This was the first of several "kickabouts" held that year involving members of the Melbourne Cricket Club, including Wills, Bryant, W. J. Hammersley and J. B. Thompson. Trees were used as goalposts and play typically lasted an entire afternoon.
The text describes a series of informal football matches organized by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 19XX. These matches involved members like Wills, Bryant, W. J. Hammersley, and J. B. Thompson. The games were played with trees as goalposts and lasted for an entire afternoon.