FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1008, 30 July 1883, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Ashburton v. South Canterbury. The match which took place on Saturday at Timaru between teams representing the above resulted in favor of the South Canterbury men by two goals and two tries to nil. Considering how little practice the Ashburton players have had this season, there is no wonder that they were beaten, but, at the same time, it must bo conceded they played a very plucky up-hill game. The ground was, on account of the recent rains, not in good condition, and some was experienced in the players’ keeping their feet. At about 2 o’clock the Timaru captain kicked off, the ball being well returned by A. Fooks. Then followed a number of tight scrimmages, F. Jones ultimately securing the ball, and bringing it behind the Ashburton goal, scoring first blood for Timaru. No goal however resulted, but the visitors were compelled to force down. During the rest of the spell no further score was made, although the ball was kept perilously close to the visitors’ goal. In the second spell the game was a fast one, some good passing being done by the Timaru men, and Hughes by a good kies from the centra of the play placed a goal to the credit of the local team. Soon after Lough touched the ball down, and the kick was entrusted to Shepherd, who was successful in obtaining another goal. It was seen that the Ashburton men were quite over-matched, and before no-side was called another touch-down was registered for South Canterbury, although the try was a failure. The game was played throughout with the most perfect good temper, and the Ashburton team returned by the last train well satisfied with the day’s outing. Canterbury v. Wellington. This match which was played on Saturday, resulted in a victor) for Wellington by one try to nil, the same score as was made in the game with Otago last week. The ground was in bad condition, and at one time it seemed as if the heavier weight of the Canterbury men would give the victory to the south, Wellington won the toss, ana very little time was lost in setting the ball in motion At 3.7 Millton sent the ball well down in the Wellington quarters. It was met by Wood, the local captain, who returned it into touch. The scrimmages were frequent, and after twenty minutes’ play the ball was fairly in the centre of the ground. The Canterbury men were playing a grand game, simply walking through the Wellingtonians, and those who were backing the local team at 2 to 1 were hedging again. From one hard scrimmage Campbell, one of the local forwards, picked up the ball and ran through the Canterbury backs, getting the first try fot Wellington. The position was not a good one and Dumbell, who is, as a rule, entrusted with the place kick for Wellington, refused to take it, and H. Smith, the Captain of the College team, was asked to have a try. Be made a splendid kick, the ball going in excellent direction, but fall low. Million, the captain of the Canterbury men, had previous to this another shot at goal from a “ mark ” obtained by Farr. The kick was from the side of the field, but notwithstanding this Million made a splendid effort, and it was not until the umpires gave “no goal” that it was known what was the result. With those on the field the general opinion was that it had passed betweten the posts, and expressions of regret were frequent when the decision was given. The result of this pot seemed to inspire the visitors with renewed vigor, and they carried the ball into Wellington’s quarters, where they kept it until time for the first spell was called. The game, so far, had resulted in favor of Wellington by one try to nil. After a couple of minutes’ spell Wood kicked off, and scrimmages were again the order of the day for some time. Dumbell getting the ball made a grand run through the visitors, and took the leather behind the goal posts, but the umpires decided to have the ball back, as some slight irregularity had taken place. This decision was most unfortunate for Wellington, as it would have given them another try, and, from the position that Dumbell touched the ball, it would have been an easy kick for a goal. The decision was received with disapprobation by the Wellington men, and the captain, on leaving the crowd, who were disputing it, remarked, “What hard luck.’' A few minutes later Dumbell, of the Wellington side, in making a run, was collared, and immediately called “ down.” The Canterbury forward, however, was not satisfied with stopping him, but caugut Dumbell by the collar and dragged him several yards in the direction of the Wellington goal. This was the grossest piece of unfair play during the game, and two of the Wellington men caught the Canterbury man, and once it appeared as if the affair would result in fists being used. The spectators who were near it noticed the dispute, and called to the Wellington men not to have a row. The rest of the spell was hardly fought by Canterbury, but just towards the last they appeared to tire, and Wellington rushed the ball down close to the goal, when no side was called, Wellington winning by a try to love.