LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1701, 28 June 1884, Page 21

LAND AND WATER.

FOOTBALL.

Then strip, lads, and to it, though sharp bo tho weather, And if by mischance you should happen t-> /a'l, Thero are worse things in life than a tumble on ■heather, And life in itself but a game at football.

FIX PURE 1. June 98.— ZinRari v. Montecillo, at Minteoillo. June 28. -Piia'e* v. Gieeu Island, at Buroside. June 28.— Dunediu Second v. Port Chalmois First, at ' ' Port Chalmers. June 28 —Union Second v. Pirateg Second, at Asylum gr und. June 28.— Eingari Second v. Montecillo Second, at Ay utn groui d. June 28. — Christchurch v. East Ohristchurch. July.— Union v. East Ohriatohurcn, at Christchurch.

NOTES BY FORWARD.

Steps are being taken to present Mr Sleigh, who had the management of the New Zealand team in New South Wales, with a suitable testimonial. , Five handsome gold medals have been obtained by the Orago Union for Messrs Taiaroa, Braddon, O'Donnell, Allan, and Robertson, the provincial representatives.

Tho Dunedin Club had an easy victory over the Zingari on Saturday, winning by a goal and two tries to nothing. The game was pretty evenly contested in the first spell, but in the second the dark blues showed a marked superiority over their opponents, who, directly the first try was secured ,by Milne, seemed to lose all heart. Oooke kicked a splendid goal from the try, and followed up his success by gaining try No. 2 for his side. Rattray afterwards got in, but the tries from both touchdowns were failures. The Dunedin backs played in much better style than their opponents, and the forwards too, especially Rattray and Milne, were much superior in the art of dribbling. On the northern ground the Union and Montecil'o Clubs met, but the ground was in such a fearful state and so encroached upon by the .crowd that it was almost impossible to score. Ross in the first spell made a good run, and would have 'certainly got in were it nob that his progress was impeded by the crowd ; and in the fcecond spell Bee made a grand attempt at potting a goal, the ball juat goiug a few feet wide. In the first spell the Union were on aeveral oocasions very hard pressed, principally owing to ' the good

play of Bannafcyne and 0. Leith ; but in the second spell they more than held their own, and the hall was very seldom in their twenty - five. Johnson, as half back, played remarkably well ; as did also the three quarter backs, and Chapman, Henderson, Kroon, Thurgarland, Trotter, and Nicol among the forwards. The manner in which the last-named player collared Noel, the Montecillo crack, on several occasions was highly amusing. Bannatyne's kicking, especially when under difficulties, was much admired. Of the other players Dallas, Fox, Cowie, and two or three others who were not easily distinguishable owing to the mud, showed up biilliantly at times. The Union Second were defeated by the High School boys by a goal and a try to a try. The" play of the school forwards completely puzzled their opponents. M'Lean, M'lntyre, and Hally distinguished themselves, while on the other side Drabble, Stohr, and Fulton were most conspicuous. The senior club played one man short, an erstwhile first fifteen man feeling so slighted by being put in the second team that he refused to play, certainly not a very commendable action.

.There seems very little likelihood of getting over the difficulty of the interposition of the crowd on the Northern ground while matches are being played. The Union Club has applied for permission to erect three or four posts for the purpose of roping off the ground, and that truly wonderful body the City Council has refused the application.

"Poster," in the Daily Times, Rives the following description of the second match : —

NEW ZEALAND V. NEW SODTH WALES.

This, the second contest between these Colonies, was played on the Association ground, Sydney, on Saturday, June 7, resulting in another easy win for New Zealand by three goals and three tries to one try, or 21 points to two. Messrs Carter, Davy, Dumbell, ' and Lecky stood out of the New Zealand team, and S. Chapman captained the New South Welshmen, who were supposed to be a better all-round set of men than their confreres who played on the 31st May. Mr E. Day umpired for New Zealand, Mr R. Arnold for New South Wales, and Mr S. E. Sleigh was referee. New ' South Wales winning the toss, elected to play with the sun at their backs. The weather was decidedly warm, but there was no wind blowing. Some GOOO to 7000 spectators, including many ladies, were present. The splendid band of the "Naval Brigade played throughout the afternoon. Shortly after 3 o'clock Millton led bis men, dressed in the now dreaded dark blue, into the arena ; the Welshmen, attired in green, following close on their footsteps — both teams being received with the heartiest applause. The keenest interest was taken in the game by all present, and, as in every game played by the New Zsalanders in this country, the spectators were most impartial in their applause — the running of Taiaroa, Warbrick, and Ryan — the grand kicking of the two last named — the splendid dribbling and all-round play of the Blue forwards, and above all the wonderfully accurate passing, being greatly admired by the onlookers. One noticeable feature in the game was that when the Blues were pressed on their lines (and they were placed in that position several times in the first spell) their opponents seemed unable to take advantage of the situation, due slightly to their selfish play and lack of combination. The kicking of the New South Welshmen - especially the potting at goal— was of a very secondrate order. Thanks to the lesson taught them by the Blues in previous matches, the wearers of the Green passed well at times, especially so on the part of the brothers Chapman, who are recently out from Home. I forgot to state in my former accounts that, with the exception of Robertson (Blackheath) and Braddon (Dulwich College), all the New Zealanders learnt their football in New Zealand. This fact speaks volumes for the rapid strides Rugby football has made in New Zealand. And now for a slight description of the present game. Shortly after 3 o'clock Millton kicked off, and the ball was well returned to the Blues' twenty-five. Helmore ran to the centre of the ground, where, after some tight scrummaging, Taiaroa, from a catch, had a free but fruitless eh«t at goal. Robertson effected a dribble. Then Ryan potted at goal without effect. Owing to capital passing Robertson gained a try, which Ryan enhanced by placing a goal (s—o). The Greens now invaded their opponenta' twenty- five, whence the ball was taken by passing tactics to mid-field. Braddon at times was pressed, but invariably returned the ball in grand style. Later the Blues were rushed, -and the ball was kept near their goal for »ome time, and, owing to Belcher potting at goal, New Zealand was foraed down for the first time. E. Millton and Robertßon effected a good combined dribbln, but the leather was again returned to the New Zealand twentyfive, where some forward struggling ensued. O'Connor made a good run to the half-way flag. After some scrummaging Sweetland came to thu fore with a good run for New South Wales. Taiaroa now made aslashing run, all but scoring, amidst considerable excitement. Cleeve, for New South Wales, carried the ball out of danger ; but the Bines, headed by O'Connor and E. Millton, rushed the New South Wales lines, and Helmore gaining possession of the ball, thanks to grand passing, got a try. No goal resulted (7 to 0). After this proceeding Taiaroa and Warbrick in turn nearly got in. Graham saved the New South Wales lines by' kicking down the field, and Oxley following up, ran to New Zealand lines, where H. Fligg, owing to erratic passing by the Blues, got the ball and gained a try for his side. No goal was kicked (7 to 2). New South Wales kicked off in the second spell, the ball being well returned by Braddon to mid-flag, A grand rush of Blue forwards and the Welshmen were penned on their lines. Warbrick made a short runj and later Taiaroa scored. No goal ensued from this try (9 to 2). A few minutes later a good pass by Allan to O'Donnell enabled the latter to score ; but again no goal was kicked (11 to 2). After the kick-out O'Connor made a grand run to his adversaries' twenty- five. Later, Ryan ran splendidly. The New South Wales men rallied, and reached the Blues' "twenty- five. The ball was soon dribbled back by the Blue forwards, and Warbrick seizing it, ran in, but the score was disallowed. A rush by the Greens forced their opponents to touch down in defence. This was a last spasmodic effort on the part of the New South Welshmen, who seemed thoroughly pumped out. O'Donnell, Allan, and Warbrick all had short runs, and Wilson getting the ball, passed to O'Connor, and from a try by the last-named Ryan kicked a goal (16—2). By quick play Taiaroa again scored, and again Ryan kicked a splendid goal. This work brought the game to a close, with the result already mentioned— three goals and three tries for Now Zealand against one try for New South Wales, or 21 points to 2, — bunging tha New Zealand ."-core in the five matches played up to date 117 points to 7.

Iteiiirn of the lS T e»v Zealand Football

Team. Wellington, June 23.

The Representative Football Team, with the exception of. Messrs O'Donnell and Braddon,

who remain in Austialia, returned this morning. The proposal to play a match here has fallen through." The shipping in harbour was gaily decorated to day iv honour of the victorious tour of the team. The Southern men proceed homo to-morrow, and the Auckland representatives will probably leave by the Hinemoa on Thursday.