NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 3

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By Actaeou.)

Aftei the exceptionally good weather (for «,_ \v!T °. tUe„>' ear J t*buc we experienced on Wednesday, Thursday, aud Fnuav l-ist everyone was looking forward to a gionou. .* . ?"'?', lof ,hQ -*-—* between Otago aud Auckland have generally been close exciting, aud productive of good football, -upturn Edwin, the weather prophet, save ft_iJ_«,W: iv l!TUla7s "Star" with his forecast of a northerly gale aud rain. Ue»pu_ this, however, mo*., of us anticipated a continuance of hut. weather iv honour of our respected Southerners. But our hones were dashed to the around ou Saturday, when he-uvy ram set iv early iv the moru;.j_ '^ continued almost unceasingly throughout the day. It is strange that throughout this winter we have only had .wo wet Saturdays, aud these—the most important of all (from a footballer's point of view)— Have been on our meetiug with Welhugton and Otago. Although Otago placed a heavier team In the held than our boys, the locals were warm favourites, odds of two to one being freely laid on their ability to win. The ground was In a heavy and v,'et state, and of course the ball was as slippery as an eel — conditions which simply spoilt the many passing rushes initiated by the opposing backs and confined the play principally to the forwards.

laken all through, it was a stubborn and well-fought struggle. If anything, it may be said that Otago had a little the best of the play, but Auckland had the hardest IUCK In not scoring more. 'Our boys had better opportunities, but had bad luck at the critical moment more than once. The opposing forwards were very evmlv matched; in fact, it would be hard to tintwo Interprovinclal vanguards so equally mated. The Auckland forwards made several brilliant combined rushes, in which department they outshone their opponents, and were o lithe verge of scoring on more than one occasion; but the visitors' Hue play was superior to ours, and this equalised honours. There was certainly some fine forward work shown by eftch vanguard. The slippery ball greatly hampered the passing rushes of the backs, a feature of the Rugby game which the spectators dearly love to watch. The back play of the Otago team, with their short passes, fine line-kicking, and sure handling of the wet ball was superior to ours; but with the exception of our full-back Auckland's defence was quite as sound, If not sounder. The try scored by Otago was well deserved and undoubtedly the best piece of passing seen during the day. The ball was passed from Armstrong to Duncan (who made a good opening), then to Booth, who transferred to McKenzie, and the latter beating Auckland's full-back very badly crossed the line. Auckland's score was the result of a very clever piece of play on the part of Doran and Tyler. The latter took the ball from p. cunning throw-in from Doran,feinted past the three-quarters, and then dodged the Otago full-back and ran in.

J. Adams, the Otago full back, looks somewhat light for the position, but he proved cool and safe. He Is not a big kick, but he always found the line.

Of the threequarters, W. McKenzie (Scoble)* was undoubtedly the best, and played perhaps the best back game on the ground. His defence was sound and his judicious and long kicking the best seen here for some time. The try he scored fully merited the applause he was rewarded with. McKenzie by a fine effort crossed Auckland's line a second time, but was held up before he could grass the ball.

George Stephenson also showed us some of his old form, and proved that he is not yet to be classed with the 'has beens."

E. Booth, the centre threequarter, proved a safe, although not a brilliant, man. He took the ball very surely and kicked really well. Of the half backs, J, Duncan, the Otago captain, showed that he had lost none o_ his cunning. He played a sterling game throughout, while he was ably assisted by v 7. Wallace, who Is a sterling and clever half.

The forwards were a very even lot. T. Cross. D. McKewen, D. Munro and H. Porteous were perhaps moro prominent than the others.

Auckland's chief weakness was in the full back, Donovan, who made his first appearance as a rep. He started really well, then he made a mull, and the spectators giving him a "turn," Donovan appeared to lose control of himself, and played the worst game he has ever shown in a senior match. He allowed McKenzie, who scored for Otago, to run In very softly. No doubt nervousness was accountable, for this young player's errors. 1 Our threettuarters, McPike, McGregor and Harrison, were strong on defence, but they got few opportunities to show their attacking abilities. Each of them made sterling runs, but unfortunately were hot backed up at the critical moment McPike had hard luck on one occasion in just breaking the touch line, for Auckland got over the goal line, but of course were called back. Kiley was not as prominent as In th* Wellington match, but Kiernan gave a fine display, repeatedly beating his opponents and making several good openings, while with his kicking he always found Doran', on the wing, played a dashing game, his following up and tackling being of great service. He was unfortunate In not scoring a try. being obstructed by an opponent. .Had the referee seen the obstruction it is generally agreed that Doran would have been awarded a try. D Gallaher played another good game. Our forwards were again Very even, if any R. McGregor, Tyler and Cunningham being the most prominent. The result was certainly In keeping with previous Auckland-Otago games, for now out of eight contests, no less than four have been drawn, while each province has + __n victories to Its credit. The two teams sat down to dinner In the evening at the Criterion Hotel, Albert c___*__t Mr O. Wells (Chan-man of the l t_fkVand M Rugby Union) presided g The y -T-Vm wplcome to the Otago team. 9mm^flg__^m____\ ¥„°_ 5" coupled with name o( Mr Harrison S%£ h? ««= T_r 5? __.= warrison Wells, Dixon and MacThe visitors y were V^anTle-1 1--da°y t oJnKT— d¥hey Sliy VamnJki on Wednesday.

THE RECORD TO DATE. r t _hring 0p niayf in 18H S^-eTen^dUrS %*% tr well tOIBOG, at Auckland: Otago won; 8 points tott_99, at Dunedin: Auckland won; 13 P°l9 no^at 3Auekland: Drawn; 3 points each.

POVERTY BAY V. HAWKE'S BAY.

(By Telegraph-Own Correspondent.)

GISBORNE, Saturday. The annua! *S^J^B& ffifSiß _£_ f^i^^&n&ii «-^^S hb|sS^ winners tries were. acorea v* SIS!: StSR-Si-S* ■*•"—■