FOOTBALL NOTES,

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10060, 11 June 1898, Page 2

FOOTBALL NOTES,

[By Drop-kick.] "Weekly Press and Referee. After three wet Saturdays Cliristchurch footballers were favoured with fine weather for last week's games, and although the grounds were a bit on the heavy side, they were in better condition than for a month previously. The game between Merivale and Kaiapoi was played at Lancaster Park on Saturday in tho presence of a good number of spectators. The ground was on the soft side, but there was very littlo wind to trouble the players. Mr White, the referee, had rather a heavy task, as there was a great deal too much talking, aAd one of the Kaiapoi men was ordered of t c field for using bad language, and striking a player. The game was a good, fast, open one, some of the dribbling rushes on both sides being very fine, and considering that Kaiapoi were playing a man short for the greater part of the game, they are to be congratulated on making such a close fight for victory. In fact, they had the best of the game, and unless the Merivale players wake up and pay more attention to their training, they need not feel surprised if an inferior team to Kaiapoi beat them before the season closes. Both Merivale and Kaiapoi seem to rely too much on their backs, and adopt the heeling out game nearly all the time, bub if they were to play a forward game and leave then* backs alone, I am sure they would get on better. McGrath, who was absent the previous week, again filled the position of full-back for Kaiapoi, and played very well, although he was not up to his best form. Robilliard and J. Duncan on tlu wiugs both performed fairly, the former making some fine dashes, while the latter's try was due to his pace. Barritt, at five-eighths, waa an improvement on his form shown against Sydenham, and Martin, in the centre, took the ball and kicked well. J. Lynsky, at half-back, played another good game and is improving evety match. The forwards all worked well, dribbling aud following up in great style. Lynsky (2) and Forrest worked hard in the pack, while H. Driscoll, Bate and Revell were seen to advantage in the open work. The line work of the Kaiapoi men was good, and they broke away on several occasions, the try whioh Duncan secured starting from one of these rushes. Morland, full-back for Merivale, gave another good exhibition, although he fumbled on one or two occasions, but he always seems to get out of his troubles smartly. P. Menzies, on the wing, did not play up to his usual form ; he fumbled a good deal, but did some fine tackling and attacked well. There is no doubt that Menzies stands too far away from his centre, as when that player goes straight it is impossible for a wing three-quarter, who stands so far back, to be able to be up and receive the ball when the eentrep assesit. Uru, ontheotherwing, kicked well, but seems sadly out of form. McCree, in the centre, gave a fine exhibition of kicking and tackling, but did not .have many chances to shine on the attack. lam very pleased to be able to congratulate McCree on his success. Forbes, at five-eighths, like McCree, kicked and tackled well, but seems slow at moving on the attack. Dansey, at half, performed very well considering he has just taken up the position, and I have no doubt will improve. Drake and Fitzgerald, on the wings, did a lot of useful following up. The former was also seen to advantage on theline out, and has improved a good deal this season. Fitzgerald also kicked well. The forwards worked well, but with such a heavy team should do better. , Fraser, Chambers, Brooker and Duggan seemed to show up prominently, the two former playing their best games, so-far, this season. Sydenham and • Gbristchlirch played their second match this season at Sydenham Park, when a last and well-contested game was won by the home team by 17 points to 8, this being the second time that they have triumphed over the Red and Blacks during the present campaign. The form was not Earticularly brilliant, combined play by the acks which the Linwood Club usually display, and which is so pleasing to witness, being conspicuous by its absence. But there were nevertheless several good pieces of individual play, and the game was so closely contested until towards the end that it proved really interesting. In the first spell play was very "even, and when half time was announced each side had placed a goal from a try to its credit. On changing over Sydenham quickly added an unconverted try to their score, but they only' retained their advantage for a short time before Christchurch equalised matters. After tliis neither team had much the better of the play for some time, but towards the close Sydenham asserted themselves, and D. Reese potted a goal, and also gained a try, which he converted into a goal. The score of 17 points to 8 in favour of the "Model Borough" representatives hardly indicates the true state of the game, as, although the winners had the better of the. play, they certainly did not have such an advantage as the scores would make appear. Mr C. W. Garrard, the referee, gave his decisions promptly, and the play from start to finish was free from dispute. Love, the Sydenham full-back, played a very saie game throughout, his tackling— what little he was called upon to perform— being sure, and his kicking was good, although early in the game he received an injury to one of his knees. D. Reese, centre three-'iuarter, has seldom, if ever, been seen tr. greater advantage, his exhibition both on the attack and defence being first-class. He made some good dodgy runs, and his kicking and tackling were also of the utmost service to his side. On*.and Smart on the wings had b_t few chances of showing their abilities when on the offensive, but each provtsd sure .adders, Orr in particular being first-class. Robson, at five-eighths, put in some good kicks and made some fair runs, while Forde at half-back stopped the rushes well, and passed fairly when he had the opportunity. Prominent amongst the forwards was D. Halliday, who perhaps could hardly be called a forward, as he appeared to have a roving commission, and was as often to be found assisting the backs as tue forward ranks. His long kicks time after time gained yards of ground for his side, and he played a gieat game on the line out. The other forwards all worked well, and a great deal of the credit of tie team's victory is due to their efforts'. For __ri.tchurch Glendinning appeared as full-back in the opening spell, when he kicked fairly, but he got out of his place at times, and His defence appeared weak, so at half time he went up to half in place of Townend, who went full-back. The change did not seem to give satisfaction, however, and half way through the spell the players named resumed their original positions. The dab tried the experiment of - playing four s

three-quarters, but it can hardly be said to have been a success, and the extra man forward would probably havo been of greater sen-ice to the team. Mendelson once mora represented his old club, this being the first championship match he has taken part in this season. He did good work in coaching and keeping his men together, but his individual efforts were a bit in and out. Two or throe time 3he displayed Hashes of his old form,- but on the whole he appeared, frightened, owing, no doubt, to his injured knee, to play with the same dash that he used to exhibit in former day.. Brown, on the ot/o,er wing, made a few fair runs and kicks, but he fumbled badly at times, while Middleton and Vangioni performed fairly in the centre, and they were most conspicuous in tlie few passing runs attempted. Townend was hardly as prominent as usual, while Lawrence, the other half-back, did but little barring making an occasional kick. The forwards got on some good dribbling rushes, and each worked hard, but none were especially prominent. Judging from the appearance of the play Linwood had one of the easiest contests on Saturday last that they could wish to be engaged in. Albion is no match for them. Linwood evidently soon found it out ar|4 trimmed their saila accordingly. Their short, sharp passing among their backs, and the loose play among the forwards, had the immediate effect of placing Albion in difficulties, and an explanation of why they did not score ottoner is left to their own consciences. Albion did their best to turn to account the indifference shown by the Linwood, and would fre(>u*ntly parry the play into the Greens' quarters, and several times got right on to the Greens lines. Bat ib was on these occasions that Linwood showed how cheaply they held their opponents, who were not allowed to even scramble over the lino, much less crosa it from a passing rush or a forward attaok. Campbell appeared as Linwood's full-back and all that need be said of his. play is thatv his collaring was passable and his kicking fell off very much as the game wore on, though at any timo ib was good enough for the game. The other backs gave several good exhibitions of passing and running, Ormandy tried hard and repeatedly, .hough unsuccessfully, to score; Byrne played a rattling game, and Orchard was always ready when called upon. F. O'Brien at five-eighths kept his three-quarters well supplied, and' Prioe found very little difficulty in getting the ball away from the scrum. Fanning, Preece and Sanders did some hard work in following up, and the other forwards showed good combination in the loose work, which they might have turned to better advantage. They just screwed the scrums as they liked. G. Johnson was entrusted to defend the goal for the Albion, but was scarcely a success, for he frequently failed to stop the ball or stem a rush, and other members of tlie team were called on too often to assist him. Machin, as centre three-quarter, was, not able to do much, .md hardly came up to reputed form. Burson and Nelson, on the wings, kicked well, but any efforts to run. were smartly frustrated by their opponent*. Butler divided the position of five-eightha* with Watkius, much to the credit of the former. Carr appearod for the first time this year as half-back and acquitted himself creditably, but had the misfortune to get one of hiß fingers injured, which interfered, very much with his play. J. Johnson, Bamford and Henwood were the pick of thfr forwards, all of whom were wanting in combination, arid were not very successful in' holding up the scrums against their more experienced opponents. On Saturday Kaiapoi meet Albion »- Kaiapoi, and Merivale and Christchurch ___ Linwood and Sydenham try conclusions in town, and L fancy the first named team i_> each instance will win. Of the 17 points obtained by Sydenham, on Saturday D. Eeese w_s responsible for the large share of I/I. He potted a goal from the field and gained two tries, which he Converted into goals. The Selection Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union will havo to keep their eye on him. McO'ree played a fine centre game for Merivale against Kaiapoi on Saturday, and seems to be improving. H. Phillips, of the Linwood F.C., did not play on Saturday owing to having injured his hand the previous week. The Kaiapoi forwards still keep up their reputation of being a good lot. The Kaiapoi and Merivale full-backs are both playing well at present. Un_ seems sadly out of form. Thorne should not talk so loudly when he is annoyed. T. Phillips, of the Merivale Club, could not play on Saturday, being on the sick list. Dansey, of the Merivale F.C., has the makings of a good half. 'J. Lynsky, the Kaiapoi half-back, v improving very fast. J. D. Fraser, captain of the Merivale Club, played a fine forward game on Saturday against Kaiapoi. Many old-time footballers will hear witb regret that the old East Christohuroh forward Telfair has become totully blind, and he leaves the Christchurch Hospital this week to become au inmate of the Blind Institute in Auckland. I have to acknowledge the receipt of the - " Wellington Rugby Union Annual for. 1898," which is edited by Mr W. C. Marter. the hon. sec. of the Wellington Rughy Union. The book is hardly as bulky as ft was last year, the summary ofia_t season s local matches being cut down somewhat, but ib still contains nearly 200 pages of interesting matter to followers of the garae» and it is one of the best annuals that hal appeared in the colony. In addition to this information that one usually finds in men books, there are a number of special articleon football topics. " The Prospects of a New Zealand Team visiting England" J_ dealt with by Mr T. R. Ellison, who ought to be au fait with the subject considering he visited the old country with the native team ten years ago. "The Southern Tour, which includes comment on the trouble about rough play in Dunedin, ia fully doalt with by "One who was there," and ** c *' features are "Items of Interest" and "Results of Colonial and Intercolonial Matches of 1897." The book contains several half-tone engravings of football teams, and Mr Marter"is to be congratulated on having brought out such an up-to-date work. The Masterton Oriental Club sent a team to Nelson during the Queen's Birthday holidays and played a series of three matches., On May 21st they defeated the Princs Albert by 12 points to nil; on May 24th they beat the Albion Club by 5 points to 3 5 and on May 26th they beat a combined team.? from the Nelson clubs by S points to 4. fWith the exception of the drawn go___ between Sydenham and -Albion on. May 14th

Tin.- been successful in predicting the winner*, of the Senior mat .lies played under the auspices of the C.R.U, during the last three A feature of tlie Sydenham -Christchurch »'m. vri- tlie fine kicking of Halliday and f .„ W iii> each gained a lot of ground for t,T- ■_•>• by their effort.. -~,.,rim ' handled the ball very well piny- : n , ~;n*. Sydenham. On one or.a. inn in tl f-rct .7"" " ne °f l'* s - Slc *'- threw the ball ■X ' <-~'.. Mit Vangioni look it splendidly ■rlien 'inning at full speed. , v.l that a well known Dunedin • '~,,■ ;« _ i appciir before the Otago Ri-guy {*._!..<> ou a (I arge of professionali. m. T^| r it. I'alhraith. who played for Otago a j»„:ii**i l iiti.-rbury in 15..:), when the match was p'-v-'d "t Lancaster Park in such bad weather th it when one of the players lost a portion of hi*" net her garments he "..it on the iroiind inr * *-'»vcrcd tip hi. nakedness with mud. is a-:ting as -i':er_e in Southland this ge_3i ,n - The fir.*.t championship m. Hi between the JVihling and S.uidon L'iub.. was played at g:..'(l"ii on May 2i-tit. v.lien Feilding won by 10 point* (a potted goal raid two tries) to 5 (a gal fi' l m a try). Foi the winners Foster potted a !,'.«-! and secured a try. and Haatie gecred a try. and for Sundon Speedy gained a tr.. which Harper converted. A Patea paper commenting on the junior match between the White Star and Kltlmm Clubs, .ays — "The game needs no other description than tli.it it was an unscientific »nd disgraceful rough-and-tumble maul. During the game there were no less than five * knock-:-.i:t " —four Kit ham men and. one White Star (L. Taylor); and the referee ordered two pl-iycrs—on. Star and one Kltham —-.iff tlie ground for indulging in a fistic opera!ion instead of attending strictly 'to 'football' business. ... Of cour.«-e jt is difficult to say which team was mainly reponsible for the rough and bullocky nature of the game: but it certainly cannot be denied that the absurd play of the Eltham forwards on the line did not tend to free the game from roughness, nor did it prove, in any way advantageous to them." The following are the results of the premiership matches played in Melbourne on May 21* t: —Kssendon, 6 goals 8 behind. (38 points), beat S. Melbourne, 3 goals 9 hebinds (27 points)' Melbourne, 11 goals 9 behinds (75 points), beat Carlton, 3 goals (18 points): Geelong, 11 goals 19 behinds (85 points!..beat S. Kilda, 2 goals 5 behinds (17 points); Williamstown, 3 goals 7 behinds (25 points), beat Footseray. 4 goals 7 behinds (27 points); Port Melbourne, 9 goals 15 behinds (69 points), beat Richmond, 2 goals 13 behinds (25 points); North Melbourne. 11 goals 14 behinds (80 points), beat Brunswick, 2 goals 1 behind (13 points). The firs*t match this season between the Grey and Hokitika clubs was played at Greymouth on May 28th, when the former gained an unexpected win by 17 points (a goal and 4 tries) to 11 (a goal and 2 tries). In the first spell Hokitika had all the best of tho play, and j at half time they had scored 11 points to - nothing, but on changing ends the home team played up so well that thoy gained five tries, one being converted. At Sydney on May 21st the Senior premiership matches resulted as follows :— Randwick beat Sydney by 21 points (3 goals from tries and 2 tries) to 7 (a {Kitted goal and a penalty goal); Wallaroo ieat the Pirates by 16 points (2 goals from tries and 2 tries) to 9 (a goal from a try and and n potted goal). On the same day the Brisbane Past G rammer School Boys defeated the Combined Sydney Schools at Sydney by 16 points (2 goals from tries and 2 tries) to nil. The final tio for the Football Association's Challenge Cup was played at the Crystal Palace on April 16th between the Notts Forest and Derby County teams, when the lormer won by 3 goals to 1. The " gate " numbered 60,826, which is nearly 6000 short of the "record" gate twelve months previously. An international league match between England and Scotland (Association rules) was played at Aston Lower Grounds, Birmingham, on April 9th, when Scotland won by 2 goals to 1. It is estimated that 20,000 spectators witnessed the game. On April 11th a coroner's jury at Doncaster found a verdict of manslaughter against Patrick Burns, a labourer, of Doncaster, for causing the death of Albert Nuttridge, of Castlcford, during a Rugby match on the Belle Vive Ground at Doncaster on Good Friday. Tho prisoner, who was committed for trial at the Assizes on the coroner's war;ant, was admitted to bail.