FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 7308, 5 September 1887, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The annual football match between the City and Boslyn Fire Brigades was played on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the latter brigade by 7 points to 5, For the winners Davie potted a peat goal from the field. He also obtained two' tries, one of which he converted into a splendid goal. For the Dunedin Brigade Kestieaux obtained a try, from which he placed a very nice goal; but the other two tries were not improved on. Throughout the game was played on the most friendly terms, and proved a very interesting one. North-east Valley v. Montrose resulted in a win for the former, after a well-contested game. Worsdell got a try for the Valley, from which Dryden kicked a goal. The Montrose Second defeated the Alpine First by a goal and a try (4 p inte) to one try (1 point). Lyng and Sutherland obtained the tries, and Walker kicked the goal. UNITED Y. CAVERSHAM. At the close of the Town-Country match on the Carisbrook Ground on Saturday, the United and Cavershara Clubs _ played a match to decide the junior premiership. Both teams had an unbeaten record, and. in view of an exciting game, there was a large number of spectators. M 'Naught (United) won the toss, and elected to play with the wind and sun at his back. Lang(Caversbam) kicked off, the ball being returned into touch on the United side of thy centre flag. From the throw -out a scrummage followed, and the Caversham, keeping the ball in the scrum to prevent their opponents taking advantage of the wind, gradually worked the play to the United twenty-five, and it hovered between that and the centre flag for a short time. At last from a scrum in United territory A. Lang had the ball passed to him and sent it flying over the bar. After the kick-off tho United wakened up and carried the play to the play to the Caversham line, and Hilgeudorf getting the ball, rushed across and scored for the United. Beal took the kick at goal. The direction was good, but the ball fell short. After the kick-out the ball was carried beyond the centre flag, but Laurenson punted back to Caversham territory, and shortly afterwards he had.a pot at goal, the result being a poster. The play was now carried to the centre, where it remained till half-tiihe.

M‘Naught started the second spell with a good kick, the ball being returned to touch near the centre. The play was vety even for the first part of the spell, the attempts of the Caversham forwards to make the play loose being replied to by the United forwards falling on the ball. On one occasion the United carried the play to within a yard of their opponents’ line, but the latter, packing quickly, removed the play to their twenty-five flag ; and shortly afterwards getting it loose, and assisted by sonde good kicking from their backs, carried the leather to the United’s .twenty-five. Here A. Long had a pot at goal, the hall falling short. The United were afterwards forced down. After the kick-out Miller, getting the ball, attempted to run, but was well collared hj Bremner. Clothier repeatedly saved his side by punting into touch. Shortly afterwards time was called, the game ending in a win for Caversham by one goal to one try. The Caversham forwards all played well, especially shining in the loose play, and often by quick packing managed to shove their heavier opponents. The game of the United all along was to keep the ball in the scrum, and to prevent loose play they kept falling on the ball. Of the backs Clothier, Laurenson, Miller (United), and Lang (2), Wildey, and Clarke (Caversham) played well. Messrs Milne and Chapman were the umpires, and Mr Bose acted as referee. ASSOCIATION RULES, The Dunedin Association Football Club played a game between scratch teams at Tahuna Park on Saturday. Owing to the un expected absence of a few of the players, short teams were played, captained by Moncrieff and Armour. Armour kicked off against a bright sun and the disadvantage of a wind blowing almost across the ground ; however, his men kept a good defence, and the enemy were only enabled to score once during the first half. During the second half Moncrieff’s men displayed a better combination, Neaves managing a second goal by a low swift shot, and H. Lo Cren a third in a similar manner, both of a nature that baffle a goal-keeper. _ However, Armour’s men were not to be denied, and, by diligent passing, the ball was got within shooting distance, and Calder sent it home, shortly before time was called, and ending a good practice in Moncrieff’s favor by three goals to one. Stewart, Neaves, H. and D, Le Cren, Moncrieff, Calder, M‘Gregor, Groves, and Armour merit mention for their excellent service for their respective sides. OTAGO v. WELLINGTON. [From Our Special Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Septembers. This match was played at Newtown Park on Saturday. Notwithstanding the heavy rain that fell during the previous two days, tho ground was in splendid order. The day was beautifully fine, and a large number of spectators turned out to witness the match, fully 4,000 persons being present. The teams were driven to the ground, and as they entered the field of play cheers were exchanged between them. The following were the players:—

Wbllikgton. Full-back Dixon ; three-quarter-backs—Moorhouge (captain), Fairhrotber, Gage; half backs Merit t, Richardson ; forwards Cockroft, Uoore, Ellison,. Smith, Storey, Taiaroa, MTotyre, CrOA’ell, Wales, Otago. Full-back D. Fraser; three-quarters backs—Bee, Millar, Keogh; half-backs—Fraser and Thomson; forwards - Drabble (captain), Martin, Beck,' Trescder, Morris, U‘Farlane, Isaacs, Diamond, and Gibson.

Messrs Hunter (Otago) and King (Wellington) umpired, and Mr W. J. Ootterell acted as referee. Moorhonse having won the toss elected to play with the sun at his back, and shortly after three o’clock Drabble kicked off for Otago. The leather was well returned by Moorhonse into touch, a few yards past the centre flag. From the line-out Diamond. Martin, and Beck took charge of the hall, and reached the Colors’ twenty-five before they were checked by Merlet falling on the hall. The Wellington goal was now in danger, but it did not remain so long, for Cockroft and M’lntyre, breaking through the scrum, cleared their goal, and rho leather found its way to neutral ground. Fairhrotber farther increased this advantage by kicking to the Blues’ twenty-sve, where D. Fraser failed to take the ball. The Otago goal was now placed in danger, and but for the good forward play of the Utogo men Wellington most have scored. Gibson, Martin, and Morris made a brilliant rush to the centre, and, much to the relief of their supporters, placed their goal out of danger. The Wellington forwards made another rush, but Fraser picked up the ball, and, with one of his screw-punts, sent it flying back into touch. Loose play followed, and from a kick by one of the Otago forwards Merlet secured a mark near the touch-line, and about the twenty-five flag. Then the finest place-kick in Mew Zealand was given a chance of scoring three points. The prospect was very rosy when M’lntyre took the kick, but, fortunately for Otago, the wind proved too much for him, a force-down only resulting. The kiok-ont saw the play in neutral ground, and from a tight scrum Cockroft and Storey broke away, and, being assisted by Taiaroa, invaded the Otago territory.' Beck, Martin, and Drabble, however, nullified the efforts made by the Wellington men, and the leather found its way back to mid-field. Morris earned a round of applause for getting clear of the eorum. He took the ball in fine style to within a few yards Of the Wellington goal-line, where Moorhouse came to the rescue, and stopped bis career by foiling on the ball. The Otago forwards were too anxious to score, for, on tiyihg* to make use of their advantage, they passed very widely, and the opposing wing-men were all there to take advantage of their bad passing, which enabled the Colors to'dear their goal from imminent danger. Merlet seat the leather into touch in neutral territory. The Wellington quarters were again invaded by the Otago forwards, who, up to this time, were playing’with splendid combination; ' but this invasion did not last long, for Storey and Taiaroa again broke away and dribbled to the centre, where the ball went into touch. Taiaroa was the next to show up with a run into the visitors’ ground, where he was brought down by Drabble,, who had followed him up and collared him from behind. The Bines’ goal was again in trouble, and the Colors’ forwards were working like Trojans to best their opponents in the scrum. Finding that useless, they attempted to pass to their backs, who were waiting for a show. A magnificent rush by Trescder, Martin, and M*Farian» carried the play from their own twenty-five to the Colors’ territory. The local men were now having a warm time of it. Scram after scram wap formed, and still the play kept about the Wellington goal. The principal cause of so much scrummaging was the continual falling on the ball by the. Wellington forwards. Otago had really good chances to score, but their hacks invariably lost their ground whenever the leather was passed out to them. Half time was called with the play near the Colors’ twenty-five. In this spell the play was pretty even.

After a brief interval ends were changed, and the second spell opened with the play in midfield. A rush by the forwards placed the visitors on the defensive, for A little. Gibson dribbled to neutral ground, and Thomson further added to this by kicking to the Wellington twenty-five. Merlet returned the leather to Bee, who failed to secure it; consequently the Wellington forwards were down on him, and prevented mm from taking his kick. The Blue forwards did not come round smartly enough, and the Colors rushed the play on to the gwd-line. Bee now atoned for his bad play, which had nearly cost his side a toy, by kicking into touch near the centre flag. The Otago forwards began to play with more dash, and the play was of a more open character. From the line - out Martin got the ball and passed to Fraser, who in turn passed to Millar, who had a pot at goal, and was nearly successful, the ball going a little wide of the mark. Ths visitors were heartily chewed for this fine piece ef play, whir led to he Colors, being forced down. Bee again failed

(» take the ball from the hiok-out, and the Wellington forwards dribbled to Otago b where the ball went into touch. Thomson centred the play with a good punt, which was quickly followed up by the Otago forwards, who carried the scene of strife to their opponents’ quarters. Fraser now got the ball, and passed to Keogh, who passed to Bee. The latter, in endeavoring to kick into touch, kicked the ball on to the Wellington goal-line, which forced them down. The Wellington men wakened up, and followed up the kick smartly. A headlong rush by £ mitb, Taiaroa, and Storey placed the Otago backs in difficulties, having pressed them back on their goal-line and kept them there for some time. The excitement ran very high, and when Fraser ran through the forwards to the twenty-five line and passed to Treseder the cheering was deafening. Treseder dropped the ba'l and started off on a dribble. When he was stopped by Merlet, he had reached the centre of the field. From the line-out the ball was passed to Merlet, who kicked into touch near the Blues’ twenty-five. The Blues were again pressed on their line, over which Merlet and Taiaroa were struggling hard to cross ; but the good p’ay of the Otago half-backs proved too much for them. Thomson momentarily relieved his side by punting into touch. A combined rush by the Colors’ forwards, Moore, Smith, and Taiaroa in particular, carried the play over the Otago goal-line; bat the ball was kicked i; t > touch in goal by K. Fraser. This piece of play, which forced the visitors down, was really good, and the spectators were not backward in recognising it. Shortly after the kick • out, Keogh lad a shot at the Wellington goal, and a forcedown resulted. Bee again failed to take the ball from the kick out, and it went into touch at the half-way flag. Martin came through tho scrum in fine style, and dribbled to within a few yards of the Wellington twenty-five. Here Richardson got a mark, and punted back to the centre. Bee returned the kick, and Gage, who set ott with the ball araidft tremendous applause, kept dodging the opposite backs until he reached the Blues’ territory, where ho was tossed into touch. The ball found its way back to the centre. Morris now got fairly away on the dribble, and beforo be was stopped he had nearly reached the Colors’ goal-line, but through the agency of Co.kroft, Ellison; and Smith the play was shifted to neutral territory. Gibson dribbled the ball a little, and it went into touch. From the throw-in Drabble secured the ball in first-class style, ran a litt.e, and then pissed to Diamond, who in turn passed to Morris. The latter player ran a few yards and passed to Fraser, who failed to take the ball. The piece of passing was loudly applauded, and if Fraser could only havb taken the pass Otago must have scored. Several marks were obtained on toth sides, but no advantage was gained by either, and time was called with the play in neutral territory. So ended the toughest struggle the Otago then have yet had in a drawn game. The play was for the moat part confined to the forwards, who played with great dash. In the case of tbo Wellington men combination was wanting, whilst on the Otago side the forwards’ play could not be much improved upon. Fraser, the Otago full-back, played with geod judgment; and if the three-quarter full-backs had taken the ball as neatly as Fraser) I have no hesitation in saying that Otago would have scored. Of the three-quarter-backs Millar was the best, but his play was not up to interprovincial form. He lacks dash, and his attempts at collaring and stopping rushes are very poor. Bee is evidently getting worse in his play. His form to-day quite equals that he showed in the Auckland match. Keogh, with tho exception of his collaring, is like Bee; and if none of the three-quarter backs show a little better form in the matth against Canterbury, the result of that game is a foregone conclusion. The great fault of the Otago three-quarter back play is want of dash. In several instances splendid opportunities were thrown away, either by laziness or from want of speed. Fraser was always about at stopping rushes and punting into touch; bis collaring was also very good. Thomson, notwithstanding his slight injuries, played with remarkable judgment. Ills kicking was not up to his usual form, but probably his injury had something to do with that. To particularise the Otago forwards would be a very difficult task. Gibson, Drabble, and Isaacs worked like Britons in the scrum, whilst in tho open play Beck, Treseder, and Morriscouldnotbesurpassed, the latter’s dribbling at times evoking hearty and general applause. M’Farlane also shone out in the dribbling rushes, but he has a bad habit of knocking tho ball on when being thrown in from touch. This is a dangerous practice to pursue, when the opposing side has such a man as M’lntyre to place goals at any angle- Dixon, the Wellington full-back, did what little work he had to do very safely, and his kicking was good, The three - quarter - backs’ play was fairly good. Moorhouse, perhaps, _ played with the best judgment, his punting and stopping of rushes being very noticeable. Gage and Faiibrother kicked well, but should have gone in fir mo:c running. Merlet, at half-back, played a very useful game, and several times got his side out of difficulties. Richardson’s punting did a lot for his side. Storey, MTntyre, and Moore played tho best forward game for Wellington, and were well supported by the rest of the scrummaac players. The experiment adopted by the local team of playing wing men did not prove sueccs.-ful, for Smith (one of the wing men) did little or nothing during the whole game. Opinions were freely expressed that the fallacy of this style of play was fully shown in to-day’s match. Had the weight of Smith and Taiaroa been made use of in the scrums, Wellington’s chances of victory would have been considerably increased. CHRISTCHURCH V. OTAGO. The following team has been chosen by the Rev. J. Hoatson to play against Otago Full-back—H. Wilson; three-quarter-backs E Francis, W. Allardyca, A Hobbs; halves—ll Robert-, J Donnelly: forwards—W. Bean, 11. Boswiok, R. Blanchard, B D’Auvergnc, W. Dow, G. Hams, J. Horner, W. Sutherland, and J. Turnbull, The team is tbe same as that which played in the North, with the exception of Hobbs, who plays for the province for the first time. He is small in stature, but very fast, and a very good pot shot at goal. On Saturday he potted a goal with the wind at half-back from the half-way touch-line flag. Turnbull and D’Auvergne, two splendid forwards, are the other exceptions. The Probables, with fourteen men, were beaten on Saturday by tho Possibles by a goal and three tries to a goal and two tries. Harley played well, and made one run clean through the Probables, Ho ran Hobbs veiy close for a place in the team. The match with Otago on Saturday will be played at Lancaster Park, which is now in splendid condition. The team choose their captain on Friday. Francis is almost certain to be elected.