorkshire and Dewsbury) ; W. H. Thomas (Cambridge University and W-les), age 21, height sft lliin, weight 13st 71b, an excellent forward, particularly good in the open, always turns up fit ;J. P. Clowes (Yorkshire and Halifax), age 21, height sft BAin, weight list 71b; T. Kent (Lancashire and Salford), age 28, height sft 9in, weight 12st; A. P. Pinbeth (captain, Douglas, Islo of Man F.C.), age 25, height 6ft, weight 12st 121 b ; R. Burnett (Roxburgh County and Hawick), age 26, height sft lOin, weight 12st 81b ; A. J. Laing (Roxburgh, and captain, Hawick), aged 23, height sft lOAin, weight list 111 b; D. J. Smith (Edinburgh Universiiy, Corinthians, and Scottish International), height 6ft 3in, weight 15st; one of the most scientific and best of Association piaj’ers, has captained Scotland for years. Dr Smith will act as umpire, but may occasionally be expected to play.

A largely-attended meeting of members of the Union Football Club was held at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel last Friday, Mr J. McLeary being in the chair. The Treasurer reported that arrangements had been made for the use of the upper flat of Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald’s building for gymnastic purposes. Messrs Palmer, Whiting, and Jeffries, and the secretary (Mr Hyams) were appointed a Gymnasium Committee. Mr G.

Little having resigned tho position of vicecaptain, Mr S. Cockroffc was elected in hia stead. A letter was read from the Sydenham Club, of Christchurch, stating that they would visit Wellington on the 24th May, on which date the match between the two Clubs will take place. It was announced that Mr John Young had resigned tho office of vice-president. Messrs A. R. Hislop and W. F, Roydhouse ivere olected vice-presi-dents. Two new members—Messrs Sheehan and Meek —were elected. The membership of the Club is rapidly increasing, no fewer than twelve members having been elected during the present week. Mr J. YVarbrick (says a Wairarapa paper) has now completed arrangements for taking a Native football team to England. He has the choice of thirty-three eligible players out of which to select his team of twenty. The money for expenses, he says, has been guaranteed in Napier. The team is to leave for the Old Country by the July direct steamer, and is timed to arrive in England on the 22nd September. Letters will probably be received in May acquainting him with the arrangements made at Home for their reception, and the matches'they aro to play. The trial match between fifteen Probables and seventeen Possibles came off at Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon. The whole of the fifteen selected turned up, but there were several absentees on the other side. The game was a very good one, the play, as a rule, being fast and interesting. Early in the first spell the Probable forwards rushed the ball down to the Possibles’ line, and Malcolm, after a short maul with Lightfoot, secured a try. Mclntyre took the kick, but no goal resulted. After this the Possible forwards livened up, and a fine rush, in which Storey, McGleary, and Reader were conspicuous, resulted in a score, the second named player securing a try. No goal resuited. Once more the play was in the vicinity of the colors’ (Possibles’) line, and from a pass by KiDg, Thompson potted a neat goal. Shortly Sfter beginning the second spell Crowell got over the line for the Probables, but Mclntyre failed to convert the try into a goal. A few minutes after this another try was scored for tho fifteen by Williams, the result of smart following up. The kick at goal by Moore was a failure. At this stage the Probables were having much the best of the game, and some very fine passing play took place amongst them, in which Gage, Moore, King, and Moorhouse figured, the latter player finishing up by making a very good attempt to pot a goal. The Possibles rallied a little after this and worked the play down to the (Athens’ side of the field, where Murphy secured a mark, from which Cooper kicked a splendid goal. No further scoring took place on either side. The play of the fifteen as a whole was very good, the backs especially doing well, although Sim at full back wnß a little weak once or twice. On the whole,, however, he proved pretty safe. The two halves—Harden and Moore did capitally, the latter playing with rare dash in the second spell. Harden’s passing was excellent, and in this department of the game he set an example which might be followed with advantage by many of the half-back players in this city. Amongst the three-quarters Gage made one or two serviceable runs, and Thompson also played well. He deserves every credit for the goal he potted in the first spell. Although in a good position, he received the ball from a very bad pass, and was surrounded by opponents when he took the kick. The best game amongst the forwards was played by Cockcroft, Crowell, and King. One or two of the others hardly justified their selection. Amongst tho forwards on tho colors’ side Storey played a brilliant game, his play should certainly entitle him to be reinstated in his old position among the representative forwards. The next best was McCleary, who played capitally. Neither of the wing men, Smith or Muir, was called upon to do much. The back play was very poor, Murphy showing the best form.

The Wellington College - the Union second played a match oni the College ground on Saturday last, the Collegians winning by five points to one. For the winners Tringham potted a goal, and McKelvie and Elliott scored a try each. For the winners, Prebblc scored a try. The Athletic second fifteen sustained a severe defeat at the hands of the St. Patrick’s College team on Newtown Park on Saturday, the latter winning by nine points to nil. * McMahon secured two tries, both of which were converted into goals by Speedy. Roach also secured two tries, and Cooney one. A. match was played at Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon between the Rival and Epuni Clubs. Neither side scored, the game ending in a draw. The Oriental Bay Club held a practice on Saturday, a match being played between fifteen and nineteen. The fifteen won by iivs points to nothing, tries being obtained by Liddal (who also kicked a goal), G. Hill aud A. Smith.

The following team has been selected to represent Otago in the match against the English team, which takes place next Saturday :—Full back, Thomas (Oamaru) ; threequarters, Lynch, Noel and Davie; halves, Thomson and Keogh; forwards, Morris, Morrison, Beck, Tresider, Martin, Hunter, Montgomery, McFarlane and Gibson. A meeting of the Oriental Football Club was held on Tuesday night at Oriental Bay. The following were appointed a Gymnasium Committee :—Bendall, YV. Hill, C. Tringham, G. Hill, and Sanderson. Mr G. S. Hill was appointed treasurer in place of Mr E. D. Dunne, resigned. The following team will represent the Oriental Club against the Athletic second at Island Bay to-morrow : —Sanderson, S. Fraser, Tringham (2), Anderson, G. Hill, Gormley, Hanson, YY. R. Hill, Bendall, Parsons, Liddle, A. YV. Smith, and Collins. Emergencies Forwards, Mitchell and Taylor ; back, Curtis. The ’bus will leave Oriental Bay at 2.15, picking up the Athletic team at 2.30 at the Basin Reserve. Oriental second v. Melrose, at Newtown Park, at 2 p.m. on Saturday :—Dixon, J. McLean, Bolt, Readj R. Smith, C. Jordan, A. Hill, Pearman (2), Robertson, Taylor, Mitchell, Muir, Dempsey, and Baird; emergencies, Prince, H. J. Thomas, and Evans. Mr James Lillywhite has written to the Secretary of the Wairarapa Rugby Football

Union as under:—“Christchurch, 19th April. Dear Sir, —We shall reaoh Wellington, if all goes well, on the morning of the 11th May. The Railway Department debars the chance of our visiting up-country districts by not granting free passes or a big concession on the New Zealand lines.”