FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 7290, 15 August 1887, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

A match Dunedin Association Football Club v. a team from the Pirates has been arranged to ' be played on the Carisbrook Ground on Saturday, September 3. The following players from the Pirates are required to torn up on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 5.15 p.m., for practice : .Xsquuant, Ovendon, Fleming. Montgomery, Buckland, Black, Ronaldson, J. H. Morris, C. Morris, OantreU, Milne, Matheson, H. Stronacb, F. Stronacb, HalliwelL Bislop, Pyke, CotteriU, Rait, Missen, Niool, Nicholson, Taylor, Henderson, Bett, H. Clark, and Brent. Mr H. Rose has consented to coach the Pirates. SOUTHLAND V. OTAGO. The first annual matoh between the above Rugby Unions took place oil Saturday on the Caledonian Ground, and notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather fully 2,000 spectators turned out to witness it. The ground, owing to the recent rains,- was very sloppy, and rendered good play almost impossible. The local men were the decided favorites. Messrs Oolbeck (Southland) and Wyinks umpired, with Mr J. Allan (Taieti) referee. The teams were constituted as follows: — Sodthlahd (Colors). Fott-back Lillicrap; threequarters— Lee, Hawke, and Wallis; halves—Tapper and Cuff; forwards—Ekensteen, Morgan (captilo), Galbraitb, Mentiplay. Harper, H'Bobie, Hutchison, U'Naughton, and Jenkins. Otaoo (Bines). Full-back —D. Fraser; threequarter*—Bee, Millar, and Keogh; halves—Thomson, Fraser, and Hunter (captain) ; forwards Beck, Diamond, Drabble, Gibson, M'Fatline, Martin, Isaacs, and Morris. Whan the team took the field chee"-were exchanged, and punctually at three o'clock, Hunter having, won the toss, elected to take advantage of a slight breeze that was blowing, and defended the northern goal. Morgan kicked off, and the ball being well returned the play was kept in neutral territory until the Otago forwards broke away from a loose scrum, and, headed by Martin, Morris, and Diamond, carried the leather over the Southland goal-line, when Diamond fell on it and secured first blood for Otago. The place was entrusted to Thomson, who failed to convert it Shortly after the kick out Lee made a splendid dashing run, and reached the Blues'

twenty-five line before he was collared. Fraser, however, nullified this by a neat dodgy run to the centre. A forward rush, head by Diamond, Isaacs, and Beck, placed the visitors' goal in danger. It now became apparent that the Blues were completely overmatched in the tight scrums, for, playing with one man more than their opponents, in this respect the Colors had a slight advantage, and, by keeping the ball in the scrum, gradually forced them to the centre, where Thomson by a good kick forced the visitors down. The Southland forwards, again distinguished themselves, and by a combined rush, headed by Jenkins, Hutchison, and Ekensteen, the scene of play was shifted to the centre, where give-and-take play was indulged in, and, mainly owing to the kicking of Thomson and Millar, the play found its way up to the visitors' quarters. Morgan broke away and fairly brought down the house" by dribbling in fine style right on to the Otago goal line. This fine piece of play was deservedly applauded. Borne loose play followed, and Fraser relieved his side by looking into touch, just beyond the twenty-five flag. Through some wild passing on the part of their backs—Hawke in particular—the viators lost what seemed to be a splendid chance of scoring. The Otago forwards not being backward to take advantage of any openings that might occur, turned to account these ikistak.es, and by a headlong rush carried the ball into their opponents' territory. Some scrummaging now took place, and Hutchison by a hard kick placed his goal out of danger, and being well followed up tha Colors made a rally on the Otago goal-line, but Bee intervened and fell on the ball 1 The play was again rushed back to the centra, and Fraser further increased this by kicking into tha visitors' twenty-five, where Lee gave Millar a mark, but no advantage was gained, and another determined rush by the Blues' forwards forced Southland down. Millar and Bee in succession returned the kicks out, which resulted in the Colors again being forced down. Hawke now failed to take the ball, and nearry eost his side a try, but Tapper came to the rescue and dribbled with splendid judgment to within ft few yards of the Otago twentytfive line, where Miliar stopped his progress by falling on the balL A long kick by Bee sent the bail back to the centre, which was followed by another forward rush, and the visitors' quarters were once more reached. Cuff, however, eame to the rescue, and, dribbling in a very taking style, passed the opposing bocks to neutral territory, Thomson soon brought the play back to the visitors'goal line, and passing the leather with his foot to Keogh enabled that player to cross the line. The kick at goal was a failure. ./See had a splendid opportunity to pot, but fjausn to take the pass, and Morgan, who followed up well, managed to place his goal out Of danger by kicking the bail into touch. The Colors were again in trouble, but through the good play of Lillicrap, who kicked along the line inta touch, they were enabled to carry the play back to neutral ground, and Hunter showed out with a neat run, and finished with a kick into touch, which brought the play again into tha visitors'twenty-five. Jenkins. discounted matters by dribbling to the centre, where the play kept raging till half-time was called- During this spell play was fairly fast,, and had it not been for the wild passing of the visitors'backs at the beginning of the spell the Otago team would probably not have had the opportunities afforded them that enabled them to score. After a brief interval the game proceeded, and as it progressed proved to be more interesting and exciting than was-the case in the first spell. The Colors, by a good rush, invaded the Blues' quarters, only momentarily, however, for Fraser, kicking well up the fie'd and being quickly followed up by the Blues' forwards, tha Colors backs were penned, and another rush brought the play op to the visitors 1 goal-line. The play now waxed fast and furious, and the Southland forwards seemed to be quife at homa in the fast, open play. Here Millar had a splendid opportunity to either pot or run in, but preferred to pot, and made a miserableattempt. The

Colors' forwards now opened out, and, playing with combination, made a magnificent rush, winch carried the ball oyer the Otago goal-line, and had it not been for B. Fraser.who fell on it, they must have scored,.- The Southland players were warmly applauded for this fine piece of play. The great mistake made by the visitors throughout this spell was in allowing their play to become too open, for if they had resorted to tight scrummaging, which was their strong point and the Otkgo weakness, they would have materially enhanced their chances of scoring, and most likely wou'd have pre* vented their opponents from getting the tries which they did, The Otago men wakened up to business, and with a 'more successful result, for Thomson bavin j the ball pasEed to him when in his adversaries twenty-five, potted • goal, and :was loudly cheered. 'After the kick-out the Blues made another attack on the Southland goalrline, and R. Ftaser. was rewarded with a try. Thomson again failed to place the desired goal Lee once more distinguished himself, but found' Keogh too much for him. Morgan and'Jenkins cleared their lines by effecting a good dribble to the centre, but to no purpose, for the Blue forwards rushed the play back on to the Colors' lines, and. several times were on the point of scoring. "The visitors, however, were too keen, and kept the play pretty near the touchllne, in the hope of sending the player or the ball whenever occasion required it, into touch in goaL Strange to say, all-three tries vera obtained within a yard or so of the touch-linsv Hunter got a mark in the Colors' twenty-five, near the touoh-line, but the kick at gaol proved fruitless/, When time was ealltd the Otago team were declared the victors by 8 points to nil. . ', ■ • ■ The Southland hack play waffery good, but might have been improved .with a little more :d*o>kteking and panting Introduced into it, The most ■aeeesssfal three-quarter back was Mb, and the opinion was freely expressed that he was the best three-quarter on the ground. Hawke stopped rushes in splendid style, and saved his side in this way time after time i but daring the first part of the game his play was decidedly bad. Caff and Tapper, as baffl backs, were exceedingly good, theft running and dribbling being much admired; * but they should- endeavor to cultivate the art of punting. Of the forwards, Morgan and Jenkins Were the pick, and were closely fof lowed by Eckensteen, Galbraithj andHentiplafr The Otago forwards did remarkably well, Martin and Diamond on the line-out rendering invaluable assistance; whilst, in the scrum, Gibson, Isaacs, and Drabble Worked like Trojans. In the open play Moans and Beck were the most conspicuous, and gained rounds of applause for their fine dribbling, . The half* backs Fraser and Hunter did useful work, whilst Thomson showed out prominently with some of his useful runs, finishing up with a punt into touch.. . ~ .

The policy of the Selection' Committee in playing with three half-backs was severely condemned, and rightly- too, for-the extra man tfould have proved of much more service in the scrum than interfering with his, brother halves. Some alteration m tula respect will require, to be made in the northern .campaign,; otherwise I fear the result will prove*disastrous-to Otago* In the Auckland match," for instance, we most depend on the strength of onr'forward play—our opponents play nine forward*: 1f they cagndt cope \yiththe opposing side jje. capaqiliueK. so far as soojing isjepneeriiea- The fact is undeniable that if QtagQ can b«ld her own in the scrum, hwi**^ 8 are oe^ * w ' *° score. • I hold very strong rtewa on the step the Seleotion Committee have taken, and should not hesitate to give in this place: but lest my motives should be misconstrued and unpwpefc>fluences as have been done m some quarters, I snail refrain from speakihlJriy • inmd nfitiJ after "the tpnr is completed, In what f have written in the past I'have been animated solely by a desire to direct attention to palpable fanta of omission and oommissioni in the hope that the advice would be -accepted in the spirit -'that it was tendered. I ''baver'nafer to|tten from

personal conriefcerations,- and t have judged Irilayers bn their-merite t'oaly.' It has been asserted that wyierifirian- of the ytr- , totmet of the. *eam*ow«yed'»~»fooiionon ** Hunter ' agojnlayer jpd, $ have every wapecV

and no one knows it better than he. If the play of the team falsifies my anticipations, and shows the wisdom of the Selection Committer in the particulars I have specially commented on, I shall cheerfully and in the fullest mannei possible confess my sin and rrnko the amende. But till then I stand by my opinion, expresEe<l humbly but firmly. I need hardly add that the team, one and all, take with them my best wishes for their success, to hear of which will always be welcome news to Drop-kick. THE AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIVES. [Special to the Stab.] AUCKLAND, August 15. The final selection of tho Auckland football representative team was made on iraturday night. I send notes as to their play: — FULL-BACK. LrsK R B (Gordon). -Very fast, sure tackier, and nrßt- o !»' 9 fkick ( wnh .lU *f : P™™f a m WeienT tive. Played against New South Wales. Weight, list 121b. TnBEE . QUARTER BACKS. Madioan, C. (Gra(ton).-Ono of the fastest men in the team and a very strong runner;; fending most effectively ; nice follower and good luck. Played last slason against .New South Wales. Weight, list 21b. Whitbsidb, R. (Ponsonby).—Has earned the reputation of being the be9t half-back in Australasia! Has represented Auckland since 18S0. Very fast and powerful ntnner, fending strongly ; good tackier, and punts well with either foot. Weight, list 21b r HALF-BACKS. Boaund, A. (Ponsonby).- First year as a representative: played against Taranaki recently. Spleudid centre half; fine stopper of rushes; fast and dodgy runner: punts well; good tackier, and passes out clean. Weight, 93t Sib. Conway, U. ( J onsouby) -First appearance as a representative. Fast and dodcy runner; kicks and pisses remarkably; gcod colUrer. Weight, list 51b. Elliot (P. nsonby).- Splendid tackier, and clever at stopping rushes cf opposing forwaids. FORWARDS AKNEn,, J. (Ponsonby).—The oldest representative in the team, having represented Auckland since lfcSO. Captain of tlio Ponsonby Club, and uiil most prab:it-ly cactain the team. Brilliant wiug fcrwa-d ; pretty dribbler, and dangerous in opponents' twenty five on scjount of his potting; sure in tackling, andpissts well; good place-kiok. Weight, list. Woollbr, J. (Ponsonby) —Wing forward. Represented Auckland last y.-ar. Very fast and octivo dribbler, also tackles well ; gocd at following up; moderate place-kiok. Weight, lust 71b. Leckt, J. (Grafton).—Has represented Auckland since ISB3. Fine all-round msn ; very dangerous in opponents' twenty-five; dribble* well, and a sure collarer; good dodgy runner; good place-kick. Weight, list 121b. • O'Cos.- on, T. (Auckland).—Has represented Auckland 6inoe 1882. A very heavy fast forward, with a power cf strength in thessrum; outthines in open rushes; gocd klc'e with either foot, and sure co'larer ; very gocd on the line-out, and passes well; good placekick.' Weight, 13 121b. Lindsay, J. (Gordon).—An old Otago representative, bus represented Auckland last year. The heaviest man in the team. An effective dribbler; shines in the line-out and broken scrum ; neat passer, but rather slow and ino ined to be some whit indolent. Weight, 13st 41b. Marshall, C. (North Shore) --Represented Auckland last year. A brilliant fast forwa-d ; always on tho ball; very effective in the scrum, and a good dribbler; a vt-ry strong tackle-. Weight, 12st 41b. Twinjuis, F. (Grafton).-First appearance as an Auckland reprcsmtatlw, but played lor 0;ago lait year against Canterbury. A fine fast dribbler, and a very dangerous man in the twenty-five ; hard worker In the scrum, and tftin bretks through with the bull at his toe; good collarer. Weight, 12<t 51b Kbsfk, G. (PonsonbyJ.-Repr.sentcd Auckland last year. A powerful centre-man in the icmm, where he works hard; has improved wonderfully ; diibbUs well and passes o"ean. Weight, 12st 21b Poland (Gordon) —A fine fast forward ; always on tho ball; dri;>b'c3 well. P.ayed against Taranaki. Weight, list 101b.