CANTERBURY FOOTBALLERS

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 30, 20 August 1887, Page 3

CANTERBURY FOOTBALLERS

A GAME WITH GISBORNE. THE VISITORS WIN BY ONE POINT. The Canterbury representatives, on their way back South, having kindly consented to come ashore in Gisborne and give our boys a practical idea of their prowess on the field, a match was arranged to come off yesterday afternoon, in Captain r J ucker’s paddock. The day turned out a beautiful •ne, and the visitors were received at the big steamer by a local Committee and escorted up to the Masonic, for a little refreshment before proceeding to the ground. The notice was too short to evoke the interest in the match which would otherwise have been taken, but there was a large attendance, the spectators being very enthusiastic. Of course it was never expected our men would be equal for the crack team they were to contend with,' but the Canterbury team playing one man short gave the local team a considerable advantage. After waiting a short time for one of the Gisborne players, places were taken on the field. The Reds (Canterbury) had evidently several pounds to the good in weight, but this was more than compensated by the activity of the local men, the wing play of Rees and .Bourke being much admired. The passing of the Reds was at times well executed, and their efforts to score were only frustrated by the speed and good collaring of the Blues, which was much better than usual. It was in the kicking of the visitors where their superiority lay, and it is to be hoped our backs will profit by the lesson received, and go in for more practice iu kicking. Francis captained the Beds, who were placed as follows Full-back—Richards ; three-quarters —Francis and H. Wilson ; half-backi —Mountford and Donnelly ; forwardi — Allardyce, Beswick, Bean, Hiddleston, Sutherland, Harris, Blanchard

Torlesse, and Moir. Gisborne was placed as follows, L. Rees being captain Full back--Sage : three-quar-ters — L. Rees, Hua, and Staite ; halfbacks—Mitchell and Sheet j forwards —Dunlop, Bourke, A. Rees, J, Arun* del, Weston, Lemuel, Alleh; and Leslie. Rees won the toss and elected to defend the lower goal and Bean started off with a good long kick for the Reds, which was badly taken by Rees, and the Reds following tip well they were oh him before he had time to kick, put the blue fit once on the defensive, after two of three short runs across the field and back the blues were penned on their own line, and Wilson getting the oval well; out of the scrum got an easy try for Can-

terbury. The try at gaol, which was a very easy one, was badly missed. The blues now rallied well, and some good forward play was indulged in, and the Reds were put on the defence, A. Rees, Bourke, and J. Dunlop (who is playing a splendid forward this season), being most noticeable for the blues, and Fiddlestone, Beswick and Amer for the Cantabs. Some good passing took place between Dunlop, Leslie aud Bourke at this time which made things certainly lively for the Reds and Leslie got a mark well in front of the visitors’ goal. Bull took the try, but failed to score. The bull bept in neutral ground until half time was called. Bull kicked off in the second spell for the Blues, it being well returned by the half back for the reds. Rua, L. Bees and Sxeet made some good runs, and relieved the lines once more. The game was very even now, the Blues aving the best of the loose game, and Lemuel and Allen were conspicuous for their side. Again the superior kicking of the Canterbury men kept the ball well in the middle of the ground till l onelly kicked up well in touch, and the Blues were again passed near their line owing to the tardiness of sage, Both sides were now playing a hard forward game, and Staite getting the ball, made a good run down the lines into the Rede’ twenty-five, and being supported by Bourke and two others, the Blues got the ball over the line. Bourke, kicking rather hard, a touch in goal was the result, though the ball was kept well in the scrum till time was called, without any addition to the score. Allen and Arundel, forwards for Gisborne, did good work for their side.