FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13970, 1 August 1907, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

Bi Fori Bias. FIXTURES. August 10.—Country Week. August 17.—Country Week and trial match. August 21.—Otagonv Southland, at Invercatgffl. August 24.—Otago v. Canterbury, at Duncdin. August 31.—Otago v. Auckland, at Duuedin. Soptember 7.—Trial match. September 14.—Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin. September 21.—Otago v, Wellington, at Dunedin. NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. August 3, v. Australia, at Brisbane. August 10, v. Australia, at Sydney. The latest statement in connection with tho professional team is that Otago will contribute "throe or lour forwards." One is probably tlio limit of this province. Alleged that ■ JSaskiville and Wright (Wellington), Seeling (Auokland), and Johnston (Otago) selected tho "All Black" professional team. Also that a Napier man has been offered the position of manager. Fryer, tho Canterbury wing three-quar-ter, has put up something of a record for a New Zeal&ndcr in Australia by scoring fivo trios against Queensland.

Stated that the "All Black" professional team is to leave Wellington for London by the lonio on Augu6t ; lß. ;

Harrison turned out for 'Varsity on Saturday after a retirement of several weeks through injury.' The 'Varsity man signalled his reappearance by kicking throe goals. 'Varsity have now a good olaim for the championship. Although Southern is at present leading by a point, tho students have still tho match to play against Taicri Rovers. All anxiety on the question of tho winning of the banner for 1907 will bo set at rest next week. Tho long season of Senior Grade matohes doses on Saturday next, and on August 10 a oommenooment .will bo mado with "Country Week." Thoro was some tolerably good kicking in the Pirates-Union match on Saturday. "Jenkins," the Pirates full back, kicked three goals out of four. The fourth attempt was from an acute angle, the ball striking one of the uprights.

Alex. Downes was roforce in the PiratesUnion match on Saturday, and controlled the game satisfactorily. One noticed that ho had a keen eye for the player who attempted to pass tho ball when on the ground. A Pirates man informed me that in other matches in which the Blacks had been engaged 'the referees had not been so strict on the point.

Harking back over a long- strctch of vears, the writer remembers the "rcccption" foreign teams u.«ed to'receive from the gamin <jI tho north end. The Pirate? invariably come in for a more "enthusiastic reception" than other visitinjr teams. 'IV <mall bov of those long, dead ycare is a man to-dav. but tho irnmin of 1907 still upholds tho lioarv ivnd'tion, and, "receives" '«» Pirates as they did in the long ago.

Tlio veteran i-liv dies hard. Three, ild-timo playcra in Burt, Kirkcaldy, and ,p e»wick—tho latter our old friend Sandv —are plavini? 'villi tho Pir»t«s team, and. ••'.ging by their display against Union oan 6till hold their own in the tight work-

Quito a special intoreet. accrued to the Univcrsity-Ehmedin match on Saturday from the fact that it was the'last. in which tho popular Rhodes 6cholar would play before his departure for England. And probably the general desire that- in his farewell game Colin Gilray himself and his fellow-students as a team should distinguish themselves made the fine display of football given by the Light Blues doubly popular. In a team that played a really good all-round game Gilray maintained his usual prominence. On defence he was, as usual, a tower of strength to his side, and in at least four of t.ho 'Varsity's tries ho could claim a very large share. Both the tries that lie scored were tho result of very pretty play—one in conjunction with Lomas, the other the. result of particularly clever work with Maopherson. Colin Gilray began his football careor early, joining tho High School from the Kaikorai in 1898, with a reputation as a back. During his six years at the Hiflh School he was always prominent on the football field, being captain of tho school fifteen during his last season at school. In 1904, immediately on leaving school, lie began his First Grade football as wins for tho University team. From the first ho was recognised as a player of more than ordinary ability. Witness his inclusion in that same year in the Otago rep. team, in the combined Otago and' Southland team against Britain, in tho South Island against the North, and Also for New Zealand against Australia in 1905. Ever since he has represented his province with distinction, and would no doubt liavc been a member of (he All Black team ha<l ho not placed study boforo pleasure. If he had not. denied himself on that- occasion he would probably not. have taon leaving for England now in this infinitely more honourable role. What has endeared Gilray to the football public oven more than his briUianco as a player is the absolute cleanness of his play, combined! with a quite unusual modesty. To associate his name with anything approaching rough or unfair play would bo unthinkable, and the influence of such a player in maintaining tho purity of tho game is incalculable. I wish Colin Gilray all success at Home, not. only on the football field, but also in tho greater issues of life.

At the conclusion of tho 'Vnrsity-Dun-cdin match on Saturday thero was nnich enthusiasm. C. Rilra-y, who played his last gamo for 'Varsity, was carried shoulder high off tho ground by a. number of admirers.

Mr Bornie Gallagher, one of the selector;; of tho Wellington representative team, arrived in Dunedin on a holiday visit on Friday night. Mr Gallagher was an interested spectator of -the 'Varsity-Dimedin match on Saturday, and was much impressed with the play of the student focrtballers.

Pirates have an exceptionally clever hooker in Thomson. This player is regarded bv his club -mates to have more than a passing show for this season's Ota-go representative team. The Northern Rugby Union has completed arrangements for matehes next season with a professional team from New Zealand. Twenty-seven matches have already been arranged, but 31 will be played. The Sydenham Club has won the Senior premiership of Canterbury for the season 1907, having played 12 matches, winning 10. losing one, and drawing one. The Sydenham scored 120 points and had 24 points scored against them. Albion are the runners-up, having played 12 matches, winning 10, and losing two. Albion scored 171 points, and had 57 scored against them. The death is announced in Ohristdiurch of Mr W. K. Fantham, one of the founders of the Kaiapoi Club, and a life member of that laxly. Old-time members of the-Union Club will regret to learn of the death of "Jimmy' Taaffc, who was a great supporter of the game, and' was a prominent member of the Linwood F.C., Christehurch.

One of Wellington's best forwards is put out of count for tho vest of the season for tho sin of endeavouring to strike an opponent during the battle between Petone and St. James la6t Saturday. Tom Cross, the player referred to, was subjected to gioat provocation (says a Wellington writer), and ho was kicked whilst, prostrate on tlio ground. The Rugby Upion investigated tho circumstances, with the result that Cross goes out of actipu for tiia teat uf tk sasos.

Colin Gihuy, the Rhodes scholar and Otago Univorsity footballer, departed bj the Monowai on Wednesday for Sydney, en routs to England: Much interest will be centred iii Gilray's earcer at Oxford, where he is certain to be not only a success at college but alio on the athletic field. Many fine athletes have left this colony for England, but probably none who had in such a marked degree the qualifications possessed by the Otago University student, Much surprise has been expressod locally al, the inclusion of Eckhold's name in the

list of those published making the trip to England with the professional team. It has all along been contended that Eckhold was proof against tho wiles of professionalism, and it is hard to believe that tho Otago five-eighth will make tho hip. Mr Ernest Leicester, the ex-Blackheathean footballer, who was here last week, is of opinion that the visit of a professional Rugby team to England will do a lot of harm to the game not only in the Old Country but in the colonies. He deplores the professional element entering into the King of Sports.

A pretty warm Auckland team should be available for the southern tour next month, despite the fact that nine of tho best men will be en route to England. Tho Now Zoaland professional team was tho subject of discussion at a reccnt meeting of the Northern Union, when it was stated that arrangements had been made for a, visit of a representative NewZealand team to play the counties and clubs in membership with the union. "The team selected," the report states, "is an exceptionally strong ono, and the visit should undoubtedly give an impetus to the game."

The University-Dimedin match, played on the Caledonian Ground, was one full of excitement and interest. In the first spell the Dark Bluee put up a very stubborn fight, and at the olosc of the spell, when the scores were 6—5, in favour of University, matters looked fairly promising for the Dark Blues. The students, howevor, played with an entirely new dash in the sceond half, and by the electric-liko movements of their backs almost demoralised their opponents. All the tries scored were the outcome of brilliant efforts. Some of them were pretty to watch. The try scored by O'Sullivan in the first half, and the play that .led up to it, was of a very creditable nature. O'Sullivan showed a fine turn of speed, and cut in splendidly, Tho Duncdin forwards, redoubtable as they are, worked like Trojans, but tho University was a much faster pack, and at times had the upper hand in the struggle. Fitapatrick was in every sense of the word the best forward on tho ground. Thero is certainly no other forward in Dunedin who works as he docs.

. Colin Gilray crowned a brilliant football career by scoring two sensational tries in Saturday's match. His play throughout was without blemish. The ovation acoordcd him at the close of the game was a deserved one.

Dansey played on the wing on Saturday, but very often failed to take tlio ball. The passes were, however, at times liigli. It was in the thick of the fight that ho loomed large. One of Daneey's outstanding features as a player is his quicknfss off the mark or at getting into play again after a hard tackle.

Macpherson played a striking game on Saturday; in fact, almost ono of his best, and he was, further, in a scoring mood. Tho Dunedin backs appear to have at last been properly sifted and sorted, and aje now showing some aptitude for their respective positions. Clarke's tackling on Saturday was of a very deadly nature, but he made tho mistake onco "or twice of going for the wrong man—that is, going for the man in the expectation of his receiving tho ball. His line-kicking is a weak spot. O'Sullivan, Worger, and Scoion put in real good work.

Pirates brought off their record win of the season on Saturday, when they defeated Union. The game was fast and open ami full of interest. Pirates outplaced their opponents at ••«-»'* nil 0 f {he game. The Pirates backs gave their best, exhibition this season, and tossed the hall about with delightful freedom. Tho passing was omotimes execrable, but on the whole it was of a fair standa/d. Towards the end of the same the backs revelled in tho passing rushc-s. nnd the Union lino was constantly in dagger. One of the best exhibitions of full-back ;, 'i-V it has been my good fortune to wit iiess this season was that furnished by Vnkins," _ of tile Pirates team, in thr match against Union. The,,-, Pirate man •i n V \]jo ball splendidly, invariably in it« first flight, and His kicking was good to look upon—long, powerful, sweeping to tho tonoli-lmc, which tested the endur ance of the forwards, who wero literallv "raced off their legs." Of a "ood three-quarter line, whioh' was in Jhe .thick of t.hc play throughout. W.vinks and Nioholeon were tho pick. In *he first spell Thomson. on tho left- wing, ''a-d 6everal opportunities to show hi? ability, but just when he appeared most dangerons the ground slinppd from undT him, and ho was swarmed all over by the "iiemv.

Wyinks, in the centre, did a lot of usecnl work, and took a hand in the maioriiv of tho passing rushes. The tall Pirate man took lib passes in fine stylo, and his effort in the first spell, culminating in a try, well deserved the applanso which °rrc<ited it.

Nicholson, on the wing, made ono or two good dashes, and gave a glimjs-e of ho dangerous man lie would lie if constantly fed with the ball. lie is a. playor ?ith a fine urn of speed, and plays with raw diish.

At five-eighths; Nicholson and Fail-bairn olayed well as individuals, but t'hoy were not always in harmony, and had there 'ieen a better understating between the •nr I verily believe Pirates would have won by a still greater margin. Behind the scrum, Jandine was seen to some advantage, and, as his forwards were securing tho ball, he was given every opnortunitv W distinmrHi himself. Pirates' forward team is one of th""

best ii) town, and on Saturday against ' T nion they quite played up 1o their reputation. T wfl6 particularly struck with ttif form of Ross, Beat-tie, and Denniston. Pomeroy, UlO Union full baok, so far forgot his unreliability as to nlay a splendid game for the Maroons. . His fielding and

'•-Joking were good, but the feature of his olay was his sound (""Mine. On one oera:nn lie Kid three Pirates men running to him with Hie ball, and no assistance forthcoming. Pomerov tackled the first man. find was on to the second just as the ball was passed. a.ud bustled the third gentleman to the touch-line. It was a clever niece of individual work, awl what looted a. certain try for Pirates was saved by tho Union full back's resourcefulness. The Union three-quarter Sine, which for this occasion 'was the Littlejohn-Don-Mac-lennan trio, does not come into harmony with the scrum. For this regrettable state of affairs neither the scrum half nor the three-quarter line itself is much to blame. The trouble lies at the threshold of the five-eighths, who are the weak links in a chain which does not connect as it should. Litllejohn, who is gifted with more than the average pace of the average footballer, had few opportunities to show his speed ncainsl; the opposition, and if he was not blocked on the touchline was bunched closo to the line, surroundod by a horde of tho enemy,' through which the Union wing found it impossible to penetrate, Don played a safe game in tho centre. There are no fireworks about, the play of the Union man, but he exhibits a good 'knowledge of the requirements of the position, and only Fate or force of circumstances prevents him putting his knowledge into execution. The third of tho Union trio. Madonnas, who is also a youth gifted with more pace than tho average, put in one or two meleor-likp dashes, and on one occasion got to within striking distance of the lino ■before he was brought up all standing by a splendid tackle. Tho weakness of the "Anion five-eighths was apparent from the outset. The men are probably all right as individuals, but they have no definite understanding, so far as the three-quarter line is concerncd, as to what they should do when they secure the ball. Owing to Pirates beating Union for the ball from the majority of ecrums, Duthie, the half back, was not as prominent as usual. On the occasions the Maroons did succeed in hooking the ball he got it away snartly, but it hung fire in the five-eighths division, and tho passing rush which, in thi> ordinary sequence of events, should have followed seldom materialised. For once in a. way the Maroon forwards failed to play up to their reputations of coming strongly at the finish, and were for the most part kept fighfcing'for their lives to clear the line. The-Union pack played strenuously throughout, but they were opposed to ono of the strongest forward teams in senior football, and their work

was not so effective as usual. In the loose dribbling rushes the Maroons more than held their own, but in all other departments they were beaten.

The play in the match Zingari v. Alhambra, from a spectator's point of view, was £»tisr uninteresting, the same being chiefly

confined to Ihe forwards. The backs shewed a disinclination to go in for the passing gome, being quite content with finding the touch-line. Alhambra were more successful at this-than their opponents, who invariably failed to find touch, with tho result that their forwards were continually being run off their feet. Dryden was absent from the Alhambra team, his place behind tho pack being taken by King, who, along with Williams, wa6 the mainstay of the backs. Although retired from-the game,' King showed he has lost noue of his defensive powers, and was the means of checking the majority of Zingari's forward rushes. Williams is a promising young player, and will, 110 doubt, improve in time. Mars ton, at full back, played Eafelv, while Harrhy was probably the pick of the three-quarters. Of a young forward team, Williams, Mitchell, and Harridge were the pick, whilo Watson played well as an emergency. Although defeated by a penalty goal, tho Zingari team wero not disgraced, and wero unlucky in not making a draw of it, as they had therr opponents penned on their lino for the greater portion of the second spell, and with a good scoring man amongst tho backs niust have 6cored 'on more than ono occasion. The weak point about the Zingari hacks is their kicking. Davidson, at Cull back, had his hands full all the afternoon, and came out with flying colours. Tho manner in which ho collared hie man after he had crossed Zingari lino saved "a three-quarters. Kellan was easily the pick certain score. Graham was tho best ofjhe of tho half backs, and was ably supported by Collie, who, instead of kicking to much, should use his speed to better advantage. OT a vigorous set of forwards, Low, Spiers, Abbott, and Patterson were always in tho forefront. A suggestive comment: While the New Zealando/s include several young players, they are a much more seasoned lot than the New South Welshmen. E. E. Booth represented his province 11 years ago; W. J, Wallace 10 years ago; j. Hunter and .T. Spencer nine years ago; G. A. Gillett, H. Mynott, W. Cunningham eight years ago; and G. Spencer seven years ago. Several of these men cannot hope to maintain their position much longer in tho representative New Zealand team. ASSOCIATION. jßt Left Wino. Tito final of the Senior competition must now bo fought out between Mornington A and Northern, unless both Wakari and Southern can beat Mornington A and Battalion can beat Northern. Mornington A, though a point bobind Northern, liiyo played ono match fewer. Before these two teams meet—the last cup match of the season—Mornington A haye the cliance of earning 4- cup points as against a possible 2 for Northern, and ' tho position would then show Mornington A a point in advance. Northern, who have a bye this week, should, of course, aocount for Battalion on the following Saturday, The hill team, however, have_ a moro difficult problem. They meet Wakari at Culling Park on Saturday, arid a most interesting and close game should ensue. Theoretically, Mornington A can beat Southern tho following Saturday, and thon comes what should provo a famous contest between tho leading teams. Altogether, the competition promises a good ending. In the first round Roslyn defeated Northern fairly easily. In the second round Northern turned-the_ tables decisively. "A good forward lino against an out-of-con-dition team" is offered as the explanation of tho reverse oh' Saturday. Of course Roelyn has lost heavily of its strength since that first match, and Northern has been improving in inverse ratio. The hill team made a sturdy fight during the fust spoil, but lost vim altogether towards the close of the match, when Northern scored something liko six goals in about lb minutes. Tilcy, in goal for Roslyn, had 1 difficult time, but came through very creditably, despite the score. Northern played a nice, combined, passing . game, Chadwick again showing to advantage. This player's return to form, this. season has been most marked.

The Northern . team was curiously shuffled on Saturday. Ratlev, still sore fioin the Kaitangata. match, played on the right wing for some time to keep out of danger; and Irvine played inside to him, .whilst Riley took a position in the half back ranks. Later Irvine was seen among6t the halves.

The defeat by Northern on tbo preceding Saturday evidently caused a slump amongst Kaitangata footballers, for the toam that came up. to town, on Saturday to play Mornington B included only four seniorsThompson. (goal), J. Ponman (full back), Ilamsay (centro half), and Campbell (for ward). Mornington B were thus enabled to wipe out the defeat of the lirst round. In' this 'first spell Kaitangata attacked a good deal, and tho left wing forwardi whose name seemed to be Farmer, got near the goal several times. Campbell, who wa6 the only good forward on the Greens' side, also dropped in some long shots, but M'Leod, in -goal, in 6pite. of the sun in his eyes.' dealt with all the work'that cams his way. During this spell play was very ragged on_ both eides. Passes that were meant to go fdnvard often went in the wrong direction; while the ball was screwed about in tho oentre indiscriminately. Tho second spoil saw a great improvement in Mornmgton's play. The forwards developed combina tion, and- Gardner, who shifted from right w.ing to the centre, led and directed systematic attacks with fine judgment. I have not seen him play better than he did in that spell. He received a tremendous thwack on the face with the ball hot from the foot of the-burly Ramsay. . Notman supported Gardner ably m this spell. Allen, on tho left. wing, is one of the most serviceable of the Mornington B forwards. He does his work quietly and unselfishly, not hanging on to tho ball till he is smothered. Nicdlsori played a very sound game for the Blues. The continued interest of tho Southern Club in Culling Park is gratifying, and their efforts are worthy of support, at the hands of other clubs and supporters of tho game. Tho Southern Club ha 6in view a, three-roomed cottage, which it can obtain at a reasonable figure, for removal ti Culling Park. The funds available for the purchase and removal at© not quite sufficient, and the Southern Club has »p preached the other clubs for small subscriptions. In addition,•-the O.F.A. has granted the Southern Club permission to collect tho gate monoy in connection with tho match Mornington A v. Southern on August 10 towards this end. All players will participate in the advantages accruing from the possession of a pavilion at Culling Park, and it is reasonably hoped that all will assist.

An inquirer from Invercargill asks: — " Can you please inform us by letter as well as through the paper, whether a goal can now bo scorcd from a corner kick without any other player touching the ball?"— The answer is " No."

An Invercargill correspondent sends mo the following notes: — Tho competition for the cup stands u follows: — *

.. , O 60 t . g « S i 5 g S 1 "3 &.S •3 »? o u o oy a Ik R O SOS, Invercargill 5 3 1 I M 6 7 Underwood 5 3 2— 4 7 5 Nightcaps ~..3 2 — 1 6 2 6 Murihilcu — 5 — l ?0 0

Nightcaps Have still three uiatohes to play, while tin? other clubs have one each. This will conclude the cup roundt. The feature of tho matches has teen the improved form shown by the Invereargill Club. This factor alono is working wonders in the interests of t-he game locally. For the first time since the initiation of the garon down south, Nighteaps hare run up against a foe of equal merit. Probably a more'friendly game than the one of last Wednesday has never been played between the two clubs. Inverc&rgil! left town with a fine compact toam, in fair training, and the Nightcaps boye turned out in admirable spirit to fight i the bat,tie of the ball. Tho result of tho game—a dra-vr, two goais cither way—is a fair indication of the merits of the teams. Thia the score was not larger was due to the «pk)ndid tactics of the rival oustodians, for work came their way at times sharp' and sudden, although the full backs on cither side were keen, The play was of a determined nature, but clean and fair, .Of the Nightcaps, M'Kenzie and Thorpj, the full backs, were substantia! barriers to pushing tactics; while the majority of the Whites' attack came from Lewis and Richardson, a fine pair of forwards, in evidence right through the game. In Cavanagh the Blues have a reliable goalkeeper. His showing against the Nightcaps proved his ability and. acuteness, while his past association with the Rugby game stood him in good stead in the taking of tho ball. The back and halves of the Blues were safe, and it would lie invidious to make comparison. In particular departments the Bluets are generously provided. More concerted action on the part of the forwards could be expected, although it is the writer's opinion that the Blues have never possessed a smarter set, On Saturday Murihifcu journeyed north and met Invereargill in the Park Ground. Ap-ißtfixcsiag match re&iHal is ft mo to

the homo team by 6 goals to 1, The visitors are a young team with heaps of dash, but the passing game could bo considerably improved upon amoug tbemselvoa. D. Hamilton, ox-Rugby representative, showed out brilliantly with his dribbling tactics at centre forward. However, it is impossible to dribble single-handed through tho Bluo backs, and so a lot. of his energy was wrongly directed. However, the team has improved considerably sinoo it was formed, and Bluff will'yet have an eleven strong iu the soccer world.

Underwood visit 'Caps this week, when a battle of the giants is to be expected. The northern boys are fine exponents of tho game. Through it all one sees evidences of Mr Bell and hie devotion to tho sama..

Messrs Jackson (Nightcaps), G. Howie, and E. B. Patrick (Invercargill) have been r,elected to pick tho team to play against Otago.

A Home versus Colonial players' match will be held prior to tho tour north, constituting the oniy trials proposed. It is the intention of the 1.A.F.0. to hold a social at an early date. A strong committee of ladies and members has been formed, and success is certain if energy and acumen count for much.