FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10637, 23 April 1900, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The varioua clubs in Christclmrch hdd their final practice matches before tbe commencement ctf int«r-club competititros on Saturday, and each game was weJl attend«i, although in several instances the senior players preferred looking on rather than risking being knocked out on tie bard ground. The Albion Club had a muster of about forty for their game in the South Park, and sides were picked by Johnston *nd Watkins. Considering the number engaged the play was fast tironglioat, and Tictory rested with Johnston's skfe. The Ohristchurch. Club's game on the North Park ,wae a picked team against the remainder of the club, and judging by the /orxn shown the old dab's first fifteen should be hard to beat tbia season. The Linwood dub played a scratch game, in which very lew Rerriors took part, bnt doubtlessly Mveral of those who assisted the club to win the cliaropioiwhip last season will be foomt in tb«ir old places when the dob •ppoees Kaiapoi on Satorday next. MeriTale i>»d a good muster, and their game, like that-of Gbristchnrch, was a picked team igaimt tbe rest of tie club. The latter bad the best of the play during the opening term, bat they failed to aeore. but in the second term the .picked team showed to greater advantage. The Sydenham and High School eJrabs aluo held serviceable practices, and a match was played on the North Park .between the Durham aud Strange'e chibs, the former gaining the advantage. Tbe clubs cuter upon the Bugby Vnttmm oonrpeiiticms next Saturday. ' The annual meeting of the LeesUm Football dnb took plaoe on Friday t**nia%. There tmm a large attendance, and W. Duraret occupied the chair. -T^%.report showed tihe dub had an uoVtofcefr record of suoctws last season, t-en members were included in ttftrioti team. The credit aaUoc* was

£4 12s 4d. The election of officers resulted a* follows:—Patron, Mr W. H. Montgomery j president, Mr W. Spring; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs H, R. Rhodes and John McLachlan, M.H.R.'s. James Lambie, John Rennie, W. Johnston, C. F. Denby, T. W. Durant, Dr. Gosset, the Rev. W. Grant, \V. H. Orbell, W. H. Beck, and Father Chervior; captain, H. Fincham; vice-cap-tain, X. Herron; secretary and treasurer, L Curti*. Mr T. R. Hogg, late secretary, who has left Leeston, was accorded a hearty voto of thanks for his past services, and Mr Spring was al«o thanked for the gratuitous use of the ground. It was decided to open the season on April 28th, and to invite neighbouring clubs to play on that occasion.

The .Durham Club defeated Strange's by 19 points to 3. For the winners J. French, F. Pengelly, C. Shew, and Q. Orme scored and for the losere F. Cooke.