FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 8530, 1 June 1891, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

DUNE DIN v. UNION. The Union had the worst of the luck on Saturday, and suffered greatly from the want of a scoring back. M'Lennan was especially a failure, rarely succeeding in taking tiw ball. The Dunedin Club won by 7 points to 4. were obtained for the victors by Kirkcaldy, Tajaroa, and Brookes, one of which Cuff converted into a goal, besides placing a goal from a penalty kick ; and for the Uuion tries were obtained by Porteous (converted into a goal by Thomson) and Beadle, Taiaroa played the best back game. Of the forwards, Heenan, Isaacs, and i'urton were most prominent for Ducedin; and ftenierjon and Grieve for tbe Maroons. ZINGARJ-RICHMOND v. UNIVERSITY. The Zingari-Ricbmond managed to make a draw with the University, each side scoring 3 points. In the first spell Fordyce, for the Ziogari-Richmond, scored between the posts, from which a goal was kicked ; and later on, as the result of a fine run, Ross (University) grounded the leather between the posts, and Montgomery gained the major point from the place. Mendelssohn injured his ankle Bhortly before halftime, or the University would probably have won. KAIKORAI t. PIRATES. There were fully ?00 people watching this match on Saturday. At #.30 Drabble kicked off, and some very fast play followed in the Kaikorai ground. Ten minutes afterwards the Blues had their opponents hemmed down so tight that the Pirates were compelled to force. Play then centred for five minutes. A penalty kick was awarded the Blues, but Drabble and M'Beath nullified any advantage that might have followed from it by a good run down the field. Cran got the ball, and, dodging well, was fairly on the way to the Kaikorai line when he was grassed. The pass back gave the ball into the hands of tbe Kaikorai, bobs of the Blacks supporting their man to take it from him. Richardson kicked far into tite Pirates' territory, and the Blues following up well took the ball past ail their opponents, and Leslie gained a try. The kick was entrusted to and was successful. Score : Kailrorsi .3 points, Pirates nil. After the kick-oat some goad passing on the pait of the Pirates' backs put the Blues on the alert. A combined rush by their forwards carried the ball to the Blacks' quarter-flag, where the home team was awarded a penalty kick, which Torrance unsuccessfully attempted to convert. Cran got away and kicked well, but Rae carried the ball back B>nd <• scrum was formed near the Pirates' Jine. fiapaw made a bold effort to get over, but was collared in good j style, and the leather was sent to midfield. M'Donald took it, passed to Laurenson, who in turn passed to King, *ud after a good run the last-named dropped over the line amid cheers. Jjaurenson's kiok was a failure. Score: Kaikorai 4 points, Pirates nil. When the ball was again set in motion the Pirates forwards made a gfeod "psh, which was popped by Rae, and the* ball was returnea feo the Pirates' territory, where! Williams, bavigg the sun in his eyes, missed it, and the got another try, Laurenson's kick was again a failure. Score: Kaikorai ft points, Pirates nil. No further score was made before the ci!l of ■ half-time, but the Pirates wsre thrice i or.ced ■ down.

In the second spell the play was not very brilliant. The ball was soon in the Pirates' ground, where Laurenson, by a piece of smart play, secured it, and having a clear run before him succeeded in getting over the line, depositing the ball right behind the posts. He took the kick himself and placed a goal. Score : Kaikoral 8 points, Pirates m. The Eaikorai backs carried the leather to the Pirates' line once more, but the Blacks were successful in defending, and shifted the scene of play to the centre. The visitors then played with increased visjor, and gave the hill boys a hot quarter of an honr, but the defenoe of the Kaikorai was capital. Shortly afterwards the Bines again penned the glacks, and King securing the ball ran in, bat no good resulted. Score: Kaikorai 9 pointy Pirates nil. Time was called soon afterwards. The Pirates were unfortunate in not being able to play their full strength, the Morris Brothers (3), Stronaoh, and Orbell being absent. Wales, Drabble, and Milne were most noticeable among the Piratea 1 forwards, and Crap tm i Turner among the backs. For the IL-i-omi, Torrance, Leslie, M'Laren, Rae (2), Millar, and Laurenson were always on the ball. Mr T. Rallingshaw made an efficient referee, and Messrs Atkinson and Armit aoted as line umpires. ALHAMBRA t. TAIERI. In the Becond spell W. Elder made two fine runs along the touch-line to near the corner flag. Mat&eaqn broke away from the Line-out and looked likjs scoring; but was, called back. Noel then mads a strong run right through the opposing forwards; but he was oaught by S. Elder. R. Elder and M'Donaldby good play brought the ball close to tba> Reds' line, and soon after R. Elder aoored after a pretty run. W. Elder failed is the place-kick. Cunningham made a good run to the Tajeri full-baok; but the laieri forwards, playing well together, ■imply ran over their heavier opponents, and had the play all to themseivea, Stevenson passed out incessantly to his

three-quarters, and Downet, Bom, and Noel were kept busy defending their line. The Taieri forwards kept np a strong attaok, and Maokie had a pot at goal, whioh went rather wide. R. Elder again got under way, .and, running very fast, got over the line, but before he oould touoh down he came in oontaot with Baker, who carried both player and ball back into play. Soon after time was called. The Taieri were thus defeated by 5 pointß to 1. Murdooh at full back was very Bafe, while R. Elder has the makings of a first-class, player, •his play at times eliciting vigorous applause. Stevenson and M'Donald both worked well at half. The whole of the Taieri forwards played well, but Matheson and Stoddart are deserving of speoial mention. The Alhambra showed nothing like the form that characterised their play in previous matches, and neglected golden opportunities for scoring, whioh was ohiefly due to wild and erratic passing. During the latter part of the game they appeared to be completely nonplussed. OTHER MATCHES. Port Chalmers defeated High Sohool on the Asylum Ground; Pirates Seoond (5 points) v. Kaikorai Seoond (3); Union Second (6 points) v. Dunedin Seoond (nil), on the Caledonian Ground; Warehousemen v. Ravensbourne, at Ravensboume, no soore; Zingari Seoond (5 points) v. 'Varsity Second (4), at Monteoillo; Port Chalmers (15 points) v. High Sohool Seoond (1), at Port Chalmers; Union Third (5 points) v. Warehousemen Second (3); Southern (6 points) v. Belmont (1). A Wellington telegram states that the Wellington Club defeated the Melrose by 6 points (a goal and three tries) to 3 points (a potted goal). Poneke and Petone played a draw, each scoring a try. The first round for the senior championship is now finished. The Wellington Club is leading, with three wins and one loss. The Petone and Athletics have lost two games and won two, while Melrose has been defeated in all matches.