FOOTBALL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLVI, Issue 17, 26 August 1919, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

By Old' Til. SOUTH OTAOO v. "DIGGERS." The conditions of Saturday- must have leniinded the "Diggers" team somewhat of the. weather "over there." Hain fell in the morning-, and this turned into a disagreeably strong wind by the time the match started. The following! teams lined out:— Heturned Soldiers.—Cuff; Kdwards, Heads, J. Hislop; Matchett, Fahev; Duff; Whclan, McKay, Dixon. Bryan*, Uribbcn, Race. A. Hislop, Duff. South Ota j, r o.—Josephs; Shepherd; I'ruscott. Hand;' Jackman, Cowan; I'rcbble; Han-en, Smith, Hone Ander>oll, Mi-Caiiley, Bairon, Hewitt, Costello, McFeetcrs.

The soldiers won the toss, and had the advantage of the strong wind. They did- not make judicious use of it. however, much of their kicking being too hard. However, they drew first blood, a high South Otago kick being carried over the latter's owir goal line, a soldier pouncing on it at the corner. A line pa.-sing rush by the Civilian backs, in which Jackman made a dashing run, resulted in a score. Immediately upon resumption another passing rush—Prebblc, Jackman, Cowan, Prescott, and Shepherd participating—terminated in Shepherd scoring after a- strong run. Play was 1 fairly even when the soldiers crossed over three points to the bad. Ft- was expected that the second spell would be one-sided, but for the first 20 minutes this was not so, the soldiers' forwards quite holding their own against the Civilian'backs. The civvy" forwards participated in- a piece of open work, and- Smith got over. The soldiers retaliated, and from a free kick Ilcadls landed l a good goal against the wind. Condition, however, was beginginning to tell, amongst the soldier backs particularly, and the tackling became indifferent. Jackman forged ♦hrough several opponents and seoredi, and Prescott also mad'e a fine dodgy run and ran round 'behind the posts. However, he should have been tackled early in his journey. This try was converted*, making the score 17 points to six.

The soldiers had bad luck in not- scoring on two other occasions, heads lead ing a rush that just missed.

The Civilian backs were altogether too good for their opponents. Josephs outclassed Cuff, who has been "off 7 ' the past two Saturdays. Josephs did not make a mistake. Shepherd showed fine pace, and Prescott played a. good centre game.

Hand had few chances, but did what was asked of him. Jackman was responsible for imost of the open work on his side, lie put in. one or two capital runs and worked well with Prebble, who, at half, showed that he can play an, attacking game as weft as defensive. Cowan participated in the passing rushes very effectively, his pace making him a source of danger. In the forwards, Hansen was always in the loose rushes in- spite of his position in the front rank. MeFeetcrs, a'n emergency, was as piominent as anybody, his tackling being very sure. McCauley was also prominent.

The "Digger" backs lacked combination. 'Cuff was disposed to speculate, and Heads, probably oiv account of being required to "rove," did not give an exhibition- up to his usual fine plays. Matchett did effective tackling, ■but Fahey was amiss in this department. Duff,-at half, did good saving work.

The forwurdis put up a capital performance, and their dribbling rushes, | with the ball well in command at their toes, had the opposing backs bustlei at times. Whelan and Dixon were prominent in this respect. Gribben also showed good form. The game was the most attractive seen on the ground! this season from a spectator's point of view. The ball was thrown about with commendable freedom, and the result wai a passing display that spectators did not give the trains the credit of being capable of. There was a fair attendance of spectators. £9 odd being taken at the gates. Mr Wkite controlled the game. In the evening the soldier team was entertained by the Su'b-Union at a smoke social in the Dalton Hall, a pleasant time being spent in speechifying, singing, etc. 80UT1I OTA'GO TEAM. The following team has 'been selected to play the Eastern District at Gore on (probably) Wedtoesd'ay week (September H: — Full-back—Cuff (Toko). Threequarters - Shepherd (Toko). I'rescott (Crescent), and Josephs (Crescent). Fife-eighths—Cowan (Crescent) and Heads (Toko). Half—Pre'bblo (ltoniahapa). Forwards—Baird (Crescent), Hansen (Crescent), Whelan (Clutha), Hone' Anderson (Clutha), Barron (Crescent), Costello (Toko), Gribben (Crescent), Hewitt (Toko). The selection committee has made a good choice hr the forwards. The Crescent front-rankers couldi not be passed, and Gribben has? played himself into the team by his displays in recent matches. This one player is the only exception to the combination "Old Tn " suggested a. fortnight ago. and, as stated, the choice is right. With Barron, Hewitt, 11. Amlerson, Whelan, aud Costello in the open the. combination will be hard l to beat. [n the backs, however, surprise will lie felt at. the- exclusion of Jackman, whose form on Saturday was equal to if not better than that of any back On the ground. He was the king pin, as an inner five-eighths has to be, in the passing rushes, and otherwise his play was consistently good. The. selection committee had experimented in putting Josephs up to wiii'g-threequarter. Ik is as Kur» as a Taieri flood at fall-back, but his style of play does not impress one. as that of a threequarter. Probably Cuff's 'fine displays up till recently made ths committee loth to drojf him;

hence a place; 'being Sound! for both fullbacks. Prescott and Shepherd are right, ami Heads' transfer to five-eighths well advised, as he is a player that wants plenty to do, and he will dlo it in any position. Cowan'si all-round good qualities mad« his exclusion a difficult matter, but a wing-threequarter position would probably suit him better than five-eighths if ho had to go in, which would have made room for Jackman. Prebble, at half, played himself right into the team 1 oil' Saturday. The team is a strong one, and "Old 'Un" will be very much .surprised: if it dtoes not liolcl its own in the southern town.

The funds of the Sub-Union amount to about £6O with practically no liabilities. The gates have been good, but payment of the players' transit expenses to matches made a hole in- the proceeds.

The Sub-Union is in communication with the Otago Union relative to a match in Dunedin against an Otago team. The Sub-Union has offered' to pay half its team's expenses and leave the Otago Union the gate. The Otago team pass through to-day by motor to Invercargill to play the Southland! representative team.