Per Star Carrier Pigeon.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 2046, 31 August 1876, Page 3

Per Star Carrier Pigeon.

The 2 o'clock train took out about 400 spectators, and reached the Gardens Station at 2 25. The respective captains met at once and settled what few preliminaries had to be arranged. The ground, considering the weather, was in very good condition, though, of course, it looked liks pJaying very heavy. Too much credit fcannot be given to Mr Graham aud his able manager, Mr Brown, for the cate bestowed in this direction. The playing space measuring 135 yds, by SOyds, was flagged off early in the morning ; a wire and rope fence outside the flags, kept the people back from interfering with the players. The disposition of the Auckland players was considerably altered last night, and at the last it was arranged that Woon and Cox shoul ? play half back, Robinson £ back, and Jones and Whewell " back." Of the Canterbury men Chapman and Hamilton stood out, Immediately on the arrival of the team on the arrival of the teams on the ground it was found that an important requisite was not forthcoming, namely, the ball. Messenger's were sent off in hot haste for the missing article, and this caused a delay of quite a quarter of an hour before the gamewasstarted. Canterbury won the toss, and elected to kick with the wind, which was blowing freshly from the N.W." It should be mentioned that the kicking was in a north and south direction, or at right angles to the railway. Mr McComish's band was present on the ground and enlivened the interval before the game. They occupied'a prominent position on the Grand Stand. The men took their places on the field looking very pretty, the Aucklanders in their black and white striped uniform, and the Canterbury team in'red and black. §i§S?Pt&

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 the ball came out on the west side, and was seized by C. 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 are playing very finely. Tbe play ia very fierce. Both teams are straining tooth and nail. Potts has scored another half point for Canterbury. The Canterbury men seem to have slightly the best of tbe scrimmages, and play for them. The Auckland men pre the speedier. Score— Auckland, 3 ; Canterbury, 1.

The game is now goiDg more evenly. G. Potts, by a fine flying kick, scored a force-back for Canterbury, at 3.35.

Scores : Auckland 3, Canterbury £ 4p.m

The Auckland men are sticking to it well, and giving the foreigners all they know 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 tbe goal. J. Gudgeon with a flying kick scored ;a force down, which Cotterill tried to aave by " dropping " the ball out but was unsuccessful, j Score—Auckland, 3£ ; Canterbury, 1. : '.ijrbly after Wood kicked the ball behind rhc Canterbury gaol line. Moore in trying the drop was baulked by Carter, and Nolan was enabled to score a touch-down, making the score —Auckland, 6J ; Canterbury, 1. Robinßon was again unsuccessful in tbe "try," but went very near. There are 800 people present. It is raining hard.