FOOTBALL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1853, 27 May 1887, Page 27

FOOTBALL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

By Punteb.

"Jupiter Pluvius" has not been very con-siderate-to footballers in this district for, some time past. ; However, we must' be thankful for small mercies,- and meanwhile peg along and. look forward to an unexpected expectancy from his quarters. The principal fixtures on Saturday took place at, Sydenham (Sydenham y. Merivale) and at Hagley Park (Christchurch v. North Canterbury),' and, as' I foretold in my last, "the 'matches resulted in< victories for SydenhanTand ""/hristchurch respectively. 1 ' The former contest excited the greatest public' interest, and 'although ! tho ground 'is inconveniently situated, many were induced to take tie tram, for the scene' of play. It was generally anticipated; that the match, would be.keen, exciting, and ot a fairly even nature, and from, the play exhibited by both. teams in their former contests,' ( many were' led to think^ that the Merivale contingent would prove too strong for their antagonists, arid especially so 'amongst the forward 'division. After the' first 10 minutes' play, it waS apparent that the Sydenham men were a match for their less sturdy opponents,' and, with' the aid of better backs, that' the result could hardly be in doubt. The Merivale forwards lost their reputation by playing a very in-and-out game. At times they were completely disorganised, and, allowed their opponents to walk, through, and generally failed to recognise the fact that unity was necessary to give them strength, In the back department their passing was wretched indeed, and in a measure' their defeat is due to the errors committed in this direction. Robinson and Crowe fumbled' repeatedly, and consequently missed easy chances of potting at goal or running in. Mountfort, Dallas, and Turner were, however, exceptions to the rule, and throughout this trio played capitally, while Garrard, Dewsbury. Lowry, and Evans worked hard forward to stave off defeat,

Of the Sydenham play it may generally be remarked that they place before us a better exhibition of what they are really capable of than in their match ' the preceding Saturday; bat in spite of this I oannot reconcile myself to their style of play forward, and with the horse power they have in this department one would almost expect more push and energy. They appear to paok widely and unevenly, and consequently lose the advantage of their undeniable strength. However, I think these little deficiencies will bo smothered over as the season progresses, 1 Sutherland, Moir, Dobbs and Riley appeared to the best advantage forward, while Coehrane, Donnelly, and Allardyce were always conspicuous. Allardyce is especially playing a grand game this ' season, and should his play keep up to its present standard I will be inclined to place him at the top amongst our backs. M'Lean is very disappointing this season, and with the practice he has had one would' almost expect to have been deprived of witnessing the fumbling which he is so capable of performing. His massive frame, combined with good fending capabilities, appears to strike terror into the hearts of his antagonists, and possibly it is this alone which enables him to score on nearly every osoasion he enters the football arena. The Christchurch — North Canterbury match was about the most entertaining game of the season, for throughout the ball travelled rapidly from one end of the ground to the other, and although Christchurch walked in easily by 5 points to nil I incline to the opinion that this was due to their superior condition. The Northeners played resolutely, but not the game suitable to their weight, and possibly the result has taught them that science and activity must overcome brute strength in an open game. Bond, with an English, reputation, figured in the interests of the Reds for the first time in their inter-olub matches. His physique and evident knowledge of the game leads me to think that he will be an acquisition later on, and especially when in condition and practice. The Reds are evidently getting into rare buckle, and before the season closes I am of the opinion that they will give their opponents some trouble, and be well up in the ruck. * Outside of club matches, nothing further of interest induces me to extend this rather lengthy preamble. So I must conclude by referring your readers to my next. HOME NEWS. A gentleman in Nottingham proposed a football match between the sweeps and bakers of the town. They were to play in characteristic costumes, for the benefit of the Children's Hospital. An exchange suggests that it had better be called a black and white match. It appears that at Home the question of appointing a referee is often surrounded with needless difficulties. For a recent match at least eight well-known officials were approached, two being residents of Bolton, who, strangely, enough, were objected to by the Wanderers. The rest were outsiders, only one of whom was not palatable to the North End. On the evening of the international match by some .unaccountable blunder the news got abroad at Bolton that England had won. This was announced at a well-known hostelry, whereupon the company stood upon "their hind legs," cheered lustily for the Old Country, and then had drinks all round.

In March last a match, according to Association rules, was played at the Cardigan fields between ladies, the sides being denominated Edinbro' and Grimsby town. Our* representative (says an • exchange) became so utterly dazzled by the sight of fair ankles and gleaming shoulders that he is unable to impart with any degree of exactitude a description of the play which took place. Suffice it to say that one side won by a goal, and that the contest created an immense amount of fan, not the. least delighted amongst the crowd being a goodly number of middle-aged "jossers." ■ The style of nlay adopted by the fair creatures was certainly original, and the tackling was somewhat amusing. It took 40 policemen to restrain the hungry crowd from running into the enclosure and participating in the straggle. Messrs W. and J. J. Hawcridge have opened ft very fine and enlarged establishment at Darley street and Duke street,' Bradford, which will be a model depot for athletic outfitting in every conceivable branch. Messrs Hawcridge are showing very spirited enterprise, and their improved footballs and other specialties have attained great popularity in all parts of the three kingdoms. The catalogue which they have issued is of a remarkably comprehensive character.

A Scotch writer in the Athletic News has the following :— " Our Rugby friends have had a miserable season— the worst, I may safely say, in the history of the game — and the records of the different clubs, when they come to be made »P» will show more blanks than anything else. The early party of the season— from September till November — was delightful, but with the advent of December frost came and remained with us to the end of January, and, with the exception of two weeks, the time ever sinoe has

been 1 taken up with international imatbhesyandthe East v. West. \ Thus none of; the clubs are' at present in anything, like. 'form, and in ;the r case of the West of Scotland the want of form told very heavily, as on Saturday,) they- had; to play the stiffest of all their tnatches-rrnamely, the Edinburgh Academicals. ;r; r r / '- ' ' " Another writer says :~- i: I.' : haye glanced over the proposals that' are, to be,' submitted, to the general meeting of the Rugby Union on March. 31, and, as far as they, apply, ,to^Scotland, I think I am right in saying"theyi. willlnot be listened to. Scotland has no! desire td. merge its nationality into that of thc-English' 'Union, and I don't think either Wales or Ireland has any such desire. What "we*\»aht,' and what j Waleß and Ireland want, isa board ,with a given number of representatives .from England^ Scot* land, Ireland, and Wales^afbpkrd befo'^wfiioh all laws affecting the game must he -placed, discussed, and rejected; or accepted/! There '¥no use discussing the' proposals one by one, as I know they will never be; listened to" by the Scotch Union. It is not the" first ficiie that Mr Rowland Hill has tried on this imperial policy, of his. It failed in the past; however^ and it. takes very littlejnsight ,to> know 'what'will happen* to his latest stroke of imperialism." ,„ ' ,-' ,■ ■ Wakefield Trinity have been the most unfortunate of all the clubs in the first rank in Yorkshire in regard to the "way they have been drawn when they have had to meet a good club in the Cup ties, it being i( of ten their/ lot to draw a " record" gate for one ,or other, of their great rivals. One more instance of this was furnished iv March last, Batley, for the first time, topping the third century— £322. This would represent 13,000 spectators, after accounting < for • ladies and members. Trinity has never yet passed the second hundred. ' , '

In the Association match between Scotland and Wales, the game was fairly -even in the first half,, the only goal scored,' being one, by Robertson, for.. Scotland, ■ from a grand t cross shot. In the beginning of the second half Scotland pressed, but Wales did not, let them have it all their own way, though they failed to score. Final score was: Scotland, 2 goals; .Wales, none. ' ' ' , This year's. Association battle, between the Hose T and the Thistle was expected to show.'the world that at last England had gained supremacy in Association football.' Since the game was instituted, in 1872, England has only, managed to win twice— in 1873 and 1879, both at the Oval; whilst Scotland can now claim 10 victories, and four matches have, resulted in draws. In 1882 the Scots gained a decisive victory in Glasgow, winning by six goals to one, but since that time the teams have been very evenly matched, Scotland twice winning by a single goal ; whilst in 1885 and 1886 each' 'side scored once, but in both games even Scotchmen, will admit they were overplayed. At the time the Scots were running all over the line, they played the strict passing, game, whilst the B nglishmen— chiefly Southerners— went, in • for dribbling. t The great strides of Association football in Lancashire and (i ( in 'the .midlands caused some representatives to be included, and gradually Englishmen adopted the Scotch style of play, and very nearly beat them at their own game. In club matches this season the superiority of English clubs over their Scotch, brethren has been more marked, and even Scotch critics, clanish as they are, had not great hope of seeing their men win this year^smatch. Fob the second time the match was, played in the provinces, and Blackburn was selected as the venue, Sheffield being honoured four years ago. Scotland again won by a bare point, though the ; Englishmen had all the best of the game. The results of previous matches are : — | 1872— At Glasgow. A draw— no goals ' 1873— At London. England won by four goals to two ' 1874— At Glasgow. Scotland won by' two goals to one ■ . . 1875 — At London. A draw— two goals each 1876— At Glasgow. Scotland won by three goals to nil 1877— At London. Scotland won by three 'goals to one 1878— At Glasgow. Scotland won by seven goals to two 1879— At London. England won by five goals to four ' i 1880— At Glasgow. Scotland won by 'five goals to four 1881— At London. Scotland won by si* goals to one 1 88&-; At Glasgow. Scotland won by six goals to one 1883— At Sheffield. Scotland won by three goals to' two ' , 1884— At Glasgow. Scotland won by one ' goal to 1 nil 1885— At London. A draw— one goal each' ' 1886— At Glasgow. A draw— one goal each. , ,