AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY AT FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 4217, 1 September 1876, Page 4

AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY AT FOOTBALL.

•This match was commenced yesterday afternoon at Ellerslie. The weather was very wetland miserable. ' 800 spectators were present. Canterbury won the toss, and " declared -to' kick with the wind. At 3,30, Robinson, kicked off. with a splendid place-kick, which was followed by a brilliant rush on the, part of J. Gudgeon, backed up by the whole Auckland team. After a brilliant rally, the bail came out on the west side, and was seized by C. Daore, who -early distinguished himself by making a splendid run, and touching the ball behind the enemy's goal-line, thus- scoring first blood for Auoklatid—3 points. The try at the goal was unsuccessful. Curtis and Cox played very finely. Play was very fierce—both teams strained tooth and wail. Potts .next scored another half-point for Canterbury. The' Canterbury men seemed to have slightly the best of the scrimmages, and played for them. The Auckland men are speedier. Score—Auckland, 3 ; Canterbury, 1. Potts, by a fine flying kick, scored a force-back for Canterbury at 3.35. Scores .—Auckland, 3 ; Canterbury, I£. At 4 o'clock Auckland were sticking to it, and giving Canterbury all they knew to hold their own, with the advantage of the wind. At the opening of the second bout a mull at handling the ball by Jones gave Canterbury a chance of touch, but through the good play of Pollen, and when ball was iorced back away from the goal, J. Gudgeon, with a Hying kick, scored a force-down, which Cotterill tried to save by "dropping" the ball out, but was unsuccessful. Score : Auckland, 3£; Canterbury, 1. Shortly after, Wood kicked the ball behind Canterbury goal line. Moore, in trying to drop, was baulked by Carter, and Nolan was enabled to score. Auckland, 6£; Canterbury, 1. Robinson was again unsuccessful in the "try," but went very near.. last part of the second half hour, A. and J. Potts played splendidly for Canterbury. No further score was made, but the ball was very near Auckland, and when time was called Auckland was 6£, Canterbury 1. The commencement of the third bout was marked by some good play on the part of Croxton for Canterbury. Some sharp give-and-take play ensued, and then Anderson got the ball and placed it well, ending a splendid rush by scoring a force-down for Canterbury. A brilliant rush on the part of Evans scored a forceback for Canterbury. He quickly .followed it up by atfother score. Auckland, terburyj -2£.-" Canterbury was then playing magnificently, and trying hard to retriove the Play was very fasft. Both sides seemed incapable of fatigue. Moore and C. Wood, for Canterbury, played well. The wet ground by this time was so cut up as to interfere sadly with the running, which told against Auckland. The game concluded at 5.30, Auckland winning by seven points against three.