FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8781, 30 April 1894, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

Rugby football commenced in earnest o» Saturday afternoon, under auspices of the most favourable character. Two of the Senior matches were played at Lancaster Park, and one was contested at Kaiappi. At both places the spectators were numerous for t opening games, and the grounds were in good order. The matches were however marked by their oneaidedness, as in each case the winning teams were successful by wide margins. The scoring- was heavier than is usually the case. iCaiapoi aeoured a win by 17 points to 3, Christchurch by 26 points to 3, and Merivale by 31 points to nothing. At Lancaster Park improvemente had been made beneficial to both spectators and players. The grounds for the latter had been altered to ran north and south. This will give neither team any appreciable advantage ' j when "the prevailing East wind is blowing | nor will the members of one team Buffer tbe disadvantage of having a setting sun ahinhig straight into their eyes. For the conveai*--ence of spectators a well-arranged graouv < stand has been erected on the Eastern terrace. Shelter is thus afforded to thbw>who like to part with the small coin that gains admission to the stand, which is bailO j in such a way that every occupant obtain* | an unimpeded view of the goal pottfe* Scoring-boards were also placed in proroi* • nent positions, and were used to record tha j state of the game after a score had be*a I made. ' ,