SECOND EDITION. FOOTBALL IN SCOTLAND.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 12, 15 January 1910, Page 5

SECOND EDITION. FOOTBALL IN SCOTLAND.

HAWKE'S BAY'S RECORD. In its issue of November 29, the Edinburgh Evening News publishes an account of a football .match played at Richmond on the previous Saturday, which has more than a passing interest for residents in this district, inasmuch as two boys from Hawke's Bay were included in one of the teams. The game referred to was between the London Scottish Club, and the South of Scotland team, and it was as members of the latter that Mr John Drummond, son of our respected townsman, and Gib Bogle, son of AVaipukurau's popular stationmaster, so distinguished themselves, in the" interests of their side. It certainty speaks well for Hawke's Bay football that two of our men should be considered worthy of a, place in a semi-international team like the South of Scotland combination. The following is the Edinburgh Evening News' account of the game, in which, by the way, two other New Zealanders also took part, Lindsay and Macpherson playing for the London Scottish, both of whoni were of gi-eat service to their side:—

There is a growing tendency in London to judge the merits of a match by the number of successful passing advances and the extent of the scoring, even in the one-sided matches! This tendency to set up" a false standard doubtless accounts "for the fact that many regarded the match at Richmond on Saturday between the London Scottish and the South of Scotland as "a poor game." Truth to tell, it was nothing of the kind, but was a fast and most interesting match, in which the forward play was the best seen on the ground this season, and in which the scoring would have been much heavier but for the sound defence of the backs and the clever way in which, the packschecked each other, and the forwards of both sides helped their backs in defence. The defence of most English sides is poor this year, the tackling in particular being the reverse of sound. The London Scottish has been none too good, and in many matches the tackling of the backs has been the very reverse of sound. On Saturday, however, the Scottish rose to the occasion, and their defence was better than in any previous match. The Scottish had, of course, the aid of some of their London Hospital and Services members. Of these, the most useful on Saturday was MacPherson, of London Hospital, Avho played a fine game, and made a good partner for AValter, whose great all-round display was the feature of the back play, though Sutherland won golden opinions .by his speedy, resolute running and opportune passing. Sutherland is a very fine wing. He had the chief share in the scoring of the two Soaith tries, and quite eclipsed Lindsay-AYat-, son, who fumbled his passes, and clearly lacks resource. Ogilvie was a good centre, and a very good third line would he MacPherson, AYalker, Ogilvie and Sutherland-.. Bogle was the better of the South half's, while Lindsay (London Hospital) played .well for the Scottish. Paterson, the Scottish captain and full-hack, played his best game of the season. He was very safe, and his' kicks always found touch. Drummond, the South back, tackled well, and twice brought AYalter down. Kyle was 1 the best forward on the field, but Gowlland and Lely were also seen to special advantage in the good all-round display of forward play given by the two packs. The footwork of both packs was exceptionally good, Kyle specially distinguishing himself by two dribbles. The Scottish pack were better at getting the ball, but the South, by solid pushing, generally prevented clean and quick healing. It was a fine match to watch, and the South were, on the whole, rather lucky to win by eight points to six. A draw would have been a better result. A very good side could be picked from the two teams,_ and though the match was not strictly a trial, it must have been instructive for the two Union official*, the Border representative and Mr C. J. N. Fleming, who came up to town to see the game.