FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 296, 25 May 1875, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Chbistchukch v. Timaru. The match arranged between Christchurch and Timaru Clubs was played yesterday,' being the Queen's birthday, at Ashburton. This was the first match that the Christchurch club has played with an outside one. Messrs L. Ollivier and O. Thomson were sent down to select the ground on Saturday, and a paddock, kindly offered by Mr John Hunt. atWakanui, was chosen as the trysting place. The Christchurch team reached Ashburton at 9.30 a.m, and the Timaru team were conveyed by rail from the Rangitata by Mr E. G. Wright, who very kindly placed a train at their disposal, arriving at Ashburton at 11.35 a.m, and proceeded immediately to the ground. The Christchurch team consisted of the following -.—Messrs J. Anderson ; J. Booth ; Bolton ; T. Chapman ; E. Chapman ; E. Cotterell ; W. Cotterill ; E. Dobson ; J. R. Evans ; J. Fowler; Thos Gordon ; J. Grey ; W. Hartland ; G. A. Macquarie ; G. Mathias; T. R. Moore ; A. Ollivier ; L. M. Ollivier; O. Thomson ; J. Wilkin. The average weight being about list. The South Canterbury team were twenty strong, with Mr A. S. George Hamersley as captain, he having been captain of the English team that played against Scotland the year before last. The average weight of the South Canterbury team was about I3st. The two captains, Messrs G. A. Macquarie and St George Hamersley tossed for choice of goals, when the Christchurch captain won, and chose the goal nearest Ashburton, so as to have the advantage of the wind. The match being played under the Rugby Union Rules, all forward players assembled in line in the centre of the ground, when the Timaru captain kicked off. At this time the teamswere arranged in the following manner, three backs, two half-backs and three sets of five as forward players. During the first forty minutes only two balls came to the Christchurch backs, the ball being nearly all the time in close proximity to the Timaru goal. This being half time the sides changed goals, and the Christchurch captain kicked off from the centre, the men of both teams being arranged in the same positions as at the commencement of the game. The Timaru men now that they had the advantage of the wind worked most energetically to obtain a goal, but their efforts were unsuccessful through the good defence of their opponents. The struggle was severe on both sides, neither team kicking a goal during the whole play, but at the termination of the game the umpires, Messrs Harman and Periy, decided that in accordance with the rules under which the game was played, the victory was in favour of the Christchurch team. The teams then proceeded to the Somerset Hotel, where an excellent lunch was provided by Mr J. W. Oram. The president of the Christchurch Club, Mr Harman, proposed the toast of " The South Canterbury Club," which was duly honoured, and was responded to by Mr Hamersley. who hoped that the match just concluded was but *he precursor of a series of annual matches between North and South Canterbury, and concluded by proposing "The Health of the Christchurch Club," the compliment being acknowledged by the captain, Mr Macquarie. As the time for the departure of the South Canterbury men had now arrived they were escorted to the train by the Christchurch team, who, on parting, gave three cheers, which were heartily returned by their opponents. A change had to be made almost at the last moment in the Christchurch team, owing to au accident to Mr J. R. Smith while playing iu the practice match on Saturday. Mr Smith's place was supplied by Mr W. Cotterill.