Auckland v Christchurch, 1875

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29010, 26 September 1959, Page 5

Auckland v Christchurch, 1875

PROMPTED by the caption A on an old slide used in lessons on early Christchurch at the Museum, some searching of old newspaper files brought to light an interesting report of a “football match” between Christchurch and Auckland. The caption stated simply, “Auckland v. Christchurch, 1875.” This match was played on Cranmer square, against the sombre backdrop of the Normal school, then at the last stage of completion, at the somewhat unusual hour of 1.15 p.m., on an even more unusual day, Friday. This was caused by the advancing of time of departure of the Taupo from Lyttelton on that day, and in order to catch the boat, the team had to catch the 4 o’clock train. Experience Although the date of the game, September 24, was late in the season by our standards, the Auckland team had already played Wellington and Dunedin, and was to play Nelson and Taranaki before returning home. Thus, with some experience behind them, the visitors were matched against a team which had only once before played against opponents from outside the city. Before the match, the system of scoring was decided upon, as

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follows: for a goal, 6 points; for a touch-down, 2 points; for a forcedown, 4 point. The Auckland team played in blue and white jerseys, and the Christchurch team in black and red, a combination which occasioned “the jocular name of ‘Devil’s Own.” Christchurch Team Against a team which averaged 11 stone 3 lb, the following Christchurch players were ranged: Backs: Cotterill and A. Ollivier Half-backs: Stringer, MacQuarrie. Mathias. Forwards: Anderson (captain) H. Cotterill, McCardell, Dobson, Evans, Fowler, L. Ollivier, Hartland, Thompson, Wilkin. Emergencies: A. Anderson, R. Cox, Goodeve. Unfortunately, the weights of the Christchurch men are not given. Four spells of 30 minutes were played, and as the match ended at 3. 15 p.m., two hours after it began, there could have been no intervals!

The description of play, couched in terms most moderate by comparison with some of the modern commentaries, leaves no doubt that after a short period of shirmishing, Christchurch took the initiative and from then on never looked like losing. Indeed, the play seems to have been in Auck-

land territory throughout the match. The newspaper comments on the willingness and robustness of the game but emphasises that it was a very clean game. An interesting, and almost prophetic description, of the type of game played by Christchurch says that “The backs and halfbacks of their adversaries almost invariably ran with the ball when it came their way. Consequently, they were soon fatigued, and when a desperate rush was made, could hardly hold their own. On the other hand, the back players of the Reds contented themselves by kicking the ball back, and reserving their strength and wind for any crisis that might happen. This is what back players are for and if they take upon themselves the duties of forward players, they work serious harm to their side.” "Best Match 1 * Rated by the newspaper as “the best match ever played on Cranmer square,’’ it was watched by a moderate crowd, and if one may judge by the slide, a non-paying crowd at that. Prominent in the scene is a gentleman standing on a four-wheeler, looking over the heads of the crowd. Surely a portent of things to come. The score? 9J points to nil, in Christchurch’s favour.