FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1365, 1 July 1878, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NORTH CANTERBURY v. CHRISTCHURCH.

On Saturday afternoon a team of football players, representing North Canterbury, paid a visit to Cranmer square, whore they met and successfully tried conclusions with fifteen members of the Christchurch Club. Previous to commencing it was arranged that the match should he played in four spells, of twenty minutes each, touch-downs and goals only to score. In order to allow the northerners to return by the afternoon train, the game had to be started at an earlier hour than usual, and at 2.(5 p.m. the Christchurch captain took the kick-off from the south end. The Northern backs quickly returned the ball to mid ground, where the first of what promised to b > a successionof tough scrimmages took place. Though the Christchurch forwards succeeded in gradually forcing the ball back into their opponents’ quarters, it was easily seen that the visitors would take a lot of beating, and that before the end of the match they would prove no mean antagonists, as they had brought a very heavy team into the field to do battle lor the credit of North Canterbury. On the ball coming clear of the scrimmage one of the Northern backs got hold of it, and made a good run down close to the Chri tchurch quarters, from whence it was gradually worked into the centre of the ground by a series of well fought scrimmages. By a goed run on the part of .lohnstou, well hacked uj) by the forwards, the bail was again taken into the Northerners’ ground, when a lot of very close and hard play ensued the Christchurch men eventually succeeding in getting just in front of their adversaries’ goal posts. Time, however, was called, and the first spell ended without either side gaining any advantage Goals were changed, and with only a few minutes’ intermission the game was again started by the visitors driving the ball close down to the Christchurch line. both teams were now well warmed up to their work, and though the forwards on the home side were playing together capitally, and exerting themselves to the utmost in order to m i ike up for great deficiency in their back play, the great weight and broad shoulders of the Northerners proved such formidable obstacles as to render the chance of a victory for Christchurch a very doubtful one. Scrimmage after scrimmage took place, and finally Kaye, who had been playing remarkably well for the visitors, dribbled the ball prettily through the scrimmage and well down over the Christchurch line, Parker just succeeding in saving rhe touch-down. After this the ball was several times dangerously near the Christchurch line, and it was not long before the home team were again con polled to touch down in self-defence. At this point of the game things began to look rather gloomy for Christct.urch. The forwards were doing their level best, but the back play at times was very indifferent, and the Northerners wore not slow in taking advantage of it. A good deal of play took place in the Christchurch quarters, and at last G. Rutherford rushed the ball through, and was very near getting a touchdown, but the Christchurch men were a little too quick for him, and managed to touch it down in self-defence. The ball was again kicked into play, and, by a grand rush, taken down close to the Northerners’ goal line, hut a fine bit of play on the part of Leach re ulted in its being returnel to a less dangerous spot. Time was i gain called, and the second spell ended without any result, though the appearance of the game so far was in favour of the visitors another change of goals and demolishing of lemons, and the third spell commenced by a good lusty kick on the part of the Christchurch captain. The Christchurch men seemed to eater into the game at this doubtful stage with greater zeal and energy than before, so much so as to completely turn the tide of events for a considerable time The hall was constantly in the visitors’quarters, and once Johnston made a fine drop and narrowly missed scoring a goal for Christchurch. The play after this became very exciting, and some good passing back en-ued between several of the Christchurch men. The homo team followed up the advantage they appeared to be gaining, and despite the plucky efforts of Northerners rushed the ball back over their goal line. Leach tried to run it out, but the Christchurch men were on him before ho got far and compelled him to touch it down. It was promptly brought into play again, and the game became more exciting than ever, Kaye and Fox specially distinguishing themselves. '.The Northerners did not in any way relax their game efforts, still t hey could not succeed in keeping the ball in a safe part of the field. A lot of very close play ensued and eventually Reeves nearly got a goal for Christchurch hy a very fine drop. Beyond, however, the visitors having again to touch the ball down behind their own goal line, nothing further resulted up to the end of the third spell. Alter a few minutes’ breathing time, the teams again faced each other for the final spell, and from the vigorous manner in which they went to work it, was evident that both sides intended to do their utmost tp prevent the match resulting in a draw. Up to within five minutes of time beii.g called, however, no material change had taken place in the state of the game, though the play had been sightly in favor of the visitors, hepimmagp after scrimmage took place, and the ball was gradually worked into the Christchurch quarters. At the end of a particularly tough and lengthy tinsel, the visitors managed to rush the ball over their opponents’ goal lino, and by a very smart bit of play. Brown, a College boy, who was plqying for the North, secured a touch-down, an outburst of cheering greeting his success. The try, which was by no means au oa y one, was entrusted to Leach, but he failed to kick the much coveted goal. After this no further advantage was gained hy cither side, and the match resulted in a hard-earned victory for North Canterbury by one touch-down to nil. On the part'd’ Christchurch, the forwards played up well throughout the game, and great credit is due to them for the manner in which they held their ground against such heavy weights as the Brothers Rutherford, Chapman, apd the Jji'olliiffa D’Auvergne. The back play

of tlie local team, however, was at times anything but creditable, and to this deficiency must, in a great measure, be attributed their defeat. It is only fair to state that Christchurch was playing two men short for some time, and. though this gap was eventually filed up, there were three good men who had been chosen unable to play. With respect to North Canterbury, all their forwards were heavy, powerful men, and any deficiency noticeable through want of practicing together was counterbalanced by their great strength and staying power. In addition to this the back play was much superior and more reliable than that of our local men, and if they had a little more practice they would bo able to hold their own in most of the football fields of New Zealand.

A match has been arranged to take place at Leoston, on Saturday next, between the Christchurch and Leeston clues ; arid on the 12th inst. a South Canterbury team will meet fifteen representatives of North Canterbury on Cranmcr square