FOOTBALL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8530, 1 June 1891, Page 2

FOOTBALL GOSSIP.

How have the mighty fallen ! Last year's ohampions have already Btutained three successive defeats.

Lynoh has been transferred to town from Balolutha, and will in future be available for the D.F.C.

The Union suffered sadly on Saturday from the want of a scoring three-quarter. More than one ohanoe was absolutely thrown away, and the forwards' efforts were repeatedly nullified. The time-honored struggle between the Blues and Maroons was witnessed by several retired players, whose names are inscribed on Otago's roll of fame. Among the onlookers! observed Milne, Chapman, Wyinks, Cargill, and Mills. A rule of the Otago Rugby Union enacts i that no member of an associated olub shall play with two or more associated olubs during the season. This provision was dis- | tinotly set at defiance on Monday last by the most reoently affiliated olub, and at Saturday evening's meeting of the Union correspondence was read from the Warehousemen's and the Dunedin Olubs in connection with the former olub having played Messrs Stephenson (of the D.F.C.) and Beck and Williams (of the Pirates Club) in the match against the Oamaru Seoond Fifteen on the 25th inst. After disonssion it was unanimously resolved (1) to endorse the aotion of the Dunedin Club in having suspended Stephenson; (2) to suspend Messrs Beok and Williams and also the Warehousemen's Club tilt the 9th June.

M'Cleary and Baker were'the pick of the Alhambra forwards on Saturday. Elder proved himself more than a match for Noel, and will turn out a regular sprinter. The Pirates sadly felt the loss of the Morris brothers in their matoh with Kaikorai, and sustained a crushing defeat. Nine points to nil will not be the record when these two clubs meet later in the season.

M'Millan, the Kaikorai forward, having again failed to put in an appearance in response to the O.R. If. U.'s mandate, it has been decided to suspend him during the pleasure of the Committee. The latter will on Wednesday evening deal finally with the alleged "selling" of the Alhambra-Kaikorai match on the 9th ult.

Hunter was induced to don the blue jersey on Saturday, and now and again gave a taste of bis old form. Considering that he has not been in training he lasted wonderfully well. The Alhambras still continue their triumphal career. A match well worth witnessing should be their return game with the Kaikorai. The Alhambra-Taieri match was the fastest one that has been played this season. The opposing teams appeared to be evenly matched during the first quarter of an hour’s play, but the Alhambra’s dribbling rushes nonplussed the Taieri forwards. M'Cleary made a mistake in withdrawing one of his forwards in the second spell and playing him as an additional half. The Taieri forwards had in consequence all the best of it during the last ten minutes, and it was through sheer bad luck that they did not score mure. If Taieri had made more use of their backs in the first spell matters would have been different. The Alhambra have been seen to pass much better than they did on Saturday, The Town v. Country matches will be played about the end of August, the town players being the visitors in the Interests of the Rugby Union. The following table shows the result up to date of the first round for the champion*

The Ktntrarl-Rlobmond and Unlreratty played a drawn game. I hear that in consequence of injuries anatamed Lang and Duncan are not likely to play any more this season. Rbvbbbk,

■hip Club. Mfttobet Points. Played. Wins. Losses. For. last. Alhambra.. .. ■ a 0 17 4 Kaikoral .. .. 4 8 i 18 18 Dunedin .. .. 8 a i 11 8 Talerl .. 8 i 2 10 10 Pirate* .. S i 2 8 IS 'Varsity .. .. 2 i e 7 0 Zingatl .. 2 i 0 3 7 Union .. 8 e 8 6 90