FOOTBALL NOTES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1362, 28 May 1895, Page 5

FOOTBALL NOTES.

["Goal-post."] On Friday the Bannoekburn and Alexandra clubs played the first match of the season on the former's ground. A good match was expected, but those who looked for one were disappointed, the game ending in a most decided win for Bannoekburn by 20 points to nil. The game was to have started at 1.30 p.m. sharp, but owing t.i tne dilatoriness of some of the Alexandra men play did not begin till nearly 2.30. Alexandra were three men short and A. Lawrence, J. Williams, and J. Cahill played as substitutes. The Bannoekburn team was much heavier than their opponents, the yellows not having the ponderous team of former years. The teams lined out as follows: Alexandra. —Full-back Cairns ; threequarters —J. Williams, Batchelor, Jackson (captain) ; halves—Hueston, Reid ; forwards—Theyers (2), Jackson (2), 3. Barr, Gemmel, M'Laren, Lawrence; Cahill. Bannoekburn. —Full-back M'Ewen ; three-quarters T. Lawrence, John M'Elligott, R. Robertson; halves—W. Robertson, J. M'Uabe ; forwards—R. Thomson, Halliday, G. Lawrence, J. E. M'Elligott, C. Marchant, Toms, J. Ray, J. Perry, W. Sutherland., Bannoekburn won the toss and elected to play up hill. Alexandra kicked off. For a time the play was of a give and take nature, the ball travelling from one part of the field to another with great speed. The game was, however, too much confined to the forwards. At last G. Lawrence scored a try close to the posts, from which R. Robertson kicked a good goal. After the kick ofF, play shifted to the Bannoekburn end and the maroona

were kept busy defending. One of the yellows got over and scored what appeared to be a try but the referee ruled that the ball had been carried back. During the rest of the spell play was pretty well centred. At last VV. Robertsou snapped the ball from the scrum and passed it out to Tom Lawrence, who, in turn sent it along to R. Robertson, the latter scoring after a fine dodgy run, but no goal was kicked. On changing ends the Bannockburn adopted heeling out tactics and went in for passing, the forwards sending the ball out to the half backs from almost every scrum. The Alexandra played with wreat dash and pluck but were outclassed, beine greatly in want of combination among the backs. Tries were scored by G. Lawrence (3), J. M'Cabo and Jack M'EUigott but no goals were kicked. The game ended in favor of Bannockburn to the tune of 20 to nil. For Bannockburn, Marchant, Ealliday, M'EUigott, and O. Lawrence were the pick of the forwards, and Robertson and T Lawrence of the backs. For Alexandra J Barr played a first class forward game, and the Theyers brothers showed up well. Williams and Batchelor put in some good work in the back division, while Cairns made a very safe full back. The passing of the Bannockburn team was much better than it has been in former years, although it is still defective, as they pass standing, their object evidently being to give the wing threequarter a chance for a dashing run, after which the ball is not centered, but dashed down to be scrummed about by the forwards. Mr J. Fleming acted as referee, while Messrs Horn and Warburton acted as touch line umpires.