FOOTBALL.

Christchurch v. South Canterbury. The return match between the above clubs took place on Saturday, at Treslake, Timaru, in a paddock kindly lent for the purpose by Mr. Archer. The Christchurch team left by the 7 a.m. train, and arrived in Timaru nt half-past one. A number of tbe South Canterbury players met the Christchurch men at the station and accompanied them to Linwood house. The match had been looked forward to with considerable interest, as, owing to their recent defeat in Christchurch, the Southerners were determined to bring forward a strong team, which they succeeded in doing. Though the Christchurch team was not so strong as on the previous occasion, it was the best that could be got together to take down, and the result of the match will show that they were enabled to bold their own. The weather on Saturday was beautifully fine, and a good number of people assembled to witness the match. After | luncheon, the two teams were driven to the grounds. As on the previous occasion it was agreed to count points, the match to terminate at the end of two spells of 45 minutes each. The following is a list of the respective teams : — Christchurch—J. B. Evans (captain), J. Barker, E. B. Deacon, E. Cotterill, C. H. Croxton, E. Dobson, W. Hartland, H. McCardell, L. M. Ollivier. F. Pilling, A. Potts, G. Potts, W. Stringer, and T. S. Sweet. South Canterbury—A. St. G. Hammersley (captain), W. Craig, R. Westenra, C. S. Fraser, F. Barker, S. Barker, R. M. Buchanan, T. H. Bawson, J. Mcßratney, M. Gray, James Patterson, L. A. Macpherson, E. P. Jones, C. D. Fox, aud John Patterson. Mr Neilsoa acted as umpire for Christchurch, and Mr D. Macpherson for South Canterbury. Christchurch won the toss, and at 3.35 the ball was kicked off by the Timaru captain. It was almost immediately rushed well down to the Boutherneis' goal line, and Deacon received a touch down. The try was entrusted to E. Cotterill, but he failed to get a goal, though tbe kick was by no means a difficult one. A'most immediately after this Christchurch added another touch down to their scoie, which waa secured by Ollivier. Hartland this time had a try at goal, but failed, though the kick was again a tolerably easy one. The ball was still kept in the South Canterbury quarters, and they bad to force it down twice ia quick succession. The Christchurch forwards continued to play splendidly together, and the ball was twice carried over their opponents' goal line, A. Potts and Pilling each securing a touchdown. The tries at goal, however, were a failure. In a few minates more Christchurch again added to their score by a forcedown and a touch in goal. At the end of one of a succession of tough scrimmages, the ball fell into the hands of McCardell, who, by one of hia really splendid drop-kicks,

sent it flying, oyer the goal rope. Hammersley again kicked off the ball, and some hard fighting took place just on the Southerner's goal line. Their captain cleverly got the ball away, but only a short distance, the Christchurch forwards rushing en to it and quickly compelling their opponents' touchdown in self defence. Shortly after this time was called, the game resulting in favor of the visiting team by one goal and seventeen points. After a change of goals, the South Canterbury captain again sent the ball flying amongst .the Chrietchurch backs, and fiom this time the game was much more evenly contested. Mcßratney got the ball away from a scrimmage, and made a really good run with it well down into the Christchurch quarters. A tough scrimmage took place, and once or twice the Southerners nearly got the ball over their adversaries' goal line; but the Christchurch ' men were successful in getting it away, and I immediately carried over the South Canter-] bury goal line, A. Potts touching it down. Again, however, the try at goal was unsuccessful. Both sides again went at it in earnest, and Hammersley did all he could to have the ball worked over the Christchnrch goal line, but the latter team were playing beautifully together, and three times in quick succession South Canterbury had to touch the ball down behind their own goal line. Presently, by a very smart piece of play, A. Potts secured another touch down, but no goal was obtained. The game now became very exciting, and though Christchurch lost no ground, their opponents were .giving them plenty of work to do. Mcßratney again made a good run, and took the ball down to near the Christchurch goal line, but he was not suffered to go over it before he was collared, and a scrimmage took place, at the end ef which the ball was again seen travelling at full speed towards the Southerners' goal. Some very exciting play was again witnessed, and though the South Canterbury team were now playing very well together, their opponents compelled them several times to touch the ball down behind their own goal line. A few minutes after this time was called, Christchurch being declared winners by one goal and 29 points to nothing. The Sooth Canterbury men cheered their opponents heartily, and it is utterly needless to say the victors responded in a most liberal manner. In addition to preparing and placing the ground at the disposal of the clubs, Mr Archer had generously provided refreshments. The teams were driven back to town and meet again at half-past seven, at the | Grovernor Hotel, where a capital dinner had l been provided. Mr Hammersley occupied the chair, and during the course of the evening he highly complimented the Christchurch team on their excellent play. After spending a most pleasant evening the com pany broke up at eleven o'clock. The thanks of the Christchurch team are due to the South Canterbury Football Club, for the very hospitable manner in which they entertained their visitors, and though they have yet to learn how to beat a team representing Christchurch, the Southerners do not require to be taught how to treat those who may go down to have a friendly Bugby Union game.