Football.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 996, 3 April 1891, Page 25

Football.

PONEKE V. EAST CHRISTCHURCH.

The annual match Poneke-East Christoliarch came off at the Newtown Park on Saturday, and after a well contested game resulted in a draw, neither team scoring Nioholls and Merlet were absent from the Poneke fifteen which had been published, King and Baumber filling the vacancies, and the loss of Bridson, Lee, Moorhouae, Stuart and Wynyard was severely felt by the local Club. As the Christchurch men came on the ground they were heartily cheered by the spectators present, who numbered about 2000, and they were also cheered by the Ponekes, which compliment they acknowledged. Sim, the Poneke skipper (in Nicholls’- absence) won the toss, and elected to defend the western goal, A. Ebert, for the Yellows (Christchurch) kicking off, Morton sending the ball into touch at the hulf-way flag. On the throw in the Poneke forwards dribbled the leather well np the field, but the Yellow forwards by combined play soon had the ball in the Poneke’a twenty-fives, where the game was oarried on for the greater part of the first spell, the Christ church forwards being within an ace of scoring on several occasions, but the combined play of the local backs prevented them from reaching the coveted goal. Sim, Dixon, and Ellison by some line passing carried the play intojtheir opponents’ twenty-fives, but Quin by a well judged punt sent the leather into touch well up the field. The Christchurch forwards from the throw in dribbled the ball over the Poneke line, Baumber forcing down. On resuming play Kelly was prominent in a rush of the Poneke forwards that kept the scene of operations in the Yellow’s twenty-fives, but Forbes, who was playing a fine half-back game for the visitors, relieved his side by a good run. The Poneke meu, however, were not to be denied, and their forwards again invaded Christchurch’s twenty-fives vAiere the play centred till half-time was called. Ellison started the second spell, and after some give aud take play, Thompson (Christchurch), made the run of the day, but Dixon proved too much to get past. The Poneke forwards now woke up. Kearney dribbling the ball up to the Yel lows’ twenty-fives. Bamber here mulled a shot at goal, from a free kick. On the kick out, some hot play took place on the Red’s line, which was eventually cleared by Davidson, by a long kick into the centre, where some fast play took place amongst the opposing backs. Kelly and White by a vigorous rush, carried the oval into the Yellows’ territory. Bamber, who was following up, fell just outside the Christchurch line, spoiling his chance for a score. The Christchurch forwards, by combined play, sent the ball into the middle of the field, where Quin from a free kick, made an ineffectual shot at goal, no side being called shortly afterwards. A. Ebert, Atkinson, Moriarty, and Keateven (forwards), and Forbes, Hobbs, Thompson, and Quin (backs) played well for the visitors. Of the Ponekes, White, Kelly, Robinson, Beck (forwards), Sim, Dixon, Ellison, Baumber (backs) were the most prominent. Kelly in particular showing fine dribbling powers. Messrs G. H. Mason and Lee umpired and Mr C. Riohardson acted as referee.

On Saturday evening the visitors were entertained at a smoke concert held at the Post Office Hotel. Mr R. Sim occupied the chair, Messrs Hobbs and Mason supporting him cn his right and left-hand respectively. The vice-chair was filled by Mr M. F, Marks. After doing justice to the good things provided by Host Hook, the following list of toasts was gone through The Queen,” proposed by the Chairman ; “Our visitors,” proposed by Mr Sim, responded to by Mr Hobbs, skipper of the East Christohnrch team; “Kindred sports,” proposed by Mr G. H. Mason, responded to by Messrs Moorhouse (cricket), Reich (tennis), Collins (yachting), and F. Keateven (rowing) ; “Football,” proposed by Mr Marks, responded to by Mr De Maus, secretary of the East Christchurch Football Club. “The Ladies,” proposed by Mr Kesteven, responded to by Mr Beauchamp; “ The Press,” proposed by Mr J. J. Reich, responded to by the representative of the New Zealand Times; “The Chairman,” proposed by Mr Marks, responded to by Mr Sim; “Host and Hostess,” proposed by the Chairman. Amongst the visitors were Messrs De Maus, Labatt, MoMurray, H. Ogier, and Halley, members of the Canterbury Representative Cricket Team, who contributed much to the evening’s enjoyment. Vocal selection were given by Messrs Mason, Quinn, Kesteven, Lee, Corliss, Col* lins, Halley, Kilner (encored), Moorhonse, Hammand, Wynyard, Spring, and H. Ogier, the two last named also sang a duet, assisted by Mr De Maus. Recitations were given by Messrs Marks and Cockcroft. The_ proceedings terminated shortly before midnight with the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne." FIELDING V. WELLINGTON NAVALS. A very enjoyable football match was played on the Oval, Feilding, on Saturday last, between teams representing the Wellington Navals and Fielding Football Clubs, which, after an exceedingly tight game, resulted in a win for the home team by 6 points to 3. The scoring does not at all represent the, play in the game, as daring the first twenty minutes the Navals had all the best of the, game, jambing their opponents on their line, and from some pretty passing between the baoks Lowater got the ball and potted a goal. The Fielding skipper seeing the Bluejackets could hold their own in.the loose, made his men make a pack game of it, and their forwards being at least a stone heavier thafi the Navals the latter were speedily “ riled up.” More passing was also done by Feilding, from which Robinson, Nicholson, aud J. Whisker secured tries. Robinson also placed a very pretty goal from a mark. Whisker, Christy, Shannon, Belfit, and Parr played well for Feilding, and Balcombe, Parsons, Mnir, Bell, Murphy, and Bromes for the Navals. In the evening the visitors were shown round Feilding by the members of the home team, and altogether the outing was most 1 enjoyable,

I A match was played at Otaki on Monday I between the Pirate and the local Club, and after a well contested struirglo ended in a draw, both teams scoring 2 points each. For Otaki tries wore obtained by Gillespie, of the Melrose Club, and Tohene, neither of the tries being converted, whilst Nicholson ! placed a goal from a mark for the Pirates. Mr Stace and a Native (whose name has not transpired) umpired, and Mr McFarlane, late of Dnnedin, acted as referee.

(PER PIIESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, March 29. The iutcrclub football match between the Star Club, Invercargill, and the Alhambra Club, Dunedin, was played to-day. A drizzle which set In rather spoiled the passing game of the local Club, in which they excel. The Alhambra, in tha first spell, scored two tries, neither being converted. The visitors had the best of the play in the second spell, but they failed to score, and the local Club won by two points to nothing.