The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-10-17 00:00:00

FOOTBALL.

STOURBRIDGE "FOR iVA.RDS" v, WESTBROMW (CH
Cims,—On Saturday last, the Stourbridge men
journeyed to Westbromwich to fulfil their first tn-
gagements with the Bromwich club, on their new
ground, at Roebuck Lane. Judgin,, from the
splendid physiquejand strength which laracterised
the generality of the home team, it was anticipated
that they would score a success, taking into con-
sideration besides the fact that Stourbridge had
not their full compliment of members, and had to
play a man short, but in the end these • antibipa-
tions ,were doomed to di appointmnt, Wianing
the toss, the Stourbridge captain chose the upper
goal, and Westbromwieh forthwith kicked off. For
s m. 3 little while no material advantage accrued to
either sid,3, but eventually after soine well-contested
iy on the part of the visitors, the ball was placed
da-Igerously near to the Bromwich goal, and from
a 'scrimmage" Freer was enabled to score the
first try for his side. The kick for goal atteuipte 1
by Hunston failed in its object. just clearing the
post. The home team soon got to work again and
more than once pressed Stourbridge somewhat I
hardly, but the good back play of Harris at this
juncture, as also at a later stage of the game,
averted disaster, It length by a combined rush
the si.ge was raice I and the home goal threatened;
and from a good run Healy registered a second try
for Stourbridge, which Parkes, by a magnificent
kick, convertediinto a goal. Half-time being called
and ends having been changed, the Bromwhich
players assumed a desperately aggressive assault
upon the visitors' citadel, yet in spite of the most
strenuous efforts, failed in obtaining any further re-
suit than by compelling the "Forwards' to touch-
down. Playing up well together, and aided by
some splendid runs on the part of Harrison, Parkes
and Hunston, the venue at last was changed, and
from a good pass to Parkes, that player (who
throughout had played in the most brilliant man-
ner) was afforded by a run which traversed nearly
the whole length of the field the opportunity of
scoring another point for his team. The kick at
goal, an extremely difficult and improbable one did
not however succeed. From now to call of" No
side" no further advantage to either side was ob.
tamed, and at the close of playStourbridge left the
field victors by 1 goal, 1 poster, 3 tries, and 1
touch-down to 6 touch-downs. The play through-
out was of the most exciting character, and refleo.s
the highest credit upon the members of the oppos-
ing teams, principal among whom for superior
excellence in play may be noted Parkes, Harris,
Harrison, and Freer for Stourbridge, and Dowdes.
well, Jones and Raybould for Westbromwich, not
the leas feature of the match being the uniform
good temper which prevailed throughout the con-
test. The names of the Stourbridge players are as
follows : Back, Harris (captain) ; three-quarter
backs, Parkes Hunston, and Harrison; half-backs,
A, Wood, and Collis ; forwards, Williams, Phillips,
Freer, G. Wood, Meteyard, Healey, Barlow and
Owen.

OLDSWINFOLD HOSPITAL V. A.mmEcorE
This match was played on the Hospital ground
last Saturday, and after a very pleas,tnt game re-
sulted in a victory for the "Blues" by three goals
to nil.