FOOTBALL. THE AUCKLAND TEAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8595, 10 September 1889, Page 2

FOOTBALL. THE AUCKLAND TEAM.

The Auckland football team were driven in a drag to the Carisbrook ground yesterday morning and had a hard practice for an hour or so. They afterwards were taken in the steamer 1 lucky for a trip to the heads. The voyage down the harbour was an enjoyable one, and upon the heads being reached those who mode the trip disembarked and inspected tho mole Upon the return journey bf the Plucky tho following toasts were honoured:—" The Auckland learn,' proposed by Mr J. H. Morrison, and acknowledged by Mr Wells; » The Otago Rugby lootball Union," proposed by Mr Wells, and acknowledged by Dr Coughtrey ; " The Har!°nu l Oard',',' ProP°sed by Mr R. Chisholm; Thu Press," proposed by Mr F. D. Clayton, and acknowledged by representatives of the Auckland and Duuedin papers. The Rattray street wharf was reached shortly after 6 o'clock In the evening the visitors were the guests of the Otago Rugby Union at the performance by Mr Bland Holt's company of the drama " New Babylon." They were also invited to the Savage Club. A telegram received from Auckland yesterday sayß: "Tho local Rugby Union have arranged with Lecky, M'Lean, and Madigan to go south to join the Auckland footballers' team. They will leave to-morrow morning. The two former men are intended to strengthen the forward division. Madigan will take the place of Jervis, who requires to reto.ro home after the Dunedin match. The committee are condemned for their bad choice of forwards."

TO-DAY'S MATCH,

Tho match Auckland v. Otago, which hasbcen an engrossing topic of conversation among lovers of football for some time, will be played on the Carisbrook ground this afternoon, play commencing at 3.30 p.m. The Otago team will leave the club room at 2.45 and the Auckland team at 3 o'clock. Provided the weather is favourable, there should be a large attendancemore especially as a public half-holiday has been declared, and as railway arrangements have been made to suit the convenience of country residents who may desire to witness tho contest. It will not be out of place to remind our readers that this will be the fifth occasion on which teamß of Auckland and Otago footballers have contended for the mastery. The first match was played in 1875, when an Auckland team visited Dunedin and suffered defeat by 0i points to half a point—force downs in those days counting half a point. la 1877 a drawn game was played in Auckland, and in 1883 a memorable match, played on the Caledonian ground, also resulted in a draw. Then in 1887 the Otago players visited Auckland, and were defeated by a goal and two tries (5 points) to nil. At the present time, therefore, honours are easy between the two provinces. That the visitors will strain every nerve to-day to gaia the rubber cannot bo doubted. It behoves the Otago team to do the same. Each side anticipates that victory will crown its efforts, and a great contest may be looked for; but the Otago players should be specially careful to profit by the warning they received in the other matches that have been played this season on the Carisbrook ground. They must play their best " from tho jump; " there must be no disunited play during the first 20 minutes, as there was against the Natives, or they will find a score registered against them, and upon that score may depend the fate of the match. The Northerners though lighter than the Otago team, have the reputation of being very fast, and very quick and sure at passing. If the Otago team play together from the start, their forwards should be able to win the day for them, but they may rest assured that their opponents will aot be slow to avail themselves of any mistakes they make. In any case, the visitors to the ground need have no fear of being disappointed in the play. The Auckland team will not be chosen till this morning. A friendly match under association rules was K ay™-°« S**us day at Sawy6rs> Bay between the Thistle Club (playing with 10 men) and 16 citizens, and resulted in a win for the club by two goals to one. M'Lachlan, for the citizens, won the toss. The Thistle team kicked off, and pressed the citizens very hard for the first quarter of an hour, scoring one goal, kicked by Groves. After this the play was very fast and even, and just before half time A. Davidson scored a goal for the citizens. The game was much slower for some time in the second spell but gradually got faster, and the Thistle by good play managed to get another goal, kicked by G W. Ross. For the Club all played very well, and for the Citizens M'Lachlan, Davidson (2) Austin, J. Brandham, aud Lawrie in goal did good service. In the evening most of' the players and some of cheir friends met at Waters' Port Chalmers Hotel, and after doing ample justice to an excellent supper they repaired to a room snd spent a very enjoyable evening The match Palmerston First v. Hampden First, played at Palmerston on Saturday last resulted in rather an easy win for the Palmerston team by three goals and five tries (14 points) to nil. The Hampden players averaged a little over 2*st heavier than their opponents: but the Palmerston players, although very light, were considerably superior to the Hampden men m every department of the game The game was entirely confined to Hampden's twenty-hve, and in the first spell Hurndell, R. Goodwin, and A. Dreaversecured tries, from one ' of which a goal was kicked for Palmerston In ' the second spell, with the wind against them, the Palmerston players made matters even live- ! her for their opponents, Ross, Scott, Bruce, Uoodwin, aud Annan scoring tries in rapid sue- ' session. From two of these tries goals were tacked The Palmerston players exhibited the ! best form they have shown this season, the ( Hampden team being considered the strongest ' ihat has yet represented that town. The Pal- ! nerston team owes its win to the excellent inbblmg and passing rushes of its forwards. ' HMJonald, Andrews, and Richmond, played best ' or Hampden. t