FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1300, 20 May 1878, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

There was again a capital muster of football players on Cranmer Square on Saturday afternoon, when another picked team of the Christchurch Club tried their strength against over thirty other players. The game was commenced shortly after three o’clock, and up to the end of the third spell the play on both sides was very even, the only score being two force-downs on the part of the Club side against one to the credit of the Sixteen. During the last spell the Club scored another force-down, and just before time was called Parker succeeded in taking the ball behind the Sixtecn’s goal lino, and obtained a touchdown. The try, though a tolerably easy one, proved a failure. It will thus bo seen that the match resulted in another defeat for the picked team, but considering they had more than double their number against them, they must be congratulated on having so successfully held their own. With respect to the match as a whole, the play all round was a great improvement on that of the previous Saturday, though at times the backs did not pick up the ball or collar their opponent as smartly as they should do. During the afternoon there was very good passing-back play on the part of some of the members, a department of the game which mainly contributed to the success of the Otago team last year. On Thursday next the first important match of the season will be played on Cranmer Square, when a team of the Christchurch Club will meet a representative fifteen from South Canterbury. The names of the two teams will be published as soon as the selection committee have finally chosen the players, who will have the honor of representing their respective clubs in this always interesting contest. FOOTBALL AT BAKAIA. The newly formed football club at South Eakaia met on Saturday for the first time for practice. The ground, part of the Government reserve, is a fairly good one, and the Eakaia Football Club with a little practice will be able to hold its own among the clubs of the province. Many of the members are still ignorant of the rules of the game, but there are several really good players, who will soon coach the others. On Saturday sides were chosen by Messrs Hope and Anderson, and a good game ensued, Mr Anderson’s side having a little the best of the contest at the close. In addition to the two captains Messrs Mann, McKerrow, Boyd, Makeig, Winter, Coxe, and Lampard played well for their respective sides.