FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 602, 24 May 1876, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Christchurch v. South Canterbury. The second annual match between the above clubs was played on Cranmet Square yesterday afternoon, and was witnessed by about 2000 people, who, from the hearty applause given during the match, seemed to take great interest in the game, which, however, turned out to be a rather onesided affair, as the visitors wore beaten by one goal and twenty-one points to nil. The game, be it remembered, last year when Christchurch met the South Canterbury team at Ashburton, resulted in a draw, points then not being played, and goals only scoring. This year, in case of their being no goals kicked, it was deemed advisable to play points, when the following were allowed, viz, one for a force-down, ie., when the opponents were compelled to touch the ball down behind their own goal line, and three for a touch-down, when either side secured a touch behind their adversaries’ goal line, but if either side secured a goal then that to count a win, beyond any number of points. Shortly after three o’clock the men began to arrive on the ground, and it was soon pretty evident that the South Canterbury were by far the heavier team, as the subjoined list will show • • i _ o At. rt a L..__

.Christchurch, averaging list slb, whilst South Canterbury averaged list 9£lb, a trifle over half-stone per man. Mr R. J. S. Harman acted as umpire for Christchurch, and Mr W. F. Neilson for South Canterbury, both of whom discharged their onerous duties with equal satisfaction. The Game. Christchurch having won the toss, chose the south goal, as there was a gentle breeze from the south-west, which would) favor them in kicking the ball. At 3.20 Ham. mersley kicked the ball off for South Canterbury, and both sides were soon at it in good earnest, when Stringer took the ball and commenced the first run of the day, but had not gone far before he was collared, and a tough scrimmage ensued, in which both sides seemed pretty equally matched. Craig, who played half-back, now took the ball and attempted to run, but soon had to succumb, and shortly after South Canterbury were compelled to touch down behind their own goal. Christchurch thus securing the first point:. The ball being kicked off again, it was very quickly sent behind the visitors’ goal line, when Evans cleverly secured a touch down, scoring three more points. The kick was entrusted to A, M. Ollivier, who however failed to obtain the much coveted prize. The ball was again brought out, and got more hard usage from both parties, when Fowler, who had been playing well up round the scrimmages, ran in and secured another touch-down for Christchurch. This time Hartland tried the kick for goal, but was also unsuccessful. The Christchurch men were now warming up to their work, and the half-backs seemed determined to keep the ball down to the South Canterbury goal, which they did pretty successfully, although the visitors worked hard to get the ball nearer the middle of the ground, but failed to do so, their kicking being particularly weak. Two more force-downs for Christchurch came in quick succession, thus making nine poin's to nil. Stringer now made a catch, and claimed a free kick just over 25-yard line, but failed in scoring, the ball being quickly returned by Jones; B. Cotterill tried the same again about forty yards from goal, and also failed. Scrimmages again became numerous, and some good play in this department of the game was shown by both teams, sometimes one sometimes the other, having the best of it, Hammersley being in the thick of every scrimmage and doing his utmost to turn the tide in favor of South Canterbury; but the home team were in too good training, and Lewin, by good dribbling, carried the ball well down again to the Southerners’ goal, and after some hard play another force down was scored. The ball being again kicked out, some good play by Ollivier and Evans was witnessed in passing back, until the ball being well down on goal line, a bard scr murage took place, and Croxton secured another touch down, making thirteen points. E. Cotterill tad another try for goal, out again failed. The ball being quickly kicked out Ollivier made a good catch and cried

mark, he made a splendid drop kick for this the ball just landing under the goal line. No sooner down than off again ; had the ball and tried hard for a run, but was soon collared and cried down ; and now com menced a series of scrimmages just by touch line, when Hartland made a rush over the goal line, but was collared by Bawson and Hammersley, and a maul in goal ensued, which resulted in Hartland getting the ball from his two opponents. Ollivier again trkd the kick, but failed Shortly before half-time was called another force-down was obtained by the Christchurch men, making the score sixteen points to their credit. Five minutes wete now allowed for the men to recreate, when the ball was again kicked off, and some very close play ensued, with no decided advantage, until the ball being gradually worked down again to the Southerners' goal, Oroxton secured another touch-down. Ollivier was again entrusted with the kick, and this time was fortunate enough to kick a goal for Christchurch, amidst much applause. Upon the ball being kicked off the visitors were again penned into their own quarters, and Christchurch succeeded in scorir-g another force-down. Shortly after thi3 A. Ollivier met with an accident,which necessitated his borrowing the umpire's coat. Meanwhile the play continued; Craig by a pretty run carried the ball, for the first time, well down to the Christchurch quarters, and looked very much like scoring • touch-down, but Matthias cellared him about five yards from the gaol line. The visitors were not strong enough to follow up their advantage, and the Christchurch men quickly worked the ball back again into their opponents' quarters and secured another touch-down ; the try, however, was unsuccessful. South Canterbury's chance now seemed hopeless, and they were again compelled once or twice to touch-dewn behind their own gaol, and when time was called at twenty minutes to five, Canterbury stood winners by one goal and twoaty one points to nil.

To individualise the play of the separate members of the team would be invidious, but the success of Christchurch in securing so many points was no doubt due to the splendid play and following up of the halfbacks, who were not only good kicks, but also good runners when necessity required. The Southerners were very weak in their back play. The forwards on both sides worked remarkably well, L. Ollivier, Lock, and Thompson showing up well for Christchurch. We cannot conclude without remarking that the South Canterbury men played a very plucky up-hill game, and well merited the hearty cheers that were called for them by the Christchurch captain, and cordially responded to by the team and the public, thus bringing to a close a first-rate afternoon's sport, In the evening the Southern team were entertained at dinner at Morton'u by the Christchurch Club; Mr Harman occupied the chair, and a pleasant evening was spent.

Christchurch. South Canterbury. Bt lb st lb J. Anderson, H. St George captain 9 10 Hammersley, 13 12 A. M. Ollivier 12 8 captain J. R. Evans ... 10 6 P. Barker ... 12 4 B. Cotterill ... 9 9 H. Tancred ... 10 0 W. Stringer ... 11 0 J. H. Raiue ... 11 8 W. Hartland... 12 0 J. Patterson ... 11 4 L. M. Ollivier 12 10 — Craig 10 5 0. Thomson ... 10 5 H. Macpherson 13 2 J. Fowler 9 9 — Bawson ... 12 5 C. Croxtou ... 12 0 G. J. DennisT. Lock 12 2 toun 11 10 M. Lewin II 0 L.A.MacpherJ. Barker 12 4 son 12 7 M, S. Smith ... 10 4 — Jones 10 6 G. S. Matthias 9 8 T. Turnbull ... il 7 C. D. Fox ... 10 1 R. M. Buchanan 12 0 H. Rogers ... 12 0