FOOTBALL NOTES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1530, 5 June 1891, Page 2

FOOTBALL NOTES.

By Drop-Kick. Clyde v. Matakanui. ( Communicated.) The Clyde team proceeded to Matakanui on Saturday last to meet the local team there. In view of the form shown by the Matakanui club in its match against Alexandra it was evident a close fight might be expected, and on the whole the Matakanui were the favorites. The teams were as follows: Clyde (led and blue). Full-back : R. Pearson. Three-quarters :W. Holt, W. Stevens, J. Holt. Hal\es: A. E. Wong Gye, G. Jones. Forwards : Hale, Barry, Strang, Mackellar, Welsford, McConnochie, O’Connor, Webster, and Gilkison (captain). Matakanui (blue). Full-back: Percy. Three-quarters: Melton, Boddi gton, Donnelly. Halves: W. Williamson, Greenbank. Forwards: Mellor, Ryan, Moran, Truesdale, Wall, White, A. Williamson, Cumick, and Norman. The Clyde captain won the toss and elected to play down hill for the first spell. The blues kicked off, and the ball was at once returned. Some scrimmaging took place near the centre of the ground, from which the red forwards carried the ball with a dribbling rush to Matakanui’s quarters. The blues strove hard to defend their liues and were forced down twice. At last W. Holt, who was playing three-quarter well out in the wing, secured the ball, and after a hard run scored a well deserved try near the corner flag. No goal resulted from the kick. Webster obtained a mark almost in front of the blues goal, and later still Stra.ig secured a try near the posts, but both place kicks were failures. The first spell ended Clyde 2 points, Matakanui nil. In the second spell the Matakanui team by dint of good forward play, and good passing to the backs for a time penned ia Clyde and the latter forced down. Then the reds rallying got on a good rush and took the ball to the blue quarters. The fullback speculated, and the ball striki g the red forwards rebounded behind the line, a d W, Holt following wel> up scored another try for Clyde. The place kick was again a failure. After this the Matakanui men enjoyed a good time for they rushed the ball well down the field and kept the Clyde men penned in their quarters. Some good runs were made by Boddington and Melton, and eventually J. Ryan drew first blood for Matakanui. The try was not enhauceu. Some careless passing in the Red’s quarters led to a scrimmage being formed close to the Clyde line. The ball coining out was pounced upon by Truesdale who scored try No. 2. Tne major point was not scored. Shortly afterwards time was called leaving Clyde victorious by 3 points to 2 points.

The game was closely contested throughout. The place-kicking of both teams was weak or a much heavier score would have be in made. Both forward teams worked well and hard. The Matakanui were decidly the heavier, "and had the best of the tight scrimmages, while the Clyde team being light plaved a fast open game with great success. Welsford in the Clyde team deserves special mention for his good dribbling and hard work, but all plaved hard and well. Of the backs W. Stevens kicked and ran well, and Jones at half-back was invaluable. For Matakanui Melton and Boddington as backs did a great deal of work, and of the forwards Wall, Ryan, and Mellor were the best Mr Flint acted as Referee an i Mr Laidlaw and Mr Morris umpired tor Clyde and Matakanui respectively! In the evening the local men entertained their visitors at a smo.ee concert at Mr Eheppaid’s hotel, and a most enjoyable evening was spent.

The Matakanui Football Club have been presented by Mrs Laidlaw, Matakanui Station, with a handsome Banner which is very much appreciated by the members of the club. The banner is made of blue and red silk with t’.ie monogram M.F.C. in large letters in the centre, and is a very pretty one.

The first match under the banner was that played against Alexandra on Monday, May 25, at Matakanui, in which the home team were victorious. The game all through was a forwards one. In the first spell Melton kicked a splendid goal from a mark at the 25 flag. Greenbank scored a try between the posts and Melton converted it. In the second spell the game was more even and fast-r. Boddington bv a good run got over the line at the corner flag, and scored between the posts, (it may be mentioned iiere that when Boddington ran o.erthe line the Alexandra men stopped and let him run round to the posts instead of endeavoring to prevent uim.) Melton was again successful witn the kick. When time was called no further score was made, and the game stood Matakanui 9 points, Alexandra nil. For the winners Melton, Boddington, Greenbank, and Walls played well while Martinjas full-back was safe. For the losers Rivers, Leicester, Ah Wing, and Paget are worthy of praise. The talking- and insubordination of the forwards of both teams was disgraceful and uncalled for and it is earnestly hoped that it will not occur again. The visitors were entartained to a smoke concert in Sheppard’s hotel, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The Clyde Juniors met the Matakanui Juniors on Saturday, May 30, at Matakanui, and were defeated by 3 points (1 goal) to 2 tries. In the first spell the Clyde boys had the best of it, E. Attfaeld and W. Ryan scoring, but the atte npts at goal were failures. In the second spell Sutherland scored for Matakanui and T. Reid kicked a splendid goal. Forthe winners Todd, Green'oank, Reid, and W. M’Niesh did the inost work, while for the losers A. Wong Gye, E. Attfield, and W. Ryan did the lions share. Cromwell and Bannockburn meet to-morrow. The game should be a close one. Four entries have been received by the secretary of th« Cromwell Ladies Challenge Trophy—Clyde, Roxburgh, Cromwell, and Bannockburn. Not to be outdone by other up-country teams in the important matter of a banner, the local team at length, I notice, are the happy possessors of a highly elaborate one, which does credit to the member in whose fertile brain the idea originated. The banner under notice is composed of a very costly material embellished with the usual initials, and did service in the recent trip to Matakanui. The combined Clyde and Alexandra Juniors have accepted the challenge of the combined Cromwell and Bannockburn Juniors for a match at Clyde on the 13th. The Town and Country matches will be played about the end of August. A combined practice of the Alexandra and Clyde clubs will be held on the Clyde ground to-morrow afternoon. Members of both teams are requested to roll up sharp so that a good practice may be indulged in.—Oval.