FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1940, 10 September 1888, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

RAKAIA V LEESTON.

Saturday wob a lovely day, but Blightly warm for footbill. Rakaia had fixed upon this day. however, to meet Leeston, and a tough (struggle was expected Mr Dixon had gathered together na good a team aa it was possible to raise m his dietrio , nnd though atveral of the players wero veterans m the football field, they we 'c nndly out of training, and a team brought na it were from the four winds of tho district, and altogether unused to eich other'B play, was hurdly to bo expected to cop:) against a team oC such splendid calibro as thai from Lejaton proved to be. Tho Looßton team waa rather late m arriving, but ac soon as the players put m an appearance no time wiis lost m lining out on the fte.'d, when it was found that teams were constituted as follows : — Leebton. Full back, W. Johnston ; three quarter* backs, J. Donald, Graham, and Kennie ; half-backs, J. Doyle and Looocq ; forwards, W. H Lock wood (oapfciin), Hallej, iT. Moorhead, Ewenson, Oooper, Macdonald, Q. W. Smith, W. Fabian, and W. Watson lUkaia. Full back, Crawford ; three-quarter-baoks, Helraore, Lee and Datgleish ; halfbacks, Dixon (captain), and Sharp ; forwards, Primraor, Olark, titreot, Hugonin, Street, Duoford, Fooks, Howell, and Story. Mr Jas, Christie umpired for Rakaia, and Mr T. W. Durant for Lteston, while Mr T. Upton carried tho Referee's whistle Rakaia(Red and Blaok) took the kiok-off down hill, and the forward* following up well, carried the ball down to the Leeaton (Red and White) goal lino, and for a few natuutea Rakala looked as if they were to have things pretty muoh their own way. The Leeston backs were, however, equal to the occasion, and relieved the temporary pressure, and the ecane of the play was shifted to the centre. Here Fooks distinguished himself by one of his characteristic forward charger, and the ball waa worked down again to Leeaton's line. From a norum on the tonoh line near the goal line Olark got over and drew first blood for Rakalo, amid much congratulation. The try was not enhanced the attempt at goal being very poor, From this time oat Rakaia was pressed very hard at the upper end of the ground, and the game swayed from the centre to their goal line. The passing and condition cf the Leeston backs, and the smart following up of the' forwards was a very noticeable feature In their play, From a eorum at the half way flag near the touoh line a pass was made right aorois to Donald, who snecooded m evading all the RakaU backs and grounded the ball almost behind the goal postir The run waa a really olever one, and tho scorer was warmly applauded. Graham took the kiok, and landed a perfect goal. From this until half time was cailed the play waa of a give and take description, Rakaia adopting m the main defensive tactics. • Score at half time— Leeston, & points ; Rakaia, 1, After a brief interval ends were ohanged, and Loeaton kicked ofl\ Lee, Qelmore, and Dalglelsh did servloo m the back department for Rakata, bub the latter . never t>ot a chanoo to show his running and kicking powers, The forwards kept the ball too closely la the scrum, which they were not strong enough to carry, whi c the Leeaton men were olever m giving their backs a show, and, as the sequel showed, they were not trusting to broken reeds. The passing between Graham, Kennie, and Donald at three-quarter, and the way thoy were ted by Doyle and Leoocq, was a sight to be admired. Crawford, the Rakals fall-baotc, saved his side time after time by his dropping and punting Into touoh. Condition was, however, telling its tale, and Ronnie on three different occasions was able by reason of unselfish passes, to put his turn of epaod to account, and each time got over. Twice It was almost a case of touoh In goal. Graham took all tho kioksj and his plaoe kicking was the feature of the game. From the touoh line he plocod two splendid goals straight and not too hl«h. It seemed impossible for him to make a mistake, Out of four tries obtained be placed four goals, and three of these were from difiioult angles. Towards the last Rakaia was clearly overma+ohed, but the splendid combination passing and kicking as displayed by Loeeton would have been too much even for many a first-class team. Three goals were plaoed m the second spell, leaving Leeston victorious by twelve points to one. Of individual play on Leeston side, Rennie, Graham, and indeud all the backs were consplouons. Lookwood led on his forwards m true style, and played a genuine game. Of the Rakaia men Clark played a hard game, and Fooks often showed a turn of his old superiority. Crawford at baok doserves a word of praise Dixon, Helmore, and Lee with Dalglelsh did their share of the work without flinching. The game was played In the beßt possible spirit, and no dissent was made to any ruling given by the umpires, who Indeed had little to do, appeals being very few and far between After the oustom&ry oheers, Mr Dixon entertained the visiting team m a most hospitable manner, and the comfort of visitors to the field was not overlooked either

It (s intended to try and raise a team m Ashburton to meet- Bakaia next Saturday m a friendly contest.