FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3409, 31 August 1885, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OXAQO V. CANTERBURY. (By Telegraph.) Cheistchurch, August 29. The match between Otngo and Canterbury came off to-day m splendid weather, tempered by an easterly breeze, which was of some serrice to Bide playing. The attendance was about the same aa at tho Wellington match (some 2000), and all present took an intelligent and impartial interest m the game. The result of the match was a surprise, as no one thought the Otago team would be so overmatched. The whole of the first spell they were kept on the defensive. In the second the game was rather less onesided. The secret of the local team's success was their splendid forward play. Their dribbling and following up snx thered the Otago backs, who were never allowed to pass the ball from beginning to end. On the other hand the Canterbury men passed freely, and the major part of the scoro was gained by well-timed passes by Francis to Allardjce. Thero was not a great disparity between tho weight of tho two teams, Canterbury being heavier forward and Otago back. Messrs Chapman nnd Olivier acted as umpires, and the Hey. Mr Iloatson as referee. The following are the teams : — Canterbury. Otaoo. Backs — Backs — A. T. Chapman J. Russell W. Allardyco J. Bee E. L. Francis J. R. Hurray E. Webb M. Ross F. Fuller R. Frascr Qt. H. Helmore H. Melntyre Forwards — Forwards — W. G. Mack C. Beck W. Bean C. Butterworth H. J. Beswick J. Dallas B. D'.Auvergno A. Drabble W. Dow T. Henderson J. Fooks R. Martin J. Hoban W. Menelaus E. B. Millton J. Morris W. Sutherland H. Treseder The game began at 3.10 p.m. Helmore having won the toss of course took advantage of the breeze and played from the eastern end. Murray kicked off, and the gnmo at once became serious. After a very short stay m the centre of tho ground, the Reds rushed the ball towards Otago's goal. A rousing kick, sent it biek, and m tho rush that followed, 6omo of the field play gave Webb a free kick. This sent the ball again into Otago's quarters, whence Fraser brought it with a determined run. A finely-judged kick by Francis sent the ball high towards the goal-line, and a splendid rush of the forwards caught Murray and Bee undecided as to who should tako charge of the ball. Tims the Blues had to defend their lino, and it was not till Fuller ran with tho ball out of touch m trying to pass to Allardyce, that thoy got it clear. Presently Fuller kicked tho ball across to Francis m front of the goal, but both ho and Wobb wcro collared m succession by Ross, and nothing came of it except some scrimmaging on the opposite side of the ground. Melntyre mode up somo of tho lost ground, but Murray kicking against the charging forwards, lost it again, and still (lie Blues could not get tho gamo away from their line j nay more, their goal was m great danger, for Francis sent tho ball just outside the post, and at any timo a lucky pot shot might havo put four points against them. In scrimmaging thi-y were clearly inferior to tho Canterbury mon, and tho latter played bo fast that nono of the Blues' backs could got a fair Btart for a run. Temporary relief was afforded by Treseder, who ran up tho totwli Jino to tho half-way (lag, whero Webb's collaring came into effect. This was a really good run, and was well cheered. The effect was, however, totally discounted by one of Francis' clean punt 9, which, Hying with tho wind, rega;nod all tho ground lost. With tho smart breozo every kick told, and the Canterbury backs - particularly Holmoro and EYuncis— turned it to good account. Tho captain, however, did not do so much as m tho match against Wellington, turning his attention more t> passing and running. Following this tho Reds swept down with a tremendous rush, bearing away all tho Blues m a ruck. Fierco scrimmaging ensued within a yard or two of Iho Otago line, which tho smart collaring of Russol, Frasor and Murray alono kept intact. A» soon, howevor, as a litlio temporary relief was obtained by a short run or dribble, tho ball quickly came back again, and till the ond of tho spell it resolved itself into successivo charges of tho Reds upon tho goal lino and obstinate defence by tho Blurs. Commendablo caro was shown not to kick tho ball over tho line, and tho Blues obtained littlo relief, from forcodowns, of whioh, by tho way. thoro wore only three or four during tho wholo of tho match. Allardyco had un ineffective shot at tho goal, but following it up well pinned Russell, and Otngo had to dofomf their quarters right m front of tho posts. Fra»or got them out of thin fix with a sharp dodgy run, which was well cheered by the spectators, but Helmore, from a mark, easily regained tho wholo of tho ground lost. Bonio sharp and hotly contesting scrimmages followed m tho south-west <:ornor, and m ono of tho many charges Dow actually got his feet on the lino and ml lifted back by wwn force

before he could ground tho ball. After repeated escapes the ball was kicked over the line and tho Blues thus obtained somo breathing spneo. The ground obtained by the 25 yards' grace Otugo held for some little n-liiie ; Fmser was collared by Francis beforo he could turn a chance of running to account, nnd Martin, aftt'r a hard seville, was hurled violently out of tho trench and smashed tho pole of tho Otn<;o banner, an omen of ill-luck afterwards verified. Tho dribbling powers of tho Reds at length assisted their superiority and onco uiore there were a series of individual efforts to get across tho lino. All theso wero promptly met by the Olago backs, whoso collaring certainly was not their weak point. Hehnore more than onco reached the line, only to be held firmly at bay, and Sutherland run m, but was culled back. Just as tho spell was all but over a now scrimmage was formed, as usual within a yard of the Otngo line, over which D'Auvergne scrambled with tho ball m hand and touched it down. There was some discussion bofore tho try wns allowed, the Otago umpire considering tho ball di'ad. The referee gave it m Canterbury's favor, and amid a storm of cheers from delighted partisans, Bean took tho kick at goal. The angle was ditllcult, and no goal resulted. With the wind m their favor, Olago was expected to make things merry for their opponents, and they began m a lively | manner. Tho ball (low about with much I rapidity, but gradually went down the ground towards tho Red goal. Helmore got a good j start for what looked like a promising run, but fell into Murray's hands. Then a beautiful rush of the Reds, who supported one another m turn, transferred tho gamo to Otago's quarters once more. The dribbling of the Canterbury men all through the game was admirable. The men backed ono another up and passed with their feet m a manner quite unexpected after tho play m tho recent trial matches Morris stopped' this rush by falling on tho ball, and Bee, with a big punt, cleared his ground. Chapman received this kick, which wus tho iirst time tho Canterbury fullback hud hod to take part m tho play. Morris came into notice by on excellent dribble, m which, however, he received no aid [ from his companions. Russell followed this with a tremendous punt, which Chapman so misjudged that ho had to touch the ball down himself. Hclmoro soon had the ball away, when it was kicked off, nnd, bucked up by half-a-dozen men, he hud a fair chance of scoring had he not waited to pick the ball up too long. After this for some time tho play -worked near tho middle of the ground, nnd fro.n the give-and-take character of the gome and tho fact that Otago hud tho advantage of the wind, her partisans might well hope they would yet re- [ trievo their game. It was noticeable, however, that m every scrimmngo the Beds overbore the Blues without trouble and m tho I looser ploy they had much the best of it. Bean was given a chance to repeat his feat m the Wellington match from a mark, but his kick was a failure. The effect of the kick, however, was to pen tho Blues back, and a scrimmage took place. From tho back of this Millton passed with his foot to Francis, who, running m front of the goal, made ready to kick at it. Changing his mind, however, he (lung the ball across to Allardyce, who had so clear a run that nobody could get to him before ho crossed the lino. This was a neat nnd unselfish piece of play by Francis. The try was a failure, but it mode the Canterbury scoro 4to nil. Much cheering greeted thi3 now success, and morally, of course, it put the result beyond doubt. After tho kick out Mclntyro got a mark at the half-way ilag, and Bee had an ineffectual kick at goal. Fooks quietly rushed the ball away, and Atuek and Besw'ick then together dribbled it past the Blues' 25, tilt it rolled out of touch. Continuing their vigorous and effective dribbling, tho Reds carried the game m front of the Otago goal, and some brisk charge and counter-charge followed. A very wild pass clean over Helmore's head lost him an excellent chance of scoring. Francis, however, effected a quick high pass to Allardyce, who getting up Btoam at the 25-yard mark, made a brilliant run which " brought down tho house." Passing the nearest forwards, lie eluded Beo and Ross, and m tho coolest manner dodging Russell, travelled on with the Blues m full chose, till he reached tho back of the posts. This clever and dashing performance was loudly applauded by friends and foe? alike. Chapman easily kicked a goal from this try, increasing tho score to nine points. The rest of tho mutch Canterbury partisans could afford to view with equanimity ; a problematical win hud now become an easy victory, and satisfaction beamed forth on every face. Still tho gnllar.t efforts of tho Blues, and their determined collaring particularly, were greeted with npphmso when occasion demanded, nnd their stubborn resistance was ovidently appreciated. Onco more Canterbury looked like ecorine, but Russell came to tho rescue, and collared Helmore when ho had passed nil but the full buck. Then Otago hod a momentary glimpso of hopo as Bee got clear away and was not caught by Webb till he was well m front of tho Canterbury goal. The Reds immediately forced the bull back with a resistless swoop, passing from ono to the other, and time wus culled within the Bluea' 25. Result— Canterbury, 1 goal and 2 tries (9 points) j Otago, nil. Tho changes m the Otago team hud evidently not been for tho better, if tho Wellington matches ore a guide. In pretty well every respect the visitors were inferior to their opponeuts, and those accustomed to the visiting defeats at Ota go's hands m former years, could hardly believo their oyes when they Baw them swept away like chaff ngain and again. Nono of tho Otago bucks got a show. Their efforts had to bo confined nearly wholly to stopping rushes, which left them little opportunity to take the offensive. Their collarina was decidedly good or the score would hove been much heavier against them. Of tho Canterbury men Francis ond Allardyce ployed n fine game, tho former's passing ond kicking being woll timed and clean. Tho Sydenham man had more show given him than against Wellington, and quito confirmed the impression of his abilities. Fraser nnd Russell wero perhaps tho best, or at least tho most prominent of tho Otngo backs, and Morris and Treseder wero (lioir most useful forwards. All tho Canterbury forwards without exception played an excellent game. Tho teams dinod together tonight.