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FOOTBALL.
NEW TOWN V. CRICKETERS.
An eleven aside match between the New Town
and Cricketers Clubs, took place on Saturday on
Mr. Marsh's small, but picturesquely situated
ground, New Town, kindly granted by the pro-
prietor for the occasion. The weather was fine,
and many ladies graced tho scene with their,
presence, and watched the play with interest. The
Cricketers, who were led on by Captain Boddam,
played a weak team, consequent upon their forces
being divided among the High School representatives,
who were playing a match in town. They
were also disadvantageously placed by playing the
New Town rules, which closely resemble the Victorian,
it being agreed that in the return match the
Association rules should be adopted. The game,
however, even with this condition, could not but
be unsatisfactory, for it is probable that each club
will be victorious when playing under its own rules,
and no true test of their relative strength will be
arrived at while meeting on such different terms -
terms about as equal as duelling with a pistol and a
rapier. Of course, the cricketers were heavily
handicapped. The "drop kick," hardly known in
the Association game, was brought to bear with
crushing effect by their skilful opponents, while
"dribbling," the most telling feature of the Asso-
ciation game (adopted by the cricketers) was almost
out of the question in the absence of any rules as to
"off side". Thus it was that, though the town
men played with great dash and pluck, especially
at the outset, and pressed their opponents hard,
they were quite over-matched, and were eventually,
beaten easily. The ball was "marked" with
ridiculous ease by the New Town men in rapid suc-
cession, and they knew how to use their "free
kicks" to the best advantage. Still on both sides
there was an absence of systematic play, of "picking
your men," and other laches of good generalship
which distinguishes a true Victorian game. The
field umpire had plenty to do owing to the hybrid
character of the New Town game, which while al-
lowing handling the hall, prohibits it being carried.
So that a player catching the ball, must stand posi-
tively to be knocked down by an opponent charging
him, for if he moves a yard to dodge him, a " free
kick" is the penalty. This is a most absurd restriction
and led to truly farcical results, for in more than one
instance a "free kick" was given against a player
for merely making a feint to elude an opponent to
gain time to kick the ball, even though he never
shifted his ground. This foolish emasculation of the
Victorian game, while it is played in all other
respects, is unworthy even of schoolboys. It is
unnecessary to describe the play in detail, suffice it
to say that it was determinedly and keenly
contested throughout, the Cricketers making a
game uphill fight of it. The New Town, who
were captained by McKay, kicked five goals
to one by the Cricketers. H. Wright, T. Crisp (2),
S. Hughes, and W. Pearce kicked tho goals for the
New Town, and Captain Boddam for the Cricketers.
For the former the brothers Wright and Morris
also distinguished themselves, and H. B. Smith, F.
V. Smith, and Stuart for the latter. The
teams appeared in uniform - New Town, red and
white, and Association all blue. Mr. G. S.
Chapman acted as field, and Mr. Campbell as goal
umpire. The only drawback to the play was the
frequency with which the ball went out of bounds
and it would be better if the sphere were allowed to
be in play unless it went over the fence on either
side. In regard to the general interests of football
the moral of the match is that a uniform code of
rules should be adopted by the Hobart Town clubs
and this conviction having been forced upon the
Cricketer's men, leading them to suggest a con-
ference of footballers on the subject it is probable
that this desirable end may be the outcome of the
game.
HIGH SCHOOL V. RAILWAY.
The first town match of the season was played
on. Saturday afternoon, between teams from the
High School and Railway clubs, mid resulted in a
contest in which the younger players showed very
plainly that for spirit, skill and endurance, they
will not in all probability be excelled whilst the
season lasts, and the newcomers displayed a strength
of playing power, that will, when better mar-
shalled and controlled-one is almost tempted to say,
when hotter understood-prove them very for-
midable oppononts to any who may enter the lists
with them. Cundy captained the Railway team
and L. McLcod led the scholars. The former won
the toss and took the upper station, so that the
scholars had during the first half-time to play up
hill, and against the wind, though the latter was
very light. McLeod kicked off shortly bofore
three o'clock, and the oval being sharply re-
turned at tho lowor sido by Cundy, the oarly
part of the play took place in front of the
High School posts, notwithstanding somo bril- '
liant runs by A. Stuart, who played woll
throughout. Cundy was equally alert in returning
it down the hill, but his caroora woro ahortor, aa
tho High School followors woro irresistible. Tho
first olimax was a mark by G. Cheverton, right in
front of tho Scholars' goal, which, though looking
danrjorous, resulted in nothing, ns tho kick waa a
badly judged one Shortly nftonv.irds, Cundy
finished ono of his runs by a long Bhot at goal, a
good kick, which secured tho first behind to tho
Locomotivos ; and directly a second followed from
a mark by tho samo player, almost in tho samo
place Mooro, L. McLcod, and Stuart with tho
other Scholars wero all tho timo playing a hard
defonsivo game, but doing it well, Moor especially
marking well. Their goal had another narrow
shave, the ball being stopped by the goal keeper.
A alight diversion waB caused by Swan, Si. McLcod,
and Mooro, who botwoon thom eau Bed tho oval to make
its firstappearancoatthorailwaytorritory. Itdiduot
staythorolong, and Cundy managed after a (ino tusslo
in tho North-Wost Cornor.botwoon Dcoble mid Swan
resulting in the ball going out of bounds, to sccuro
tho third behind to tho Looamotivca. Still the play
continued at tho Scholars' end, Tennant^ «who
ifii'i. IÎI
played on the right wing had two fairly easy chances
for a goal, neither of which ho availed himself.
Fairbairn got a chance also near in goal and nearly
managed tho feat, the ball Btrikiug the left hand
peat. Then Stuart ran it down again and being
well backed up, gained the first behind to his side.
Rojo's kick out was marked by Cundy who passed
it to Tennant who again failed in his kick. Somo
moro vigorous play by the Scholars in defence of
their goal, was followed by tho ovent of tho
day, tho first goal to tho High School, gained
by M. McLcod, shortly after ib had beon
stopped by the Railway gaol-keeper. There was
much cheering at this, as the Scholars had estab
lished themselves as favourites with the crowd
tho feat, moreover, being very unexpected. This
was shortly afterwards succeeded by a goal to the
other side, Tennant redeeming his laurels, and this
time going in the right direction. A little mis-
understanding occurred about this goal, as the ball
was touched by the coal-keeper. The umpire, A.T.
Creswell, immcdiatoly'beoaino the centre of a noisy
crowd of players and meddlesomo onlookers, but he
'wisely held to his opinion, despite their arguments,
and,' as tho player was behind tho goal when ho
touched tho Dall, the goal was scored. Before half
timo Fairbairn had two trios at goal, place kicks,
neither of which wore successful. Tho scholars wore
still on the defensivo, Scott and Pcacockalso showing
prominently in addition to those already mentioned.
¡After half timo the tide was turned, and the
Railway team had to do all thoy knew to defend
.their goal. ' Brownell and Swan did some good
marking, but tho latter was too hasty in making h¡8
.kicks, missing thereby some good chances. Struttalso
Iliad a difficult sideways kick which he nearly suc-
ceeded in making a second goal to the High School,
as tho post was hit. Tho scholars scored several
hehinds, enabling Rojo, who acted as goal-keeper,
j to display somo fino kicking out. The game grew
1 faster and moro furious before the conclusion, but
| though both goals were threatened in succession
i time after time, ,110 further scores were made. The
> gamo closed at 5 o'clock with mutual cheering by
' the two teams for each other. W. Robertson was
¡ tho field umpire, and performed his difficult task
ably. ¡ A., T. Creswell 1 and D. Johns were the goal
umpires. Th'e play throughout of both sidea was
' vory good. The Railway Team was much the
heavier, but though Cundy, Fairbairn, Rojo, Fox,
: and tho Chevertons showed individual excellence,
there-was a want of accord in tho players as
a whole that spoilt th'eir, chances of success. Tho
High School followed tho ablo lead of their captain
most indefatigably, Stuart, Brownell, Peacock,
Swan, Mooro, and tho,McLeods being most success-
ful. The Scholars wero perpetually on the ball,
and with regard to puuisnment gavo as much as
they received. Let the contest, however, bo ever
so rough the result will bo all right if men only play
fair and keep their temper-and if onlookers will
abstain from injudicious interference and keep off
tho ground. Some of the Railway Team played too
much for the men and too little on the ball. The
seholars will also do well to judge their mark kioka
more calmly, and if they can't get away for a run,
tako either a careful punt or place kick. The
ground has been very much improved during the
past week by tho removal of a number of the large
stones and it is to be hoped that the prisoners will
bo employed next week in continuing the work.
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