RETURN MATCH-SOUTHLAND V OTAGO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 207, 6 September 1897, Page 2

RETURN MATCH-SOUTHLAND V OTAGO.

THE SOUTHLANDERS VICTORIOUS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

Dunedin, Saturday.

Drizzling rain fell more or less all day, and with what fell yesterday Carisbrook was greasy, with here and there sheets of water, when Southland met Otago in the return football match. Under the circumstances the visitors were expected to have the best of it, and they did, wiiinin«- by four points to nil. The Southland forwards were a fine, even lot, Purdue being the pick. They were not so superior to our lorward pack as was expected, but their loose rushes were more dangerous, inasmuch as there was combination. Their backs, of whom Manson and Ward were the best, played much better than the local men, and the way in which they handled tha greasy ball was quite a surprise. The Otago backs could do nothing with the leather, and though supposed to be brilliant, it is difficult to recall such a poor

display by put in some tine-work, and wasjwoi n y ?he best back on the gnmn , vhdc Mo Donald stopped somedangero * «* 0 7 k kicked excellently. Ross did good^worK, but Sinclair, Duncan, Armit and Jooua (four Kaikorai men) were completely oft* The local forwards were very even, xue game on the whole was the opposite> of what it was expected, for the visiting forwards did not show the superiority anticipated over the local team, while their backs were brilliant by comparison. Ml F. H. Campbell was referee.