FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1724, 29 August 1879, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

+ WELLINGTON t. CANTEBBUBY. The final match of the interprovincial football tournament took place yesterday in Mr J. Anderson's paddock, Oashel street East. Prom the fact of Wellington winning the match on llonday against Otago, the game yesterday excited an unusual amount of interest, and the weather being fine, a large number of spectators assembled to watch the result, and cheered most heartily whenever a good bit of play was shown on either side.. The Canterbury team was slightly different to that of Saturday last, and considerably strengthened by G-. Potts and D'Auvergne playing in the place of Lewin and G-raig, whilst E. Gh Hawkes substituted H. Stringer. With the exception of Burns playing instead of Thomson, the Wellington team was the same as on Monday. The game was played in four spells of twenty-fire minutes each, Mr E. J. 8. Herman doing the duties of time-keeper. Messrs Neville and J. B. Evans were again the umpires, the former for Wellington and the latter for Canterbury. Millton won the toss, and taking advantage of a slight breeze, chose the east tjoal, Cowie (the Wellington captain) taking the kick oil from the opposite end. The ball was well returned by Cotterill to the middle of the ground, where a well packed scrimmage immediately formed, the Wellington men getting slightly the best of it, and Cowie bringing it to a close by driving the ball well in the Canterbury quarters and into touch. On its being thrown out Bolton rushed it through the forwards to about the middle of the ground. Here Davy was at home, and made a good attempt to get away. Before going far, however, he had Q-. Potts clinging to his legs, and it is needless to remark that further progress on the part of the Wellingtonian was stopped. A good deal of close hard play then ensued, neither side appearing to gain much advantage. Towards the end of the spell Wellington had to act principally on the defensive, their goal being continually in danger, Gradually the home team worked the ball to within ten yards of the Wellington goal poets and a sharp, severe struggle close on the line resulted in the visitors touching the ball down in self-defence, the first spell ending without any score on either side. Millton started the second spell by a fine drop kick, and Bayly followed his example and returned the ball to M«Cardell, who made an attempt to get away, but was quickly collared by the Wellington forwards, and some scrimmaging ensued, the ball being finally worked just within twenty-five yards of the Canterbury goal line. Anderson then made a fine run, but having to go across the ground, the Wellingtonians were on him before he could get anything like dangerously near their goal. Scrimmaging and short rune were again the order of the day, the Wellington forwards playing up capitally, and their captain finally breaking through with the ball between his feet well in the Canterbury quarters. The latter side, however, quickly sent it back, ar d when time was again called the game stood as at the end of the first twenty-five minutes. Up to this point the play was very even, and it was exceedingly doubtful whether either side would be able to score, though the Canterbury team were giving their opponents a lot of hard work. The Wellingtonians, however, appeared determined to hold their own, and were offering a very stout resistance in all parts of the field. Soon after the commencement of the third spell, the Canterbury men took the ball through and into the enemy's ground, a good lusty kick from McCardell compelling the Wellington men to again touch-down behind their goal line. After this the visitors had revenge by rusning the ball back to the Canterbury quarters, and Bayly getting a chance made a fine drop at goal, but without success, and the ball was sent into touch close to the home team's goal line. The latter took the ball out five yards, where a scrimmage was formed, when the Canterbury men exhibited some capital play and quiokly removed the ball to mid--ground, Pickering and Stringer particularly distinguishing themselves. A long kick from a Wellington back returned the ball to the Canterbury quarters, and the forwards of the former side rushing up took the ball close tothe Canterbury goal line, where it was badly mulled by Eobinson. In trying to touch the ball down in defence he fell and patted it further on with his hands, and before he could get on to it to fairly stop it, Galbraith was over his baok and secured a touch-down. At first there was some doubts expressed as to whom (he ball belonged, but on_ an. appeal to the umpire, the decision was given in favor of Wellington. Cowie then took the ball out and placed it for Bayly, and the try being an easy one, a good goal was scored for the visitors, the Wellingtonians of course being in high glee at this piece of good fortune. Time was called shortly after, and after a change of goals and a few minuteebreathing time, the last spell was commenced by Cowie kicking off for Wellington. The ball for a time was kept safely away from either goal, but from the way in which the Canterbury team were working it was evident they intended to keep the game going, and make things pretty merry for their opponents. The Wellington team, however, did not for a moment relax their plucky efforts, but, elated by their sucoess.ifought desperately, and contested every inch of ground in a most determined and stubborn manner. Notwithstanding this, however, Canterbury gradually worked the ball down in their adversaries' quarters, and some hard scrimmaging ensued ten yards from the goal line, the ball finally going into touch. On its being thrown out, the most exciting and closest bit of play of the day ensued. The ball was continually passed from one Canterbury man to another, each of whom made desperate attempts to take it over the line, but for some time the Welling-

ton team defied all efforta in this .direction. Finally, it was carried almost underneath the cross bar, and some smart passing between C*. Potts, Stringer, McOardell, and Anderson resulted in the latter dashing over the line, with Ronalaon, a Wellington man, on hie back. A desperate maul in goal between these two ended in Anderson getting a touchdown for Canterbury, amidst loud cheers and greater excitement than has been shown at any other period of the three matches. The try looked an easy one, and the hopes of Canterbury were raised to a high pitch at the prospect of at least warding off a defeat. Millton was deputed to take the kick, and Bolton took the ball out and placed it with great care and judgment. "Wellington immediately rushed out, and though Millton kicked the ball fairly oyer the cross-bar, he did not succeed in doing so without its first coming slightly in contact with one of his opponents, and no goal was scored. Without loss of time play was resumed, and Canterbury again fought desperately for another chance, but old Father Time would not wait, and the game was declared in favor of Wellington by one goal to one touchdown. From firat to last the Wellington men contested the game in a most plucky and stubborn manner, and though their touoh-down was obtained through an indifferent bit of play by one of the Canterbury backs, it was none the less deserving on the part of the visitors, for had their men not being playing well on the ball Galbraith would have been too late to profit by the only chance given them throughout the match. Generally speaking they had to play a defensive game, though at times they became very troublesome to their opponents, and now and then got the ball dangerously near the Canterbury goal. Their forwards all played a hard plucky game, and their backs exhibited good drop-kicking and running powers, whilst the team generally are quick and sure at collaring, as proved by the fact of our backs making comparatively few lengthy runs. The Wellingtonians may be congratulated on their success, and they will doubtless meet with a hearty reception on their return to the Empire City. Taken on the whole, the back play of Canterbury was not particularly good, though at times W. Stringer, G. Potts, and Anderson showed up in their usual form, and were very effective. The forwards to a man kept splendidly together, and exhibited some brilliant play, their desperate and determined efforta when trying for the touoh-down calling forth loud and well-merited bursts of unanimous ap-