CANTERBURY v NELSON. NELSON, July 28.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 53

CANTERBURY v NELSON. NELSON, July 28.

The interprovincia! footlaJl match Canterbury v. Nelson was played to-day in the presence of a fair number of spectators. Tho weather wa» fina* with, a keen eout-n-

west wind. The ground wa3 perfect. The match resulted in fa\our of the visitors by 25 points to 7 points. In the first spell, playing with the wind, Canterbury crossed the Nelson line thrice, one goal resulting, and tho hopes of local supporters rose, trusting that when ends were changed the difference would be made up. S'lortly after tho commencement of the second spell Nel°on scored, and directly afterwards added a second score, a goal from a mark being registered. Canterbury 11 points. Nelson 7 points. After this, however, Canterburylivened up, and attacked frequently with vigour and fine combination. They scored four tries, but only one was converted.

Canterbury won the toss, and elected to play with the wind. The visitors at onie pressed into the Nelson twenty-five, but play was soon carried to the centre. A smart passing rush between Weston, I lrmandy, and Wood placed Nelson again on th© defensive, but Smith, for the second time, carried play to the centre. Hamilton gc-tting offside a free kick again carried play into NeUon territory, hut Cooper rehoved. Weston then ran through several backs and parsed to the ■wing t-hree-quarcor, who failed, but from a smart rush Phillips r, as enabled to score, Livery failing at goal. Shortly afterwards, after capital pa-s-ing, M'Gregor scored, Lavcry again failing. Play was then taken to Canterbury teiritoiy, but tho Red-and-blacks got on a fine forward vw*h, Mathcws, Cookc, and Drake bping conspicuous, the latter Fc-oriug, and La\cry converting. Canterbury 11, Nelson 0. After the kirk-out Buon lost a splendid ehanee by reckless pav=smg, and then a dribbling ru«h, in which Burt, Boon. Blincoe, and M'Kinlcy shone, carried play to the Canterbury twenty-five. Wood then made a good run. imt was wi 11 collared by Lovien. More forward play ensued, and play was in the NeKon twenty-five when half-time was sounded. Immediately the second spell commenced Bhr.ooe, Hamilton, nud Levien were prominent 1 i a ru^h, an'l Bu"t scored for NeUon, Smith failing to convert. NeUon renewed the attack, but the good work of the opposing forwards carried T>lay to the centre where Smith secured a mark, and, by a =plcndtd kick, landed a goal. Canterbury 11, Nelson 7. Canterbury livened up, and Nelson was forcxl down from n forward rush. Mathews then scored for Canterbury, but Lavery failed. Play was then taken to the Canterbury end, find Smith, after eluding the Canter'um-y backs and having a clear am in front of hi'n, was adjudged offside. Next followed a passing rush by Weston, Wood. and M'Gregor, and the latter scored, hut Lavery was again unsxicceasful. At this sta^e Campbell retired through an injury to ins leg. and Ricliards was allowed to take his place. Soon afterwaids Mathcws scored f rom a forward lush, the k.ck nj^un being a fu'lure. Jutt before time was called Fanning scored a try, which Lavery converted, bringing Canterbury's total to 25 against 7. Mr Katterns was referee.