FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1389, 29 July 1878, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

CHRISTCHURCH CLUB MATCH. A match was played on Cranmer Square, on Saturday afternoon, between a picked team and other members of the Christchurch Club. The latter side was represented by nearly twenty players, whilst their opponents had to content themselves with several short of the full number. During the first part of the game the play was in favor of the reds, but beyond one touch-down they did not succeed in gaining any very great advantage. Later on the blues (club side) pulled themselves together considerably, and by some good play on the part of A. Anderson and Reeves, succeeded in keeping the ball principally in their adversaries’ quarters. Shortly before the close of the final spell the blues succeeded in kicking a rather questionable goal, which was, however, allowed. Soon after this the club side got a touch-down between the posts, and it was easily converted into a goal by a kick from Anderson. From this the play was pretty even on both sides, the match finallyresuiting in favor of the club by two goals to one touch-down. The forward play of the Fifteen was particularly good all round, each man keeping well on the ball from first to last. On the part of the club the back play of A. Anderson and Reeves was at times very good, whilst the extra members playing forward were sufficient to withstand the strength and superior play of the reds in this department of the game. In anticipation of a visit to Dunedin during next month a number of players have been selected and requested to train for the contest with the Southerners. Nearly half of those selected, however, were conspicuous by their absence on Saturday, a circumstance which should not occur in the case of members who have been chosen to uphold the honor of Canterbury against such a well-trained team as our men are sure to meet on the Dunedin football ground. Those who witnessed and took part in the contest against the Dunedinites lust year must well remember that their style of play is one which requires a good deal of hard training and practicing together, and unless Canterbury can send fifteen good men who are able to go through two hours of very hard close play without showing any material signs of fatigue, the Southern men will in all probability bo able to make pretty sure of coming off victoriously. WELLINGTON v. WANGANUI. [By Telegraph.] W ELLINGTON, July 27. In spite of the wretched weather, fully 800 persons turned up to witness the trial ol strength between the Wanganui and Wellington teams. Wanganui won the toss, and elected to play with the wind for the firs! half-hour. The ball was kicked oil' by Welsh at twenty minutes to three. Baylcy returned it to Wellington, and a scrimmage ensued. The ball was pnssed back to Welsh, who obliged the Wellingtonians to touch down in self-defence. On Blaeklock kicking off, the Wellington forwards playing well together took the ball into the Wanganui quarters, whence it was extracted by Montgomery, who with a magnificent kick returned it to the Wellington backs, who made a fine run. After one or two scrimmages the ball was again carried near the Wanganuis’ goal, and Welsh getting the leather took a shot at the goal, securing a forco-down. Somo pretty runs were then made by Campbell and Mont gomery, and after a very severe scrimmige Wanganui obtained another force-down Blaeklock kicked off, and Baylcy secured a fair catch, and took a drop at the goal

scoring a third force-down. Time was then called. The next half hour was spent in a series of runs and hard scrimmages, the ball being kept nearly the whole time in neutral ground, and when time was called neither side had succeeded in scoring any points. After the kick off, Blacklock started off with a good run into touch. On the ball being thrown out, Jackson got away with it, but was prettily spilt by Welsh. Another scrimmage ensued, when Wheeler took the ball through the Wellington forwards, after some tough struggles near the Wellington goal. Cowio at length, by splendid dribbling, worked the ball away from its dangerous proximity to the Wellington goal. Montgomery interposed, and, by another magnificent kick, sent the ball behind the Wellington goal line. On the ball being brought out, the Wellington forwards made a grand rush, taking the ball behind the Wanganui posts, and so very nearly obtained a try. Montgomery kicked off, and both teams worked their hardest to get an advantage. The Wellington forwards playing well together, at length took the ball close to the Wanganui goal, and some very severe scrimmages ensued, lasting till time was called. Shortly after the commencement of the last'half hour, Bay ley sprained his knee, and a temporary stoppage was made. The sprain was too severe to allow of his continuing to play, and he was accordingly carried off the field. This weakened the Wanganui team very considerably, and Wellington endeavored to take the utmost advantage of the unfortunate event. The forwards made a rush and for a short time the chances were all in favor of Wellington. Montgomery’s back play at length took the ball out of danger, and after some more severe scrimmages no side was called. One of the hardest fought matches ever played on Wellington ground thus resulted in a drawn game, Wanganui having slightly the best of it for the first hour and Wellington during the last. The Wanganui men appeared to be much the heaviest team. They were very fast on their feet and difficult to collar, but they did not play so well together as they might have done.