THE INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 2047, 1 September 1876, Page 2

THE INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL MATCH.

The result of the football match between Auckland and Canterbury cannot fail to be eminently satisfactory, not only because Auckland was victorious, but because the P »tne was carried through in a srmt which did infinite credit to both sides. Barring the unfortunate omission with regard to the ball, the committees had not neglected a single thins which could conduce to the straightforwardness of the arrangements, and insure a pleasant result whichever side victory inclined to. Messrs Anderson and Robinson, the two captains, conducted the preliminaries in a very friendly manner, and it was gratifyins to observe that both sides were disposed to give and take in true sportsmanlike style. As the match was looked upon as a return of the game played at Christchurch last year, it was the general desire that the conditions should be in all respects similar Through our carrier pigeons we were enabled to give in our last night's issue a rough outlinf of the play, with theresult. t We will now take a more comprehensive view of the struggle, and notice the salient features of the play and P layers_ on either side. At the commencement, it is admitted bytbe Canterbury men, that the tremendous vigor with which the Auckland "forwards threw themselves into the same, partially disorganised tbeir forces. J. Gudgeon and C. Caere particularly distinguished themselves m the brilliant rushes which followed one anotber in ciuick succession, and resulted within five minutes of a " touch down" or 3 points beans scored for the Fortherners. The Canterbury men did not recover from their surprise at this irresistible attack all throaeh the first bout, and, although Auckland was kicking against the wind, they had decidedly the best of the play, a circumstance which led many to infer that when the first change was made a decisive superiority would be evinced by the northerners. It was palpable also during this set-to, that the running of the home team was better than that of their opponents, who seemed to rely more on their weight and drop-kicking. The first heat wan productive of no further advantage to Auckland, though the ball, for the greater part of the time, was dangerously near the Canterbury goal'line. Towards the finish, the fine forward play of the Brothers Pottenabled Canterbury to score two "fores backs" (pqual to one point). After the change, the two teams settled to work wonderfully fast, and hot work it "-°, too. While' Auckland did not diminish a. whit their early visronr, and made onslaught aftor onslaught with untiring energy and pluck, it became evident that there was to be no easy victory for either side. The southerners bad evidently received the word to pull themselves together, and right well they answered their captain's call. The play in the second bout was simply magnificent. Copying the example of Auckland Canterbury followed up the " kick-off " with a general attack, and then "forwards," keeping together like a phalanx, were within an ace of forcing the ball behind the Auckland goalline, but a brilliant bit of play on the part of Woon, averted the impending danger, and by some clever dodging and a good run, carried the ball back past the middle of the field. No tima was given the Canterbury " backs " to send it back. In a moment the Northern hordes were upon them, and a lively scrimmage took place : ! hands, heads, feet, and bodies getting mixed up in the most alarming manner. Taking advantage of an opening, Woods (Waikato) dashed at the ball, and getting a good flyingkick scored a force-back for Auckland, a feat which he repeated in clever style only two minutes later. This time, however, the Canterbury "back," Moore, got riled at the frequency of the Auckland scoring, and tried to save the half point by "dropping" the ball out instead of "touching" it. He forgot, however, that a strong wind was blowing against him, and he failed to kick the ball much beyond the goal line. The danger of his attempt was soon apparent, for Nolan and Carter, charging together, broke the Canterbury line, and carrying the ball with them Jin grand style, Nolan scored a second touch-down for Auckland amid enthusiastic cheering. Robinson tried at goal a second sime, but no doubt owing to the wretched greasy condition of the ball, failed again, notwithstanding a very favourable position. The remainder of this half hour was taken up by hot exchanges, in which Canterbury secured a force-back, principally owing to the brilliant forward play of J. Potts, while Auckland scored an additional half point. At the beginning of the third set-to, Cox, for Auckland, made some good running, and elicited a hearty cheer. Evuns and Lee, on the part of Canterbury, ans""e?ed this by a Rupert-like charge, which the Auckland men could not completely withstand, and two force-backs were credited to the Southerners. The game was now thoroughly interesting, as a chance goal might decide it either way. Kach goal was in turn besieged, and either side was alternately prominent. The play was wonderfully even, and no decisive advantage could be gaiued, although the efforts on both sides were almost superhuman. The Canterbury men had now thoroughly settled down into that quietly effective style which tells of good drill and skilful leadership. There was no trying to bring down the house by showy play '; all was good, solid, and telling. In the scrimmages, their extra weight told, and told the more from the thorough organisation with which the men worked. Too many of the Auckland "forwards" hovered about the scrimmages on the chance of getting the ball. This work should have been left to the halfbacks. Towards the end of the third bout, Whewell's fine kicking, and some pretty play on the part of the Auckland captain, worked the ball back from a dangerous position near the Auckland posts to this centre of the field. Taking the play in this encounter altogether, we should give a slight preference to the Canterbury play, which was worth going miles to see. With the score standing Auckland 6J, Canterbury 2^, the fourth and final half hour's play was started on. It was still possible for one goal to reverse the position of affairs, and to get this, Canterbury now strained every nerve. The energy of the contestants had by this time infected the lookers on, and enthusiastic cries of Canterbury ! Auckland ! Well played, Stringer ! Bravo Woods ! Go it Henderson! resounded all round the field. But the two mud-soiled parties of young fellows who were striving for the mastery within the flag skirted arena, recked little of these cries. Pale with excitement, and their eyes glowing with unabated stubbornness of purpose, they looked neither to the right nor to the left, J'.or heard aught, but with countenances hard set to the front they toiled on at the work of driving forward the ball, and it seemed as if nothing could withstand the imoetuosity of the one side but the obstinacy of the other. There was one difference which now favored Canterbury. The ground at first wet but fairly good, had become so churned up, that it was impossible for the Auckland running to tell as it did at first. Although there was no sign of flagging on Auckland side, this rendered the good) forward play of Canterbury more effective, and foot by foot the ball was forced through the Northern ranks. Now and again a desperate rally on the part of Cox, Wood or Henderson, who all played brilliantly to the last, would carry it on for a distance, only to have it brought back l»y the fury of the onsets of Croxton, Anderson or Stringer, Moore now brought his 14 stone weight to bear in the van, and though only a few minutes was required for time to be called, there still seemed a chance of Canterbury winning in the last desperate onslaught. Then hopes were raised still higher by Stringer obtaining a "mark" very close to Auckland's goal, and a breathless suspence occurred, during the very last minute, while Cotterill tried the " place kick." It was Canterbury's last chance, and it failed, Nolan's rush completely spoiling the kick : and so after a fight

.ii -> /i# ■which could not be e3> it may be be saicV , excelled Contrary to general expectation, *he Canat the outset, and their exertions must have AuSnd forwards showed greater activity and speed, but not such eonoentration as the Canterbury men. The moat conspicuous man on the AnokUnd side wy undoubtedly Wood whose play at halfSack" was often the subject of the admiration of the Canterbury men. All the men however, played thorouahly well and justified the choice of the Selection Committee. Robinson handled his team excellently, and has I now the satisfaction of having succesrfally commanded both an Auckland football fifteen and an Auckland cricket eleven gainst Canterbury The game was played throughout with remarkable good humour. The umpires decisions were seldom required and when | given were accepted readily as they ouatat to be Only a few casualties have ca be reported, and those of a slight; character Mr Saarland and Mr Neilson performed the duties of umpires with complete satisfaction to everyone. . ... THe rail way arrangements were everything that could be desired, and would have accommodted a much larger crowd. The score on last year's match was, Canterbury, 9 2 ; Auckland, O. thedinner _ Tne twe teams dined together in the evening at the Star Hotel, where a splendid repast was provided by Mr and Mrs Gorman, the host and hostess. About 70 sat down and a more friendly gathering; could not have taken place Mr Robert Graham took the chair, having the Canterbury captain,Mr Anderson, on his right, while Mr James Russell occupied the vice-chair. After the dinner had been done full justice to, a series of ..oasts were proposed and responded to which we regret our space will not allow us to give at length. The Chairman having disposed of the usual loyal toasts, the Vice Chairman proposed "His Honor Sir George Grey." The speaker alluded to the support which Sir George Greyhad given to the Football team last year.^nd said he believed no two men would rejoice more to hear of Auckland's success than Sir George Grey and Mr Swanson. (Cheers.) Mr McComish's band, which was m attendance, here played " Sir George Grey for eve-" The toast of the evening followed*' namely, "Our Visitors," proposed by Mr Graham in a thoroughly appropriate speech, replete with kindly feeling 'and earnestness. He alluded in high terms to the pluck and endurance the Canterbury men had exhibited, and wished them a pleasant stay in Auckland and a properous voyage back home. The toast was drunk with immense enthusiasm and with cheers, and band—"For They are Jolly Good Fellows." Mr Anderson responded, and, after thanking those present for the kindly manner the toast had been received, said be could assure the people of Auckland that they h?d no idea of meeting with such a reception when they came to AuckUnd. and they were deeply grateful. He could assure the Auckland players that, if they came down to Canterbury next season, they would meet quite as enthusiastic reception. Mr Anderson then, proposed the "Auckland Team." He said Canterbury had had a beating, bat was not disgraced. Though they were of course sorry that the game had not eaded differently, they felt great consolation in having been beaten by so good a team. They had come to Auckland first on their tour, because they considered that they were bound in courtesy to do so after the visit of last year, and also because they wanted to meet their most dangerou3 opponents first. Mr Anderson concluded by paying a graceful tribute to Mr Robinson for his courteous and able conduct as captain of the Auckland team. Mr Robinson in responding said that he had never seen the last twenty minutes forward play of Canterbury beaten, even in

Encland (Cheers) The health of the umpires was next drunk and responded to by Mr Neilson and Mr Sharland. Mr Neilson called forth loud cheers by stating that if no one else would, he intended to bring down a team of Canterbury cricketers to Auckland this next season.

Mr Hurst proposed the two Committees ia an eloquent speech, in which he extolled the virtues of football as a means of preserving a " inens sana in corpore sano." Mr Thos. Henderson returned thanks for the selection committeel, expressing his satisfaction fchat their choice had been so successful. Messrs Cotton, Whitaker, and Caverhill also responded. Mr Alfred Kins? proposed the healths of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Mr Robert Graham made a humourous speech in response, in which he alluded pleasantly to the late charge brought against him of inciting Auckland to fight against the South. He was always happy to do what he could for the promotion of Athletic Sports. He trusted the Canterbury team would prove successful at Taranaki, Nelson, and Wellington (cheers) The Vice-Chairman in responding, referred to the promise made by Mr Neilson. and trusted it would be carried out successfully. The7other toasts were "The Ladies" by Mr Brock, responded to by Mr McCardell; "The Press" proposed by Mr Marks, responded to by Mr A. King ; and the Host and Hostess, proposed by the Chairman, and acknowledged by Mr Gorman. The two teams +hen cheered one another vigorously, and a most pleasant evening was brought to a conclusion by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." DEPARTURE OF THE CANTERBURY

TEAM. The Canterbury team left Auckland this afternoon. They went out by the 2 o'clock train to catch the Hawea, which leaves the lower anchorage at 4 o'clock. A large number of the Auckland players and of the general public assembled at the railway station, and gave them a parting cheer, which was heartily returned.