FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5023, 9 June 1884, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

♦ ■ The New Zealand Footballers in New South Wales. [special to the "star."] WELLINGTON, June 9. On Thursday, the day following the Parratnatta match, tho New Zealand team was kindly taken round the world-famed harbour of Sydney by Mr Dibbs, the Colonial Secretary, in his steam yachk. The weather was beautiful, and the team returned in tho evening, thoroughly delighted with their trip. The team has been presented with, free passes over the railways, and the great hospitality of the New South Wales people has been shown in a thousand other different ways. The picturesque botanical gardens and tho splendid collections in the Art Gallery, are the principal objects of attraction to the men in their idle moments. Notwithstanding all the pleasures and amusements with which the men are surrounded, they never lose sight of the great fact that they have not come here simply for pleasure, but to uphold the honour of their Colony in the football arena. The practices are regularly attended, and the men are now in first-class fettle,' all the effects of their voyage having disappeared. THE MATCH. . SYDNEY, Mat 31. New Zealand v. New South Wales. The first Intercolonial contest of the three which are to be played between the footballers of New Zealand and New South. Wales took place on the Agricultural Ground to-day, in the presence of aboui 4000 spectators. Tho number of spectators was not so large as was expected, on account of there being two other favourite attractions, viz., the Queen's Birthday races, which had been postponed for a week on account of the rain, and the Sydney Grammar School sports, both of which. were largely attended. The keenest interest was, however, taken in the match, and the crowd was most impartial in its applause, loudly cheering any good piece of play on either side. After the crushing defeat the New Zealanders had inflicted on the Cumberland County team, the general impression waß that they would make it very warm for their opponents ; but there were many staunch supporters of New South Wales, and the men themselves did not ihink of defeat, but were confident they would render a good account of themselves. The following are the names of the two teams, with their places in the field : — New South Wales t Pull back, — Walker ; three-quarter-backs, P. Bayliss (captain,), J. Vaughan, J. Wood ; half-backs, S. Belcher, Neill, J. Deane ; forwards, G. Graham, H. Tange, G. Walters, W. Clement, F. Bayliss, C. Cameron, E. Pellard, W. Ford. New Zealand : Full baok, Braddon ; three-quar-ter-backs, Eyan, Warbrick, and Halmore ; half-backs, Taiaroa and Roberts ; forwards, W. V. Millton (captain), Allan, Lecky, Webb, Eobertson, O'Connor, O'Donnell, Udy, and Carter. The umpires were Mr H. D. Stupart for New South Wales, and Mr E. Davy for New Zealand. Mr C. Tange filled the post of referee. Mr J. A. Brodie and Mr C. Tange, two NewSouth Wales men, were unable to play through accident. It was agreed to play the game in two spoils of 45 minutes each. The teams were loudly cheered on coming on to the ground. Milton won the toss, and elected to kick with the sun and a light wind at his back. F. Bayliss kicked off, the ball being well returned into touch by Braddon. On the ball being thrown out, the'f ast New Zealand forwards immediately made a good 'rush, and despite fierce opposition carried the ball well into the New South Wales* quarters. O'Connor and Eobertson showed up well in this rush, and New South Wales was forced to touch-down in self defence. On play being resumed, O'Connor secured the leather and passed it well to Helmore, who had a shot at goal but failed in the attempt. The forwards were working together in sj>lendid form, and it was only through the great exertions of Walker, Belcher, P. Bayliss, and Vaughan, that the much coveted touchdown was not obtained. New South Wales by a good rush and dribblo took the ball to the half-way flag, but Millton and Allan, by some fine dribbling soon brought it back into New South Wales territory. Some very pretty passing was here effected by Millton, Eobertson, Helmore, and Taiaroa; and Eyan had several rather difficult pots at goal, but failed. Taiaroa now began to show up in good form. Walker, the full-back, an old acquaintance (alias "Jumbo"), essayed a run and was met by Taiaroa, whom he tried to fend off by force, but the "Southern demon" was his equal, and forced his man back about a dozen yards, for which, feat he was loudly applauded. Dean and one or two of his comrades made some dashing runs, and put their goal out of danger for a short time ; but again and again did the undesirable dark blue forwards, assisted by some good runs by Taiaroa, force them back on their goal line again. New South Wale? had several times to force down. At last their repeated attacks bore fruit: Carter securing the ball from the throw out, about 20 yards from the New South Wales goal line, passed to Helmore, and he made a long pass to Warbrick. Tho latter player, although he was rushed by several opponents, sent the ball flying over the bar with his left foot amidst great cheers. ( The ball being again set going, Taiaroa essayed a run, but was well tackled by Belcher. Shortly afterwards Braddon secured the loathcr and made a splendid run, passing most of his opponents, and ending up with a good pot at goal. O'Connor here did some good running, and looked very like scoring. His fending was very good, and by his great weight he sent one after the other of his opponents to grass, much to the amusement of the crowd. Just before half time was called, the blue forwards made another splendid rush, and took the ball over their opponents' line ; and Carter was within an ace of securing it. After a spell of ten minutes, tho ball was again set rolling by Millton with a good kick, which was returned into touch by Vaughan. O'Donnell and Allan made seme good runs at the commencement of the spell, the former being only forced into touch at the corner flag. Now South WiiLs did some bad passing just in front of their goal, and Taiaroa, by a clever piece of play, soctired the ball aud rushed over the line close to the posts. Millton took the plac i, and kicked a neat goal. New South Wales were now becoming desperate, and by a good rush and good kicking by their backs for the first time reached the New Zealanders' 25 yards. The New South Wales men, still playing hard on the ball, forced tho New Zealanders to touch down in self-defence. Some good kicking by Eyan and Warbrick relieved the goal, and Allan following up well, took the ball back ouce more into the New South Walos 25 yards. New South Wales was again forcod down. Millton, O'Connor, and Lecky again showed up with some good dribbling; and Roberta nt half-kick was collaring like a demon, nnd gave tho opposing half-backs very few chances of

getting away. The ball being within the New South Wale 325 yards, Bayliss secured it, and endeavoured to run across in front of goal, but Robertson rushed him, and the ball falling to the ground, Robertson fell on it, and secured the second try for New Zealand. Ryan took the try, a difficult one, and, though he made a good attempt, failed to convert it into a goal. Taiaroa was undoubtedly tho hero of this spell. Ho always turned up where his services were most required, . and the oft-repeated warning of the New . South Wales Captain to his men was " look outtfor Taiaroa." After some general play, Ryan securing the ball made a wild pass, and Deane following up quickly took full advantage of tho, opportunity, and carried the* ball well down the ground. O'Donnell and Ryan, however, by some good running . soon brought it back again ; but it was again returned by Wood by a capital" run. The fight Bwayed backwards and forwards, without any partisular advantage to either side for some time. Graham then made a fine run, and finished up with a kick. Braddon kicked into 'touch. Warbrick . shortly after got hold of the ball and made .& good run, and passing to Taiaroa the latter carried the ball close to the New South Walea goal line. Cameron, however, . aoon came to the rescue, made a capital run, and kicked the ball into touch about half way down the ground. The ball once more was carried into the New Zealand 25 yards, but the blue forwards were soon again on the return journey. Braddon made rather a high kick, and New South Wales obtained a mark, which they endeavoured to convert into a goal by a place kick, but failed. The blues once more rushed the ball up to the half-way flag, and after a good run by Graham for New South Wales .and Taiaroa for New Zealand, "No side " was called. The game thu3 ended in a decisive victory for New Zealand by 2 goals and 1 try, or 11 points to nil. The game throughout was played with the utmost good spirit, not one dispute occurring to mar the play. • The weather was again beautiful, though somewhat hot at first, and the ground was all that could be desired. Monday, June 2. The team were to-day taken for a pleasant drive to the head of Botany Bay as the p- uests of the Hon Mr Barton, Speaker of the House. Mr J. C. Calvert, President of the Southern Union, and several othor gentlemen were present. The cable office to New Zealand is situated there, and the manager of the office kindly sent several messages for the New Zealanders to their native shores,- to which •congratulatory replies were duly received. The fortifications which are in course of erection at La 'Perouse were then - thoroughly inspected, and after a hearty luncheon, some toast drinking, and an intercolonial game of quoits and other amusements, the team returned to town as jolly as schoolboys. The monument erected on the spot where Captain Cook first landed is situated close to La Perouse. In the evening the men went to hear the Metropolitan Liedertafel, a smoldng concert, which they much enjoyed. They had been given complimentary tickets for this concert. On Tuesday New Zealand play 17 of the Combined Suburbs, and on Tuesday night at 11 - o'clock they leave for Newcastle to play their match there.