FOOTBALL NEWS.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8861, 10 May 1897, Page 2

FOOTBALL NEWS.

SATUBDAYwaB an uainviing day for even the most violent of exercises. A cold bleak wind gave the spectators at the Park a moat Bhri veiled up appearance, and it was only by a considerable effort that the majority were induced to Bee the play to a finish. The teams oat were fr^m the Neleon and Prinoe Albert Clubs, assisted by a few members from tbe other Clubs, and a very fair praotice was obtained in two spells of 35 minutes each. Several of tbe " old handß " were missed from tbe teams, bui no dmbt a good many are hanging back for the matches with something attached to tbem, but nevertheless they should ba out getting a little bit of " form " on. AmoDgst Saturday* players was a good deal of new talent, which with a a little enconngement and the necessary praotice should creditably fill the gaps made by Borne retired players, Chief amongat thereoeni additions were notio. ab'e McLeod, on the Albett side, wbo might be taken for a twin brother to T. Hall, the Bed'a skipper. He is very fleet and a good collar, but requires to study tbe kioking department. Henry, Wylie, H Barnett (again reousitated) and Jacobs oa the same promise well for their Club. Johnston, Johoß, Caffin, and Bedgrave, a'l juniors, on the Nelson side, if their play on Saturday can be taken into aooount, promise to oust some of the more antiquated kickists. " Bonar, Mu'es, Broad, Adams, Li tlejobn and Linkhora we;e well on tha " job '"the whole time aud pastel well. Hsll played a nice little game, £aad wasjwel *

assisted by MoLeod (previously mentioned), G. Higgins, DeVore, Mills, Eoolesfield, N alder, nnd Clear. Nelson had muoh tbe Worst of the game, although in the first spell both sides had a goal eaoh, Mills goaling a try whioh Barnett, after speculating, and knocking J. Broad's wind out, obtained. Nelson's soore was made by Johns, for which Littlejohn, wbo started a good rash receives rqu**l oredit. Mules scored the goal. The A'berts outplayed tbeir opponents on obang ing ends, Barnett, Eco'esfield, Nalder and MoLeod eaoh getting over. H. GUar strnok the bar in trying to pilot Fcclesfield'iJ try, but Mills wan moreeuocojefol with MoLeod's and brought tbe total fcore op to 19 points against five, a creditable margin. Both sides exhibited some good pissing, that of tbe blues being tho beßt, but the Alberts were a stronger contingent, and were cleverer ip getting away. Their riay was more of an individual than a collective kind. Mr Hurley refereed.

How would it do for efery footballer lo bind bimseK to a bard and f**t aile tbat he would not if be oould possibly help it, be " collared with tbe ball ?" There would be less stoppages, leas ecrums, and ihe play generally would be of an open obaraoter and far more interesting to look at. Jia a bit dry sometimes nowadays, Of course there are t'mes when a player is oollared withoat having tbe ball, but that is not bis fault, only a misfortune. He is penerally the viotim of an opponent who can never get the man with ihe|ball and who waits to make a show by tippling over a party wbo had it sometime or otber, On Saturday evening the Frinoe Albert Club held a meeting to consider an invitation from Mr J. B. Sadd, Secretary of tbe Golden Bay Union, to pay that Union a visit. It was unanimousiy deoided to aocepj the invitation, and send a team aoross to Takaka oo ths 24th of May. It waa btated tbat the owner of the Lady Barkly would facilitate tbe (rip in every way. The team wiU leave Nelson on Saturday evening, and return early on Tuesday morning. A meeting of the Bugby Uoion delegates in connectian witb the classification question is to be held at tbe Institute this eveniog.