FOOTBALL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2677, 4 August 1913, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

(By Drop-kick.”)

The following are the relative positions of the contesting teams, playing under the Vincent Sub-union, as they now stand

CLYDE (o) v. ALEXANDRA (o). As was generally expected the match between the above teams played at Alexandra on Saturday proved to be a remarkably even one. Considerable interest was taken, and there was a large attendance of the public who were rewarded by a fast and interesting game. There were no dull moments, and the general opinion is that it was easly the best game of the season. Each side had opportunities to score, and each went exceedingly close to doing so on more than one occasion. The ball travelled up and dowu the field at a great rate. One team would have its opponents penned in their 25, and be making desperate efforts to score, when the next minute play would be at the opposite end of the field. The tackling on both sides was deadly—there were no ‘beg pardons,’ but the game was (as is usual the case when these teams meet) played in a very friendly spirit. The taking and kicking of the backs was generally of a high order. There was not a great deal of passing indulged in, though it was frequently attempted, the following up and deadly tackling snipping in the bud many likely looking opportunities. Towards the end ol the sec ond spell the Clyde backs made several dangerous passing rushes two ot them just failing to materialise. From one of these Connor got over at the corner and appeared to touch down, but the referee (Mr Jolly, who by the way gave an excellent exhibition with the whistle) ruled against it. On the other occasion Eric Spain cut in nicely and raced to the full back, when instead of passing out to Les Weaver who would have had nothing to do but. cross over from about five yards from the line, he went on his own and duly paid the penalty—being well grassed a few feet from the line. Another feature of the second spell was the two splendid attempts to drop-kick goals—one by Les Thompson tor Alexandra from a free kick, the ball falling a few feet short, and the other a magnificent pot by Geoff Dawson for Clyde from just inside half-way, the leather flying just outside the posts. Alexandra had had luck 100 on at least one occasion— Milburn got across with the leather in his possession, but he was well taken bv two opponents, and there were hall a dozen bands on the ball when it reached the ground. Mr Jolly’s decision, a scrum five yards out, was the correct one, though it did not tmd favor with a section ol the crowd. Ihe game, as 1 said before was a good one and so long as the public are treated to similar exhibitions, there is no danger ot rugby dying a natural death in Vincent County. For Alexandra all the hacks _ played well, a special word of praise being due to little Barnes and Les Thomson, the former giving a particularly good exhibition. Jack Tohill and Forrest were the pick of the forwards. For Clyde, Eric Spain at half-back played oiie of his best games, getting his side out of many tight corners. Tackie Gye and Crawford at five-eighths both played well, but for all round good play Les Weaver (who came out of his shell against Bannockburn) must he given the palm. He took the ball in great style, kicked well and made several dashing runs. The forwards all played well and it would be a hard matter to single any out tor special mention. Cromwell hea' Lowburn on Saturday by 20 points (6 tries, 1 converted) to nil. Lowburn was represented by a very weak team.

Team. nS eo i>> d a o 4P CO fl £ , For *tD <1 Ph _6C Oi £ P P Ph oJ Clyde Cromwell 7 7 5 5 1 2 1 43 .67 21 42 11 10 Alexandra 7 4 2 I 48 21 9 Bannockburn 7 3 4 — 65 47 6 Lowburn 8 — 8 _ 18 114 0