INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4819, 1 September 1876, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

Auckland, Thursday.

The weather was very wet and miserable for the interprovincial football match, which commenced this afternoon at Ellerslie. Eight hundred spectators were present. Canterbury won the toss, and declared to kick with the wind. At 3.20 Robinson kicked off with a splendid place kick, which was followed by a brilliant rush on the part of J. Gudgeon, backed up by the whole of the Auckland team, after a brilliant rally by Dacre, who thus early distinguished himself by making a splendid run and touching the ball behind the enemies' goal line, thus scoring first blood for Auckland—3 points. The try at goal was unsuccessful. Curtis and Cox played very fairly. The play was very fierce, both teams straining tooth and nail. Potts next scored another half point for Canterbury. The Canterbury men seemed to have slightly tha best of the scrimmages, and played for them. The Auckland men are speedier. Potts, by a fine flying kick, scored a force-back for Canterbury at 3.35 At four o'clock Auckland were sticking to it well, and giving Canterbury all they knew to hold their own with the advantage of the wind. At the opening of the second bout a mull at handling the ball by Jones gave Canterbury a chance of a touch, but through the good play of Nolan and Woon the ball was forced back away from goal. J. Gudgeon with a flying kick scored a force-down, which Cotterill tried to save by dropping the ball out, but was unsuccessful. Shortly after Wood kicked a ball behind Canterbury goal line. Moore in trying to drop was baulked by Carter, and Nolan was enabled to score. Auckland, 6£ ; Canterbury, 1, Robinson was again unsuccessful in the try, but went very near. In the last part of the second half-hour J. Potts played splendidly for Canterbury. No further score was made, but the ball was very near Auckland, and when time was called the game stood—Auckland, 6J ; Canterbury, 1. The commencement of the third bout was marked by some good play on the part of Croxton for Canterbury. Some sharp give-and-take play ensiled, and then a player got the ball and placed it well through, ending in a brilliant rush on the part of Evans, who scored a force-back for Canterbury. He quickly followed it up by another. Score—Auckland, 6J; Canterbury, 2J. Canterbury was then playing magnificently, and trying hard to retrieve the day. Play was very fast; both sides seemed incapable of fatigue. Moore and C. Wood for Canterbury played well, but the wet ground by this time was so cut up as to interfere with the running, which told against Auckland. The game concluded at 5.30, Auckland winning—7 points against 3. There is to be a dinner to-night.