FOOTBALL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 27

FOOTBALL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

By Puntee.

Chbistchurck, July 18. The Christchurch First journeyed to Bangiora on Saturday, to encounter the North Canter™ry team,and this,combined with fine weather, aw the fact that the Bast Christchurch team Had a day off, centred all public interest in the club fixture, Merivale v Sydenham, which evenJwted on Hagley Park north. So closely do »v the senior teams follow one another in point °t Merit that it has now become an almost recognised fact that whatever clubs are pitted together

No Runaway Victories ate likely to ensue,',but on the contrary close and exciting contests, which are usually made more interesting by the large following of demonstra80 m^ vidualß who sport their favors as fancy wyes them. The sterner sex, although invari•oiy in the majority as witnesses of these manly OQteßtß, n^i nevertheless, being gradually •oS? 8 i ack in P° int of numbers b y the h it i I 0I 00 * 66 * 861 * interest taken in the game «f «T 6 « ies » and I™& venture to say that out on k\ ° aßßemble <i »* this particular match by f. urdav about one-eighth were represented it J w f* ker sex, whereas only a few years ago ' was discouraging to would-be aspirants

to cast their' eyes around and 'find a possible dozen of these enthusiasts. However, I cannot dilate to any length on my personal thanks for the change in this direction, which only augurs so well for football in the future, but will just say that I hope for an ever-increasing interest being taken in all outdoor- pastimes (lawn tennis excepted) at the hands of the ladies. To return to the match

Merivale v. Sydenham,

Like all others, the issue was fought out in stern reality, and to the bitter end, with .an absence at the same time of temper, wrangling, and unnecessary roughness. The first spell witnessed the Light Blues (Merivale) with affairs very much in their own hands, for they invariably ran through their opposing forwards, and should have scored on three distinct occasions — at the hands of Homer,, Lowry, and Hiddlestone — but in every case over eagerness predominated, resulting in the players overrunning the ball. Sutherland, Moir, and Dobbs were always conspicuous when Sydenham did get an advantage in the forward department, and possibly it is due to Allardyce and' Donnelly's good work in the back play that the advantages and apparently easy chances' referred to were nullified. Merivale continued to harass the Sydenhamites for the first 20 minutes of the second spell and narrowly missed scoring from ', mark, l«ut after Sutherland . had scored a try they seemed to fall to pieces, and allowed the Blue and Cardinals to overrun them time after time, and from this out to carry" on scrummages in close proximity to their goal line. , The game eventually terminated in the try recorded for Sydenham to nil. The

Christchurch v. North Canterbury match was, compared to the former, a very fast game indeed, and resulted in the Northerners being returned victors by 2 tries to nil. Helmore and Torlesse were the successful scorers,

The Contest for Supremacy. Up to the present East Christchurch are de» cidedly in the lead for supremacy. As they have only to meet Merivale, they cannot now b^ robbed of the enviable position which they have gained without a defeat. Sydenham follows closely with only one defeat, but as they have sfcill to meet Christchurch and North Canterbury, it is quite on the cards that they may meet with another reverse. Merivale occupies third position with three defeats, and Christchurch and North Canterbury follow neck and neck for last place with four defeats each.

Amongst second fifteens Sydenham is in the lead with one defeat, while the Normal Students First occupies an unbeaten position amongst the third division.

The Northern Team,

As time progresses chances improve for our getting a really,, good representative team for the Northern tour. It is understood thai the obstacles that stood in the way of Francis, Hehnore, and Roberts are removed or about to be. If a good back contingent can be got together, I have not much fear for the forward division, for we have fully 20 men who are quite competent to give a good account of themselves in this department. At a meeting of our union on Saturday evening, in connection with the forthcoming match against Auckland, it was pointed ont that an Auckland correspondent to one of our local weeklies contemplated that the union's (Auckland) little differences with Whitef side on the score of payment for services wer6 likely to be smoothed over. As our union are very strong against this system of professionalism and bound by the English rules on the question, it was decided to point this out to Auckland and obtain their assurance that no professional or professionals would be put in the field against Canterbury. A feeling is rampant here that this professionalism should be nipped in the bud at once, and a hearty wish is generally expressed that Whiteside will give way and play more for " honour," or failing thistha^ the Auckland Union will do without him. j

News Notes. | The union have decided to ask other athletic bodies to join with them in ejecting a substanj tial memorial to the memory of the late Mr MiUton. ] Anent the Merivale's appeal against the decij sion of the referee, whereby East Christchurch were allowed a try secured by them after the ball had touched a spectator behind the goal line, the union reversed its former decision and unanimously dismissed the appeal. The Rev. J. Hoatson tabled a notice of moj tion at the Rugby Union meeting for proposed amendments in the Rugby laws, which, if passed, will be forwarded to the union's dele-, gate^ to propose at the next meeting of the, Home union. These amendments propose tq alter the rules whereby a place kick at goal (after a try has been secured) may be repeated in the event of the opposing side charging before the ball touched the ground, and evenj though the kicker has taken his kick (See, Rule 44.) In reference to Rule 45 the proposer also wishes to insert a similar penalty in the case of a Dlace kick from a fair catch

The union did so well out of the late costume match that they have signified their intention, to defray the steamer fares of their representa-' tlves going North. '