NELSON V. SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 147, 31 July 1894, Page 2

NELSON V. SOUTH CANTERBURY.

[By Spec] The uncertainty which has surrounded the movements of the South Canterbury team resulted in rather limited notice being given of this match. This fact, and the unsatisfactory state of the weather, no doubt accounts for the small attendance. The ground was rather soft, but not sufficiently so to produce an uninteresting game, although the backs were undoubtedly prevented from doing as much as would have done on a dry ground. The visitors were under the disadvantage of having only arrived here in the morning, and being somewhat out of condition after their sea voyage. Nelson were outmatched in the forwards; most of the scrums being carried by the visitors, who got on several fine rushes. But the Nelson backs were far superior to their opponents, and more than counterbalanced the difference among the forwards. The game was even throughout, first one side having an advantage and then the other. Excellent spirit prevailed, even when the referee found it necessary to explain his actions, which was sometimes advisable owing to the visitors being insufficiently acquainted with the rules. Mr Littlejohn's decisions were impartial, and he gave entire Bath-faction, although the visitors state that they are accustomed to play under a less strict referee. But this is a good fault, and no exception can be taken to a referee against whom the worst that can be said is that he kept close to the rules. Moore Mclntosh, and Orr stood out of the South' Canterbury team, and Peroival replaced Hale on the Nelson side. Shortly after three the teams lined out, the visitors being attired in green and black jerseys, and Nelson in the old familiar colour. Harper, having lost the toss to Gardner, kicked off, sending the ball into touch at the 25. The Greens rushed into centre-field, and gradually worked into Blue ground, where Halean got a couple of marks in quick succession. Shallard attempted a kick at goal from one of them, the ball falling short. Play was near Nelson line, but the forwards getting on a rush carried the ball to the Green 25 Moore being very prominent. Whiting got off-side, and a free kick resulted in play being at centre-field. Harper securing the ball forced the Greens down by a long kick Simpson kicked out to Hall, who, with Moore ! followed up smartly and prevented a return kick, play agaia being on Green ground. The Greens worked > Blue ground, Boys being mainly instrumental, but Shallorass returned to the other end, Johnston giving an exhibition of hia powers as a sprinter. Hall showed up, and play was near the Green line. From passing on the touch line Bird tried a pot at goal. Stewart got away and relieved, but a free kick saw Nelson again on Green ground, where Sadd and Levien each secured marks, Harper failing at goal on both oocasions. Halean made a telling kick, and the Green forwards got on a fo« nigh, which Harper

stopped by a smart kick into touch (near the ' corner flag. The Blues relieved, but Pox, by smartly following np a kiok, took play over tha line and narrowly escaped scoring, the Bines saving. Following Harper's kick out, the Bine forwards followed up smartly, and Johnston mulling, Moore and Woodward got away and went to the line, Shallard ultimately relieving with a nice kick, whioh Harper returned. The Greens worked to centre-field, where they got a free kick, Levien returning to touch. Shallcrass, Broad, and Hall put ii good work, and play was in Green ground. Moore got on a fine dribble, which Sirup3on stopped pluckily, and Shallcrass narrowly escaped marking in front of the goal. Green got to to centre field, where a light scrum took place of whioh they had the best, but a free kick to Nelson regained the ground. Harper returned a kick by Simpson, and forced the Greens down. Kerr was well collared by Bird when he looked very dangerous. Shallcrass, Moore, and Olear put in good work for the Blue for the Greens. Broad stopped a dangerous rush of Green forwards, Blinooe went several yards along the touch line, and Nelson had a free kiok, whioh Johnston returned into touch. Half-time sounded without any score Hart started the second spell, Stuekey returning to half way. Play was in Blue ground, bub Sbuckey got away and wound up with a kick which forced the Greene down. After the kick out the Blue forwards rushed, Moore and Whiting showing np well, and crossing the line with the ball. Whiting claimed a try, which the referee disallowed; Following the kick out Bhallcrasn got ftway, and attempted a pass to Bird, which waßwrnartly intercepted by Gardner, who ran into touch. Simpson and Stewart pufc in good work, the latter going to the Blue 25 The Bluen got on a good rush, Whiting, Stuckey, and Levien being in the lead and the latter scorced near the touch line amidnt much applause, which increased fco lon.i cheering when Harper succeeded in piloting the ball over the bar from the very difficult angle. After the kick off play waa in Blue ground for a time, Kerr getting very close to the line. Whiting followed up a kick and prevented Simpson returning, and play was back at half-way. Harper and Simpson exchanged kicks, and the latter also got off an exceedingly lucky speculator at a critical moment. Levien was conspicuous by proceeding down the fiield at a go-as-you-please pace and depositing the ball beneath the bar, but the referee did not see it, so the ball was brought back. Passing took place between Harper, Shallcrass, and Bird, but the ground gained was lost through offsHe play by a Blue forward. Halean was prominent, and did a smart piece of work, and then Whiting dribbled from about half-way to in front of the | goal, where Harper snatched up the ball in a twinkling, and, after being collared, wriggled away and dashed across the line to the great delight of the spectators. Although the angle was an easy one the Nelson skipper was unable to increase the scorei JSelson 8 points ; South Canterbury, nil. After the kick out Hall showed up well and carried the ball right through the Blue forwards, and continued on until close to the Nelson line, where Halean got a mark, from which a scrum was formed five yards out. Nelson gradually cleared until they got to centre field. Bird made a fine dashing run, but unfortunately threw the ball forward. A couple of free kicks to the Green 3 were given in quick succession, and then followed a fine rush of Green forwards, and a score was only averted by Hall sending the ball out of bounds. Pearce carried the ball through the Green forwards, and Halean, Collins, and Shallard handled the leather successfully, the latter attempting a pot in preference to passing on further. The whistle sounded no-side with the score still at Nelson 8 points ; South Canterbury nil. As to individual play. Broad, the Nelson full-back, had little to do, but was equal to every emergency. Harper put in a lot of work ; his kioking being excellent, and the bit of play by which he scored, was a wonderfully quick piece of work. Hall played his usual good game, and it is impossible not to admire his all round smartness. Bird has been seen to better advantage ; he made several unsuccessful attempts to speculate, but occasionally put in good work. Levien and Shallcrass had the most work to do, and they each played splendid games. Stuekey was rather off, though he was successful in giving Shallcrass and Levien a show at times. The forwards all played well. . Moore was the most prominent, getting away time after time with the ball at his feet. Whiting showed up splendidly, and deserves credit for his share towards both the tries. Clear also played an excellent game, and was prominent in several dribbles. Simpson, the Green fullback, was the pick ot his side. He had a lot of work to do, and did it well, saving his goal on many occasions. Halean and Johnston put in a good deal of work, the latter being a very fast man, and showing up well when a sprint was required. Stewart, Gardner, Quinn, Hall, and Hart were perhaps the more prominent of a good lot of forwards.