FOOTBALL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXV, Issue 38, 21 May 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

KAITAXGATA v. OWAKA.

The above match was played at lvaitangata on Saturday before a large crowd of spectators including a fair number of' ladies. The ground was a trifle heavy, making the ball greasy. The game was a hard fought one from start to finish and it was anybody's game right up till the whistle went for time. Kaitangata defeated Owaka by 8 points to 3 t| this being the first time for four years that Owaka has been beaten. Some excellent play was witnessed, in fact it was easily the best game of rugby ever playod in Kaitangata. Owaka wore favorites although the Kaitangata Boys had made up their minds to "go for all they were worth." The teams were as follows :

Owaka. - Backs - G. Duff, Lemune, Tobin, Sutton, Richardson, Mason, White ; forwards—Cooper, White, McLay(2), McKeehrXe, A. Dutf, Durban, Latta (wing). Kaitangata Backs—Dallas, Craig, Currie, Penman, Douglas, Sharp, Hughes ; forwards—Hansen, Kitto, Ramsay, Te Au, McAuley, Paterson, Ramsay, Mills (wing). Ovwka set the ball rolling at once and assumed tlio agressive gradually working their way to Kai. line. Eore a series of scrums 1 took place. Kulitangata being compelled to force twitse. Owaka still continued the attack, Cooper, Dull and White [jutting in good work but the defence of the Kaitangata backs was superb. A passing rush among the Owaka backs was stopped in the nick of time. Relief cam to Kaitangata as tlie result of a free kick against Owaka for offside play. Good play by Douglas and Penman took play into Owaka territory. The backs were giving a line exhibition of line (kicking. Hughes and Douglas, by good play, took the leather near to Owaka's line where some very hot play ensued. Sutton relievod by finding the line with a good kick. Kaitangata were awarded a free kick for off slide play by Owaka, but Ramsay's kick went wide of the posts. Owaka now rallied' and by good forward rushes took the ball to Kaitangata's twenty-live, Dallas being called on several times to save which lie did splendidly. Splendid line kicking by Craig gained 1 a lot of ground, and a good run by Douglas and Sharp put Owaka on the defensive. Kaitangata were now playing a great game, and penned Owaka on their line for some time. From a line out Paterson had hard luck in not scoring as he crossed the line but was collared before he could' ground the ball. The Owaka backs' defence was soverely tested but they proved cqnal to the task, Lemane and Richardson (putting in stave spljandid I wotfky The/ Owaka forwards broke away with tbe ball at their toe only to be checked by Dallas (who was playing a great game.)! Kaitangata got the ball from a scrum about halfway and shifted the play to Owaka's line where a lot of scrums and line-outs took place. Kaitangata getting the ball from a serum near Owaka's line, the backs started a passing rush whioh ended in Craig getting over at the corner scoring first blood amidst great cheering, J. Ramsay converted with a marvellous kick right from the out line. Richardson had to leave the field, having twisted his knee, his place being taken by his brother. Half-time was called shortly after with the score, Kaitangata 5, Owaka nil. On resuming, Owaka at once settled down to business, and gave Kaitangata a lively time defending their lin,e, -the forwards getting, on some foe rushes, Coopet generally Wag ia

| the least. over anxious lost them several chances of scoring. Kaitangata worked their way to Owaka's territory, where some exciting play took place, Kitto, Ramsay, and Hansen were conspicuous for good work, but the safe defence of Ayson, White and Sutton held them. For off-side play by Owaka, Kaitangata were awarded a free kick about the 25. J. Ramsay took the kick, and made mo mistake about it, making the score Kaitangata 8, Owaka nil. This reverse livened Owaka up, and for some time kept Kaitangata busy defending. A good murk by Kitto brought relief, but not for long, as Owaka were soon oil the job again, chiefly through the eli'orts of Cooper, Latlta, and Duff. From a loose scrum, Paterson and lc Au broke away, but did not get far, as the defence was too solid. Owaka now got away with a rush, but Penman relieved with a good kick. Hughes and Douglas put in some splendid defence play, and (Jraig and Currie gained a lot of ground with powerful kicks. Owaka were now playing a determined game, and a good kick by Sutton put Kai. on defensive. From a scrum in Kai's 25, Owaka backs got possession, and Ays'on smartly sent the ball to Sutton, who transferred to Tobin, who cleverly eluded the opposing backs and scored near the corner. White failed to convert. Ths kick out was well returned by Lemane, and Owaka once more were on Kai's line, and for otf-side play by Kaitangata, Owaka were awarded a free-kick in a good position, but White failed with the kick at goal. Owaka were now getting the best of the game, but Dallas s.ivcd brilliantly on several occasions. Owaka kept up the attack on fun s line, but could not break through the defence. Shortly after tho whistle sounded for time, the game ending Kaitangata 8, Owaka 3.

The play throughout was of a very high standard, one and all playing for all they were worth. Special mention may bo nmde of Tobin, Sutton, Lemuno, and White (backs), Cooper, Dull, Latta (forwards) for Owaka ; and Dallas, Penman, Douglas, Hughes (backs), Ramsay, Palerson, Hansen, Te Au (forwards) for Kaitangata.

Mr P. C. Hislop refereed in his usual capable manner. At half-time hot coffee was supplied to the players bv the lady supporters, and was greatly appreciated. DINNER. After the match the teams dined together in Burrell's Hall, where a splendid repast was provided by Host Burred. The lady supporters kindly assisted at the tables.

About 50 sat down, and a very encouple of hours was spent. The following comprised the toastlist :—"The King," proposed by the president, Mr Souness ; "The Owaka Club," proposed by Mr Soilness, and responded to by W. Tobin; •'Kaitangata Club," proposed by W. Tobin, and responded to by J. Mills ; "The S.O.R.F,proposed by J. Oliver, and responded to by (j. W. Wood (president); "Ihe Referees," proposed by E. McLaughlin, and responded to by Mr Hislop and Mr Shanks ; "The Ladies, proposed by J. Mills, and responded to by W. Paterson ; ''The President of Kaitangata Club," proposed by Mr G. W. Wood, and responded to by Mr Souness. During the evening Mr Souness, on behalf of the Club, presented Mr E. McLaughlin with an enlarged photo of the team, in recognition of the valuable services rendered to the Club by Mr McLaughMr McLaughlin briefly returned thanks. Several songs were sung during the evening. Owaka left at 7 p.m., the Kaitangata boys giving a hearty send-off. a

THE NEW RULE. A Clydevale Footballer writes : Regarding the present all-absorbing topic among footballers, that of the new rule, it appears to be a case of "much ado about nothing." One correspondent says "that it will kill football in South Otago." Wow, for the originator of a brainless statement commend me to that person. I think it is generally recognised that ihi'i'e is only one player who is inconvenieneed By this rule, and in the iace of that we are to believe that the very existence of the game rests upon the question of this player being allowed to play for the ' team lie wishes to or not. I think that vour correspondent in stating that the'rule would kill football, let his pen travel faster than his brain, with the result that ho has insulted his own intelligence. Ike least these disturbing elements can do is to - give the rule a fair trial ;it has only been in force since the beginning of the season, and therefore cannot yet be judged by results. _ But it was ever thus. In all the different spheres of work or play you will find a minority of squeakers, who oppose anything in the nature of reform, ciuite regardless of the fact as to whether the nieasuro is good or bad, A certain club lias gone the length of appealing to the Otago Union. The appeal, I believe, is based upon a mere technicality—a supposed irregularity in the method of procedure adopted in passing ,thc rule, yet its real object is to smash the rule. It looks very like a case of "if you can't get at it through the front door, then crawl over the backyard wall." Well, even if they get at it by the backyard method, I think that they are welcome to all the satisfaction they can get out oi it. It cercerCuinly will not raise them in the opinion of footballers and sports throughout South Otago ; also, it will do the Union no good, and will do football no good. Surely then, such a barren victory is not worth all the squabbling, ill-feeling, and petty jealousy it involves. If this objection to the rule was as widespread as some would have us believe, it would ' amount practically to a "no confidence motion" in the Union. If it were so, why don't the clubs call upon their delegates to resign, elect new ones, and so alter the personnel of the Union ? However, I think that with the exception of an unfortunate few, players recognise that as sports and gentlemen they are in honour bound" to uphold the decision of the Union, loiowing that its members conscientiously believe that this rule is all for the good of the game.

For Children's Hacking Cough at night, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, 1/6 wvi 2/6, s