FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 20, 28 July 1887, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

CHBISTCHUBCH V. NORTH CANTERBURY—THE LATTER WIN.

The return match between these Clubs was played at Rangiora. The game was commenced by Beswick kicking off for Christchurch (Reds), but the ball was soon brought to the middle of the ground, where some scrimmaging occurred. Bean, for the Blues (North Canterbury) dribbled it up to the Reds’ twenty-five flag, but Cresswell, by a good kick, returned it well into the Blues’ quarters. The Northerners were not to be denied and so transferred the leather to their opponents' end of the field, and a pass being made to Wilson, that player had a shot at goal, but failed to score. It, however, resulted in the Reds touching down in self-defence. The play became faster, and some good kicking took place between the backs. A run by Ford took the game towards the Blues’ goal, but Helmore and Wilson relieved it by dribbling and kicking. After a mark by Webb, C. D’Auvergne got a run to near Reds’ goal line, but the ball being well dribbled back and closely followed up, it was again in the Blues’ quarters, where, however, it did not remain long, Bean, and B. D’Auvergne dribbling it up the centre of the ground. A pass to Wilson gave that player another shot at goal, bqt the ball touching one of the forwards missed the bar. Wilkinson (Red) then made severrl good kicks, and Helmore and Torlesse (Blues) got runs which kept the ball in Bed's territory. Wilson got a run and looked like scoring, but being collared the Reds got a rush, and as the blue forwards were some distance off it seemed impossible to prevent them scoring, when Chapman (Blue) by a lucky kick saved his side’s lines. Several rushes on both sides and good punting kept the game lively, and the spell finished in the aidale of the ground. In the second ■pell the game was, if anything, faster tnan in the first—very little tight scrummaging taking place. The Blues, cheered on by their friends, seemed determined to score, and after some very fast play, the ball being taken up and down the ground, it was stopped quite close to the Bed’s goal-line, and being heeled out of a scrummage to Helmore, that player was over the line in a moment. Wilson took the try at SI, and, although not a difficult one, ed to place it The game was soon in the Beds’ quarters again, 0, D'Auvergne kicking into touch close to the goal line, and shortly afterward Torlesse ran through a lot of players and secured a second touch-down. Bean kicked wide of the goal, and before long the ball was at the other end of the ground, and the Blues were forced down. Bean was mainly instrumental in returning the ball, which he did with a good straight run and * high kick, ana again the Reds’ goal was in danger, and when “ time ’’ was called the ball was within a few feet of the Reds’ goal. The game resulted in North Canterbury winning by 2 points to nothing. The play throughout was very fast.