FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1407, 19 August 1878, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The match on Cranmer Square on Saturday afternoon was between another picked fifteen and the rest of the members of the Christchurch Club, the former being fully represented and the latter mustering twenty-five in all. Play was commenced shortly after three o'clock, and for some considerable time the game was pretty evenly contested. Beyond one or two force-downs neither side gained any decided advantage up to within the last half-hour. At this juncture, R. Hamilton, who had been playing remarkably well for the Fifteen, got the ball through a scrimmage, and made a splendid run in, and secured a touch-down close to the goal posts, aloud and general burst of applause greeting his brilliant bit of play. Hart land was deputed to take the try, and a good lusty kick from him converted the touch-down"into an undisputed goal. Soon after this, W. Milton got the ball through a scrimmage in a similar manner to Hamilton, but being less fljet of foot, and seeing no chance of reaching the opposite goal line before being collared by one of his numerous opponents, ho made an attempt to drop a goal, but failed, the ball landing some distance from and beyond the goal posts, and the blues touching it down in self-defence. Ag:iin the club sunt the ball spinning into their adversaries' quarters, but it was not suffered to remain there long. The Fifteen quickly rushed it down over the club's goal line, when one of the backs tried to run it out. He was, however, embraced and securely held by L. Ollivier, and a maul in goal ensued. This usually exciting event was of but short duration, and resulted in favor of the club. From this to the ck>e no further advantage was gained by either side, the match resulting in a well-earned victory for the Fifteen by one goal. For the Fifteen Boulton, Field, Hamilton, Hartland, Millton, and Ollivier especially distinguished themselves; whilst Atack, Stringer, Wilkinson, and Johnson did good service for the Club. Doubtless the match on Saturday will be Fifteen v the Club, on which occasion we should like to see as many of the representative team as possible put in an appearance, in order to afford them an opportunity of having at least one day's practice together before starting on the southern trip. The names of the Dunedin team have already been published, and from private sources we learn thoy are in capital training, and mean to strain every muscle with a view of holding and further adding to the laurels so well earned during their northern trip last year. Notwithstanding their excellent training and undoubted superiority in the field, they will have a lot of work to do to beat the team they will meet from Canterbury this season, the latter being much stronger, and in better trim, than last year. Added to this, a serious breach has been made in the strength of the Southern team by the loss of their captain (Dixon), who has sprained his foot so badly as to compel his retirement from football for the remainder of the season. With one or two exceptions, there is not much doubt of the team chosen to represent Canterbury being able to get away, and it is to bo hoped that those who have not yet obtained leave will meet with no difficulty in doing so. Canterbury holds the premier position in the cricket field, and at the Interprovincial Regatta held at Wanganui she had the honor of pulling off the champion race, and if she can manage to pull off the forthcoming match against Otago she will also stand unrivalled in the fine old game of football. The team will be chosen from the following :—T. S. Baker, Boulton, E. Chapman, Field, Hamerton, Hamersley, R. Hamilton, Hartland, Lewin, McCardell, W. Millton, L. Ollivier, D. Potts, A. Potts, G Potts, W. Potts, Reeves, Tavonder, and Verity.