FOOTBALL MATCH—On Saturday, Jan. 10th, a match was played between the Wellingborough (Rugby Union) and Rushden football clubs. The Wellingborough team started with three men short, and the Rushden players, appearing in strong force, secured a victory. One of their number on being "held," in the course of the match, bit his opponent's leg, and was at once prevented from taking any further part in the game.

[RUGBY] FOOTBALL—Rushden Football Club v. Leicester Town Club.—On Saturday last, November 13th, a match between the above-named clubs was played at Rushden. The day was rather unfavourable, a very high wind blowing all through the game, but a large number of spectators were present to witness the match. The Leicester captain won the toss, and elected to play with the wind in his favour. The ball was kicked off just after three by the Rushden captain, and the forwards following the ball well up; the first scrimmage [sic] was formed near the Leicester Club's goal line. On the ball emerging, it was well taken by Wilby, who ran in with it, and obtained the first try for Rushden. The kick at goal was unsuccessful, owing to the high wind. On the ball again coming out, it was secured by one of the home team and run in with, making the second try for Rushden. The kick at goal was not successful this time, the ball not being "touched down" in a good position. For some time after this a number of well-formed scrimmages took place, and, indeed, for a time, seemed to be the "order of the day," until G. Bull managed to get the ball, and, after a fine run, was "touched down" in a good position. The kick at goal was this time successful. Soon after the resumption of the game, Coleman made a splendid drop for Leicester, the ball falling only a short distance from the bar. On half-time being called, the Rushden team, with the wind in their favour, completely overmatched the visitors. Three more tries were obtained before "no sides" was called, one of which tries was converted into a goal. The kick at goal for one of the other tries would have been successful, as the ball went over the bar, but one of the Leicester team just managed to touch the ball, and so prevented the goal being scored. The match ended in the defeat of the Leicester Club by two goals, four tries, and several "touch downs," to two "touch downs." The play on both sides was very good. The back play of C. Wilby, the brothers Bull, and G. Mason, and the forward play of H. C. Keep, for the home team, was remarkably good. The following were the sides:—
Rushden—Messrs. F. Knight, S. Robinson, backs; G. Bull, C. Bull, half-backs; C. Whitby (captain), G. Mason, quarter-backs; W. Burgess, W. Hanger, H. Clayton, H. Tye, H. C. Keep, J. Linnitt, F. Denton, W. Denton, and J. Baker, forwards.
Leicester—Messrs. H. Foster, H. Warner, backs; W. A. Wheeler, S. Coleman. three-quarter backs; A. E. Brice (captain), L. Young, half-backs; F. Sheen, A. Turner, W. Sheffield, H. Barwick, T. R. Pickering, H. Salmon, W. Watts, H. Lovett, J. L. Symington, forwards.

Leicester v Rushden F.C.- The return match between these clubs was played on the Racecourse, Leicester, on Saturday. Rushden had won the former, and a very exciting game was anticipated, the Leicester team having been considerably strengthened since their only defeat this season by a Rugby Union Club, and the result of the match was the defeat of the visitors, after a very pleasant and fast game by the home team by a goal kicked from a "disputed" try, and a try and three touch-downs to one touchdown. The Rushden captain winning the toss, marshalled his men and defended the pavilion goal and at 3.20 the ball was kicked off by Wheeler, and returned by the threequarter-back on the post of the visitors, and the home team immediately had to act on the defensive, as Rushden forced the play, and the game became very fast. Young made a short run for the home team, and finished it up by a good drive, and the ball was then returned by Rushden backs, and Porter, getting hold of the leather, made a splendid run and, being tackled, scrimmages and short runs became the order of play. The visitors, by the aid of J. Bull, now made an attack on the home line, and scrimmages were formed in dangerous proximity to the goal line of the L.F.C. the ball after some minutes being forced in touch, but, on being thrown out, one of the L.F.C. forwards caught it, passing it back to Porter, who, by a grand run, relieved his side and conveyed the ball into neutral territory. Soon afterwards half-time was called. On the ball being again started by the Rushden team, Coleman secured it, and with a short run a good drop returned the ball well into the Rushden lines, and Burgess, getting in possession of the leather, ran it back, and passing it to one of the R.F.C. backs he, by a good drop, caused the home team to touch down, this being the first point scored in the game. Wheeler dropping out from the 25, the ball was well followed up, and soon afterwards, Porter, getting the ball, made a good run, and, on being tackled, passed the ball to Coleman, who had to just cross the visitors goal line and, amongst the cheers of the spectators, gained a try for the home team, which Wheeler could not convert into a goal. The game was now faster than ever, and all the men warmed up to work, and good runs by the brothers Bull and Mason were stopped by Porter, Hart and Young, the tackling of Porter being remarkably good; and soon the visitors were compelled to touch down again, Salmon by good forward play crossing the line, but not being able to score for the home team. Sheen, on the ball being again started made a strong and useful run for his side and after a short time the visitors were compelled to touch down for the third time, and the Rushden back dropping out, and the ball being well followed up, the game was carried on in neutral ground for some time, until Porter, who was in splendid form, got the ball and, passing all his opponents, got a try for the L.F.C., and the umpires not being able to agree as to whether it was "knocked on" or not, the Leicester captain decided to kick for goal, and this time Wheeler succeeded in scoring a goal, under protest of the Rushden team. No time was now called, leaving the home team the victory as above stated, thus ending a very pleasant and exciting game. Mr. Wilby, for the R.F.C., and Mr. J. Collier, for the L.F.C., officiated as umpires. The play of Porter and Young as half and three-quarter backs, and of Sheen and Whitehead, forwards, for the home team, was very conspicuous; and for the visitors the play of the brothers, Bull and Mason, and the fine "dropping" of Knight and Robinson, were much admired.

Sides – L.F.C.: W. A. Wheeler, H. Warner, backs: H. Porter, S. Coleman, H. Wale, three-quarter backs; L. Young, and T Hart, half backs; J. W. Symington (captain), F. Sheen, A. Turner, W. Sheffield, H. Salmon, A. Whitehead, W. Haddon, J. L. Parsons, forwards.

R.F.C.: F. Knight, and S. Robinson, backs; G. Mason, W. Burgess, half backs; G. Bull, and G. Bull, three-quarterbacks; W. Denton S. Denton, F. Denton, C. L. Bradfield, F. Barker, W. Hanger, J. Linnett, H. Clayton, and H. Tive, forwards.

FOOTBALL—A match between the Rushden and Kettering Clubs was played at Rushden on Saturday last, Feb. 12th. The match had been looked forward to with much interest, and in consequence a great number of persons assembled to witness the game. Play commenced at 3.40, the ball being kicked off by Rushden. Soon after the commencement a splendid kick from the field, by Robinson, tor Rushden, sent the ball over the Kettering goal.

This, however, was disputed by Kettering, who stated that the ball would have gone "in touch," had not the spectators crowded inside the flags. They appeared to forget it was first played by Kettering men, and that the ball came from one of them to Robinson, and did not mention the ball having gone out until it was sent over the bar. The Rushden captain, however, gave in, and play was resumed. It was not to be continued for long, however, for another dispute soon afterwards arose. The ball was sent very near to the Kettering goal line, and on its being played by a Kettering man, the ball was well followed up by Clayton, who succeeded in getting the ball past the post and touching it down. Kettering now stated that one of the Rushden team had touched the ball when offside. This was not denied by Rushden, but the ball being afterwards played by Kettering, who did all they could to touch it down, fully justified Clayton in playing the ball and touching it down, Rushden claimed the try, and from it Platt kicked a goal, the Kettering team meanwhile leaving the ground. The match was thus brought to an abrupt termination. Both sides touched down once in self defence, the game resulting in a victory for Rushden by one goal to nothing.

Football HANDSWORTH v. RUSHDEN—The second round of matches to be played in connection with the Midland Counties Football Union Challenge Cup competition came off on Saturday. Stourbridge were drawn with Rushden in the first round, but, the former having scratched to Rushden, the latter club were placed in the second round. Handsworth were drawn with Rushden for the second round, and the match came off on the Aylestone Park Ground, Leicester. The Handsworth team were very late in arriving, and play did not commence till after four o'clock. On this account it was decided to play for an hour only. Rushden won the toss, and the ball was kicked off by Handsworth. Two or three good scrimmages took place, and for a time were the order of the day. At length, however, Mason, for Rushden, made a fine run, and succeeded in making a try. From this a good goal was kicked by Linnitt. The ball for some considerable time was now in the Handsworth territory, and Mason, obtaining a short run, nearly got past the line, but, being collared, the ball was kicked past and Handsworth had to touchdown. This they had to do again before half-time was called. Soon after changing ends Mason again secured the ball, and from a good run succeeded in obtaining another try. From the try Linnitt did not quite kick a goal, the ball going over the post. Some tight scrimmages now ensued, until C. Bull, from a capital run, obtained a try. The kick at goal was unsuccessful, and Handsworth had to touchdown. Wilby made some very good runs, but every time was tackled, twice just upon the goal lines. He managed to touch it down twice, but the try was disallowed. Mason soon after made another capital run, and from an excellent piece of passing by him to Bull, the latter obtained another try, the kick at goal being again unsuccessful. Soon after, for a little variation, Colson obtained a try, but the ball not being touched down in a good position, the kick at goal was unsuccessful. Five minutes before "no side" was called Bull finished up by making a grand run, the best of the day, and touched down between the posts. The kick at goal was again a failure. No other advantages being gained by either side, the match ended in a victory for Rushden by one goal, one poster, four tries, and five touchdowns to nothing. Umpire for Rushden, Mr. Turner; referee, Mr. Brice, Leicester. Players, Rushden: S. Robinson, G. Bull, backs; C. Wilby, C. Bull, G. S. Mason, three-quarter backs; W. Burgess, S. Colson, half-backs; H. F. Keep, J. Baker, H. Clayton, G. R. Wagstaffe, W. Hanger, J. Linnitt, C. L. Bradfield, W. Freeman, forwards. It should be mentioned that Handsworth played one man short, and that the man who usually kicks the goals for Rushden was not playing.—The Midland Athlete says:—"The greatest surprise in football circles is expressed at the complete defeat Handsworth received from Rushden by one goal, five tries, and five touchdowns to nothing. The match was played at Leicester (neutral) on the County Ground, at Aylestone; both had a journey of about equal length, neither team had played on the ground before, and it was under these circumstances that one of the first five clubs in the Midlands received a crushing blow from an almost unknown source; and yet I think no one will doubt that the two clubs met upon their merits. Still it, is only fair to say that Handsworth were one man short, but even Harley would, I'm afraid, have done very little towards reducing the score. I heartily congratulate Rushden upon their victory, and I hope I shall have an early opportunity of seeing them play even in a more central place than Leicester. They indeed possess some exceedingly good men; three of the tries were obtained by C. Bull, two by Mason, and one by Colson; Bull's running powers are certainly to be envied, and he is also an excellent tackier, and Mason falls little short of him."

Football—WELLINGBOROUGH v. RUSHDEN—A match was played on Saturday last, under Association rules, between the above clubs, on the ground of the former. Rushden winning the toss, the home team kicked off against wind and sun, and for the first quarter of an hour kept the ball well in the visitors' ground. After that time, however, Wellingborough had to defend themselves vigorously, Rushden several times advancing rather too closely to their goal. This put the home team on their mettle, and again the ball was sent into their opponents' ground, where it was kept until half-time was called. On changing ends, Rushden in spite of wind and sun pressed Wellingborough rather heavily, until Parkinson securing the ball from a long kick from Britt passed the Rushden backs and landed it safely between the posts. Thus encouraged, Wellingboro' played up with fresh strength, and shot after shot was made, but without result, and at call of time Wellingborough remained victors by one to nil. Teams:— Wellingborough: Parkinson, Dorman, Brazier (capt.), Marriott, Sykes, forwards; Carroll, Fulkes, A. Winterton, half-backs; Daniels and Britt, backs; Metcalfe, goal. Rushden: G. Denton, Billingham, Chettle, Freeman, J. Denton, H. J. Denton, forwards; J. T. Denton, C. Claridge, halfbacks; Button, Linnett, backs; Hanger, goal.

RUSHDEN VICTORIA v. WOLLASTON BRITANNIA—On Saturday a match was played between the above clubs, on the ground of the latter. The game was well contested, but ultimately one goal was obtained by the Rushden team, which secured them the victory. Heavy rain fell during the match, and all the players were well soaked. The following were the players—Rushden: W. Brudenall (captain), F. Sherwood, W. Abrams, backs; O. Callis and H. White, half-backs; J. Denton, F. Madams, and A. Robinson, three-quarter backs; N. Hanger, T. Edwards, A. Linnet, H. Smith, G. Griggs, W. Pendred, and S. Alderman, forwards. Wollaston: J. Wright (captain), and D. Dobbs, backs; A. George and W. Adams, half-backs; C. Barnes and J. Murdin, three-quarter backs; F. Partridge, W. Bettle, W. Green, M. Smart, J. Woodams, F. Abbott, A. Smart, H. Drage, and F. Partridge, forwards.

The Rushden Rugby football team suffered defeat on Saturday in the final for the cup. It was hoped they would be successful in bringing home the trophy, but the Northampton men were rather too good for them, especially in the passing, and won a finely contested game by three points to three minors.

Rugby Football for Rushden – Election of Officers
It has been decided to start a Rugby Football Club for Rushden, and last Friday night Mr C Claridge presided over a meeting in the Alfred-street schools, when there was an attendance of nearly 40.

Mr H E Kingston, of Northampton, said that at one time Rushden had a Rugby team which could hold its own against any of its neighbours. [Full article not extracted]

Rugby Football – A meeting of the Rushden Rugby F.C. was held on Monday at the Trade Union Club to consider the future of the club. It was decided to withdraw from the Northants Senior Rugby League and to play friendlies for the earlier part of the season.