FOOTBALL MATCH-AWATERE V. NELSON.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 179, 3 August 1881, Page 2

FOOTBALL MATCH-AWATERE V. NELSON.

("Colonist," Aug 1.) The match between an Awatere and Marlborough team and the Nelson Clnb which was played m the Botanical Gardens Reserve on Saturday afternoon, attracted a considerable number of spectators to the ground. Mr J. Askew, captained the Kelson Team, and Mr. J. Mowatt, the Awatere and Marlborougb men. The latter winning the toss, decided to kick towards the west. Mr Askew then kicked off for Nelson, and the ball, which landed just short of thb goal was sharply returned by Kivell, and by some good play oo the part of the Awatere men, the ball was rushed up to-warda the Nelson gial only to be sont back again however. Hard scrimmaging followed, Kelson having the best of it, but they were unable to score anything, at the expiration of the first tweoty miuutes, the teams changed goals, and on Mowafc kicking off, Harley collared the ball for Nelson, and made a good run but this merely led to more scrimmaging ; the ball was, however, kept well down to the Marlborough goal, and during the las' five mi utes of this bout it was so close to the Marlboroguh touch* line that >t was hard to tell whether it was over or not, and the Nelson men were only prevented getting it across by their opponent kneeling and lying down, and so stopped the ball. Just as ti ue was called a force down was scored by Nelson, but this did not count, as the match was being played by gaols and tries. At the commencement of the third 20 minutes Askew again kicked oF and once more Eivell returned the ball, and this bout also ended without scoring. The fourth and last bout was commenced by Terawhiti kicking off, when Askew returned the ball, and m the play which succeeded Clark, who had been playing exceeding well for Nelson all through the game, got his knee «o badly injured that be was unable to tuke any furthur active interest m the match. During the bout Askew kicked the hall over the touch line, and obtained a force down, and thereupon he made a hard attempt to get a try but the umpires decided against him. The ball was then brought out by Terawhiti,, but when time was called no further advantage was scored, and the mat>'.)> resulted m a draw, neither side actually scoring, although the Nelson men showed some advantages. They were considerably overmatched m weight, but they played remarkably well together. On the Marlborough side the play of Messrs Eivell, Terawhiti, J. Mowatt, M'Hardy, and Cooper called for special notice, whilst the Nelsoa forwards played a splendid game, and os the game was chiefly a forward one a good deal developed on tbem ; but as we have said the Nelson team played well together, and it was difficult to single out any of the players especially The match was altogether one of the best forward games ever played on the Nelson ground. Mr P. Trolove umpired for our visitors, and Mr B. Clouston for the Nelson team. The whole of the players were conveyed to and from tbe ground by a coach and four, which Mr Lucre sent oat m bis usual style, and a noticeable feature was the blue and white ribbons m honor of the Nelson colors. In the evening the two teams and tli ir friends sat down at the Nelson Hotel to a capital dinner, provided by host Mctiee m his best style. The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion, the walls being covered with banners, evergreens, &c. The chair was occupied by Mr A. Stedman, the Vice-President of the Nelson Football Club, supported on his right and left by tbe captains of the two teams, Messrs J. Mowat and J. Askew. After the mual loyal toasts had been disposed of, the Chairman gave the toast of the evening, " The Awatere F.mtbull Team." This was responded to by Mr J. Mowat, who stated that it had afforded every member of the visiting ream the greatest pleasure m visiting aud competing against the Nelson players, aud the utmost good feeling had prevailed throughout the match, which, although not decided either for the one or the other, had resulted m an exceediigly close cone t. He trusted this visit was the prelude of an annual match between Nelson and Marlborough. The health of the captain of the Nelson team was proposed and duly responded to. the remaiuing toasts— "The Press," "Mr Firtb," "Tbe Collpge Players." "ex-Players," "Host aud Hostess," &c. — being also duly responded to. During the evening some capital songs and recitaliuns were given, the former as rendered by Mr Crawford, of the Awatere team, eliciting very great approbation,