FOOTBALL.

Colonist, Volume XXXI, Issue 5312, 6 September 1888, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON COLLEGE v. NELSO*N COLLEGE. This inter-Collegiate match, which we hope will be a revival of the annual contest, came off in the Park yesterday afternoon, nnder most unfavorable circumstances. Ram had fallen so continuously on Tuesday, that, in many places, the ground was several inches deep in water; and again, on Wednesday afternoon, just before the hour of battle, anon heavy Bhowers fell that it seemed probable that the players would have the Park all to themselves. However, the flood abated, and a good many turned out to witness the fight between our boys and heir opponents. Owing to tbe state of the ground offensive operations were carried on almost entirely by the forwards, and as the home team proved the better forwards, they had, on the whole, a good deal the best of the game. They excelled especially in the loose, while the visitors held their own in tbe light scrimmage. On the touch-line the local Collegians gained a slight advantage by quickly dropping the ball. The following-up on both sides was most creditable, considering the treacherous Btate of tho ground, and the baok that did not take the ball clean was lost. At the kicking-off and kicking out this was especially noticeable. Moreover, the ball so often landed in a pool and became dead, that all a back could do was to speculate bard and follow on. By this species of back play the Wellington boys got m several sweeping rushes. The game was fast, and had the day bf en fine would have gone at a roaring rate, as both teams were in the pink of condition. Had tbe ground been dry it vis hard to prognosticate what would have been the result; on the one hand tbe local forwards would have had a still more decided advantage, while on the other the visiting three quarters would certainly have bad a big say in the matter. Tbe first spell was played for the most part in Wellington territory, but without score. Touch-line and scrimmage, scrimmage and touch-line, and the play would have been anything but interesting but for the dash and determination of both teams, every inch of ground being vigorously contested. Tbe home team would heel put smartly, but the halves could not negotiate tbe slippery sphere, and the opposing backs would s^eep down with hard kicks, carrying the ball with a rush to the other end of the ground. Here Speed made a gallant attempt to score, but was frustrated. Andrew had a place from a mark from a difficult angle, and kioked just out&ide the post. The second spell was better playf d than the first, the Nel*on forwards playing more open, and the Wellington boys getting on some splendid rushes. As the result of one of these the ball was carrird oloae up to the Nelson line, and M'Gaffin (left half) was over like a «hot, amid great oxultation from the wearers of the black. Sp-ed could not negotiate tbe bar. On kicking out Morgan got on to the ball, and a rush took the ball right up to the visitors' line and into touch. Andrew getting tbe throw-out fell over the line at the corner flag, but did not add to the score by his kick at goal. The score now standing at one point each, exertions were re-doubled to gain an advantage, Black kicking hard and following up at a great rite, Nelson dribbling steady and keeping the game even. The game thus ended in a draw, with a try for each fide. For the Wellington boys. Speed (three-quarter) showed capital form, and Mackay (three-quarter) kioked and ran well, while M'Gaffin (half) played hard nil through and saved his side a lot; of the forwards Beaglehole (captain). Crawford, Klliot, and Mason were tbe best of a good lot. For the Nelson boys, Major (centre half) did a lot of sound defence, while Bond and Marris (outer halve?) carried off the honors with dashing foot-play; of the forwards, Davidson (captain), Gibba, Andrew, j Caro, and Neve were always in it. The ' game was played in tbe beat of temper, and with a sublime indifference to mud and water. Messr3 Collins and Littlejohn were umpires, and Mr Wood acted as referee, giving every satisfaction.