FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 7237, 13 June 1887, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

DUNEDIN v. PIRATES.

The first match between the above clubs was played at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large number of spectators, including an unusually large number of ladies. The day was all that could be desired for playing, but the ground, owing to the previous night’s rain, Was slightly softened. Now that the days are becoming shorter, I would remind the Dunedin Club that in future their matches ought to start punctually at 2.45, for those people who inconvenience themselves to attend these matches like to see the play in daylight and not in the dark, as was the case on Saturday. Another matter that requires the attention of the Dunedin Football Club is the inconvenience with which players were put to by the crowd encroaching on the field of play. The following players represented their respective sides: Dunedin (Blue): E. J Austin (full-back); Ross, Stephenson, and Walls (three-quarters); Cook and Hardy (half-backs); Mills, Martin (captain), MeneI»us, Maftolm, Turnbull, Carter, Branlgan, Horne, WS?'’kowlson (full-back); Russell. Esquilant, and Ovendon (three-quartere); Thomson and Fraser (halves); Drabble (captain), AW. Morris, J. H. Morris, 0 Morris, Cantrell, Black, Ronaldson, Diamond, and Buokland (forwards). Messrs Vallange and Kennedy umpired, and Mr J. H. Chapman ac'cd as referee. Martin having won the toss elected to defend the southern goal, and Thomson kicked off for the Pirates. The ball was returned into touch about half way. A. W. Morris taking the ball from the line out, dribbled to the Blues’ twenty-five, where he was stopped by Stephenson. Malcolm, Harper, and Turnbull, by combined play, carried the leather to neutral ground, only to be brought back by the Black forwards, who succeeded in forcing the Blues down. The kick out was badly taken by Russell, and the Blues following up_ smartly had the Blacks penned in their territory. The Blues’ forwards now made strenuous efforts to score, but the good play of Fraser and Thomson proved too much for them. Euckland, Diamond, and Ronaldson came through a loose scrum, and, following up with a good dribbling rush, the Blues’ quarters were once more reached, where Stephenson again intervened and managed to save his side. The combination of the Blues was very good, and, with the assistance of a run by Cat ter, play was again in the centre of the field. Stephenson was the next to show up. Having the ball passed to him, he made for the Pirates’ goal-line, and was nearly successful in crossing it; but when within about a yard from the line he was brought down by Thomson and Fraser. The Blacks were now pretty hard pressed. Hardy, for the Blues, looked very dangerous at times, and Cook was keeping Ross well posted up, who was very carefully watched by Ovendon. Loose play took place in the Pirates’ twentyfive, when finally a regular rush followed, and the ball was kicked over the Blacks’ goal-line. The Pirates’ full-back rolled over the ball, and Harper fell on it, thus scoring a try for the Blues. Harper himself took the kick, which was at a very difficult angle, and managed _ to place an unquestionable goal, for which he was loudly and deservedly applauded. The leather was soon set in motion, and the play soon reached the Blacks* confines by the smart running of Cook and Hardy. The play became very fast, and a splendid dribbling rush by Morris and Cantrell brought the play within the vicinity of the Blues’ goal, where loose play followed, and Thomson, picking up the ball from among the forwards, potted a neat goal amidst tremendous cheering. Half-time was immediately called. After a fewminutes’ interval ends were changed, and Martin started the second spell. The ball was followed up by Thomson, who penned Stephenson from replying. A determined rush by the Blues forwards, Carter, Turnbull, and Harper, in particular, carried the play on to the Blacks’ goal line, where loose play took place, in which Cantrell and Ronaldson showed out prominently by clearing their lines and dribbling to the centre, Fraser further increased the position of the Blacks by kicking well down the field into the Blues’ twenty-five. Malcolm took the leather from the line-out, and dribbled in fine style to the centre. This piece of play was followed by another good rush from the Blues’ forwards (Mill and Harper), and, through the latter kicking rather hard, the Blacks were forced down. The kickout was quickly followed up by the Blacks’ forwards, who had their adversaries penned on their goal-line for some time. Esquilant had an unsuccessful pot at goal, and shortly afterwards Thomson got a mark exactly in front of the Blues’ goal. Drabble took the kick, but the ball went a little wide of the mark. The Blues were forced down three times in succession. Thomson, in returning the kick out, nearly potted another goal, the leather falling a little short. The condition of the Blues’ forwards now began to tell, for they were being kept on the defensive. While the Blacks’ forwards were pegging away, Fraser was kept busy trying to secure the ball to pass and give Thomson! a show, but the slippery state of the ball prevented it. The play became fast and furious, and the spectators, who could hardly restrain themselves, kept encroaching on the field of play. The players could not grumble at the encouragement given, for tho old familiar cry of “Blues” and counter crys of “Pirates” were heard all over the field, and were kept up till the call of time. Cook and Hardy for the Blues repeatedly saved their side by their short runs, and kept the play well away from their goal. A. W. Morris and Thomson carried the ball over the Blues’goal-line, where Russell fell on it and scored a try. The Blacks were greatly cheered for their play. Thomson took the kick, but failed to add to the score. It was now getting dark, and fully fifteen minutes play was required before the call of time. However, the Blacks still kept up the attack, which was well met by the Blues forwards' Malcolm, Martin, and Carter being very prominent. After a lot of loose play had taken place, A. W. Morris got hold of the leather and successfully crossed the Blues’ line, amidst tremendous cheering. Drabble took the kick, which proved unsuccessful. No-side was called, and the Pirates were declared the victors by 5 points to 3, There is no getting away from the 'fact that the better team won. The forwards for the Dunedin (of whom Carter, Mills, Malcolm, and Martin deserve special mention) worked well at times, but towards the end of the game they lacked combination and dash. The halfbacks worked very hard, whilst the three-quarter-backs were very strong on the offensive play. Walls was rather a failure. Austin at full-back played extremely well; tho manner in which he stopped several rushes of the Pirates’ forwards was really worth witnessing. The Pirates forwards, one and all, worked splendidly, Buckland and Morris gaining rounds of applause at various times during the game for their prominent play. Fraser and Thomson at half-back played with their usual dash and brilliancy. The kicking of tho latter was simply first-class. Ovendon and Esquilant played very safe at three-quarter, and so did Howison at full-back. Drop-Kick.

The First Fifteens of the Montecillo and University Clubs met at Tahuna Park on Saturday afternoon. In the first spell the play was very even, and no score resulted. Towards the end of the second half the Montecillo forced their adversaries _ close down on the line, and Aitken obtained a try. The trial by Skitch, at a difficult angle, failed. Another force-down by the Reds, and the remainder of the time was occupied by Allen and Hogg in stopping rushes. The call of time found the ball m the Blues’ twenty-five. The most prominent men were: For the Blues Hogg, Allen Neavo, Elliott (backs), and Smith, Torrance, Gibbs, and Tennant (forwards) ; for the Reds-Aitken. Gregory, Simpson (backs), and Isaacs. Dallas, and Shepard (forwards). Mr A. Y. Smith and Mr Bannatyne umpired; Mr Jatnes Allan was A rC match Dunedin Second v. Pirates Second was played on the Cansbrook Ground on Saturday, and resulted, after a pleasant game, in a win for the former by 3 points to 1 point. The White Star beat the Pacific by four tries to nil. Shortly before the end of the first spell, M'Queen by a good run obtained a try. Gorn took the kick, which, owing to the difficult angle, was a failure. In the second spell, despite the efforts of Johnson and Home, the Star had their opponents penned in their twenty-five, and Trotter ran in five minutes after play commenced, «.s also did Roberts and Deeban, in quick succession. Bolton took the kick, but, owing to the angle and the greasy state of the ball, did not improve the score.

The match Zingati-Richmond Second v; Union Second resulted in a draw, no score being made by either side. The Union were forced down several times; but it is only fair to say that they were for some time playing two men short. A match Port-Chalmers v. Alhambra was played on Saturday at Opoho. The Alhambra played a mixed team, and defeated the Port by four goals and two tries (]4 points) to nit. Immediately after the ball was kicked olf Foster obtained a mark near the centre flag, and Restieaux took the kick and placed a splendid goal. Shortly afterwards Downes potted three goals. In the second spell the Port played much better, and the chief feature of the game was the splendid passing of 0. Crawford at half-back, and the kicking of Downes into touch. The tries were obtained by C. Restieaux and Dixon, but were not improved

UP The match United , Second v, > ZjngariRiohmond Third resulted in a wm for the United by three goals and seven tries (10 points) to nil. The match Leith v, Montrose resulted in a win for the Leith by four goals and two tries (14 points) to nil. For the Leith, Shrimpton (2), Johnstone (2), and Carter secured the tries, E. Davis placed the goals, and S. Crawshaw potted a goal. The match Caversbam First v. Taierl Second resulted in a win for the former by 6 points to nil. W. Lang potted a goal, and Carter, Wildey, and 0. Briggs gained one try each, Caversham Second v. Factory resulted In a win for the latter by five points to one point. Imperial v. Port Pioneers.—This game resulted in a victory for the Imperial by two tries (2 points) to nil. For the Imperial tries were obtained by M‘George and Fordyce, but owing to the slippery nature of the ball, the kicks at gaol were failures. Musselburgh beat the White Star Second by one try to nil. One other try was disputed. The match Alpines v. Annandale resulted in a draw in favor of the former, no score being made on either side. A match Montecillo Second v. University Second was played on the former’s ground, and resulted in a win for the Montecillo by 5 points to nil. The Canterbury Rugby Union have received intimation from the Otago Rugby Union that if an Otago team goes North this season the Interprovincial match will be played on the team’s return trip, but in any case they cannot play until the end of August. The Canterbury Union are endeavoring to send a representative team to the North Island early in August. Excelsior y. Heriot Row resulted in a win for the lormer by 11 points to nil. The Rising Star defeated the Rosebud by 3 points to nil, St. Kilda v. Brigands resulted in a win for the St. Kilda by one point. The match Union v. Zingari-Richmorid, which was played on the Northern Ground on Saturday, was watched by a large number of spectators, who took the greatest interest in the match. The ground, especially at the northern end, was in very slippery condition, and rendered any picking up and running almost impossible. Hunter kicked off at a quarter p.ist three, and almost before the Zingaris knew the game was started th e Union forwards made a grand rush, and M'Queen came with the ball over the line. The kick at goal was a failure. In the remainder of the first spell the game was very even, but once or twice the Union lines were in danger. Shortly before half-time was called the Union forwards, headed by Hylands, rushed the ball down to the Colors’ lines, and Hope potted a neat goal. In the first part of the second spell the Zingaris were completely overmatched, and they were forced down three times in about ten minutes, and in one instance the Union would have scored if the spectators had kept out of the way. About a quarter of an hour before time Treseder rallied bis men, and tlie order of things was reversed. The ball W'as within twenty yards of the Union lines for the remainder of the spell, and “five-yards-out scrums” were very frequent. But the darkness, and the fact that the spectators literally rushed the ground, prevented any score being made, and a splendid game resulted in the Union winning by 4 points to nil. Saturday’s football matches at Christchurch were played under unfavorable circumstances, rain falling during the afternoon. The Christchurch and Merivalo played a drawn game at North Park. The ground at Lancaster Park was ankle-deep in mud. Sydenham and East Christchurch opposed one another here, and the greatest interest was taken in the game. _ East Christchurch were well represented in their forwards, and more than held their own, though they were unable to score, and the game ended in a draw. The dispute in the Merivale v. East Chi istchurch match last week was decided in favor of Merivale, and the match thus becomes drawn. East Christchurch intend getting the decision of the English Union in the matter. ,