CANTERBURY v. SOUTHLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2274, 30 September 1897, Page 35

CANTERBURY v. SOUTHLAND.

The match. Canterbury v. Southland, was played on the 22nd in tine, cloudy weather, with a stiffen north wind blowing down the ground, of whsch the visitors hid the advantage in the first tpell. Fourteen hundred persons were present, and heartily appreciated the play of tbe visitors, who secured good opinions both on and off the field. Southland won by 13 points to 3— their first win in five matches against Canter* bury, last year's game being drawn. Behind the scrum the beams were about: equal. In weight the forward local division was the heavier, but the visitors more than held their own, Southland's advantage being in the line out and in the loose rushes.

Price won Che toss and Jenkins kicked off against the wind. Glennie's return was stopped by Purdue near the visitors' twentyfive. The Reds (Southland) immediately got a free kick, bub thi* was charged down and the ball went out at the centre. A passing rush by Canterbury was stopped by Ward, who aent the ball out near tbe centre. A free kick to the Colours (Canterbury) by O'Brien was badly judged by the local full back, and the Reds were put on tho defence. From a scrum Price started a passing rush, but Jenkins relieved by a kick to neutral ground. A &ac ruth by the Colours was stopped in the nick of time by Manaon at tha BedY corner fl*g, and Purdue and Lennie broke through Canterbury's ranks. Short passing by the local forwards was followed by graud work by Middltton and Minnies, who were stopped by Ward at the Red&' twenty-five. Another -rush by Canterbury was stopped in front of the local goal, Ward marking and kicking oub ab the Ked*' 25 flag. A S urbUnd rush, Purdue, Lenni», and An dew on being prominent, engaged Menzies, who quickly regained the lost; ground. After give-and-take play, a free kick to Canreibury,* taken by Glenoie, gained a lot of ground, and a rush by the forwards luokci dangerous, Murphy kicking behind his own line. Neat pasting by the Colours waa followed by Price trying a pot shot at goal, but his kick was charged down. Purdue broke away from a scrum, and dribbled pxat the c<ntre, and fine parsing by the Reds ended in B»in being grassed in the Colours' ground. A free kick to Canterbury and a mark by Price eeut the play to the Southland end, and for an infringement Fitzgerald made a good attampb at goal. Soon after thi* the same player got another free kick, and pub the Ball over the bar. Tbe ball being again in motion, a Canterbury back mulled ib, and passing by the Reds carried it to the visitors' line, bub Lorimec marked, and by a gigantic kick sent tbe ball to the fifty fitg. After the changing of ends Bain sent the leather into the Colours' groui'd, a free kick to Lorimer relieving. Hirst marked and Manson bad an unsuccessful saob', and the Colours forced down. Fitzgerald kicked oub, but Manson returned to tlr* viaitorH' quarters, and from a free kick M'Robie had a futile shot. From a sorum the ball went to Hirst, who pa«Ked, and Murphy scored between tho posts, Manson . converting. Tae Colours attempted a passing rush bub gained little, and a hard kick by Bain enabled them to fores. Manson had a pot ab goal, and another force followed. Bad paasing by the Colours let Hirst clean away, and he scored behind the po^ts, Mansou again converting. Mci ztes and O'Brien then took the leather to the Southland territory, and play followed in neutral ground. Aru h and s boit runs again put the Colours in difficulties, bub Johnstone got his aide out of trouble. A free kick to the locals was made good use of, and another iufringeonMit let Man'on bave another shot, which finished Southland's score. From this the visitors were mostly on the defeusive, and the leather waa near their quarter when the whistle went. Lorimer ■ eived on numerous occasions. Menzies. who was the pick of the three* quarter backc, and Price behind the scrum were go.d. Jobnstone, Thomson, and Duggan were the best of the Canterbury forwards.