FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2613, 22 August 1882, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

The match between Oxford and North Canterbury was played on Saturday. The North Canterbury men rolled np punctually, and play was commenced at 1.30 p.m>, the N.O. playing ehort. They won the toss, and chose the south goal. The weather was very boisterous, a strong south-wester blowing all the time. The Oxford captain kicked off, and the ball being well returned, was kept well within the Oxford 25yds, and Oxford was compelled to touch the ball down twice in their own defence. Sides were then changed, and the state of affairs reversed, the ball being kept near the goal of the N.O. team, who were compelled to touch the ball down twice, but no other advantage was gained by either side in the spell. In the third spell Oxford was compelled to touch the ball down once more in defence. After a short interval the last spell was commenced, the N.O. being reinforced by a new man, and a rough game ensued, both sides exerting themselves to the utmost, and the Oxford men responding to the cry of “ Never, never country!” (in derision of the nnoourtoons report in the “Rangiora Standard ” in reference to the last match played in Rangiora), kept the ball near the N.O, goal line, but were unable to score. The game was then drawn in favor of the N.O, by one forcedown. Both teams then adjourned to Mr Love’s hotel, and did good justice to the spread provided by him. The captain of the Oxford team proposed the health of the N.O. team, expressing pleasure at playing a game with such a team. Drunk with musical honors. The captain of N.O. proposed the health of the Oxford team, and said he was pleased with the play of their opponents, and with some practice he saw several who would make good players ; with a little more practice, in fact, they would be good enough for the luterprovinoial team.