THE MATCH WITH AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1343, 25 August 1877, Page 17

THE MATCH WITH AUCKLAND.

[By. Telegraph.] (from our special reporter.) Auckland, August 16th. The football match with the Taranaki men did not come off, owing to the impossibility of coming ,to reasonable terms with them. Captain Dirou, considering that nearly all his men had been prostrated b/ seasickness, very wisely declined to play for more than one hour, which was met by counter demands by the Taranaki men for a two hours' game, on the ground that Dunedin had played the Christchurcu for that time. Thiß the Dunedin men declined to allow as any precedent, the length of the game always being a matter of arrangement between the two captains. The end of it wa3 that no game eveatuated, and on viewing the ground the Dimedin tean congratulated themselves that such was the result of the conference, it simply not being fit to play on. It is difficult to understand the ferling which dictated the course that the Taranaki team adopted, as surely a one-hour game would have proved which was the better team. It is to be hoped that if at any future period a visiting football team from any of the larger towns cali at the little vilJage of Taranaki they will meet with more consideration and courtesy than has beeu Bhown the Duuedin representa- , tives. The Dunedin footballers reached Auckland yesterday afternoon, and were met by a large number of Auckland representatives, and driven up to town in style. During the night heavy showers of rain fell, and morning brought forth a dull sky, and repeated falls of ram throughout the day. The respective teams wero driven ont to Ellerslie. The average weights of the two teams respectively were — Auckland, 11. stone 3 lbs ; Dunedio, 11 stone. Auckland won the toss, and the ball was kicked off by Captain Dixon— the duration of the game to be two hours. It is almost impossible to specify any individual play. Owing to the state of the ground the whole of the play was confined to the forwards, and it waa generally allowed that the Dunedin men carried off the palm. During the first h»lf hour, two force-downs were scored by Auckland, but the Dunedin men rallying after that, managed to secure three in the next half hour. The kicking of the Auckland backs waa splendid, and, without doubt, saved them from defeat. After half-time, the Auckland men, by a good rush, managed to secure another force down, and during the ' last half hour the excellent coudition of the Dunedin men told, and two more force- downs were obtained by their men. The result of the match was a drawn game. Certainly, it was the most evenly contested match ever played in Auckland. During the game, each side gained a disputed touch-down. After hearty cheers, the combatants separated, and the visitors were entertained at a dinner at the Albert Hall. (FROM OUR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.) In the football match to-day, sides were very equal, Auckland won the toss, and elected to kick with the wind. Dunedin accordingly kicked off. Play for first quarter of an hour was vory level. Danedin men were capital in the scrimmages, and played together admirably, but Auckland kicking was superior. Wood, Nolan, and Robinson were moat prominent on the Auckland side, and Rose, Dixon, and Cargill for Dunedin! k Twice Rose atd Dixon got well away with the ball, but the embraces of Robinson were

too much for them. First bout was finished without any score on either side — Dunedin being forced down. In bout two Dunedin had a. little advantage, but it was no more than could be accounted for by the wind. The acrimmagea were many and cloae. The straggle began to be more manifest jiwfc before the close of this half-hour, when there was a determined , scrimmage right in the Auckland goal line, aud a touch-down was only just saved. Time was called directly afterwards. No scores on either side. Bout three— Auckland began thi3 well, and seemed to have taken a lesson out of their enemies' book, as they laced together in the scrimmages better, and played a close game. The third bout was finished, as the others, without any score on either side. Henderson, Nolan, and Shakspere were now very conspicuous on the Auckland side, while Rose, Neville, and M'Einnon did well for Dunedin. A magnificent scrimmage took place in this bout. It was near the Auckland end, and lasted fully ten minutes. , Dunedin eventually forced it through,, but Auckland half- backs were on it at once. King, of Auckland, at last had a good run, but the ground was against him, and he came to grief very soon. In the fourth bout Dunedin seemed likely to pull off .victory, twice forcing Auckland down, but to no purpose, the game ending in a draw, without scoring, '

(FKOK A CORRESPONDENT.) , . Drawn game, splendid match, Dunedin slightly the best of it.