NOTES BY FORWARD.

The following tables show the positions of the clubs engaged in the O.R.F.U. flag competitions : —

to the Southern. The following table shows the posil Jhe senior Association teams : —

As only the last twe matches played count for the Charity Banner, the Northern really lie Jjist, and -Southern third, for the banner. L. Allen, the Taranaki player, who was included in thcslast New Zealand has unfortunately met with a serious accident, which may have the effect of closing 1 his career on the football field. While playing for the Star Club versus Stratford last Thursday week Allen received a severe kick in. the pba, which has caused internal hemorrhage. Tlio photographs of the majority of the

' members of the English football team are contained in the Sydney Mail of the lOfch inst. Some of the members of the Naseby Prospectors' team that visited town last week with the result that they defeated the Pirates Club and were in turn beaten by the Dunedin Club gave the impression that with a little practice against superior teams they would be very proficient players. In conversation with their captain. I learnt from him that interest in football has greatly revived this season in the Maniototo, and that it is not unlikely a proposition may be made to the Rugby • Union for a visit to Dunedin of a Maniototo County team to play a town fifteen about the time at which the trial matches will be held. I hear good accounts of two St. Bathang forwards — the Hanrahan brothers — who, it is said, would quite possibly prove to be good enough for interprovincial honours. The personnel of the English team has ' undergone considerable alteration since its constitution waa originally announced. Some ',of the strongest players who were said to have been included in it have not come to the colonies. The defection of J. F. Byrne, the English international fulL-back, has already been mentioned, but besides him it appears that E. F. Fookes (the Yorkshire captain and English international three-quarter back), H. j, V. Huzzey (the Welsh international tliree- | quarter back), M. Elliott (of Hawick, a Scot-i j tish international half-back), and H. W. DudI geon (of the Richmond Club, an English inter- . national forward) have all remained behind. The final composition of the team : is as follows:—Backs: E. Martelli (Dublin Wanderers) and C. E. K. Thompson (Lancashire) ; three-quarter backs: G. P. Doran (Irish representative), A. B. Timms (Edinburgh), E. j G. Nicholls (Welsh representative), and E. T. [ Nicholson (Liverpool) ; half-backs : C. Adamson (North of England). G. Cookson (North of England), and M. Mullineux (Kent) ; for- ■ wards: F. M. Stout (English representative), I T. M. M'Gown (Irish representative), J. W. | Jarman (Gloucestershire), G. R. Gibson (Eng- ) lish representative), F. C. Belson (Somerset), J. 8. Francomb (Lancashire), G. E. Evers (Moseley), B. I. Swanuell (East Midlands), A. Ayre Smith (Guy's Hospital and Surrey), W. Judkins (Coventry), and F. G. Gray (Cambridge). M'Gown has relatives in Dunedin, and will, whether the team comes or not, visit this city before returning to the old country. Three ex-New Zealander? were included in the New South Wales team that played against Queensland last Saturday week — namely, Davis, Pauling, and Ward (the South- ! lander) . According to a Referee writer, Pnrf due, from Southland, should have been chosen before at least two of the selectod forwards. On the previous Saturday Ward is credited by the Sydney press with having played exceptionally well. The Referee critic says: " Ward played an astonishingly clever game, catching the ball in all manner of positions, running, feinting, tackling, passing, and kicking in high-class style. The spectators gave him a special cheer at the finish. He is equal to anyone I have ever seen in the position, and on Saturday was worth about three ordinary men to his side. He seems to possess very quick and excellent judgment, which enables him to intuitively grasp opportunities." The same writer speaks in commendation of the form shown in the sariie match by another ex-New Zealonder. who has represented both Wellington and Auckland. He says : " Laws, who played centre three-quar-ter for Marrickville, is a really able player in the position. In attack, I should say, he is, if not superior, at least not inferior, to any of his contemporary centre men. He handled the ball almost perfectly, taking all sorts of passes without a mistake, and giving j them equally well." An article on "The English Season's Footj ball " was contributed by Captain Philip • Trevor to the April number of the Badminton ' Magazine. The writer speaks of the growth ! of the association game. In the course of his remarks on the game which has a longer standing in this colony, he says: — "Rugby football has as many crises in its life as a healthy child, and it surmounts them all with the same radiant self-complacency. It is always tumbling downstairs, and always getting up again little the worse for the fall. The pessimists on each occasion say : ' Wait a little. The injury iB internal, and will make itself felt later on.' Up to date, however, history is against them. . . . The English, Irish, and Scottish Unions . . . ■ .thoroughly recognising the value of combij nation . . . select their international sides ! solely with the view to winning the match in ! hand, without regard to the supposed or adj mitted claims of individual players. In each 1 of these conntries, therefore, a certain style i haa become habitxial. A Welsh team, for in-y , stance, is always noticeable for the combination of its three-quarter backs. An Inch team , will indulge in a direct front attack by the forwards by means of a series of short, sharp | rushes, whilst generally speaking a Scotch fifteen is remarkable for the screwing and i wheeling tactics of the forwards, clever footwork in the open, and a combined attempt j on the part of the backs to break up the pa^s- , ing game of their opponents. Tn the English | teams there is always a multiplicity of styles • and a divergence of methods, and the spec- ! tacle, therefore, is too often afforded of a set t of men, individually, perhaps, superior to their . 1 opponents, frittering away their strength by spasmodic play without cohesion. The ex■planation is that almost all the big- olubs in i England have their distinctive peculiarities, and even a casual spectator could not fail to be struck by the different characteristics of , ! metropolitan, western, midland, and northern I clubs respectively. . . . Amateur Rugby | Union football win no peril. A" long as the ' English boy has English characteristics he will play the game for the love of the thing, and '. boys have a habit of growing up without ' wholly discarding their early training, espe- j cially where that training coincides with their , inclinations. The only danger lies with the j , governing body. A tendency to be doing is invariably connected with an .unpaid com- | mittee composed of enthusiasts. Tt is only the ■ calculating business man or politician, whose heart is not touched, who is convinced of the ; priceless value, on occasions, of masterly inI activity. . . . Tr rit.it ing legislation, which ! removes one grievance and creates nine more grievances in its place, ha 1 ? been too much in evidence in the pa^st. Latte.rlv. a much wiser course hns been taken. Tf interference w only withheld foi still a little longer, the natural ] ! vitality of Rugby football cannot fail to as- ' '. sert itself and one of the most character-form-j ing ard educational of English games that ha.« , ever been known will be r>re«erved unim■nairerl, to the huge benefit of the youth of the land." A"? might have been expected, very treat interest was manifested in the match between the Kaikorai and Alhambra, which attracted the most numerous attendance of any match during the present season. The game was a decidedly excitinsr one. and although it ended in a draw the Alhambra, on the whole, had the best of the play. The forwards all round gave a good account of them a elves. The Kaikorai beat the opposing forwards in the Backed scrum, but the Alhambra, on the other

hand, showed to much better advantage in the loose forward play. The two halfbacks, Dey (Alhambra) and Mason (Kaikorai), both played remarkably plucky games, the former putting in work which was of inestimable value to his side. Duncan, as usual, showed up remarkably well, and gained a lot of ground at times by his well - known play. Armit, while not, perhaps, up to form in the first spell, was really good in the latter half of the game, and saved hi 3 side over and over again. On the whole, the Kaikorai backs played a good game, and were very safe. Of the Alhambra backs, Elder and Dey were the most prominent. Mr A. Downes was referee. The play in the Dunedin-Union match was distinctly disappointing. There were, certainly, occasions when first-class form was sbown, but these occasions were s"o few and far between as to render the match, on the whole, one of dull mediocrity. The Blues' forwards have improved greatly since these two clubs met in the early part of the season, and they were very successful in getting possession of the leather in the early stages of the game, besides which they showed to advantage in the loose work. In the second half, however, the Maroons' vanguard pulled themselves together and showed their true form, repeatedly getting the ball in scrums, 1 and also making some fine rushes. The play by wliich Stephenaon. scored was good, the passing being clean and well-timed. The Union backs, towards the end of the game, effected some nice passing, rushes, and had it not been for the inability of Gunthorpe to take the ball they must have scored on two or three occasions, for the field was made clear for him to run in without opposition. M'Kay, the Dunedin full back, kicked magnificently, and often gained great stretches of ground. Mackenzie was not at his best, though he also kicked well. Connor, at centre, played a sound and serviceable game. Stephenson was up to his usual standard. M 'Donald, using his speed to great advantage, and often interfering with tho Maroons' passing. The forwards were an even lot, and it would be invidious to mention anyone. Of the Union backs, Armstrong, Dutliie, and Munro were in fine form, the latter gaining a good deal of ground by excellent kicking. Of the forwards, A. Beadle was again the most prominent, and Rowlatt also showed to advantage. Towards the end of the game Mr Kaydon, the referee, ordered M'Kewen, one of_ the Dunedin forwards, off the ground for striking an opponent. In the match between the Pirates and Zin-gari-Richmond, the play throughout was mainly confined to the forwards, the wind preventing any good passing. The Zingari backs came away time and again with the ball, but it generally ended in a knock on or a throw forward. The backs on the Pirates' side contented themselves with kicking into touch, and were thus the means of gaining large stretches of ground. Bragg was distinctly the beat of the Pirates' backs, his running and kicking being splendid. Denny, Sutton, and •Rattray also showed up prominently. Fordyce, the Zingari full back, had not much work to do. Of the other hacks, A. Smith, H. Smith (who had the misfortune to severely twist his knee), and Tnrnbull all showed good form. ,The Zingari had considerably the best of the play amongst the forwards, both in the scrums and open, the Smith brothers being responsible for most of the work. Maefarlane and Stewart also showed up well. Burt was the most prominent forward ori the Pirates' Bide, Priest, Thomson, and Salmond also putting in good work. Mr H. Harris had control of the game, his decisions giving general satisfaction. j The University v. Southern match was ' played at Tahuna Park, the ground being in perfect order. The strong wind which was blowing interfered but little with the play, which was very open. The Southern must be complimented on their all round good play, their forwards, though lighter than their opponents, succeeding invariably in gaining possession of the ball, while in the loose they carried everything before them. The backs, though playing a sound defence, were rather weak in attack, anil lacked combination. The University fought hard from start to finish, their backs playing their usual fine game, and had it not been for the stubborn defence of their opponents must have scored on several occasions. For the Southern, Wilkins, at full back, played safely. Bennet, though putting in some good work, did not play as well as usual. Chambers made no mistakes. Simpson collared well, bufc was out of his place on several occasions. Duncan is the making of a good player, but should not try to beat too many men. Burgess played one of his best games this season. The forwards, one and all, showed up well, and special mention must be made of the front row men. It is chiefly owing to their getting possession so frequently in the scrum that their side wece enabled to come out with such flying colours. Allen, the 'Varsity full back, took the ball well, but his kicking wa3 of a faulty order. "White was the pick of the throe-q\iarter«,.raiJKi played, .an' excellent all-round game. fi.'SKea stopped .rushes and kicked well. Orbo'll,. at wing,,, had some good chances, and. showed s>peed, but his opportunities! were not made the most of. Of the halves, MacdonplU was decidedly the pick, and put in an enormous lot of effective work. As far as the forwards 1 were concerned, Sale, Fisher, and Gregg must be accorded special praise. Mr E. Bremner, who made his first appearance as a senior referee, gave his decisions with the utmost fairness, and evidently had the courage of his opinions, paying no attention to fche dissatis- , faction exhibited by the onlookers on one or ( two occasions. i In the senior matches at Auckland the City and Grafton played a drawn game, each, side , scoring a try. Newton beat Parnefl by 7 ; points to 3. Ponsonby and Suburbs played a drawn game, 3 points each. j At Wellington Oriental beat Ponekt by Bto . nil; Petone beat Wellington by 11 to 6; j Athletic and Melrose played a drawn game, neither side scoring. j At Chrirtchurch Kaiapoi (8) beat Meri- | vale (7) ; Christchurch (14) beat Albion (8) ; LinwocxT (17) beat Sydenham (nil). ; The New Zealand Rugby Union has offe i-J New South Wales £400 for four matches with the English team or £250 for two matches in the North Island, and the New Zealand Union agree to pay all expenses in either case. Tin's offer will also be sent to the manager of the English team. | The weekly meeting of the committee of § tho Otago Rugby Union, held on Monday, was attended by Messrs CJallaway (president), Campbell, Duncan, M'Laren, Payne, Strong, Young, and Hutchison. A letter was received from the Southern Club claiming by default the match Southern Third v. Port Chalmers Second, which was to have been played last Saturday. An application was received from the Pirates Club for a transfer for T. Vangioni from the Christchurch Club. It was agreed to inquire from the Ohristchurch Club whether there was any objection to the transfer, and, if not, to grant the application. A complaint was received from the Dunedin Club respecting ita members being refused free admission to the graiid stand on the Caledonian around, and it, was deckled to noont

out to the cluß that its members were in the same position as the members of the Pirates Cluß in~regard to the stand oif the Carisbrook ground. A letter was received from the Dunedin Club protesting against a try (from which a goal was kicked) scored in the second-grade match Union O v. Dunedin, in consequence of the Dunedin full back having been interfered with through the encroachment of spectators on the field of play. Consideration was deferred pending the receipt of a report from the referee. A letter -was received from the referee in the first-grade malch Dunedin v. Union (Mr Haydon), reporting that he had ordered -D. M'Kewen, ' of the former team,, off the ground for, it was alleged, striking an opponent. It was decided to take the matter into consideration at the next weekly meeting.

The Flag Committee have decided that the first-grade match Dunedin v. Alhambra shall be played on the Caledonian ground on Saturday, and that the match Sigh School Second v. Ravensbourne Second, which had been arranged for that ground, should be played there at 1.30 p.m., or else on the Opoho ground.

FIRST GRADE. Matches, Points, g ■£ '3 ■ i ■ %> j . > 5 « o • jj g $ jf Ph 5? Q pc, •< f±i Kftikorai „ 8 8 0 2 64 15 14. Alhambra .. *8 5 1 2 29 11 12 Dunedin - .. 8 5 3 0 50 48 10 Southern .. 8 4 3 1 32 22 9 Union .. .. 8 2 2 4 25 21 8 University .. *8 8 5 0 19 29 6 Pirates .. .. 8 1 6 1 18 41 3 Zingari-R'hmond 8 <f & 2 0 50 2 * The University played only seven matches, but its fixture -with the Alhambra was given to the latter by default. SECOND GRADE. . Matches. * Points, m ' -=*- *s . . i s 3 | 1 H g* s 5 P4 hi fl h <i Alhambra ... 8 6 1 1 109 22 13 Kaikorai 8 6 11 121 17 13 Pirates A 8 6 11 63 21 13 Union A ... ... 8 6 1 1 78 14 13 Union C 8 5 12 57 31 12 Port Chalmers ... 8 5 2 1 50 27 11 Eavensbourne ... 8 5 2 1 73 39 11 University ... 8 5 3 — 57 40 10 Southern 8 4 4 — 21 44 8 Dunedin 8 1 7 — 36 104 2 High School ... 8 1 7 — 37 85 2 Union £ 8 1 7 — 9 91 2 Zingari-Ri'hmond 8 1 7 — 45 80 2 Pirates B 8 — 8 — 14 164 O The Union, B have lost three matches by 'default, the winners being the Port Chalmers, Southern, and University respectively, and a, match waß declared forfeited by the Dunediu