THE ENGLISH TEAM AT AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1921, 14 September 1888, Page 27

THE ENGLISH TEAM AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, September 8.

The football match between the English players, who are touring the colonies, and a team of Auckland representatives took place to-day at the Tramway Company's ground, Epsom, when the Englishmen won by 3 points (a goal) to nil. The weather was beautiful and the ground in good condition. About 7000 people were present. The teams were as telegraphed last night. The visitors were captained by A. E. Stoddart, whilst T. O'Connor was captain of the Auckland men. The umpires were J. Arneil for Auckland, Dr Smith for Englttid, aad the referee was T. Macky. Bach of the Englishmen wore a badge of crape round his left arm out of respect for the memory of their late captain, R. Seddon. The game throughout was a very fine one, being toughly contested, especially in the first spell. Particularly conspicuous in the play of the Englishmen was their captain, Stoddart, whose dodgy runs and excellent pots with his quick following up were generally admired. Brooks' game was a good one, his fending and collaring being noticeable, whilst the other three-quarter back, Haslam, did no mean service. Bumby and Speakraan played well, and of the forward division Eagles, Paul, and Stewart were the best. The smart punting and following of the visitors were invaluable in clearing their lines on several occasions when a score on the part of the Auckland men seemed certain, and now and then some beautiful passing was shown. The Aucklanders made a much better stand than was anticipated, their team being considered a weak one. Their forwards proved themsft'.VLS a strong combination, — O'Connor, M'Kenzie, Hobson, and Stewart, being a powerful quartette ; and Hefferman, whose first appearance it was as a representative, played well. Of the backs Herrold, Braund, Stephenson, and Meldrum, showed splendid form.

Auckland won the toss and chose to play with the wind and sun in their favour. Paul kicked off and Masefielcl returned, when Haslam sent the ball down to Stephenson. From a scrum the latter player passed to Braund, and he to Hobson, who scut it to Lecky, from whom it was passed to Gould, and then filasefield kicked it out of bounds. Loose play followed, and another piece of fine passirig by the Auckland players took the ball to England's twenty-five, when some punting work was done, and rushes by the Englishmen cleared their lines, and carried the ball up to their opponents' twenty-five. The leather was handed to Stoddart, who took a pot at goal, which, however, went wide of the mark, and Meldrum forced down. A series of scrums resulted, and a bit of smart passing by Bumby to Stoddart, and he to Brooks, enabled the latter to kick well down, when the Auckland forwards, at the head of whom were M'Kenzie and Hobson, took the leather out of their territory, their rush being beautifully stopped by Brooks in centre field. Here Stoddart made a great run, but was brought down in Auckland's twentyfive; and Stewart by a neat punt again relieved the local players' lines. Give and tako play ensued for some time, the game being very even, and rushes ou either side being cleverly stopped. A kick by Masefield and fast following up by the Auckland men took the ball to Euglaud's territory, and Speakman picking up passed to Stoddart, who nonplussed Meldrum and potted at goal from the twenty-five flag. He failed, the ball rising high, and Braund forced down for Auckland. Stoddart was loudly applauded. Auckland had the best of the play for several minutes, and then Herrold, taking the ball from the throw in, made a fine run through the English backsand passed to Meldrum, who tookib a little further on, and was thrown intotoucha few yards from the English line. Fierce play followed, the local men making determined attempts to get in, and Leckie and Meldrum almost got across, whilst a dribble by M'Kenzie was only stopped on the line. Eventually Bumby, by a good run and a pass to Speakman, got, the ball past the half-way flag, when Herrold picked it up and made a grand run to the English twenty-five, passing all their backs. He passed to Stephenson, who failed to catch, and Brooks smartly kicked into touch in goal, preventing an almost certain score on the part of the Auckland men. Further give and take play ensued, and then O'Connor by a fine dribble took the ball to the twenty-five flag. Eagles replied with a long run, and play centred in the Auckland twentyfive. A run by Anderton gave Stoddart a chance again, and he almost got in, but M'Kenzie by fast following up cleared his line. Bumby passed to Btoddart, who made another good but unsuccessful pot, at goal, and Auckland again forced down. From the kick off Auckland got up a fine rush, carrying the play to England's twenty-five. Brooks punted, and Ryan marked. Taking the ball past the half-way flag he took a splendid shot, but the ball dropped just under the bar. England forced down, and half-time was called, there being no score on either side.

The second spell was opened by O'Connor kicking off for Auckland, the local men having the sun iv their face. Speakmau secured a mark, and kicked into touch at Auckland's side of the centre flag. The Auckland forwards got a fine rush on and worked the ball up the field, but it was carried down again, and Braund then commenced a neat dribble which was stopped at' the half-way flag, where Sloddart and Braund exchanged kicks. Shortly after Stoddart got the ball from a back pass and gained much applause by the manner in which he fended several of his opponents, but he did not gain much ground, and after some good passing by the Englishmen, a punt by Stoddarb sent the leather into Brauud's hands, the latter, after a dashing run, being brought down by Haslam. Good work by both forward divisions took the ball to and fro, and considerable time wa& here spent in packing scrums, Eagles, Stoddart, Haslam, Lecky, Meldrum, Stsphcnson, and Heffernan working well for their respective colours. Eventually Auckland had twice to force dowu, in one case because of an unsuccessful kick at goal from the field by Speakmau. After uninteresting play Speakman igain got the ball from a pass given him at Auckland's twenty-five line, and he made a short run opposite the posts and kicked a beautiful goal, gaining for England the first aud only score of the match. England, 3 ; Auckland, 0. From the kick off O'Connor dribbled the ball, which was at length worked into the Englishmen's twenty-five. A good deal of scrum and collaring work was again done until Braund passed to Stephenson, who made a good run along the touch line, but was thrown out by Stewart. The English forwards swept the ball on into Auckland's twenty-five, where Brooks kicked out, Lecky and Gould having recovered a little ground. When the leather was thrown in Stoddart secured it and made a grand run across the ground, but was brought down close to the line by Braund. Brooks made a fine attempt at goal, Auckland being forced down. Long kicks were exchanged for a time. In a series of rushes Stephenson's leg was hurt, and though he did not retire he was rendered

useless for the purposes of play, Herrold, who had worked consistently throughout the game, won applause for a smart return, which cleared Auckland's line, and then the play was unimportant until time was called.

Wellington v. Waibarapa.

A Wellington telegram states that the football match between teams representing Wellington and Wairarapa Rugby Unions, played at Newton, was won by Wellington, after excitement, by 9 points (3 goals) to 2 points.