INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 687, 1 September 1876, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

I By Telegraph,] (From a correspondent of the Press.) Auckland, August 31. The day broke with a steady downpour of rain, which continued with scarcely a break till nearly one o’clock.' The sun then showed through the clouds and gave promise of a fine afternoon. This promise was but half fulfilled, for showers occurred at intervals during the game. The team went out by train at two, and after remaining on the ground for some time, a start was made at 3.5 p.m. Anderson won the toss, and took the south goal, then having the wind at his back. Neilson acted as umpire for Canterbury, and F. Sharia ad officiated for Auckland. The Auckland team, captained by Bobinson, were placed as follows: Jones and Whewell, backs ; Wood, Cox, Robinson, Henderson, and Carter, half backs ; Mackay, Noland, Woon, Shetland, Dacre, J. Gudgeon, W. Gudgeon, and Paul, forwards. For Canterbury, Moore, and Milton played backs ; McOardell, Stringer, Cottrell, and later on Brans, half backs; the rest forward. At 3.20 Robinson kicked off, and the ball was at once taken up to the Canterbury goal. Soon after Robinson brought it still further up, and Caere obtained a touch down for Auckland. Robinson took the try but missed out. Three points were thus secured for Auckland. The weight of Canterbury was apparent after the first ten minutes, Auckland being always beaten in this department of the game. Woon made several neat runs, and Moore and Stringer by long kicking and running improved the position of Canterbury greatly. G. Potts was also always on the ball, and at 3.40 secured the first force down for his side, counting half a point. For Auckland Cox, playing beautifully, brought the game back again to the centre of the ground. G. Potts, by a long kick and quickly following the ball, secured a second force down—total, one point. At this stage of the game the merits of the two teams were evident, Auckland in their back players and quickness, Canterbury in their weight and scrimmaging. At the end of the first spell of twenty minutes Moore took the kick off, and Canterbury now played against the wind. At first the ball stayed for a short time in the Auckland part of the field, but Woon and Nolan playing well together, brought it into dangerous proximity to the Canterbury goal, Gudgeon kicking the ball behind, and Cotterill, in endeavoring to kick out and save the force down, was stopped by a tremendous squall which came on, and the ball dropped right under the Canterbury goal--31. points to Auckland. About 4 p,m. Moore missed a kick in the same way, and another try at goal by Auckland ensued also in a miss. Score —Auckland, 6J ; Canterbury, 1. During the last ten minutes of the spell the state of the game was all in favor of Canterbury, the forwards working together like clock work, and a beautiful run by McCardell won great applause from the spectators. During the third twenty minutes Canterbury had the wind again. Robinson kicked off, and Cox soon after made a good run, but in kicking, the ball fell out of bounds. Dacre also endeavored to run, and succeeded in passing several, but was collared by Evans, and Canterbury held their own well in the scrimmage that followed. For a long time the game now remained very evenly balanced, and neither side gained any advantage worth noticing; but at about 4 60 Lee and Anderson, dribbling together and backing each other up well, took the ball right down under the Auckland goal. G. and H. Potts as usual were first on the ball, securing the third forccdown for Canterbury, making their score one and a half up to this time. Fora long time Canterbury maintained the advantage they bad gained, and only the splendid play of the Auckland hacks saved their goal, great scrimmaging going on every minute, rightin frontof it. Evans made use of the last ten minutes of the wind, and dribbling with his usual skill gained the fourth force down, making Canterbury two points, Whewell took the kick out. and the game returned to the centre of the ground once more, but Cotterill, with a very long kick, moved the scene of action, and Evans, by one of the best pieces of dribbling made during the match, got another force wn ., . I Canterbury, At the end of the third spell, the score stood Auckland, 6*; Canterbury, 2\. The last spell of twenty minutes now began, and went well for Canterbury, for, on Cotterill kicking off, G. Potts immediately took the ball clean through his opponents, and another half point was added to Canterbury’s score, making it now three. At this stage of the game the sympathy of the crowd was plainly shown for our men, who were playing splendidly, the Potts brothers being

especially noticeable for their always keeping on the ball, and their tremendous weight in the scrimmages. The weight, too, of the Southerners began to tell on the Northerners and they were constantly forced back, but Cox and Woon as well as Whewell and Jones, with tremendous kicks and sharp play, always defeated their utmost efforts to attain this wished for end. Sharland, who had received a very severe kick, now retired from the field, and the Auckland team played one man short to the end of the game. About half way through the spell, J. Milton made a short run, and on being held, cleverly passed the ball back to Moore who made one of his long kicks, and the game was thereby given a turn more in favor of Canterbury, Auckland in the last ten minutes being beaten back inch by inch, the crowd encouraging our men, who were working splendidly together. The Aucklanders knowing that but a few minutes remained, made a rush, and Woon playing well, they secured another force down, bringing their score up to seven points. They were again however beaten back, and the game now became most exciting, as their play was right in front of the Auckland goal, and a kick Irom Canterbury in the right place might at any moment turn what was before defeat into victory. Ootterill now made several beautiful kicks ; and McCardell, who was by this time the only player who was not covered with mud, made two of his dashing runs. The Aucklanders were not to be deprived of their prize, for they managed to keep the ball away from their goal successfully. Just before time was called, Stringer obtained a mark from a kick of Robinson's right in front of the northern goal, and very close up. The excitement was now intense, but Canterbury was not to win. Anderson told him to take a place kick, thinking it would prove surer than a drop, but the Aucklanders were too quick upon him, and the backers of Canterbury, whose hopes had been raised, were disappointed. Time was now called, the game standing—Auckland seven, Canterbury three. Our team was warmly cheered by the spectators, of whom there were about one thousand on the ground, notwithstanding the wet and the distance from town. The game was played with the utmost goodwill on both sides, and the Canterbury men will always have reason to remember the kind reception they met with in the province of Auckland. The two teams dine together this evening, and the Canterbury team start for Taranaki at 2 p.m. to-morrow.