FOOTBALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXII, Issue 174, 2 August 1898, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

CANTEEBUBY V, NELSON. A ROUGH GAME. FOUR PLAYERS INJURED. Surely there never has been witnessed in Nelson snob an unusually rough game as that played yesterday afternoon in Trafalgar Park between the Canterbury and Nelson representative teams. Whoever was to blame, the fact remains that no lesa than four of the Canterbury men have been seriously, though perhapa only temporarily, injured, while nsne (if the Nelson team were really hurt. Rough play was shown on both aides, and whether Nelson or Canterbury was the ag;ressor, the exhibition was far from creditable. Another censurable point in big matches is the inhospitable hooting and other " barracking "|indulged in by a large number of yonths. Cannot they abstain even for once in their lives ? Can they not understand the moral unfairness of" barracking •> for thsir friends, when their opponents, who are virtually their guests for the time being, are strangers and almost unsupported? Again, why does not the Union take measures to keep jhe surging crowd away beyond the fences ? Without doubt the mob of "barrackers" on the touch-line must have some effect on the play of the individuals on the field. Besides this, they flinder the game. The play yesterday was too often suspended by the invasions of the unruly spectators, and when any of the numerous accidents occurred an excited and curious multitude hemmed in the unfortunate one till he was almost rendered insensible for want of air. Too many rumours and accounts are afloat concerning the incidents to record any one here; but the fact remains that the disorderly play commenced soon after the kick-off, and continued to the end, not being checked even when one man had been carried off the field dazed and almost insensible. This sort of play must be checked, or else Nelson will have to give up all idea and hope of football as it should be played. The game itself began quietly enough, and much Bkilful play was at firsi shown on both sides. The dribpling rushes from one end of the field to the other by the Canterbury, and also their frequent passing dashes, were admirable, while those of the Nelson team were also good, if not equal to their opponents. The kicking was best oa the Nelson side, but on the other side it was very fair. The Canterbury team secured three tries to the Nelson one, and none on either side was converted, the former team thus winning by 9 points to 3 For the Canterbury team, Phillips, at live-eighth, played generally about the best game. His kicks were well judged, his runs were frequent, and his general work was excellent. JDansey, at half, was also good. He is an excellent kicker.andhe also passed out and Tan well. Byrne at three-quarters did good work. He is a light stripling boy, but he is very useful, and withal very quiet about his work. He once made a most neat mark, and kicked fairly from it. Orr in the same line was best in lite kicks-off, but he managed to register two tries out of the three. KobiUiard had the misfortune to collide with a Nelson player, and was rendered almost senseless; but notwithstanding he pluokily went back to his work, and scored th.s second try of the day, McGrath'B kicks-off at f nil back were fairly managed, and he occasionally made some dashing runs, once in particular getting right through the opposing line. Cowper was playing a good but undoubtedly rough game when he received a knock-down blow—why is a moot point—which forced him to leave the field incapacitated. Among the forwards, Lynskey was occasionally prominent, while Bush took Cowper's place at wing, and, though he did nothing very conspicuous except that he was rather rough, he played fairly. Fanning, the captain, played well, but ungentle, and made some good dribbling rushes. Chambers once or twice did some good passing out. Bate and Evans once got away from the crowd in a passing rush, but did not go far. Ward made a number of ineffectual kicks at the goal. Most of *;hese were fair, Borne bai, but one m particular nearly wont over the bar from a long free kick. In the Nelson team the honours -what there were— were divided between Bonar and Thompson. Bonar made his mark by his kicking powers, and his long kicks frequently saved his side. He also made many brilliant dashes. Once indeed he got clear tut passed out to Eiley, who allowed a Canterbury man to get the ball. He registered the only score for Nelson. This was secured by a fine passing rush by himself, Nesbitt, and Thompson. However, Bonar was not free from fault, and made one or two mulls and rash passings. Thompson, the captain, who was elected by unanimous consent, was here, there, and everywhere, this minute pulling hu forwards into their places, that minute following up his backs ready for their pass. Hs made a number of dashes through the Canterbury line, and generally collared his man well. H. Eiley at full back made fome good kick?, but both he and Haldane should learn the off-side rules. Riley put himself off side once in the most deliberate—or innocent—fashion by receiving the ball from his own man's kick when in front, ■t. Nesbitt played a dashmg game, but was undeniably rough in his play. There was a scene between him and Cowper which need not be discussed here, and much bitter feeling has been caused by the incident. Millar at ha!f was fair, but his forwards rarely got him the ball. He kicked and collared fairly. Glover and Gallagher on the wings of the sorum both played excellently, but both were very ungentle, and with the others merit censure. In the forwards, the most conspicuous were Ecolesfield and Best, the latter more especially by Wb collaring. Haldane, once got away from the sorum, but he apparently has little acquaintance ' with the off-side rules. J, B. Sadd, Bright, Clear and Kedgrave also did good work. Mules was very uncertain, He made some good kicks which miy have compensated for his weak oneß, but this is doubtfnl. His collaring and taking also are weak, and he olings like a leech to the ball. However, ho made once or twice a strong effort to get through the Canterbury line, and almost succeeded. It must be mentioned that the Nelson team wa3 considerably weakened by the absence of De Vere. He was unable to play because he had strained his leg in a previous match. Had he been there, and in good form, the score might not Jhave remained merely at 3 points. Mr I.ittlejohn refereed. His rulings were sometimes questioned, but he did all that was possible Under the circumstances to be jnst. Of course many of the brilliant and intellectual youth who crowded the touch line, and who very probably gainer! their admittance over the fonce thought it incumbent upon them as the football mentors of Nelson to hoot any thing that did not exactly accord with their refined and highly cultivated discernment^ They were, however, quickly " shut up." The north grjund;was used, as the sonth was almost unfit to play upon. The sum of £21 was taken at the gate, which is just about satisfactory. The appended comments on rough play made by the Wellington " Post" are of interest in view of the exhibition of yeaterday: — •' The promptness with which the Wellington Rugby Union h»s meted out punishment for rough play deserves well of all overs of football. It is not our purpose a comment on the offence committed or the provocation received. It is quite sufficient to know that a player, perhaps only in the heat of the moment, deliberately struck another in an illegitimate way. Conduct of this kind cannot be al- | lowed to pass unnoticed, and for the credit of the game it is desirable that there should be no loophole left for charges of brutality. Football, more than any other sport, is calculated to try the temper, and that maken it especially necessary to enforce rigidly the rules made in restraint of rough play. It is naturally a great loss to a team on tour to have one of its members suspendnd. Such a misfor une might materially alter the resuits of the matches ; but, when the interests of the sport as a whole have to be considered, the temporary inconvenience of a toam must become a matter of secondary importance. For s-me time there was an opinion gaining ground that foot, ball was developing into brutality-in' many cases ; but the punishmnenfc dealt out to offenders will show the public that footballers themselves are as anxious "to keep the game within bounds asrany one." The Canterbnry team lef tby the Roto-itl lfcat evening for Auokland, where they will play their next match on Saturday. The Golden Bay players leave for horn* to--nighti