INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2033, 30 August 1880, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

[By Tblegeaph.J DUNEDIN, August 28. The weather to-day looked very threatening in the morning, bat cleared up to one of the finest football days that could be wished for, both for players and spectators. The ground was in splendid order. The ball was kicked off at three o’clock sharp by Hamersley for the Hods, but it was returned by the Otago backs, and the Otago forwards then got it and kept it well down. The Otago men played well together in the scrimmages, and a fast game out of them, and soon worked the Beds (Christchurch) within the twenty-five yards. Hammerton, by a smart run, secured a touchdown, which Bose failed to convert into a goal. Cotterill brought the ball out, but kicked low, and the ball rebounding was followed up well by the Blues (Otago), and was rushed behind, Austin obtaining a touch in goal. Hamersley brought it out and the Bede followed up well, and kept it in the centre for some time, but a good kick from one of the Blue backs made the Beds touch down in self-defence, time being called immediately afterwards. Dixon got disabled in this spell, and the Blues played one short for the rest of the game. The second spell commenced by Bose kicking off, and again the Beds were forced back to within the twenty-five yards, the ball coming very close to the goal. A good drop kick from Bose again made them touch down in self defence. The Bads then worked the ball down towards the Otago line, but the Otago backs soon took it out of danger, and a splendid run by Bose, well backed up by Kobortson, brought it dangerously near the Bods’ goal. A good kick by Grigg again took it within the Blues twenty-five line, but it was worked out towards the end of the spell. The Beds then made an effort and obtained a force-down. The ball was brought out by Buse and kicked, but time being called nothing was done. In the third spell Hamersley (kicked off for the Beds, who followed up well, and Potts secured a touch-down, but being a hard try Milton failed to obtain a goal. The play from this was very even, but in favor of the Otago men, until Hammerton mode a smart run, taking the ball to within the twenty-five line. The Beds then worked it back again, and after some hard play got it on the touch line, where there were some hard scrimmages, resulting in a force-down to the visitors. Bose brought the ball out, and again it was taken back within the Otago lino. Cotterill made a splendid run, but had to turn back, having put his foot into touch; but the Beds worked it back, and obtained another force-down. The ball was brought out, and time was called again before anything was done. In the fourth spell Bose kicked off for the Blues, who, working very hard, kept the ball slightly to the Christchurch end of the centre lino, and then worked it down to within the line. Gibb then passed it back to Bose, who made a splendid drop for goal, and again the Beds were forced down. Again there was some hard play within the Beds’ line ; however, a good run and kick into touch by Helmore took _it past the half flag, and the Eads, seeming to work better, got it into dangerous proximity with the Otago goal ; but it was again worked down into the centre of the ground. The Beds then worked the ball down to within the twenty-five line, where it remained till time was called, thus bringing one of the best contested games to a close in a drew.

The Blues all played well, but Hammerton played the finest game on the ground, and Helmore came next. For the Reds, the ones that played best were Potts, Sheriff, Bolton, and Helmore. Anderson played very well in the two last spells. The names of the Otago team were—Forwards—Wynks, Mills, Jowitt, Gibb, Rattray, Mallard, Robertson, Austin, Cutten, and McKinnon, Back—McLean. Pull backs—Dixon and Murray. Half backs — Hammerton and Bose, quarters. Austin took Dixon’s place when the latter was disabled.