INTER-PROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 399, 9 August 1877, Page 3

INTER-PROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

(BY ELECTRIC telegraph.) I Christchurch, August 8. ; The Football match between Dunedin : jnd Christchurcb was played on Creamer i square tliis afternoon ; weather beautiful, j About 7000 spectators were present, i Dixon captained the Dunedin team, and j Evans the Christchurch. It was decided to ptoy our s P e^s lialf-an-hotir each, alao to count only touch-downs and goals; three touch-downs to be equal to a goal. Dixon kicked off for Dunedin. The Christchurch team at once rushed the ball over the centre line, but Dunedin getting the best of the scrimmage, carried it back again. This was repeated several times, Duntdin Bhowing a trifle the best in scrimmages and keeping better on the ball than their opponents. Several splendid runs were made by members of the visitii,(r team, but the Christchurch men were very smart after them. Ultimately Jficholls, by a magnificent dash, carried the ball right down to the front of the coal before he was collared. Exciting scrimmages succeeded, Christchurch gradually getting the ball further out into the ground. Dixon made several fine runs, and the ball was kicked right up to the Chrichchurch goal; but Moore returned it splendidly. Christchurch now kept better on the ball, and at 3.30 carried it over the line to Duntdin ground. A aeries of tough scrimmages followed. Rose and Murray made fine runs for Dunedin, and the latter punted the ball splendidly down to the Christchurch goal line, and after a struggle Christchurch was forced to touch-down, but as forcedowns were not to count, no score resulted. Duntdin kept the ball up towards the Christchurch goal, Dixon and Mills, for the former, making some pretty runs. Several tough scrimmages occurred near the Christchurch goal, when the home team were again forced to touchdown. Time was then called. Hartland kicked off for Christchurh in the second spell, the Christchurch men playing more on the ball. The game was very equal, an exciting ball being several times well up to each goal. Rose, Dixon, Mills, and Sweet made good runs for Dunedin; Mathias and Stringer doing same for Christchurch. In the third spell, the Christchurch men played splendidly, and carried the ball on to Dunedin ground with an irresistible rush, and tough scrimmages followed for nearly 15 minutes. Sweet (Dunedin) then got awnv with the ball, and kicked right up to the Christchurch goal, but Moore returned it splendidly; desperate scrimmages followed, Christchurch playing up in fine form, and carried the ball over the Dunedin line, but Dunedin got the touch, so nothing was scored. Directly the ball was kicked off, Christchurch again rushed it up to the Dunedin quarters, and after some exciting scrimmages, Cotterill kicked it over the line, compelling Dunedin to again touch-down. Dunedin now pulled themselves together, and carried the ball on to Christchurch ground, when some tough struggles occurred, Allen (Dunedin), in one of them, getting a nasty kick behind the right knee, disabling him for u minute or two. After another scrimmage, time was called. Hartland kicked off in the fourth spell for Cliristchurch, and the ball was carried well on to Duntdin ground. Desperate scrimimiges followed ; then Turton and Dixon, by very fine play, carried the ball we.'l up to Christchurch goal. More scrimmages occurred, Dunedin gradually but surely forcing their way to Christchurch goal line, and Rose ultimately secured a touch-down, thus counting the first point to Dunedin. Kicholls took the trial, but having a rather awkward side kick, he missed the goal, going very wide. Christchurch now made a determined rallv, and, aided by splendid runs by Smith and Mathias, carried the ball right down to Duntdin goal line, and Dunedin was again foiced to touch-down in defence. Duntdin now made a determined rush, fcwtet. made a splendid run for Dunedin, and Rose followed suit. A series of tremendous scrim mages occurred, ending in the ball being carried over the line. Some doubts existed as to whether Christchurch or Dunedin got the touch, but after a short pause, the umpires decided in favour of Dunedin. Dixon, captain of the Dunedin team, took the try, but failtd to score a goal, the ball just passing over the goal post. Dunedin again rushed the ball up towards Christchurch goal, but by a fine kick, Anderson sent it on to Dunedin ground, and time was then called, the match thus resulting in favour of Dunedin by two touch-downs to nothing. The excitement during the greater part of the match was very great, the spectators cheering the players repeatedly. Both teams played hard, and soon after the match commenced, several of the players gave ample proof that blood had been diawn on both sides.