New South Wales v. Wellington.

Otago Witness, Issue 1611, 7 October 1882, Page 21

New South Wales v. Wellington.

Wellington, September 29th.

The return football match between New South Wales and Wellington was played this afternoon. The Sydney men only arrived at 1.30 p.m., after a rough passage from Lyttelton, and in consequence the match, which it had been intended should commence at 2 p.m., had to be postponed until 3.30. A strong N.W. wind was blowing all day, with threatening showars. A half-holiday was proclaimed in town, but that was not sufficient to draw a large attendance on the ground, it being estimated that 600 were present. The Wellington team was one picked from both country districts and townj George Campbell being the captain. Wellington won the toss for choice of goals, and accept 3d to defend the western end. Raper kicked off, and drove the ball near the Wellington goal, where it was kept for some time. After a scrummage the ball was worked to the opposite end of the field, when Walker, getting hold of it, forced Wellington down. For the first 15 minutes the leather was kept well within the Wellington boundary, although they were doing their level best to save a score. The visitors were making the game very merry, both Walker and Thallon being stopped from scoring when dangerously near to the Wellington line. A scrummage in close proximity to Wellington touch resulted in Flynn getting possession of the ball, and passing through the forwards let fly at the goal, and sent it fair between the posts. — Sydney, four points ; Wellington, nil. The Wellington men, encouraged by calls from the spectators, rushed the ball down the field and several scrummages occurred almost on the Sydney goal-line. The visitors played a plucky game, and although , they could have touched down in self defence refrained from doing so, and contested every inch of ground. It was here that Fligg and Walker showed their superior play, and together they worked the ball to a safe position in the field. Time was now called.

The odds were now laid on Sydney, and it was expected that in the second spell they would increase their lead. Just after the second spell commenced Cooper and two other Wellington men dribbled the ball near the visitors goal, but Walker, or " Jumbo " as he is called, was invincible, and again saved hih team. After this the ball was kept travelling first at one end of the field, and then the other, until M'Latchie, making a capital run, handed the leather to his captain, who ran behind. The kick, which was rendered very difficult owing to the strong wind, was left to Thallon, and he made a splendid effort, the ball dropping close under the bar. Sydney, six points ; Wellington, nil. The game was exciting the greatest interest, each side striving to gain the advantage. Wellington appeared to have a little the best of the scrummages. When half through the second spell, Walker collared the ball and ran right through the field, passing all the Wellington men very easily, and touching-down under the goal -posts. The kick, an easy one, was given to Flynn, but ho made a poor attempt. Sydney, 8 points ; Wellington, nil. From this no further score was made, and the game resulted in favour of Sydney by one goal (kicked from the field) and two tries to nothing. The Wellington men played well, but were no doubt overmatched. The visitors owe the.ir success to the splendid play of Raper (captain), Flynn, Richmond, Fligg, and Walker, the latter especially eliciting cheer after cheer for his excellent defence of the goal. The team left for Napier and Auckland by the Te Anau to night. Owing to their being delayed they are unable to play at Napier.