FOOTBALL—RUSHDEN 'WANDERERS' v. NEWPORT PAGNELL—The return match between the above-named clubs was played at Rushden on Saturday last, March 5th. Rain had been falling before the match on Saturday afternoon, the ground was in a very slippery condition, and the play in consequence was very difficult. Play commenced at about half-past three, the Newport captain, having won the toss, electing to play down hill. It was soon seen that the ground was in such bad condition that no really good play could be shown. Some very good runs however were made, but the play on either side was not so good as it would have been, had the ground been in good order. During the first half of the game no advantage was scored by either side; both teams working hard and well. Evans made two or three good runs and very nearly succeeded in kicking a goal just before half time, and Newport were very nearly successful in also obtaining a goal. From a piece of bad luck to one of the Rushden team, a free kick was allowed to Newport in close proximity to the Rushden goal, but through a piece of very good play on the part of the Rushden goal keeper, the ball was well kept out and soon forced to the centre of the ground. Half time was soon afterwards called, and with the advantages of kicking down hill, Rushden forced their opponents, a ad very nearly succeeded in obtaining two or three goals. At last Chettle, from a splendid piece of play, succeeded in dribbling the ball cleverly past the men he had to meet, and after a capital run sent the ball through the posts, amid loud cheering. Evans, who had been playing well throughout, again made some capital runs, very nearly again succeeding in kicking a goal. A well-directed shot by Ward sent the ball just over the tape, but no further advantage was gained by either side, so the Rushden Wanderers were declared winners by one goal to nothing. The match was well contested, and both teams played hard and worked well, but mention, we think, should be made of the fine kicking of Garratt for Newport, and of Gilbert for Rushden. The match was played without a dispute arising, and throughout was of an enjoyable character.

The following were the players: Newport Pagnell—E. Mapley (goal), T. Garratt, W. Stapleton (backs), G. Pearce (captain), J. Minnell, J. Burbidge, G. H. Salmons, C. Daniels, S. Reddin, G. Minnell, J. Robinson.

Rushden Wanderers—S. Robinson (goal), N. Gilbert (captain), W. Freeman, backs; G. Wagstaff, W, Evans, G. Ward, T. Draper, F. York, J. Bull, F. C nettle, T. Edwards.

Tea was provided at the Waggon and Horses Inn, to which a good number sat down. After the cloth had been removed, the evening was spent in a very enjoyable manner. Some capital songs were given by the members of both teams and others, and before the Newport team started for home the toast of "Success to the Newport Pagnell Football Club” was given and received with musical honours, and amid great cheering. The toast was also given of "Success to the Rushden Wanderers Football Club,” which was also given and received with musical honours.

HIGHAM FERRERS v. RUSHDEN WANDERERS—A match between the above named clubs was played at Rushden on Saturday last. The ball was kicked off by Evans for Higham, about 4 o'clock. During the first half of the game, the "Wanderers" scored two goals, one of these being kicked by J. Denton, the ball being well middled to him by Bull, and the other by Gilbert. Nothing was scored during the latter half by either sides, so the match ended in a victory for Rushden by two goals to none.

Players: Higham: W. Evans (captain), T. Draper, F. Groome, 0. Middleton, G. Hopkins, C. Mason, T. Parker, G. Houghton, A. Wagstaffe, W. Clarke (goal).

Rushden: W. Freeman (goal), S. Denton, F. Chettle (backs), N. Gilbert, C. Claridge (left wing), J. Bull, J. Denton (right wing), G. Ward, J. T. Denton, H. Billingham, T. York (half-backs).

FOOTBALL—RUSHDEN WANDERERS v. WELLINGBOROUGH STARS—A match between two elevens of the above-named clubs was played at Rushden on Saturday last, in beautifully fine although, for football, rather warm weather. The game was very evenly contested, and although the Wanderers were two or three times very nearly successful in scoring, no advantage was gained by them. The Stars failing to score the match ended in a draw. The following were the Rushden players:—C. Wilby (goal), S. Denton, C. Claridge (backs), N. Gilbert (captain), F. Chettle (left wing), J. Bull, J. T. Denton, T. Edwards (right wing), J. Denton, G. Ward, and J. Linnett (centre).

WANDERERS' FOOTBALL CLUB— On Sa[turday] afternoon last the first match of the seas[on was] announced to be played by 15 a side of the [....] club, chosen by Messrs. C. Claridge and S. D[enton] but at the appointed time half of the ex[pected] players were absent, including Mr. C. Cl[aridge.] The players who were present waited very pa[tiently] till one or two more had made their app[earance] and then it was agreed to open the season [with a] friendly game. Consequently half of the [team] were chosen from the spectators and side [was] made. The weather was beautifully fine [and the] game was a very good one. It was played [by] association rules in a field kindly lent by ... Dickens. The names appended were the pl[ayers]:-

A. Chettle, C. Denton, F. Maddams, F. Ch..., ... Sturman, G. Denton, G. R. Wagstaff, G. M..., H. Billingham, H. Cooke, John Denton, ... Denton, J. Linnitt, J. Greaves, J. Odel, J. ..., J. Hanger, O. Ellis, S. Denton, T. Den[ton], ... Richardson, W. Freeman, W. Hanger, Z. ..., ... Longland, and Cox. [the edge of the paper is missing]

NEWPORT PAGNELL v. RUSHDEN WANDERERS' F.C.—The Captain of the Rushden Wanderers' Football Club writes to a contemporary in reference to the recent match at Newport Pagnell. He states that "the ground was in a most unfit state for play, it being ankle deep in water on nearly the whole piece we were to play upon. In addition to this, it was also raining fast, and we appealed to the Newport men if it was not the better plan to abandon all thought of playing the match that day. They, however, did not think so, and our efforts to dissuade them from this opinion were of no avail. The referee was accordingly appealed to and he gave it as his opinion that the ground was not fit to play upon, and that we were perfectly justified in not wishing to play on ground in such a state. In spite of this, the Newport men persisted in wishing us to consent to make a start, and at length we decided to do so, not, however, before plainly giving them to understand that we played under protest. The game proceeded, but, as the weather became worse, I appealed to the Newport captain to agree to leave off, but to this he would not consent. As my third appeal was of no avail, I told him we should leave the ground, which we accordingly did, every one, so far as I am aware, being glad to do so, as we were completely drenched. The correspondent adds that it has since been decided to treat the match as void, and to play again.

WANDERERS' FOOTBALL CLUB—An entertainment for the benefit of the Wanderers' Football Club was given in the New Hall, on Saturday evening last. The weather was unfavourable, but the attendance, considering the weather, was very good. The first part consisted of songs and part songs, and the second part of a laughable drama, entitled, "The Spectre Bridegroom". The part songs were especially well rendered, and the songs were capitally received. The characters in the drama were especially well received.