EAST CHRISTCHURCH V. ASHBURTON-RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2135, 27 May 1889, Page 2

EAST CHRISTCHURCH V. ASHBUR-TON-RAKAIA.

Lovers of football were afforded a ohanoe of witnessing another good game on Saturday afternoon, when tbe tfiaat Ohrlatohuron and Ashburton - Rakaia Oiubi met to try conclusion* ou the Domain ground, Bast Ohrlstohuroh had sent down a strong taam, and tbe looal fifteen reoeived the encouraging assuranoa from their frlunda tbat tbe visitors would beat them. Still, the Ashbnrtoo-Rakala men weui into tbe field determined to show a bold front and make a big fight for vlotory. Tbey did thia too, but lt waa seen at a very early stage of the game that they would be overmatohed by the superior training and play of tbe Ourlstohoroh men. Andrews captained the visitors (yellow and black) and E. J. Fooks tbe borne team (red and blaok). Mr West and Mr Olark acted as umpires, and Me A.'Faoks as referee. Tne game was played In two three-qaarter-bour apell*. Fooks k'oked off, and after a little loose scrummaging lo neutral ground the Yellows rushed the ball doirn into the enemy's quarters and btforj the danger oould be averted Forbes got a try, Harrall took tha klak but no goal resulted. On the ball again coming Into play Ohr i • ohuroh made another rush and the Buds had to louoh down In self defence. Continuing to press their opponents the Yellows kept the ball well down towards the Beds 25 fhg till a timely sorewlng klok from 0. A. Low reversed the position. Tha Yellows, "however, were play Ing well together, and It was not long before the ball was again dangerously near tbe Ashburton goal line. A tougb sorum here ensued and ended In Stevenson getting over tbe line and being allowed a questionable try. The kick waa a failure. The Reds made several good rushes and oooe or twioe oarried the ball into the enemy's ground, but there was always some one at home, and tbe danger was of a very temporary nature. 0. A. Low (Ashburton), was oontlunally distinguishing himself by particularly smart and pretty play, rendering great servlbe to bis side, 0. Moore, Reld, Hugonln, JamerO'*, Fooks and Simpson, were also continually on the ball, but the Reds were evidently overmatohed, and lt was not long before tbe visitors scored another point by a smartly got try by Harrall, and Djw shortly after followed oult, F. Hobbs converting tha last try Into an undeniable goal, the fica, ?pell ending lv favor of Ohrlstohuroh by six points to nil. It was generally thought that, with this advantage to euoourage them, and their superior training to sustain them, Bast Ohrlstohuroh would walk oloan through their opponents during the seocnd spell ; but, to their oredlt be It recorded, the Aahburton-Rakala men got on their mettle and showed that they oould play a most pluoky up hill game; Keeping a!l on the ball and playing well together the reds frequently endangered the Ohtiatohurohgo*!. Jameson, Upton and Moore showed smart and well timed play, and Upton narrowly mined potting a gaol His smartness deaerved better look, but tbe only result was the Reds forolog the Yellows to touch down m self-defence. Hobbs almest Immediately had revenge, and by a brilliant bit of play took the b»ll within three yards of the enemy's goal line where he waa collared. Presently Dow got hold of the ball, touched It down behind the line, and a try was given. Dow, however, was dearly off side, and had an appeal bean m«de the try would nob bave been allowed, A. Hobbs took the klok but failed to oonvert the try Into a goal. He, however, made up for it Immediately afterwards by getting hold of the ball from a loose sorum and prettily dropping a gaol. Frcm this to tbe end of the spell tbe ball was continually near the Ohrletohuroh quarters. The ball was sent m touoh near the Yellows 25 fhg, and from the throw out the übiquitous Mooro got held of it, smartly dodged and twisted through four or five of hie opponent*, and cleverly dropped a well merited goal, for wbioh brilliant bit of play he was* loudly applauded. No further alteration waa made In tbe score, the game tbus ending m favor of Baal Ohrlstohuroh by two goals and four tries to oue goal. A. Hobbs, Andrews, F. Hobbs, MoKae, Stevenson, Kesteven, Dow and Forbes were always to the (ore, thongh the team as a whole played a realty good game. 0. A. jhow, Moore, HactonVo, Fooks, Oowe, Rejd,' Simpson, ' Upton and Jameson were amongst the most prominent players for the home team, each very frequently showing op very smartly at critical periods In a toughly fought up hill g»me.