FOOTBALL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2046, 24 June 1907, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

[By “ Free Kick.”]

CROMWELL Y. ALEXANDRA. The above teams met on the Alexandra ground last Saturday in thenfirst flag match for the season. Both teams were strong and very confident of success The day was an ideal one for football, and a large number of spectators were present from all parts of the district. Alexandra (Greens) won the toss, and Cromwell (Blues) kicked off. The Blues immediately carried play to the Green’s twenty-five, where some give and take play ensued. From a scrum the Blues attempted a pass, but without effect Hard kicking by the Greens backs relieved the pressure,

ami play was] centred. The Green forwards broke away and carried play to Blue territory, but sound defence prevented a score. From a line out in the Blues twenty five, Melville unsuccessfully potted and the Blues forced. Dwyer dropped out and scrums and line outs ensued in midfield. The Blues broke away on three occasions, but infringements spoiled any chance of scoring. King marked and returned play to Blue twenty five and from a free-kick Melville again potted but without success. From the kick out the Greens forwards, who were beating the Blue pack, again carried the ball up the field and King attempted to pot but a poor kick resulted. After again kicking out the Blue backs, by good linekicking, shifted play to Green territory, and from a mark Dwyer had a pot, but the ball went wide and the Greens forced. From the kick-out plav hovered in midfield, and halftime blew without either side scoring.

On resuming the second half play became very slow, long-kicking by both sets of hacks, and scrams, lineouts, and infringements being too frequent. The Greens forwards attacked and carried play right up to the Blues line, but the full back relieved. A free kick to Blues shifted play to midfield, where it remained for a time. The Greens forwards were gaining possession of the ball in the scrum and their backs threw it about, but a stubborn defence by the Blues always came to the rescue. High-kicking and fast-following up by the Blue forwards shifted play to the Greens line, and from a scrum a good chance on the blind side was spoilt by erratic passing. A mark by King relieved and the backs on both sides put in some long kicks ■without finding the line and very uninteresting play resulted. A passing rush by the Greens in midfield was spoilt by their half going too far, and more scrums ensued. Towards the end of the spell the Blues again attacked and O. Cahill attemp ted a pot, but the ball did not rise, Yery little of interest occurred towards the end of the game, and

when time was called both sides had failed to score. The game was probably the worst exhibition of football ever witnessed on the Alexandra ground, and was more of a scramble than an exhibition between two recognised firstrate teams. Infringements were too frequent throughout the game, and poor judgment in line-kicking gave the forwards on both sides a lot of unnecessary work. The Greens forwards were the bettor pack, but their backs did not make much use ot the ball. The Blue backs seldom got the ball but their defence was very sound. For Alexandra, King was the

mainstay of the backs, his taking and kicking being good. Morgan and Kirk were the best of a good set of forwards. For Cromwell, Yarcoe was safe at fall-back, although he kicked badly on one or two occasions. Cahill, Holden and Dwyer did a lot of saving work on defence, but the threequarters got few opportunities of using their pace. Corcoran, at half, played a good game behind a losing pack and made good use of the few opportunities which he got. Of the forwards, Tizard,. Wrightson, and Blackie were prominent. Mr C. Hanning, as referee, was fair and impartial in his decisions. Messrs Carter and Davidson acted as line umpires.

LOWBURN V. MATAKANUI. The above teams met on the latter’s ground last Saturday . A keen wind blew across the field and somewhat marred the game. Lowburn (Yellow's) won the toss, and Matakanui (Redal kicked off, and for a time had the Yellow's in trouble, a force resulting. From the kick out good passing by the Yellows carried play up the field to the Reds line, and a strong attack by the Yellows ensued, W. Willson and H. Partridge making very determined efforts to score. For off-side play the Yellows were awarded a free-kick under the posts and H. Willson placed an easy goal. From the kick-off the Yellows again attacked, but the Reds gradually worked the ball into midfield. From some loose play Rushton broke away, ably supported by Moran and Sutherland, the latter scoring in a good position. L. Huddlestone converted. For the rest of the spell play was centred, and at half-time the scores were, Matakanui 5, Lowburn 3. On resuming, play' hovered in midfield for a time. The Reds then set up a determined forward attack, and for a time play raged on the Yellows line, several scrums being given for scrambling over the line. W. Willson relieved with a clever kick, and the Yellows carried play right to the Reds line, and a force resulted. Passing by the Yellows kept the Reds busy, another force resulting from an Ineffectual attempt to pot. The closing stages of the game were conned to midfield and time was sounded

leaving Matakanui victorious by spts (a goal from a try) to 3pts (a penalty goal). For Matakanui, G. Sutherland at half, was sound and did a lot of useful line kicking. The other backs also kicked well. Of a heavy even set of forwards, Huddlestone was the pick. For Lowburn, W. Willson played a great game, and W. Campbell and Betts also did well. A. Campbell was the pick of the forwards, and was the best individual forward on the ground. H. Partiidge also did good work. Mr G. Galloway controlled the game in a highly satisfactory manner, his decision never being questioned, Messrs B. Haig and W Ewart acted as line umpires. The visitors speak highly of the treatment of the Matakanui boys, and were entertained at a dance on Saturday evening.

The following team has been chosen to represent Cromwell in the match against Matakanui on the local ground next Saturday : Full-back—H. Gair. |’s —D. Jolly, J. Dwyer, J. Varcoe. Cahill, R. Varcoe. —P. Corcoran. Forwards—T. Blackie, G. Wishart, H. Orr, J. Holden, R. Wrightson, J. Tizard. T. Mackenzie. Wing, G. Talboys. Emergencies—Backs, Smart, Deans. Forwards, Tizard, Richardson. The team picked for Saturday are requested to roll up for practice on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., and on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Cromwell and Matakanui meet on the former’s ground next Saturday and a good game should be witnessed. Lowburn also play Matakanui on the Lowbmn ground next Friday, their first match in the second round.

The final flag match in Lake County fer the possession of the banner for the season was played at Arrow between Arrow and Remarkables last Wednesday, and after a keen and interesting game, victory rested with the Remarkables team by a goal from a try to a try.

Footballers will regret to learn that Mr J. Donnelly, who was injured in the Clyde-Cromwell match three weeks ago and sustained an injury to his arm, has had to go to Dunedin to get the arm attended to. He was informed at Clyde when he left the ground that he had strained a muscle or something to that effect, but on receiving no relief from the treatment ordered he proceeded to Dunedin, and it was discovered a bone in the elbow was broken. Mr Donnelly had to undergo a severe operation at great expense, and we believe ho is now doing as well as expected. We believe it is the intention of the Cromwell Club to give Mr Donnelly a benefit match in the form of a gate from one of the flag fixtures, a move that should meet with the approval of all followers of the game.

FIXTURES AND REFEREES. The following fixtures and referees for same were drawn up : First Round. June 29.—Matakanui v. Cromwell, at Cromwell.—Mr Hanning. July 6.—Alexandra, v. Lowburn, at Lowburn.—Mr Swann: Second Round. June 28.—Matakanui v. Lowburn, at Lowburn. —Mr Jolly. June 29.—-Alexandra v. Clyde, at Clyde.—Mr Marslin. July 6. —Clyde v. Matakanui, at Matakanui.—Mr Burnside. July 13.- Clyde v. Cromwell, at Cromwell.—Mr Jolly. July 13 Matakanui v. Alexandra, at Alexandra.- Mr Hanning. July 20. - Lowburn v. Alexandra, at Alexandra.—Mr Hanning. July 27.—Cromwell v. Matakanui, at Matakanui. Mr Marslin.

August 31. Alexandra v. Cromwell, at Cromwell.—Mr Swann. August 31. —Lowburn v. Clyde, at Clyde.—Mr Marslin.

Cromwell v. Lowburn was left open, Mr Marslin or Mr Hanning to act.