FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1702, 4 August 1879, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

BOATERS T. CRICKETERS. The match on Oranmer square on Saturday—Boaters v. Cricketers —resulted in a capital contest and victory for the Boaters by three touch-downa to one. There was a strong muster of membew, in addition to which several visitors from other clubs and a number of college boys joined in the game, the latter being divided in order to make the sides as equal as possible. During tho first halE of the game the play was very even, and neither side could be said to have gained any material advantage, though once or twice the Cricketers forced the ball over their opponents' goal line, and compelled them to touch down in self defence. Shortly after the commencement of the last spell, the Boators rushed the ball well down to the enemy's goal line, and Schmidt (a new member) ran in and scored his maiden touchdown, but it did not result in a goal, the try being a difficult one. Almost immediately after this, G-rigg, a College boy, made a brilliant run nearly the whole length of the ground, and clevorly dodging all his opponents, succeeded in taking the ball over the fine and securing a touch-down for the Cricketers. Millton took the try, but did not succeed in landing the ball, in the dceired quarter. The ball was quickly brought into play again, and the scene of action changed to the extreme end of the ground, where a a very stubborn and long continued scrimmage ensued within a couple of feet of the Cricketers' goal line. The excitement amongßt those foremost in the meloo, though characterised with the utmost good feeling, began to grow somewhat intense, and there being no apparent likelihood of the struggle coming to a satisfactory issue, the captains of the respective sides called their man off the ball and decided to have it taken out five yards from the goal line. The summons was silently but reluctantly obeyed on the part of the over-heated players, and they had scarcely recovered their feet and breath before they again formed into a closely-packed scrimmage. It was quickly brought to a closo by the Boaters forcing their opponents back, and on the ball coming clear it fell into the hands of Schmidt, who again succeedsd in getting a touch-down. Like the previous one, the try at goal, though not so difficult, was a failure. Following up their advantage, the Boaters played hard on the ball, and wero soon engaged in closo conflict' well in ° the cricketers' quarters. Stringer smartly picked up the ball from the side of the scrimmage, and by a good run took it to within a yard or so of the goal line. A sharp struggle here ensued, and quickly resulted in Schmidt's securing his third touch down for the Boaters. Again, however, the try was unsuccessful. Shortly after this time was called, and the game was brought to a close, the results being, as above stated, a woll-earned victory for the Boaters by three touch-downs to one. After the match a general meeting of members was held, when Messrs J. B. Evans and W. Stringer wore elected delegates to represent the Christchuroh Football Club in the .Rugby Union Association of New Zealand, in

the place of Messrs Lewin and Millton, who were recently elected'treasurer and secretary to the Association. EASTERN V KANGIOKA. A match between the Christchurch (Eastern) and the Eangiora clubs was played in Mr Blackett's paddock on Saturday afternoon. The former played with two and the latter with one short. The game was fairly contested, the home team had the advantage in weight, and ran up a score of thirty points, the Eastern failing to score. Mr W. E. Leach was captain of the home team, Mr W. R. Parker being the loader of the visitors. It is intended to play the return match at an early date. A match is also arranged for between the Rangiora and Christchurch clubs, which will probably take place in a fortnight.