FOOTBALL NOTES.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10042, 21 May 1898, Page 2

FOOTBALL NOTES.

[By Dbof-kigk.] ' ' **? •-. . * i" * "Weekly Presa and Referee. -,^" After several mont!ji.s of fine weather the ■ >> drought broke up last week, and although early in the day it promised to be fine on Saturday afternoon, a heavy drizzle from the sou-west set in shortly before two o'clock, and it rained off and on all the afternoon. t ■ - Nearly all interest in the senior compe- ' '- tition wa,3 taken in the first meeting this sea- . son between the Linwcvod and Merivale Clubs. Before the rain came on the former's chance of success was the more fancied, but , it was, thought that the wet would be in , favour of the Merivale forwards, and at the start of the game they had nearly as maliy friends aa the Gfreen. and Black champions had. The latter had the advantage of the wind and rain behind them in the iirst spell, and, thanks to the good combined play of Byrne and Orchard, they scored 7 points, before half-time was called. On t changing over the Merivale men had a good deal the best of the play, but their backs failed to take advantage of the openings which pre-_ sented themselves, and no further score was obtained, Linwood thus winning by 7 points to nothing. The state of the ground and* ball prevented the backs from indulging in the usual amount of passing, but what httle was done showed Linwood to be superior to their opponents in this direction, while the* Merivale forwards proved themselves to be the stronger. It was a great pity that the rain spoilt what probably would otherwise ■ have been a good exhibition of football, but the general opinion after the game was that if the ground had been dry the Linwood team ■ ■ would have won by a larger margin than they did. . F. O'Brien, the Linwood full-back, djd } not have much tackling to do, but, consider- > ing the heavy, greasy ball, he kicked well ~ and stopped the rushes pluckily. Byrne, the centre three-quarter, did not have many chances of shining, but his defence was sound, and each time Orchard scored it wasfrom passes from the ex-High School player. Orchard again demonstrated what a ( dangerous three-quarter he is, as he not only scored a try, but potted a clever goal from the field. Like tthe other backs, he was hampered by the wet, but he nevertheless gave a good exhibition of football. J. O'Brien, on the other wing, had but few opportunities; from his display, however, he gave evidence of not being in his old form.Phillips played a fine game at five-eighths, his defence being very good, and he also kicked and passed well. Price, at half, also played well, being very good at stopping the '} rushea. Cowper and Ormandy, on the wing* - of the scrummage, each started some good dribbling rushes, the former being the most - ,-. conspicuous, and in the pack all worked hard, viv Ward, Fanning (2), Preece, and Saundenr being perhaps the most noticeable both in - the loose work and on the line out. Morland, the Merivale full-back, again gave a good display. Once or twice in the first spell the greasy ball evaded bis grasp, but during the interval he procured a pair of gloves, when but little fault could be found with his handling of the leather. His kicking was good, but Orchard proved too fast for him when lie gained his try. McCree appeared a* centre three-quarter in place of Uru, but neither he nor Menzies and Dansey on,the wings had many chances of distinguishing tntmseves on the attack, though all three were good on the defence. Forbes, at five-eighths, played very much better than , r on the previous Saturday, his kicking prov- y> ing very serviceable, and lie also stopped the * rushes and collared well. V. Fraser, the half-back, had plenty of opportunities of passing, but he was much too slow, and. when he did pass he usually sent the ball too high, so that his opponents were able to tackle the five-eighths as soon aa he got the ball. He made some fair kicks, but he lacks the cleverness of an up-to-date halfback. Bush and Drake proved fair wing' forwards, and of those in the pack Chambers, Duggau, D. Fraser, and Brooker appeared the beat. , The rain during the week made the Sydenham ground very greasy, and from a spectator's point of view the match between Kaiapoi and Christchurch on Saturday was not of an interesting nature. The ball was

lent principally among the forwards, who indulged in a great many dribbling rushes, passing being out of the question. In the first spi , " Christcliureh held their own well, but in tno second term the Kaiapoi men had slightly the best of it. Mcdrath. who played full-back for KaiaP ,, '- t°°k l^c k n 'l veJ T well considering the wet, and his kicking was fair. J. Duncan, on the wing, played fairly, kicking and following up smartly. G. McGregor, on the other wing, took the, place of Kobiliiard. t nd what little came his way he attended to satisfactorily. Martin, in the centre. wW a great improvement on Kariatiana g e kicked well, and fast following up secured him his try. l.ynsky. at half, and Barritt, »t five-eighths, played very well together, and put in a lot of useful kicking. The forwards all worked well, Rcvell, Lyngkv and the Driscoll brothers being projninent. Brown was not a complete success as fullback for ChrUtehiirch. He could not handle the ball with any certainty, but he stop*ped » lot of rushes. Dacre and Talbot on the wings wore very feeble. They did not seem to like stopping rushes*, and indulged in a great quantity of flying kicks. Dacre fumbled badly," and Talbot was alsn troubled when he had to receive the ball from a high kick. Middleton and Lawrence both played ye we ]l, and did an immense amount of work. Lawrence, who has been promoted this season, is a good half. Vangioni, at centre three-quarter, played in and out, but could not take the ball. The forwards used their feet well, and I was surprised to see them stand up as they did against the dashing Kaiapoi men. Frost, Wilson, Appleby and Ayres did a lot of foot-work and followed up well. Mr W. G. Garrard was referee, and his decisions were taken without a murmur. The game was a very enjoyable one and free from talk. The senior teams from the Sydenham and Albion Clubs met at Lancaster Park on Saturday, and although a win was generally prophesied for the former team, they were unable to do more than make a draw of it. The match was certainly not an interesting one, and resolved itself very frequently into a disorderly scramble amongst the forwards. One or two good dribbles would have been very servicable to either gide. The majority of the forwards, however, mistrusted their powers in this direction, and either kicked the ball right amongst the opposing backs or else attempted to pick it up and pass to their own backs. The attempts at the latter course of action in the greasy state of the ball and the ground generally ended in failure. The Sydenham forwards were particularly weak in dribbling, and repeatedly lost chance 3 to ecore by kicking the bull over their opponents line and thus enabling them to force down. In the matter of tackling, however, both sides played a far better game, and there was some very fair defensive kicking amongst the backs. Altogether Sydenham had distinctly the best of the game, but they lack a really fast scoring man amongst their backs. This want was very clearly shown from the fact that in the first spell Sydenham, though they compelled their opponents to force down continually were yet unable to score, whilst Albion obtained a try. Grey, who did good work in the forward division last year, replaced Craddock as fullback for Albion. He hud to handle the ball pretty frequently, and taking into consideration its slippery state he was fairly sure. He did not attempt much running, but his defence was very useful. Of the threequarters Burson again showed up best. His collaring was very sure; he took the ball jwell, and .though his opportunities for running came only at rare intervals, he gained a good deal of ground by kicking. Butler vras undoubtedly the pick of the backs, and was almost the only one of his side who played consistently with anything approaching dash or science. Among the forwards White was most noticeable as a hard •worker in the pack, and in the more open J)lay Fraser was prominent. There was a ack of combination among the forwards as a whole, and their way of forming a scrum >vas very far from perfect. Love, the Sydenham full-back, had little to do beyond stopping an occasional rush. He took the ball accurately, and once or twice relieved his side with a good run. At centro three-quarter D. Reese did excellent all-round work, and with Butler, of the Albion team, shared the honours of the game. Oi tho other Sydenham backs Robson put in some useful kicking, and more than once initiated dangerous passing rushes. Of the combination displayed by Sydenham's forwards the least said the better. They worked well enough at times, but whenever they had the ball in their opponents' territory they seemed at a loss how to act), and frequently lost good chances by hard and reckless kicking. Halliday, Young, and O'Brien were the most noticeable for smart following up and hard work in the pack. Amongst the spectators at Lancaster Park on Saturday were Mr J. A. Buckland, the well-known New South Wales trotting enthusiast, ond Mr H. Steele, who is equally ■well known in sporting and athletic circles in and around Melbourne. There was a doubt as to the try Driscoll scored in the Kaiapoi-Christchurch match, as the ball touched the corner flag and then bounced over the line, but the referee could not see it from his position. W. Uru could not play for Merivale' on Saturday owing to a family bereavement. , I hear that W. Fitzgerald will play for Mcrivale for the remainder of the season. He was. an on-looker at Lancaster Park on Saturday. Young Lawrence, who played half-back for Christchurch on Saturday, is the makings of a good man. Morland, the Merivale full-back, played another One game on Saturday. Orchard scored all the points for Linwood en Saturday. The lady supporters of the Merivale Club deserve the thanks of all for their tea on Saturday at Lancaster Park. The weather being cold, the tea was very acceptable. The next meeting between Linwood and Merivale will oe waited for with interest. The Christchurch forwards played very well against Kaiapoi at Sydenham, but their backs were only fair. , J. O'Brien does not seem to be the "O'Brien" of old. The Merivale forwards are as good a set of men as have been seen in Club football for a long time. The match between a team of Christchurch players and the Ellesmere district comes off at Lancaster Park on the Queen's Birthday. The final matches of the first ronnd of the Canterbury Rugby Union's Senior Championship will be played on Saturday, when Merivale meet Albion and Linwood Christchnrch, in town, and Kaiapoi and Sydenham try conclusions at Kaiapoi. The first named club in each instance should win. At Dunedin on Saturday the crack Kaikorai Club beat the Union by 12 points (4 tries)) to nil. The other senior matches were all closely contested, the Pirates defeating University by 5 points (a goal) to 3 (a try), Alhambra beat Zingari-Richmond by 3 points (a try) to nothing, and Dunedin beat Cavershani by 6 points (a penalty goal and a try) to 3 (a try). C. H. Manson, who played for Merivale a couple of years ago and who represented Poverty Bay last season, has joined the Wellington F.C. . C. Bird, well known in football circles in Christchurch, is playing for the Wellington senior team this season, and according to report he played the best back game on bis side in a match against the Oriental Club on Saturday week. The Oamaru and Athletic Clubs met at Oamaru for the first time this season on Thursday last, the former winning by 8 ?jints (a goal and a try) to nil. Moss and oohey scored a try each for the winners, Buist converting one into a goal. On Wednesday last the Invercargill Star and Pirates Lhibs met for the first time during the present season, the Stars winning by a goal and a try (8 points) to nothing.. The meeting of the Canterbury Referees' Association called for last Friday night lapsed for want ot a quorum. The following have been appointed the Appeal Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union :—Messrs Firth. Fache, Campbell, Bate, Ellison, Stratford, Gibson, and Brand. The annual football contest between the representative tcame of the Pirates (Dunedin) and Christchurch Clubs is to take place on the Queen's Birthday. The Hawke's Bay special of this journal ■wires:—The heavy downpour of rain that fell on Saturday precluded the various fixturee that liad been arranged upon being gone on with. The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union met on Saturday evening, Mr G. Fleming in the chair. Correspondence was

read from the Waipawa Rugby Union,intimating that they would meet a local team on June 15th at Danevirke and play the return match at Napier on July 13th. The Secretary was instructed to write to see if the match could not be arranged on a Saturday instead of a Wednesday. The sub-committee appointed to inspect the Spit ground reported that it was not safe to play on unless it was improved, and it was decided to leave the amount to be expended in the Treasurer's hands, and have the matter dealt with at once, to be ready for next Saturday. Permission was granted to the West End Club to phy Waipawa on .May 24th. The matches arranged for last Saturday v.-jll take place next Saturday, providing the Spit ground is finished, if not then the I\apier B team and Port Ahuriri meet at the Recreation ground, instead of Napier A team and West End second. Mr J. P. Firth, the principal of the Wellington College, who occupied the chair at the adjourned annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union on Saturday night, expressed himself very strongly on the subject of gate money in connection with football matches (says a Wellington paper of May 9th). Many clubs and unions were, he said, paying more attention to money matters than to the game, and the consequence was that in the majority of the matches the play was not what "it should be. In order to do away with the money-making element he would give £5 towards the expenses of the North v South match if it was decided to play such a contest this season. (Applause.) The subject was then dropped. At a meeting of the Nelson Rugby Union a letter was received from the Wellington Union asking if it was the intention of the Nelson Union to repay its visit of 1893 this season, and it was resolved to reply that the matter was under consideration, and asking the Wellington body to suggest a date late in the season. The'Wairarapa Union offered the net gate, estimated at £16. for a match with them, and it was decided to reply that a senior team would probably visit Wairarapa. An intimation was received from the Wanganui Onion stating they would probably visit Nelson this season. The first Senior Cup matches between the Grevtown and Carterton Clubs was played at Greytown on May 7th, the home team winning by 32 points (a goal and 9 tries) to nothing. 'Tries for the winners were scored by D. Udy (4), Haigh (3), McMaster, Raiscn and Rogers, one of which was converted by Rogers. Senior Cup matches were commenced in Nelson on May 7th, when the Albion Club beat Nelson by 33 points (a goal from a try, a goal from a mark, and eight tries) to nil. For the winners Chapman, Tibbie, and Ingram scored two tries each, and Lawrence, liird and Miller one each, Tibbie converting one of his own tries and kicking a goal from a mark. The Prince Alberts defeated the Rivals by 13 points (a potted goal, a penalty goal, and two tries) to nil. The council of the New South Wales Rugby Union met on April 26th to investigate certain statements made in a letter from Mr W. Speight, who alleged that reports had come to his ears which reflected discredit on the management of representative teams last season, and which were damaging to the ommittee of the Union as a whole. The letter from Mr Speight having been read, that gentleman asserted that the statements made were to the effect that certain players had been paid for playing in some of the representative matches of last season, and were based on the authority of one of the players concerned. This player was summoned as a witness. In reply to Mr Speight he stated that he wished to withdraw and apologise for everything he had said. He had not made the statement seriously, and he denied that he had siened any documents confirming them. Neither had he at any time asked or received payment for playing football. A statement alleged to be signed by the witness was produced by Mr Speight, but as the witness repudiated the signature Mr Henderson j moved that the inquiry be closed forthwith. The motion was not seconded. Mr George Outram, who was next called, said the first witness had repeatedly made the statements complained of, and they had become common property. In all his experience of representative football he bad never known any instance of a player having been paid for taking part. Mr Outram was thanked by the chairman for bis attendance- Mr Speight move—"That this committee, after inquiry, find that the statements of a player as to himself and others having been paid to represent 'the colony in representative matches are, on bis own admission, totally untrue." This was seconded by Mr L. M. Browne and carried unanimously. England and Wales met under Association rules at Wrexham on March 28th, when the weather was fine and the ground in good order. England won by three goals to nothing, but their display of football was poor,' and there was a certain lack of life about the encounter. Commenting on the game a London writer says:—Wales, after being beaten by Ireland and Scotland, has finished her International Association, campaign*, as far as the present season is concerned, by a third defeat, England winning yesterday at the Wrexham Racecourse ground by a margin of three goals to love, a score which might easily have been increased, for during the greater portion of the second half (during which the wind, of which the visitors had previously enjoyed the benefit, had almost dropped), the Principality lines were in constant danger. Wheldon, who was responsible for two of the'points, played a most unselfish game, G. O. Smith heading the third just before the finish. Possibly there may be some obstacle of which we are not aware, but no one, however blind to fault, could overlook the unsuitability of the enclosure in question for the decision of such an important game. The accommodation was extremely primitive. Scotland won the second of her International Association engagements on Saturday at Belfast, where Ireland —whose prospects, for the first time, of defeating Scotia's sons seemed rather more promising than usual— had to play second fiddle to the tune of three goals to love (says a London paper of March 28th). Only once had the Irishmen even managed to effect a draw, the last occasion of meeting on Hibernian soil. On Saturday they played up pluckily, but the Scottish" eleven (which, as usual, was entirely different in constitution from that pitted against Wales the previous week) were the more scientific, their defence being especially fine. For nearly half an hour the game was without score, despite tlie fact that the visitors had won the toss and secured the advantage of the strong wind at their backs. Before the interval, however, the ball was twice put through, and the third item accrued about midway uiraugh the second half. The final match for the County Championship of England was played at Coventry on March 26th, when Northumberland beat the Midland Counties by 24 points (3 goals and 3 tries) to 3 (a try). The weather was misernbly wet and cold, and the attendance did not exceed 3000. The winners had the best of the game throughout, the losers giving a display considerably below their usual standard. " This is the first time that Northumberland«shas won the championship. The match between England and Wales was played at Blackheath on April 2nd, when the former won by 14 points (a goal and 3 tries) to 7 (a goal from the field and a try). The weather was all that could be desired, and close upon 20,000 spectators witnessed the game, winch was evenly contested. As a matter of fact (says a London writer) the ball was more often in English territory than otherwise, but when attacking the visitors lacked finesse and skill in clinching matters, whereas the representatives of the Rose, on the other hand, nearly always took advantage of every opportunity afforded them. • The forwards were, on the whole, evenly matched, but in open tactics the English * brigade were, if anything, a trifle smarter, as when they had the ball amongst them they invariably tried to keep it, but the representatives of the Principality kicked too hard, with the result that the ball travelled quickly to the English backs, and gave them plenty of time to clear. The Association match between England and Scotland was played afc Celtic Park, Glasgow, on April "2nd. when the weather was fine, and over 40.000 spectators were present. Although there was considerable difference of opinion as to the relative chances of the teams, it was felt that tJie prospects of England atoning for the defeats of the last two springs were undoubtedly bright. The constitution of the Scottish side had been subjected to some criticism, the backs being regarded as slow, and the front rank scarcely the best that might have been secured, though possibly the SJF.A. authorities may have felt some reluctance in drawing on "talent engaged across the Border. Soon after the start Weldon kicked a goal

for England, and before half time Bloomer bad added a second goal, while Scotland had failed to score. In the second half each side secured a goal, England thus winning by 3toL