FOOTBALL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1700, 12 August 1887, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, August 11. The football match between the Wellington and Canterbury teams ended* rather unexpectedly, in the defeat of the latter, who were "warm favorites. The local men, however, held their own manfully, and, after each team had had the luck to score goals from the field in the firßt 6pell, a well-earned try in the 6econd spell gave the final victory to Wellington. Soon after the start, Taiaroa obtained a mark close to the touchliue, and Mclntyre, from this, kicked ft fine goal. Fi&ueis equalised matters by driving the goal between the posts, from about 35 yard" in front of them. After this, the game was chiefly confined to the forwards, and there waß no other score in the first spell. Early n the game, Helmore, Canterbury captain, fell in the act of catching the ball, with a Wellington man on top of him, injuring his side, and practically rendering him useless for the remainder of the game. Jußt before half-time was called, King, captam of the Wellington team, also met Vfith a mishap. He collided with Allardyce, and his forehead, coming in contact with the latter'B hip, was cnt open with the force of the blow, at the same time cutting through Allardyce's jersey, trousers and skin. In the second half, the local forwards played a dashing game, and in one of their rushes so completely scattered their opponents that three or four men fell over the line without a Bed man near them. The try was allotted to Storey. No goal was kicked. The Canterbury men also made one fine charge, the Blacks and Heds crossing lh& goai-Yjne together, hut the superior speed of the local captain enabled him to distance the rest and secure the ball. The collaring was very good, but the visitors passed very little, which did not give their backs (who are supposed to be the strength ot the team) a fair show. The forwards did not play so well together as the local men, and were not equal to them in a loobo game. The latter played wing men and Canterbury did not, which helped % ffboA deal towards paralysing their backs. On the whole, the game was rather disappointing, for, except in the last quarter of an hour, it was chiefly confined to the forwards, who played a very close game, and not the open style that was expected. There was a good many appeals to the umpires, which also helped to increase the number of scrummages. The actual score was — Wellington, four points ; Canterbury, three. About 3000 people were present, and the ground was in better condition than waß expected after the rain. Last evening the visitors were enterturned at a smoke concert.