FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10107, 4 August 1893, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 3.

It is improbable that a football match between the New Zealand Rugby team and South Canterbury will take place, the latter Union being unable to arrange for a public holiday before Thursday. Tho weather ia thick in the Strait, and there is no sign of the Wakatipu with the footballers, but it is expected that she will drop in before daylight, in which cnee the official landing will beat 10a.m. With the wot weather i t promises to be unfavourable for Saturday’s match. Tbe local eighteen will be chosen to-morrow night. Hia Excellency the Governor, who was asked to formally welcome the team, has addressed tho following letter to the Chairman of the Reception Committee; —“ Am much gratified by the attention shown roe by your Reception Committee in giving me an opportunity of welcoming in person the New Zealand football team on their return to the Colony, and as I do not find myself able to avail myself of their kindness, I shall be obliged if you, will bo good enough to convey to them my warmest congratulations at their success, and my personal gratification on the manner in which they successfully upheld the reputation of the Colony. New Zealand is well known as a country in which the manly sport of football is held in the highest estimation, and I trust that the team you are met to do honour, to-rcay long wear tho laurels they have so well earned. Among those who believe that proficiency in such a game goes far to form the character of a peoole, as well aa among all patriotic Now Zealanders, the memory of their achievements will long live aa a. most pleasant recollection. —Yours, Glasgow.”

THURSDAY FLAG COMPETITION. The final match to decide tho winners of the Thursday Flag Competition, inaugurated by tbe Canterbury Rugby Union, waa played on tbe Merivale Club’s Ground yesterday afternoon, the contesting teams being Hardware and Sydenham. Tho game, which was stubbornly contested from start to finish, resulted in a win for Hardware by three points ~a goal from a penalty kick) to nil. Owing to the slippery state of the ground very little back play was shown by either team, and tho game could not be termed a first-class one. Tho forwards of both teams indulged in a good deal of “ bullocking,” and after the first spell the referee, Mr W. J. Cotterill, called all tho players together, and cautioned them against playing roughly. Shortly after the kick-off the Sydenham forwards carried the ball into the Hardware twenty-five. Nixon made a good run, but waa well tackled by Tucker near the Hardware line. Clarke, Dallas and Pickering relieved with a dribbling rush to, the centre, where Keame cams through a scrummage and dribbled to the Sydenham full-back, who relieved his side by a timely kick. Dallas made a fine run, and Hardware kept up a strong attack on tho Sydenham Hue. A free kick was awarded to Hardware, owing to a Sydenham player obstructing Clarke, one of the Hardware forwards. The ball waa placed for Austin, who kiokad a fine goal. After this the play was very even, and neither side could claim any decided advantage till shortly before the call of time, when Sydenham pressed its opponents, but no score resulted. Tho following table shows the positions of the teams :

Yesterday evening the East Christchurch Football Club sent the following telegram to Mr E. D. Hobon, Hon Secretary to the New Zealand Rugby Union:—“Please convey to tbs Now Zealand team the hearty congratulations of the East Christchurch Football Club for the worthy manner in which it has uphold the honour of its Colony.”

Teams. 'o Ah £ 1 O j Lost. £ fi Score iu Points, For Agst Hardware 6 7 0 1 — 90 11 Sydenham 5 7 5 2 — ss 17 Drapers’ A 4 G 4 2 — 6S ‘.’3 Linwootl ... 35 G o 2 i 33 3 r H Grocers ... 2 G 2 4 9 S'..-) Farmers’ Co-op. ... i-i 0 i 4 i 2f) 97 Drapers’ B — 6 — 6 — ~ GO