FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 7248, 27 June 1887, Page 2

FOOTBALL

UNION v. UNIVERSITY

was played ou the Northern Ground on Saturday in the presence of a large number of spectators. The ground, owing to the recent rains, was in anything but a pleasant condition for playing on. The game, although a moderately even one, was not as interesting as it might have been. Sharp to time Milne kicked off for the University, and the ball was quickly returned to the latter's goal, where loose play engaged the players' attention, until Torrance and Neave, by good dribbling, carried the leather to neutral territory. The brothers M'Farlane and Henderson headed a rush that brought the play back to the 'Varsity goal line, where Bee had an ineffectual shot at goal. Shortly afterwards Hunter secured the ball, and by a good run evaded, the grasp of the opposing backs and got behind the goal line. Bee succeeded in kicking the desired goal, but nothing further of note took place till half-time was called. No time was lost ia starting the second spell, and the University were kept on the defensive, though not for long, as Neave, by good dribbling, assisted by good runs by Allan and Eliott, soon had the Union goal in danger. Here some loose play took place, and a good kiok by Bee brought the leather into neutral ground. Grieve further increased this advantage by kicking the ball into the 'Varsity's twenty-five and in front of their goal. At this juncture Crawford had to retire, but through the courtesy of the Union captain his place was filled by Butement. The University forwards, realising the danger in which their goal was, succeeded by a series of dribbling rushes in shifting the play into the Union's quarters, where Allan had a splendid shot at gaol j but the ball landed about a, foot short of the mark. A rallying rush by the University forwards once more brought the ball near to the University goal - line, where Henderson picked up the ball and made straight for the line; but, finding Lovegrove in his way, passed to M'Queen, who got over and scored the second try for his side. The kick at goal was resultless. The only other piece of play which calls for remark was a splendid run by Butement. When no side was called, the Union were declared the victors by 4 points to nil.

PIRATES V. ALHAMBRA. The First Fifteenß of these two clubs opposed each other on the Carisbrook ground on Saturday afternoon, and, after a very pleasant game, victory rested with the older club by one goal and one try to nil. The weather wag Al, but the ground was heavy, especially opposite the grand stand, wlier* it was very muddy. About 200 spectators were present, who witnessed the fastest forward game, combined with, splendid running by the backs, played on the ground this season. The following were the respective teams : Pirates (Blacks): Honlson, Esquilant, Ovendon, Montgomery, Thomson, and Fraser (backt-), Drabble (captain), A, W, Morris. 0. Morria, Black, Bnckl&nd, Diamond, Matheaon, Milne, and Cantrell. Aliiahbra (R-ed and Black): Backs-Restreaux (captain), Downes, Gray, Turnbull, Crawford, Coni ingbun ; forwards—Wilde. M'Laren, M'Gill, Brroßg, FJ'zjibbcm, Barclay, Haiir, Hailon, and U*. %iobiin. Umpires, Metsrs Vallange and Crawfoid; referta, Mr Rose.

The Alhambra oaptain was unlucky enough to lose the toss, and had to kick off against a glering sun. The Pirates at once assumed the aggressive, and Thomson was not long in crossing the Reds' goal-line and grounding the ball behind the posts. Drabble took the easy place, and a goal resulted. Thotnson scored the second try in the second spell, some good passing between the Morria Brothers and himself letting in the brilliant young Pirate half. Howison was called up from full-back for the place; but failed in the difficult attempt. The Alhambra, though defeated, were by no means disgraced. It was hard work for them to play against a goal from the very start, but they did not lose heart, and several times put the Blacks on the defensive. Their forwards go in for the fast open game, putting down the ball the moment when held—an example I should like to see copied by many of our older players—and, considering that they had to cope with a team famed for its fast open play, they did by no means badly. With the exception of Wilde (who dribbled beautifully) there was an entire absence of offside play. Want of combination was a weak point in their forwards, and they gave their backs little assistance in collaring. The latter was the weak point in the team as a whole. Crawford, at half, played an excellent game, but suffered in comparison by being opposed to two such performers as the Pirate halves. His sharp punts into touch saved them several times. Dowr.es played a safe game at three-quarter, but was unable to pot his usual goal, owing to the smartness of the opposing forwards. His two companions would have done well to have made more use of their kicking powers. F,or the Pirates, Howison'(at full-back) shows improvement every Saturday. Being behind winning forwards, the three-quarters made more use of their speed. Montgomery made several useful runs, bnt showed a tendency to hesitate which is fata to a back. Esquilant amused himself by potting at goal. His side would have benefited more had he passed out to his outside three-quarters for a try. The two halves played their well-known game—Thomson put in some slashing runs, and Fraser's collaring and punting were perfection. The forwards played a good fast game, but at times showed that tendency to rest satisfied with their efforts which cost them dear in the 'Varsity matoh. Want of condition was noticeable in several of the men, the absence of the usual Wednesday game, owing to the wet weather, no doubt telling in the fast game, ; Chop-kick.

OTHER MATCHES. 1 The match played on Saturday on the 1 Caledonian Ground resulted, after a very even game, in a draw, no score being recorded. Watson secured a couple of marks, but on each occasion the kick a goal was a failure. The Dunedin forwards played surprisingly well, their dribbling and following up being a feature of the play; Of the forwards the most noticeable for the Montecillo were O'Gorman, Isaacs, Shepard, and Beck', and for the Blues Martin, Home, Menelaus, and Harper. Amongst the backs we noticed good play on the part of Watson, Cooper, and Noel 5 Ross, Stephenson, and Hardy. The High School defeated the ZingariRichmond by one try to nil. The Oval was very soft owing to the recent rains, and the burden of .the same rested with the forwards. In the first spell Morrison got over the line a- few yards from the goal post, but the place was a hollow failure. The Dunedin Association Football Club played a scratch game at Tab una Park on Saturday between sides captained by Messrs Moncreiff and Izard. The weather was lovely, and the sandy soil as dry and fast as possible. The game was very even, and eventually resulted in a draw, both sides sooriDg two goals. Taking the players' all round, a great advance was shown 6n the form of previous Saturdays, although there is still plenty of room for improvement, notably in the matter of a knowledge of the rules and the capability of the players in retaining their places in the field. Players must remember that the great art in Association football is that every man should keep his allotted position in the field; and 'often it happens, and did happen over and over again on Saturday,.that when a man on the wing gets a good run there is nobody in the eentre to help him. A back knows where his forwards ought to be, and passes out accordingly; and what a lot of ground is lost if that forward is not on the spot; Of the forwards,' Messrs Pollock and Bewdley showed 'to great advantage, especially the latter,' whose fine dribbling won from everybody universal praise, he but is rather shaky in his passing. Messrs MacGregor and Gibson also played a good sound game, both showing great improvement on Erevious play. For the backs Messrs [oncreiff and Stewart did good service, especially the latter, who time after time saved his side by his sound and well-judged, kicking. The goals were gained by Mea|r4 Thoin *.nd 'i*slie' far "the "one side, and Messrs MacGregor and Durant for the other, all of whom played very well. We hope to see a large muster at the same place next Saturday, and all gentlemen are invited who would care to have a game. The Taieri Second beat the Pirates Second by a potted 'goal and a try to one

placofl goa].--Caver>ham snntoil 0110 placed goal to nil by Gordon.— L/illi also scowil ft Bimilar win over Alhambra Second.— 'J ho White Star defeated the Second Montecillo bv three goals and one try (10 points) to nl/.-Kaikorni Second v. Pacific resulted m a win for the Pacific by one try (1 point) to mV.-Tho National Club defeated the Ravensbourne by 1 point to ml.-ln the match Red Ho,.- v. High School Juniors, the former won by 4 poiuta to «*/.—J l.n match Alpine v. imoen.il result,,! in a win for the former by , p-jiits to «,/._ In the match Fitzroy v. \\ lute Star Second the Fitzroy won by 5 points (one goal and two tries) to nil.— North-east Valley v. Imperial resulted in a draw in favor of the former. Each side secured a goal, kicked from tries.—The Union Second proceeded to Tahuna Park on Saturday to play the University Second, but were greatly disappointed in finding that the latter had not pat in an appearance. —The United Second v. Dunedin Third resulted in a win for the United by one goal and six trie 3 (9 points) to »i(Y.—The match United First v. Dunedin Second was not played, the Dnnedin team for some unexplained cause not putting in an appearance. A Wellington telegram reports that the Senior Cup football match between the Athletics an I Wellington was won by the latter by one try to nil. The Junior Cup match between the Seconds of Wellington and Union Clubs resulted in a draw, each side scoring a try. The players wore crape, as a mark of respect to the late W. V. Millton, of Christchurch.