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FOOTBALL.
The Challenge Cup.
The match between the South Yarra and
Melbourne Football Clubs, which came off
last Saturday on the Melbourne (ground, was
undoubtedly the best one of the season,
although both sides were deprived of the
assistance of some of their best players, the
M.F.C. missing the valuable help of H. G
Harrison and T. W. Wills, and the South
Yarra that of Ireland and Cooper. The
weather was magnificent, and the only other
drawback to the full enjoyment of the game
was the state of the ground, which owing to
the gutters, full of water, that run across, is
very dangerous to those unaccustomed to it.
'We think' there is little doubt that if applica-
tion were made in proper form that the Board
of Land and Works would sanction the
removal of several trees, and the diversion of
the water into anothor channel, so that the
ground might be rendered safe, as it is the
most central and convenient for grand
matches. The improvement could be effected
at a small expense. Before describing the
match, we must enter our protest against
the very unfair mannrr in which srveral of
the South Yarra players resorted to tripping
and holding; in one instance the captain of
the Melbourne team being most deli-
berately tripped and sustaining in conse-
quence a very severe fall. Holding was
also practised very often. Now, unless the
rules of the game are strictly observed, it
naturally follows that disputes and quarrels
will take place, as was the case last season,
whereby the popularity of the game was
endangered and the season curtailed, as many
of the players refused, in consequence of the
ill-feeling that was engendered, to take part
in any more matches. As the game of foot-
ball has now acquired fresh life, we would
urge on all players the propriety of strictly
observing the rules which are short and
simple enough for any one to remember.
The respective captains were Messrs. R.
Wardill (Melbourne) and G. O'Mullane
(South Yarra), and the umpires Messrs.
Stevenson and Hammersley. The wind
being from the east, blew rather across the
play, giving neither side an advantage, the
M.F.C. kicking towards Richmond. A rope
had been run round the boundaries, and by
the cxcellent arrangement the ground was
kept tolerably clear, although, we are bound.
to report, that several gentlemen who should
have set a better example, planted themselves
in a capital position for viewing the game
against a tree almost in front of the Mel-
bourne goal, and just in the placo where
scrimmages are most frequent. It was half
past two before the ball was set in motion,
and from that time until dark the
play was kept up without flagging.
The South Yarra appeared at first to have
the advantage. Greig kept goal; the fore-
most division of the South Yarra being G.
O'Mullane, Ogilvie, Budd, Balcombe, Murray,
and Powell, Who soon distinguished themselves,
but were most vigorously opposed by R.
Wardill, Conway, Fleming, D'Archy,
Sorrell, Pinnock, and Riggall, but especially
by Wardill and Conway, who never played
better, the latter kicking magnificently and
charging most vigorously at every oppor-
tunity. During this match some of the
most awkward spills ever seen at football
were given, and it is a mystery how some of
the recipients escaped as they did. The
Melbourne goal was kept by O'Brien and J.
H. Smith, and with such guards it is hardly
necessary to say it was well protected.
After South Yarra had made a spurt at start-
ing they seemed to fall off a bit and relax,
and the M.F.C. to get warm to their work;
the consequence of which was that the ball
was kept down to the South Yarra goal, and
in a hot scrimmage Conway was within an ace
of kicking a goal, too near evidently to be
pleasant. The umpire, howover, said no, so
at it again they went with renewed deter-
mination, South Yarra bringing the ball up to
the Melbourne goal with a rush, where a de-
tainer was put on its further progress by O'Brien
who stuck to it like grim death, although
rushed by a crowd of players from
either side, in whose rough handling his
upper garments were torn to smithereens,
the remnants scarce sufficing to hide his
nakedness, as he wended his way
amidst shouts of laughter to the pavilion
for another vesture. The match was con-
tinued until about half-past four without any
definite result, fortune fluctuating, and
neither side appearing to have much the best
of it, although one or two place kicks were
obtained rather handy to the Melbourne goal.
At about twenty minutes to five, however,
a rush brought the ball very close up to the
latter, and A. Balcombe, who was not more
than a couple of paces in front of the goal,
very smartly got hold of the ball and kicked
it between the posts before either of the goal
keepers could prevent him, thus giving the
first goal to South Yarra. After a short
spell for refreshment the sides were reversed,
and the game kept up until dark, but with
no further result. There was a very good
attendance of spectators, including many
ladies, who seemed highly amused at the
moving accidents that took place and espe-
cially at the scrimmages, which were of so
frequent occurrence, especially when the ball
got near one of the Melbourne goal-keepers.
Altogether this match must be pronounced
the best one yet played this season.
The question whether the goal gained by
South Yarra should count to that club, and
the match be resumed at a future day, or
the game, be considered drawn, having by
mutual consent been referred to the umpires,
those gentlemen were of opinion that the
game should be considered drawn, as no
previous stipulation was made to the con-
trary by the captains. They also thought
that South Yarra were entitled to play again
for the cup before any other club, and
recommended the Athletic Sports Com-
mittee to make a rule to the above effect,
that no new match should be commenced
until the one in hand had been concluded.
At a meeting of the Sports Committee,
however, it was decided that no cup match
should last over one afternoon, and in any
case where a draw took place, a fresh
challenge must be sent in ; consequently
the match with the Royal Park will come
off as advertised, and South Yarra will
have to send in a fresh challenge.
.... . ? . . . ' : ? j
Meijbouiike Footbalii Cum. — A scratch
match will be played this afternoon ; sides
chosen on tho ground. Kick-off at two
precisely. . , ? -.
Roval Paiik v. WAnEnoosEMKK.: — Theso
clubs mot on Saturday last on tho Royal
Park ground, the result being an easy vic
tory for tho former club, M'Carthy kicking
two coals for tho winning side. J. E. Clarke,
for tne Warehousemen, showed somo good
play ; as did also Chadwick, Al'Carthy, Bal
lantvne, Toohev. and J. Davidson for tho
Park.
Footiui.1, at Geklonc— The Adverfuer
writes : — Football was liberally patronised on
Saturday. A match was played between
the second teams of tho Grammar School and
the Scotch College. The game was won by
tho latter party after about an hour's Btruggle,
the successful kicks being made by C'uni
tuings and Corrigan. On the Argylo ground
about thirty members turned out, and sides
were chosen by Messrs. Stoddart and Adams.
The first goal was fiercly contested, tho ball
chancing. ends every minute. Ultimately it
onded in favour of Adams, whose sido also
won two more goals to Stoddart's one. . Tho
play was not, however, equal to what wehavo
seen displayed by the club, many .of tho
players seeming to bo out of practico and
condition. , Tho gamo lasted till dark.
$