FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2309, 29 August 1881, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO r CANTERBURY.

The annual football match between the representatives of the sister provinces of Canterbury and Otago took place on Saturday afternoon on the playing field at Christ’s College, in the presence of between three and four thousand spectators. It was at first intended to play the match upon the ground of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, but the heavy rain during the week rendered this quite impossible; application, therefore, was made to the Christ’s College authorities, and the use of the ground kindly granted. No charge was mode for admission, but a bag was held at the gate for all who wished to make any contribution to do so. Thisjmatoh has been looked forward to with great interest by those interested in football. For the last throe years there has been no victory on either side, and the visitors were determined, if possible, to beat the local men on their own ground. Those who knew anything about the merits of the local loam con sidered the Otogo men better than ours ; how correct their decision was the result of the match showed. The teams wore as follows : Otago—Backs, full, Bowlings ond Wheeler ; half, Murray and W. Allen ; quarters, Bose (captain) and Hammerton ; forwards, J. Allen, Jewett, Gibb, Mills, Milne, McKinnon, Reid, Taiaroa, and Wynks. Canterbury— Backs, full, Oottorill and Chapman ; half, Herbert Farr and Bee ; quarter, Anderson and Helmore; forwards, Bolton, Dobson, Farr, Harman, Hortland, Lane, Million (captain), Potts and Talbot. Messrs Hartland and Neville acted as umpires; Mr Dixon as timekeeper. About a quarter past two Mr Millett’s drag with the blue banner of the Otago men was seen approaching, and shortly after the Canterbury men appeared. Both teams wore soon in the field. Rose, the Otago captain, won the toss, and elected to take the east goal, thereby having the sun at his back for the last spell. It was agreed to play four spells of twenty-five minutes, and two minutes interval between each spell. The game was commenced by Million kicking off for Canterbury, the ball being well returned by W. Allen, and at once got well into play. The first good run was made by Herbert Farr, who was, however, collared, and a scrimmage formed. In this, as in most of the scrimmages during this spall, the Canterbury men had the best of it, going in two and two, while the Otago men spread themselves out, and seemed to roly upon the good play of their quarter and half-back to help them. Out of the scrimmage they were belter than our men, owing to their splendid backing up and pass ing, a feature which has always been notice able in the Southerners’ play. The Canterbury men rushed the ball through the scrimmage, where it was picked up by Bobo, who was, however, well collared by Helmore. After soma more scrimmaging, Murray getting the ball made a good run, but was brought down by Potts; the ball then wont into touch. Hitherto the ball had been pretty well in the middle of the ground, but the Canterbury men getting it in a loose scrimmage carried it down to the neighbourhood of the Otago goal line, whore it went into touch. Being thrown out it was again carried in, and the Otago men wore compelled to touch-down in self defence, Bose ticked it out from the twenty-five yards. Ootterill getting it made a good run, but was collared. Hammerton then got away, and showed ho had lost none of his old form. He was, however, ran into touch. When thrown nut, Allan catching it carried it down the touch lino towards the Canterbury quarters. It was returned to the middle, where Mills collared it, passing well to Murray, getting well through the Canterbury men ; Lane, however, by a good dribble, brought it back, and it went into touch. The Otago forwards, who had not been playing very well, were rallied by their captain, and made a good rush, carrying the ball well down to the Canterbury goal, whore Hammerton punted it over the goal line, and it was forced down. It was brought out and kicked off, but was again brought back and wont into touch about five yards from the Canterbury line. Helmore, getting the ball from the scrimmage, made a good dribble into the middle of the ground, hut the Otago men were playing very hard, and it again returned. Allen getting the ball, had a try at the goal from the field, but without success, the Canterbury mton being forced down. Chapman kicked out, and the Bed forwards following well up, aided by a run from Herbert Farr, made a determined rush, the ball going into the Blue quarters Wheeler, in attempting to return, was charged by Harman, the ball going back. It looked as if Canterbury would score, but Wynks came to the rescue of Otago, and by a splendid dribble took the ball out of danger. The end of the spell found the ball in touch. The game was re-commenced at three, Rose kicking off, but the ball was badly returned, and the Otago forwards getting the ball in a loofio scrimmage took it over the goal line, McKinnon touching it down. Wynks placed the ball for Rose, who was unsuccessful in his try at goal; Ootterill took the ball out, and Murray got it and ran, but Anderson collared him well, and the ball went dangerously near the Otago line, Henry Farr making a good run, which, however, was of no use, as the ball was out of play when he took it. The ball wont into touch, and the Otago men took it out five yards and had a scrimmage. It went into the middle of the ground. Herbert Farr took it well down, but was collared, and the ball falling into Allen's hands, by a fine kick was sent once more into the middle. Here there was some splendid play among the forwards, the running and parsing being very good. Hammerton, trying to get away, fell, and the ball went down to the Otago line, where Hewlings, being somewhat excited, missed it, and barely prevented Canterbury getting a touch-down. During the remainder of the spell the game was pretty even, and at the end the Otago men had driven their opponents into their twenty-five yards. Lee obtained a mark, from which he made a splendid lick into touch. In the third spell Million kicked off, Howlings returned, and Allen, who was backing up well, charged, and ran the ball into the Red quarters. Here Anderson made a good run up the ground, passing to Farr, and taking it on again into the Blue quarters. McKinnon, who had been playing very hard, made a capital run, but was collared, and Anderson again tried to carry the ball to the Blue line, being well backed by Lee and Farr, Jewitt, in trying to stop Anderson, had a rather heavy fall, but to the surprise of everyone who saw him, he was seen the next minute on the other side of the ground with the ball, apparently none the worse. The game was in the middle of the ground for a short time, when Bolton made a good dribble, which he followed up by a run. The Otago men now made a determined rush, and took the ball down to their opponents’ goal. Hammerton getting the ball from a scrimmage passed it to Rose, who took a pot shot at the goal without success ; the ball was brought out, and coming back the same proceeding happened again, only this time he succeeded in obtaining the much coveted goal. This i> the first goal that has ever been kicked in a match between Otago and Canterbury, and Mr Rose may bo justly proud of the honor. Million kicked off, [and Taiuroa getting the ball dribbled it down to the Canterbury quarters again. Rose here had another try, but did not succeed, and soon after Hammerton tried his hand, but with no better result. It seemed as if the rest of the spell was to bo spent in the same manner, for Murray very nearly kicked a goal, while Rose had another try, but the success of his second try seemed to have overcome him, as ho could not succeed. Ootterill made a splendid run through a number of the Blue forwards, who were quietly waiting in the Canterbury goal. The ball was returned by a good run from Hammerton, and Rose had a final punt before the end of the spell. The last spell was simply a succession of long scrimmages on the touch line, varied by the ball going occasionally in touch and attempts by the backs to get away, which generally ended in the ball coming back to bo scrimmaged on the same spot. The Otago men were acting on the defensive, and endeavored to prevent the Canterbury men from scoring. Allen made a splendid run, very nearly getting over the goal lino, the ball being returned by an almost equally fine run on the part of Leo. Murray and Hammerton made good runs, but could not succeed in gaining much ground. The ball at the ond of the spell was being worked towards the Otago goal. At the ond of the game cheers were given for each team, the umpires, timekeeper, and College authorities for the use of the ground. . . . From the above it will be seen the visiting team was victorious by a goal and one touchdown to nothing. The members of both teams played exceedingly hard, and where each one did his best it is almost impossible to mention specially any one. For the Dunedin forwards nothing can be said more than that, after they recovered from their looseness ’ during the first spell, no body of men could

have played better. For the backs it is impossible to say too much, their passing, collaring, and kicking being dimply splendid, and no greater treat has ever been seen in Canterbury than their play. The Canterbury forwards worked very hard indeed, but seemed to lack the activity and freedom in passing of their opponents. The bacha were also very good, but the play of Ootterill and Chapman was certainly disappointing, whil ■. the excellent play of other members showed them to bo worthy of a place in ony interprovinoial team. THE DINNER. The complimentary dinner to the Otago football team took place on Saturday, at 7.30, in the Clarendon Hotel. About seventy gentlemen sat down, and the dinner supplied by host Wagner was worthy of the occasion. Mr J. Anderson, jun,, was in the chair, with Mr Rose on his right hand and Mr Million on his left. Behind them on the wall, and drooping amicably towards each other, were the C.R.U. O.R.U. flags. After dinner, during the -course of which the greatest harmony and good fellowship prevailed, the toast of her Majesty and the Royal family was proposed, end mot with the usual hearty response. Tho second toast on the card was the “ Otago team,” and tho chairman proposed this, coupled with tho name of Mr Bose, the captain. Ho said that seldom had ho witnessed the rules of the Rugby Union carried out so well and so agreeably. Ho wished rpecially to point out the manner in which the Otago men took every advantage outside the scrimmages, and remarked that a lesson might well be taken from their play. This toast was vociferously received with cheer after cheer. The intervals between tho toasts wore made lively by songs from various members of both clubs. Mr Bose, in reply to the chairman’s toast, returned thanks on behalf of his team. Ho expressed his gratification at the thorough good feeling which existed between tho Clubs. Ho complimented the Canterbury team upon their stylo of play, and said the Otago men in the different matches in which they tried their mettle, were never above copying anything new that seemed advantageous in the play. He had observed the great improvement in the Canterbury backs, and asserted that Helmore was the smartest man behind the scrimmages in New Zealand. [Great cheering.] Ho said that the day’s game was a very good example of Rugby Union play, and he felt confident that the umpires would agree with him that they had very little to do. The match throughout was, indeed, a very enjoyable one. If there was a team in New Zealand they would rather not beat it was the Canterbury one, and tho O.R.U. flag would always have their sympathy, so long as it did not overshadow their own banner. Mr Bose concluded his speech by thanking those present for the patient hearing ho had received, and proposed tho next toast, “ Tho Canterbury Team,” coupled with tho name of Mr Million, the captain, [Cheers.] —Mr Million returned thanks for the toast. He said, it had been assorted that tho present team were the strongest that ever had entered tho field from Otago. At the same time he declared that, in his opinion, tho present was tho best team that had ever done battle for Canterbury. After some eulogistic remarks (en passant) on Hornmerton’s forward play, he said that the Canterbury team had done “ its little best,” and were ready to do it again. After three or four drawn matches, tho Otago men had managed to win at last. Ho attributed this to tho fact that the Otago representatives had come up with a banner worked by tho ladies of Dunedin. Under such circumstances, victory was assured. He hoped the Canterbury ladies would work a banner for them, and if they did not then rub out the present defeat, it would be “ a caution.” Ho then expressed their thanks for the action of tho governing body of tho Canterbury College in granting them the use of their ground—without which it would have been very difficult to play, the ground previously appointed having been rendered unfit for their purpose by the recent wet weather. In this recognition of the Governors’ kind action Mr Bose most heartily joined, remarking that they had not such splendid ground in Dunedin. The gentlemen referred to had a vocal tribute paid to their generosity, which recognised them as “ jolly good fellows.” Tho next toast was “ Football,” proposed by Mr Hammerton, who said that since ho came here, four years ago, he had played in every provincial match. He characterised football as a glorious game, and in speaking of whence it originated, was interrupted by loud cries of “Scotland!” “England!” He did not pursue this part of tho topic, but contented himself by saying “ There were nine glorious Otago Scotchmen playing for them.” On his arrival here he did not expect to sec Scotchmen taking part in the game, but to his surprise found that not only was such the case, but almost every conntry had its representative in the noble game. Ho coupled tho toast of football with the names of Messrs Lewin and Slee. He paid Mr Lewin the compliment of saying that in his opinion a better man in football could not bo found in Canterbury. Messrs Lewin asd Sleo replied. The other toasts were “British Sports,” by Mr Wilding coupled with the names of Messrs A. and L. M. Ollivier, who replied—one for cricket, the other for boating, “ Tho Umpires,” the “Ladies,” and the “Press,” which wore suitably acknowledged. In the course of the evening a telegram from Otago was handed in congratulating tho team on their victory, and magnanimously expressing the hope that Canterbury might never be beaten, except by Otago. The whole proceedings were most harmonious, and gave evidence of the good feeling existing between at least the athletic representatives of the two provinces.