FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1946, 17 September 1888, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

» ASETBURTON v. RAKAIA. .

The first match of the season between Ash burton and Rakoia was played on Saturday on tho latter'a ground, and resulted m a drawn game, each aido scoring one goal The Ashburton team aesembled at the Somerset Hotel corner about one o'clock, and bcott'a coach being m readinja* a start was made soon after. Tho men selected did not all tarn up, and no loss then four recruits had to be pressed into service, and then there was et ill a iunn Bhort. A ploasant drive o£ a couple of hou-s landed ibo Aehburton reprceontativca m Hnkaie, anil no time was lost m making a start. Tho following were the teams. ASHBURTON. Full-back, J. A. Oliver ; three quarterbacks, A. JBaohanan, Dalgleian and Ohmtie ; half-backs, tf. Hmpßon and Graham ; forwards, E. J.Fooks (captain). G. Kidd, J. Jnmießon, F. Field. F. A. B. Stuirt, Cbriatian, Powell and Hoop r. BAKAIA Full-back, Sharp; tbreequarter-backa, Raid, Dixon (captaio) and Dunford ; half backs, Laraman and Crawford ; forwards, Howell, Street, Primmer, Storry, Upton, Olark, Brown, Shannon and WilHon, Aehburton won tbe toss and elected to play with the wind m their favtor, Rakaia taking the kick off. Tho play was not of a very brilliant description, and hard kicking only resulted m Kakaia being forced down several timeß. Buchanan on more than one occasion was all bat over the Bakain goal line, and eventually by some judicious passing be wr-s enabled to Bcore. 'ihere was some dispute about hand ball, but this was disallowed, aud Fooks took the kick and placed an unmistakeable goal. For Borne unexplained reason the gentleman who was acting as umpire gave fa ag no goal, and for a time play had to be stopped. Every one on the field who saw the kick had no doubt as to its being a goal, but from the position of the umpire he could not but have been mistaken. After a little delay! the goal was allowed, and Mr Peapook was chosen umpire for Rakaia, and Mr Mullin for Ashburton, Mr Smith kindly acting as referee. Soon after play was resumed, Bakaia was pressed very bard, and Simpson got acroea bnt was held by Upton, and a maul m goal resulted m Simpson being forced into the field of play. By dint of great exertion Rakaia oleared their lines and shifted the scene of the play to the northern end where Ashburton for a time had their work cat out to save themselves. Beld ran and kloked well md was often dangerous, while Olark worked like a Trojan. Upton, and Storry were playing a grand game, and Laraman at half w*s often successful In stopping the Colors' (Ashburton) rushes. Fooks' Kidd, Field, and Stuart, were the pick of the Ashburton forwards the latter playing a hard and sterling game. Dalglelsh and Baobanan had the most to do of the b»cks and until half time was called the game swayed from end to end and onoe Aehbarton bad to foroe down m self defence. Soore at half tlmo, Ashburton 3 points, Bakaia nil After a short Interval endi were changed the Colors having a strong wind and the hill to play against. Rakalapl&yed fast and loose and It was not until the Colors rallied that they were beaten back. Oliver from full-baok m»de some useful runs, but the ball was kept. too much among the forwards for the Colors' baoks to get maoh chance. Bakaia plaood faith In Reid and onoe he got possession of the leather, and before Dalglelsh oonld Uokle him, be took a splendid drop and landed a goal amid , «> "eat oheerlng. The scores being now » equai Ashburton worked hard to secure a I vlotory, u^ efforts were unavailing j and time was J«Hed with tho ball In the t Colors' territory »3<* «*• score 3 points j each. i After giving the usual cheers the visiting - team aocepted Mr Dixon'a hospitality and s disposed of a generous luncheon which he i had kindly provided. After seeing the s " lions" of Rakala the horses were onoe i more put to and the visitors giving hearty i. cheers for Bakaia drove at a rattling ptos i out into the moonlight. The journey homeward on a beautiful night was paasod ft as harmoniously as possible, songs and choruses without numbor being given all round. Ashburton was reached soon af tei ten o'clock, the whole party evidently s well pleased »nd latlcfied with the day'e { oatlng. ,1 - c a" BuchA-Paiba."— Quick, complete cure, >• diU anDoying kidney, bladder, and urinarj n hseases. At chemists and druggists. KempII cborne, Prosser, and Co,, agents, Christ Ur b. I