FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7507, 15 September 1902, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON NOTES. [From Oxtb. Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. Just before the South Island footballers left for home on Saturday night, Mr Wood, on behalf of the Canterbury representatives in the team, presented Mr Coff ey with a pipe in recognition of the manner in which he had looked after the Southerners, and also for his efforts as delegate for the Canterbury Rugby Union on the New Zealand Union. Mr Coffey, in returning thanks, said that what he had done' had been a labour of love. Hearty cheers were given for Mr Coffey by both the Canterbury and Otago representatives. It is understood that next years interisland match will be played' at Dunedin. The New Zealand Rugby Union took out special accident insurances on every player taking pait in Saturday's game. The gate takings amounted to £230. The New Zealand " Times " says that D. M'Gregor was the pride of the South Island side, closely followed by Harper and Wood. The play of the last-named was weak in defence. The Auckland forwards all showed to great advantage amongst the North Islanders. Of the southern forwards Cooke, Fanning and Roddick were preeminent amongst a set that was so uniformly dashing that the selection of . any individuals for special mention is almost invidious. Two fast and : solid teams of almost equal merit met, but the southerners had the stronger and more dashing pack, arid the result^ in a nutshell, was that the rearguard of the south had) a better opportunity and made the most of their chances. The. game was not over till ten minutes past five, and some congratulatory telegrams put in at Dunedin and Cbristchurch were timed 5.20. Some players were agreeably surprised on reaching the Trooadero from the Park to find wires complimenting them on completely averting the defeat threatened in. the first ispell.

Saturday's match undoubtedly constitutes the chief event in the annals of the New Zealand Rugby Union during- recent years, and the result is certain to have a beneficial effect on the game all over the colony.