South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Thursday 2 July 1885, page 5


FOOTBALL BY ELECTRIC LIGHT.

The S.A. Cricketing Association is pos sessed of a Secretary who is deserving of the highest praise for the energy he displays in providing amusement for the general public. His

latest on Wednesday night in a football match by electric light, which took place on the Adelaide Oval. Six lights were used, but these, however, did not sufficiently illuminate the field. The defect was a mis fortune, because had more burners been pro curable they would have been erected. Then, again, at times when the carbons became united the reflection was very dull, which of course rendered a good view of the content impossible. A belt on the engine in front of the gate left the wheel during the first half of the game, and for a minute or so that side of the Oval was in darkness. The presence of four more lights would have been a decided improvement, but the undertaking could not be termed a total failure. Long before the game com menced people began to crowd in, and by half-past 8 there must have been about 8,000 present. The pavilion and en closure were crowded, and round the chains the spectators were very thick, every square inch of the earth mounds also being occupied. Owing to the situation of the engines and lights the boundary pegs were removed inwards some few yards, and to equalize matters the goals were brought to within about 130 yards of each other, so that the playing ground was considerably smaller than usual. The Adelaides and South Ade laides were the clubs selected to play the match, and shortly after 8 o'clock the ball, which was painted white, was started, the red-and-blacks defending the southern posts. It would be impossible to describe the play, because at times the direction in which the ball was going could be imagined only by watching the move ments of the men, and we can simply say that the result of the match, was that the Adelaides kicked 1 goal and 8 behinds to the South Adelaides' 8 behinds. During the second half the players were at a disadvantage owing to the colouring on the ball having washed off. There were several accidental collisions, but no serious injury was received by any of the players. About half-past 9 time was called, and the crowd dispersed, having experienced a novel evening's enter tainment. The Military Band occupied a position fronting the pavilion, and played a number of selections in an admirable manner, Bandmaster Oughton conductinc. Mr. P. Blackman had plenty of work as field umpire. Proposed Choral Society at Woodville, — A well-attended meeting was held in the Woodville Institute on Tuesday evening, June 30, to consider the advisability of forming a Choral Society. About twenty ladies and gentlemen expressed their willing-ness to join, and the meeting adjourned to enable an effort to be made to obtain more subscribers, South Australian Yacht Club. —The monthly meeting of this club will be held at the Ship Inn, Port, this evening.