FOOTBALL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 1667, 5 July 1892, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

WITH THE FIRST FIFTEEN TO LYTTELTON. I think the good folk of Pigeon Bay must have thought Show Day had come round again, such a troop of horsemen came cantering through on Saturday morning; bnt this time it was no crowd of holiday seekers, but a team of resolute young men bent on upholding the fair fame of Akaroa, and adding if possible fresh laurels to the banner so recently presented by their fair friends. Originally about twenty horsemen mustered in the early dawn at the Post Office, but reinforcements on the way brought the total to about double, and though the weather was wretched, it was a merry crowd. On arrival at Pigeon Bay, from which the s s. John Anderson (according to arrangements) was expected to convey the party to Lyfctelton, they found only the s.s. Jane Douglas, so after waiting till Id o'clock, and there being no sign of the John Anderson, the patronage was transferred to the Jane Douglas. After a ver] smooth run we arrived safely at Lyttelton, passing the John Anderson just inside Pigeon Bay Heads. After landing, a general move was made to our old townsman at the Canterbury for lunch, nnd, appetites sharpened by the long ride, made havoc with the good fare provided. Afterwards j most of us went down to view the ground ; and, ye Gods, what a ground 1 Don't decry the Akaroa Recreation Ground any more, for at Lyttelton it is not a case of mud holes here and there, but s a few spots of land visible, the rest under water.

At 3 o'clock we all marched down to the ground, the Hon. Sec. at the head carrying the banner. A great crowd had assembled to watch the match, amongst whom were several old friends from Christchurch. The teams were as follows :—Lyttelton—Full-back, Derry; Three quarters, Page (2) and Kelly ; Halves, Loader and Anderson ; Forwards, Campbell, Moorhouse, Manning, Wood, Pitcaithly, N. Tayler, Menzies, Deer and B niley. Akaroa—Full-back, Bruce ; Three-quarters, Lee, Thomson and Mora ; Halves, T. Vangioni and A. Tayler ; Wing Forwards, N. Watkins and Penlington ; Forwards, W. Watkins, Narbey (2), Glynan, iScott, Wight and Shadbolt. The Akaroa team were certainly the heavier, whilst Lyttelton could boast of having the biggest man, Moorhouse (familiarly known as the 'Baby'), a small youth measuring only 6ft Bin in height. Play commenced at 3.20 after an exchange of compliments by both sides. By a dribbling rush Akaroa carried the ball into Lyttelton twenty-fives. Kelly attempted a run, but was collared by Vangioni, and shortly a good rush by the Akaroa forwards, headed by N. Watkins, forced Lyttelton. After the kick out N. Tayler (for Lyttelton) made a dribbling run until stopped by Mora. Another splendid rush by Akaroa compelled their opponents to act on the defensive, and from a scrum on the goal line A. Tayler got possession of the leather, and a maul in goal resulted in the ball being brought into play again. Several scrums took place in central territory. Here it might be mentioned that Akaroa could take a lesson from Lyttelton in screwing the scrums, that is, provided they carry the ball with them, which Lyttelton did not always succeed in doing. Some good forward play by the visitors carried the ball into the twenty-five, and Mora getting possession in front of Lyttelton made a good attempt to pot, the ball just passing a few inches underneath. Berry kicked back, and a rush by Lyttelton carried the game into Akaroa twenty-fives, and, in spite of determined play, forced them. Thomson kicked out, Page returning, "Vangioni making a good dodgy run until stopped by Kelly. Some smart play ensued, and a mark by Thomson was successfully converted by Bruce. After Loader kicked off some lively play ensued. Tayler getting possession carried it into the twenty-five, the play was dangerously near for Lyttelton nntil an off- side kick relieved them. The game was here very fast, some good passing by Lee, Mora and Tayler ensuing, bufc the ground was all agaiust good runs being made. In the scrums the Akaroa forwards worked splendidly. Loader for Lyttelton made a neat pass to Page, but he found Glynan in the road. Much amusement was caused by Mcorhouse attempting to run but he was seized and held aloft by A. Narbey and some other forwards. Later on W. Watkins secured a try for Akaroa. Bruce's kick this time being unsuccessful. Nothing more important occurred till half time. Thomson got well away with the ball, but could not pass Carter. Menzies also cleverly dodged several, but N. Watkins prevented his further career. At half-time Akaroa were six points to nil. On resuming, Lytteltou played up desperately to recover their lost ground. Some good runs were made by Kelly, Menzies and Page which kept the ball for a time in the Akaroa twenty-fives. The fast game livened up the Akaroa men, and a grand rush by the forwards carried the ball into the enemy's quarter, and from a serum Tayler i-ecured a try, but Thomsons kick was , fu(iie, the ball just migsing the goaj' ■

post. Page kicked oat, and the play settled down in neutral ground for a time, some passing between Shad bolt, Mora and Thomson taking place afterwards. Menzies by a smart run obtained a try for his side which Page converted. Lyttelton played up after this with redoubled vigor, and for a time kept the ball well into the Akaroa twenty-fives, hoping during the remainder of the apell to alter the balance. A good rush by them was cleverly stopped by Lee, but in spite of the mud which adorned their faces you could perceive a look of grim determination to do or die on Capt. Thomson and his men, and though both sides strove their utmost, the game remained the same when the whistle sounded, Akaroa winning by 8 points (1 potted goal and 2 trys) to 5 points (1 goal). Amongst the forwards, Watkins (2), Narbey (2) and Shadbolt played splendidly, their fast following up and dash being worthy of any senior team. T. Vangioni, Bruce and Tayler were a tower of strength in the backs, fine run. We may say that all played up Tayler's try being the outcome of a really splendid effort. After tea a general move was made to the railway, for thoughthe Lyttelton Club wished to entertain us at a smoke concert, the attractions ot the opera were too great. As the train drew up at Lyttelton we all crowded into one carriage, together with the mighty Moorhouse, who had established himself a great favorite amongst our fellows, and elated with our success, we were ns you may guess, not very subdued. During the stay in Christchurch the photos of the team were taken in full football regalia. At three o'clock on Sunday afternoon we all left Lyttelton in the Jane Douglas, and after another smooth run reached Pigeon Bay a little after 430 p.m. We caught and saddled our horses, and though there was a thick mist and it was mining hard most of the time, we came through to Akaroa in splendid time. The Lyttelton team have never been defeated on their own ground before.