FOOTBALL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1812, 13 August 1886, Page 26

FOOTBALL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

By Punter.

Christchurch, August 9. In order to make way for Rugby Union practioes in view of the interprovincinl fixture with your province on the 28th inst. inter-club fixtures have virtually terminated as far as senior matches are concerned. The season on the whole has been a very poor one, owing principally to continued interference from the "elements," but still the club contests have been close and of increased interest to the public, whom, I am glad to say, are yearly bestowing greater attention to the career of the oval. In the contest for the premiership, amongst our five senior clubs, the following table denotes the positions attained :—: —

The East Christchurch Club, it will be perceived, have maintained their position of the previous season after a hard struggle, and I must say great credit is due to them for their energy and perseverance, for they have indeed striven against adversity, inasmuch as from one cause and another they have been deprived of the services of tried and true men into R. Shand, Missen, Moorehouse, Stevenson, Atkinson, and Wilson. Franois, the skipper of this club, is its principal mainstay ; for oiil of the 70 points scored by the club in all its first fifteen engagements 30 are due to the capital work put in by him. He has plaoed no less than 7 goals from the field direct, besides adding points from tries. Rayner figures next to his skipper, with 3 goals to his credit from the field. Jack Taiaroa also worked hard in the interests of the yellow and black, and although he has scored only two tries this does not itself contribute half to the volume of work put in by him. Jack's fame has preceded him, and consequently made him the mark of all opponents. The North Canterbury Club are noted chiefly for the sturdy set of forwards they can place in the field, and in this department hold the palm over their opponents. In Murfifct, Horrell, Bean, Millton, Torlesse, B. and E. D'Auvergne, ttiey possess weight and speed and forwards hard to beat. Compared with other clubs, their back play taken all round is weak, Helmore and Wilson being the best of the bunch, and in the latter the northeners possess a youngster who promises great things in the future. This season he has performed capitally, having lacked five goals from the field in senior contests.

Sydenham opened up badly in the earlier part of the season, and generally played in and out. Their best played games were in their return against North Canterbury, whom they defeated by bare points, and their drawn matohes against East Christohurch, which they literaHy drew out of the fire after severe work. M'Lean (Jumbo) has proved himself the most consistent scorer.

Merivale possesses a sturdy, even lot of forwards, but are weak in back play. Like East Christchurch they suffered by the loss of good, consistent performers throughout the season. In the forward department, Homer and Dewsbury figure as their shining lights. While Crowe is the best of their backs, having potted four goals in the club's sterner matches.

The old Christchurch Club for* the second consecutive season occupy first position at the wrong end, and, in my opinion, this is due to the club's selection committee including reputa-

tion men in their senior team, instead of good, hard workers. In the forward departments they were completely overwhelmed by opponents, but possess a splendid body of defensive backs; who, however, lack determination when on the offensive. Matthias (captain) and Webb (backs), worked with energy to uphold the position of the club, while Beswick is the only forward worthy of special notice.

The matches between the second and third fifteens of the various clubs will possibly terminate with the present month. Ohristchurch are at present in the lead. Amongst the former with East Christchurch close up, while the Merivale third are far ahead of all their opponents. They have played nine matches, won eight and drawn one, without a single point being recorded against them.

Reverting to the Interprovincial with your province. Our Selection Committee will have a hard task indeed to give general satisfaction, for we possess such a number of backs and forwards of equal merit. I opine that whoever are the lucky ones the"y will give your representatives all they can do to gain a victory. Rugby practices have been inaugurated for" every evening, and practice matches for Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The weather during the past week has been anything but favourable for practice, and on Saturday the inclement weather only witnessed the turn up of half a dozen selected probables, with no one to oppose their ardour for a game. Of course the match had to be abandoned. It is not very easy to hazard a guess as to our final representations, but I venture to say they will come from the following : Full-back, O'Brien or Matthias ; threequarters, Allaruyce, Francis, Webb, Taiaroa; halves, Helmore (certain), Harden, or possibly the last-mentioned of the threequarters; forwards, Homer, Beswick, Dow, Fooks, Torlesse, E. B. Milton, Sutherland, Murfitt, Moir, J. Fuller, B. D'Auvergne, Dewsbury. Owing to the heavy rain on Saturday, all inter-club matches (junior teams) were postponed. It is reported that Butterworth, from your city, will play for the Christchurch Club next season. Pauling, who figured as full-back for Wellington in its 1883 inter-provincial contests, and who has just been removed here from Blenheim, joins the East Christchurch Club, and I understand Booth (late of your city) has also thrown in his lot with the same Club.

It is currently reported that the North Canterbury Club will be weakened next season, owing to the retirement of Chapman, Milton, Howell, Murfitt, B. and E. D'Auvergne.

Club. I 1 3 52 2 1 51 5 — 33 3 3 HO 4 1 21 BO -W a c 2T 29 5(5 32 33 Sasfc Christchuroh Jorth Canterbury tferivale Sydenham ... Dhrißtcliurch 8 7 8 8 7 4 4 3 2 2