SOUTHBRIDGE V RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1923, 20 August 1888, Page 3

SOUTHBRIDGE V RAKAIA.

A football match took place between the Sonthbridge and Kakaia teams on Saturday at Ka'aia. Despite the most unfavorable weather a most enjoyable game was played. Mesws W. Dixon and R. G. Park officiated as umpires for Bakaia and Southbridge respectively, and Dr Withers^ of Southbridge, held the referee's whistle. The game was played m the school ground, which, though very rough and lumpy, wai very dry; Southbridge kicked off, and very soon the play was m the reds (Bakaia) twentyfive. The superior forward strength of the visitors soon told, and McCormack getting over from a rueh, just missed touching down. The reds, though altogether overmatched, contested every inch stubbornly; and though they were repeatedly forced during the game, they were occasionally gamely on the aggressive. The short dodgy runs of .Reid were very good, but unfortunately, he was not well backed up. From a pass from Nicholson, Todd made a smart run, and was stopped when within an ace of scoring. At half-time neither side had scored. The second spell wbb commenced m an annoying drizzle of rain. A. little more passing was done by the visitors, and the game was occasionally a little loose. The reds were kept m continual hot water by the tactics of the greens, who kept the game forward and played very tight tcrimmages. After a few minutes play licOormack again got over for the visitors, but was held by two or three rodß before he could get down. The maul resulted m his favor. The attempt at goal was a failure. Shortly afterwards Scott, breaking through a rout, got over with the ball, but again the greaeineas of the ball prevented any increase being made to the score. Occasionally Reid relieved his side by a good ran, finished by & telling kick ; m fact, the local men were superior to their opponents m this detail of the game, and,did a powerful lot of kicking into touch. Shortly afterwards from a dribbling rush of greens, Todd carried the ball over the line at his toe, but fell before be could Becure it. Shortly afterwards the reds averted another score by one of their players tumbling m front of Todd when m dangerous proximity to their line. When time was called the score stood, Southbridge 2 points, Rakaia nil. For the visitors Little (captain), McOormack, Scott, Dobbin, and Nicholson played well forward, and Todd, Stevenson and Nicholson did very good service as backs. Of the Bakaia forwards Street, Larraman, fftory, and Primmer, and another playing m a s^irt, whose name your correspondent did not catch, worked well, while Beid (captain) was the mainstay back Altogether the meeting was an unqualified success, and we hope that the Bakaia team will give a good account of themselves on the Southbridge ground, I may state that the refreshment arrange- > ments were excellent, and were appreciated by the visiting team. ■