FOOTBALL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2489, 12 July 1909, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

(By “ Dkoi'-kick. ) CLYDE v. LOWBURN. The return match between these teams was played at Clyde on Saturday, both sides Ibelug represented by fairly strong combinations. The loccl team was without the services of Armstrong who was on the sick list, and Lowhurn was unfortunate in losing Crumble shortly before the close of the first spell, owing to a knock on an old injury, his place being filled by a substitute for the remainder of the game. The ground was in very bad order owing to the frost, being muddy on the surface and as hard as iron underneath. Lowburu won the toss and played with the sun at their backs. From the start Clyde pressed hard and within the first quarter ot an hour Davidson placed a good goal from a marked secured by Allan. The slippery nature or the ground made good back p. w / difficult and the game resolved itself into a struggle between the forwards, The Lowburn pack were holdiug their own well in the tight work but in the loose the Red and Black forwards were getting all over them. Towards the end of the spell, Williams who was playing with great dash on the wing, made several determined efforts to get over, being stopped just on the line several times before eventually succeeding. Davidsou’s kick did not enhance the score and the spell ended GO. On changing over give and take play followed for some time. Lowburn were getting a good share of the ball from the scrums and were ranking more use of their back division than the home team, but the tackling was too sine lor the Yellows. Joe Davidson was responsible for the next score following up well and heating the opposition touched down near the corner. M illiams made a good effort with the kick but the heavy ball foil a trifle short. A few minutes after saw Gye and Davidson making for the line with only the Lowburn full-back to beat. What looked a cer'ain try was lost however by Davidson hanging on too long. Lowburn livened up after this reverse and took play away from their end, where the local boys had a turn defending for a bit. Williams and Crawford were chiefly responsible for shifting play and returning the attack. Crawford then broke away from a loose rush and transferring to Davidson the latter gained an easy score. Williams just failed with another good kick. With only a few minutes to go Lowburn set up a hot attack and penned the Reds on their Hue. A score seemed imminent but Williams with clever play turned defence into attack. Young then came away from the ruck and scored a good try on his own just on the call of time. Williams made another good shot but the distance was too much for him. The game ended with Clyde 15 and Lowburn 0. Williams was easily the best back on the ground, kicking with good judgment, and running with great dash aud skill. The Clyde forwards played well to a man and it would be hard to individualise them. In the loose work especially they completely ran over their opponents and never seemed to tire for an instant. A. Waddell played a particularly good game aud Crawford was right up to form. In loose work anywhere near the line he and Skipper Davidson were a combination that were always a menace to the opposing side. Robertson, a young player on his first game, also put up a very good performance. Young took the ball well on the line outf but returned too often to the half hack instead of varying his play. His try at the end of the game was the result of a good individual effort. Lowburn’s fullback, Ball, nlayed a good game and got his side out of difficulties fairly often. Bardsley played a fair game at half iu the first spell but got a bit off his game in the second. The forwards showed up well on the line out and in tight work, Wood Bros, and Campbell being prominent. ALEXANDRA v CROMWELLThe first match of the season between the above teams was played at Cromwell on Saturday. The ground was a little sticky with the frost but improved towards the end of the game. Cromwell kicked off from the south facing the sun. Piay hovered in neutral ground fer a while till R. Varcoe with a good kick transferred to the Green’s 25. Offside play by Williams gave Dwyer a shot at goal which was successful. Cromwell 3, Alexandra 0. The kick off was a good one but smart play by Mackenzie and C. Thomas put the Green forwards on the defensive. An infringement by their forwards gave Dwyer another chance at goal but his kick was charged down and play was soon in the Blue’s 25. Tight work followed for some time Jolly eventually relieving with a good line kick. Richardson got in a good run from the centre placing play in his opponents 25. From a scrum Smart jinked the Greens prettily passing to Cahill who took play well on to Greens goal line. Dwyer tried a pot from the field but just failed with a nice kick. Play was fairly tight for the last few minutes and neither teams had much advantage. C. Thomas had to retire just on call of time. From the outset of the second spell it appeared that the Blues were out to win for the backs immediately took the leather into Alexandra's quarters. J. Varcoe looked certain to score but was grassed just on the touchline. MoNeish relieved slightly with a kick. The Greens transferred the attack but Jolly’s splendid kicking proved disastrous to them. Play was transferred and brilliant work by Cahill and Dwyer placed Cromwell in a good position and J. Varcoe was soon over the line. Dwyer failed with a good kick. Cromwell 6, Alexandra 0. Soon after the kick off Jolly got in a good run and kick, a score seeming inevitable, R. Varcoe dashed for the posts but a force resulted. Alexandra now attacked strongly but Tizard broke away and aided by Wrightson and Adams got the ball well on towards his opponents goal line. Wrightson broke through the Greens and scored. Dwyer converted at a difficult angle. Cromwell 11, Alexandra 0. Green got well forward with the kick off but the Blues back division were too clever and again a score looked certain. From a line out the Blues forwards got to business and R. Thomas crossed the threshhold in good style. Dwyer failed with the kick at goal. Cromwell 14, Alexandra 0. Green pressed forward but R. Varcoe’s and Jolly’s kicking transferred play time and again. For the last few minutes play was tight. Wilson and Wrightson had to retire just before the call of time. The game ended Cromwell 14, Alexandra 0. The Blues played well to a man and it was impossible to individualise the players. For the visitors perhaps Williams and Milburn iu the forwards and Richardson among the backs were most prominent.

Clyde and Alexandra try conclu sions on the latter ground on Saturday,