CHRISTCHURCH FOOTBALL CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3440, 21 April 1879, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH FOOTBALL CLUB.

| The opening match of this Club took place on JOranmer square on Saturday afternoon, the I sides being A to L (red and black) against M to Z (blue and white), captained respectirelyj by Messrs Evans and Ollivier. There was aj capital muster, about 50 members being onl the ground, many of whom are new players mi Christchurch and are decided acquisitions to i the Club. The play, as might be expected on Ithe opening day, was of a rather rough and Itumble description, but very enjoyable notwithstanding. The new rule of playing on the ball directly the man holding it is collared, although not carried out very strictly, caused a marked improvement in the game. There was a great deal more life in the play, and less of that incessant scrimmaging which is such a waste of strength on the part of the players and the utility of which is so doubtful. The reds were a trifle stronger than the blues, and played on the ball much better all through the game. Towards.the end of the first spell, Anderson, a new member, who played well all through, made a smart run in and secured a touch-down. The try was entrusted to Cotterill, who succeeded in kicking & goal. Nothing decisive was obtained after this by either side ; the ball, however, was generally in the vicinity of the blues' goal, and a thoroughly good match was decided in favour of the reds by a goal to nothing. In addition to those already men* tioned some good play was shown by Messrs Evans and Field, on "behalf of the reds, and by Messrs Smith, Sheriff, Potts, and Pickering on behalf of the blues.