FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6684, 19 September 1882, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NEW SOUTH WALES v, WEST COAST. The match between the New South Wales football team and a team from the West Coast of the North Island took place yesterday afternoon at Newtown Park, and after a well fought game resulted in another victory far the Australians. The ground was in good order, and the weather was all that could have been desired for a contest of the kind. So much interest was taken in the match by the general public that a great many offices were closed after the luncheon hour, while the Civil servants also had a half holiday, As the Sydney men had to leave by thes.s. Manapouri for Christchurch at 5 p.m., the game was commenced at 2 o’clock, and it was decided to play two spells of forty minutes each. Before the tine announced for the kick-off there were seven or eight hundred persons on the ground, and towards the middle of the game the number present could not have been less than fifteen hundred, while a great many more contented themselves with what could be seen of the play from points of vantage outside the Park fence. The tram-cars were all densely packed, although the Company had apparently made arrangements to accommodate the increased traffic, while nearly all the cabs in Wellington seemed to have been brought into requisition to convey visitors to the ground. The New South Wales team was captained by Raper, and the West Coast team by P. G. Smith. The Wanganui men were, on the whole, heavier than their opponents, though in the ranks of the New South Welshmen were the two heaviest weights on the ground—Raper and Walker. Very soon after 2 o’clock the ball was kicked off by R. G. Smith, and the game began. During the first ten minutes the West Coast men kept the ball near the New South Wales goal, and distinctly had the best of the forward play. The Australians, however, were perhaps suffering from the result of Saturday’s game, and the shaking they received while sight-seeing round the country on Sunday. It was not until the game had proceeded for a quarter of an hour that they began to really warm to their work. P. G. Smith, the Wanganui captain, played, as usual, a tremendously hard forward game, continually obtaining the ball and getting away with it in an admirable manner. He was well seconded by Willy and the two Baylys, who as backs fully sustained the reputation they brought with them. Upon several occasions the Wanganui men were within an ace of scoring, and, if it had not been for the excellent collaring of the New South Wales’ backs, they would have got in. Unfortunately for them, however good the run was, and however close to the goal-line of their opponents the ball was got, it was always finished by a good collar. Paper, the New South Walej captain, played with his usual strength, and certainly, during the first fifteen minutes, he appeared to have more life in him than any of his comrades —upon several occasions saving a score against his side. As the play went oa, Smith made a splendid run, passing the ball to Powell, who also made an admirable run, and again passed to Smith, who got away with the ball a second time ; but the ball was brought out of danger by Fligg, whose back play was just as good as it was on Saturday,,and clearly the best that has been seen here. Flynn backed him up well, and Baylis showed seme very superior play in dodging. The Wanganui forwards, who were playing with immense strength, again succeeded in getting the ball towards their opponents’ goal, and Smith, who seemed to be always on the spot, was away with it, again passing to G. Bayly, the great half-back who did such admirable service in 1879 in the matches between Wellington and Christchurch, and Wellington and Dunedin. He made a fine run, and, passing all the New South Wales forwards, succeeded in getting a touch-down for Wanganui—the first score made! Forsomereason (wethinkbeoausotheball was improperly taken out) he was not allowed to have the usual kick at goal, and the ball was scrimmaged off the quarter distance. Nevertheless, by this touch-down, Wanganui scored two points. Time was then called. When the second forty minutes was commenced, Raper kicked off, with! a long low kick, sending the ball well among the Wanganui backs. It was quickly returned by the younger Bayly, who plays with less judgment than his brother, but will no doubt equal him in time, Fligg obtained the ball, and made a magnificent run, dodging in a moat extraordinary manner through the ranks rf the opposing team. He was heartily applauded by the onlookers, whose sympathies appeared to be pretty equally divided between the two teams. Fligg was well collared by Willy, but he passed the ball in his usual smart style to Raper, who male another excellent run, but was well collared by Fowell, who returned the ball among the Sydney backs. Thallon, for New Sooth Wales, here placed himself well among the Wanganui backs, and when the ball was kicked by his own aide iu his direction, he waited until it had touched one of the Wanganui half-backs, and then seizing it ran off with it towards the Wanganui goal. This we consider to have been one of the worst features in the whole day’s play, for we do not in the Rugby game desire to see any such resemblance to the Victorian rules, in which there is no such thing as “off side." The result of this play of Thallon’s was that Raper obtained the ball close to the Wanganui goal, and, running as powerfully as he always does, he “ got in,’’ scoring a touch-down for New South Wales. During this bit of play there was immense excitement among the unljokers. Thallon took the kick, and made a goal. This was the first score for New South Wales, and the game stood—one goal (6 points), to one try (2 points). When the ball was brought into play again Raper made another excellent mo, being well backed up by Fligg. He was, however, splendidly collared by G. Bayly, and they fell together. In riaing, Raper’s head struck Bayly just above the right eye, giving him a nasty knock, and causing him to leave the field, although the injury was by no means serious. The other Bayly obtained the ball, and returned it well, but Raper again was to the fore, and bringing it down with a good run, passed to Fligg, who dodged in and scored another touch-down. Thalloa was again entrusted with the place, but this time he missed. The score now stood S to 2. As _ soon as ; the ball was brought out again it was at once apparent that Bayly's absence was felt, not only weakening but disheartening the Wanganui men, who did not play towards the close of the match with half the spirit they showed at the beginning. New South Wales had all the best of the game now, and in spite of the repeated efforts of Willy and Fowell,

who were playing with great spirit and made some very good runs, and the excellent collaring of two or three of the Wanganui forwards, the New South Wales backs continually got away with the ball in a most surprising manner, and Flynn, after a beautiful run, secured a third touch-down for New South Wales. The place was again entrusted to Thallon, who is undoubtedly the place kick of the team, but he missed. The score now stood 10 to 2, and it was not increased on either guide, ' although the backs of both teams made repeated and most valiant efforts to score again. Baylis in particular, on the New South Wales side, distinguished himself by his remarkable dodging, and, as “ Jumbo ” remarked, “He is a bit of a rocket.” After one of his runs Hill, of New South Wales, got a touch-down, but it was not allowed, and the ball was brought back and scrimmaged off close to the Wanganui goal. Rowell obtained it and made the run of the day upon the Wanganui side, suoceediug in getting the whole length of the field. He passed to Willy, who also ran for a short distance, but was soon spoiled by Raper. Soon after this the game was finished in the middle of the ground, the result being that the New South Wales team were the victors by 10 points to their opponents 2. The game, on the whole, was not quite such a pleasant one as that played on Saturday. It was more noisy, and there was more disputing, but yet nothing in the shape of bad temper was shown. The Wanganui men undoubtedly had the best of it at the beginning, and several of the New South Wales, backs were heard to say that they would not wonder if they were beaten. The superior condition and science of the Sydney men, however, told in the long run, and won them the day.

By i o’clock a start was made for town, and the New Sooth Welshmen were escorted to the steamer by one of the largest crowds we have seen on the wharf for many a day. The utmost enthusiasm prevailed, and it was very evident that the visitors had succeeded in making themselves very popular during their brief stay in Wellington. Shortly before the steamer left there was a constant interchange of playful remarks between the departing team and their numerous frieuds on the wharf, and hearty cheers were given by both sides. As the splendid steamer moved off, “Auld Lang Syne” was snog. It is generally hoped that nothing will occur to prevent the Sydney men playing a return match here. As mentioned yesterday, such is their present intention. THE OTAGO TEAM. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, September 18. Otago, in the football match with New South Wales, will be represented by Rose, Crawshaw, Murray, W. Allan, Taiaroa, James Allen (captain), James Allan, Austin, Brown, Chapman, Forster, Fox, Hamer, Nicol, Wyincks.