FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 8613, 5 September 1891, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO. The fifth annual contest between footbi teams representing Southland and Otago cam off at the Carlsbrook Ground this aftei noon. There was a stiff northerl; wind blowing. The attendance, as wa expected, waa very targe, there beia at least 4,080 people on the groan shortly after the game started. Mr & B Bowler acted as referee, and Mr W. M*Laughli; (Otago) and Ur E. B. hTffay (Southland) a line umpires. Treeeder captained the visitors, and Mont gomery the local team. The following table shows the weights of th members of the testes ; SOUTHLAND. OTAGO. (Maiden) (Blur) rutIrSACKH. t „ »t lb »•> Thomal .. .. 13 0 Orenloll .. .. 12 ( thrhsqoarisbS. DeJoux .. .. 10 0 Lang • • •• j® j gonaldton .. 12 2 Dowacs •• }} „ tin „ .. 11 3 Laurenson.. .. H 2 halviA 10 Cull .. 10 12 Crawtuid .. -• 10 12 Tapper .. .. 9 9 Utan ■. .. 11 2 forwards. Treeeder .. .. 12 0 Montgomery •• If » Ekeneteen .. 12 0 Torrance .. J* ® M'ttobie - .. 12 0 Drabble .. Murphy .. .. 12 2 Matheson - ® Hanna .. 12 8 Hanning .. •• 11 f Jenkins .. .. 11 7 M'Cleary .. .. 12 7 Martin .. •• 12 6 Jobnaton .. .. 1112 Todd .. .. 1110 Isaars .. 12 2 Hughes .. .. 11 12 Beadle .. .. 12 4 Average, backs .. 11 2 Average, backs .. 11 2 Average, forwards 12 2 Average, forwards 12 1 Average, all round 11 10 Average, all round 11 10 Montgomery won the toss and elected to take advantage cf the wind, kicking towards the south goal Southland bad tbs sun in their eyes in the first spell. Treeeder kicked off, the ball being well returned by Downes, and a scrum was formed In the centre, but the play was taken down towards the Maroons’ goal very rapidly, Isaacs being in the van in the rush. Thomas got a muk, which relieved the pleasure somewhat; but tee ball was sent back well, and De Jonx missing it, a force-down resulted. On play being resumed, a line-out waa formed, from which the ball went to Downes, who, after a dashing ran, passed to Laurenson, who made a splendid rnn, but his effort to get over the line was not successful. After soma fast play the visitors were again forced. The play was fast and forlorn on belrg restarted. Laurenson marked near the centi e, bat little ground was gained. The Southland players then oanied the leather into their opponents' territory, and a scram was formed almost on the line. De Jonx was within an ace of being over Orawfard showed up in some good play, which resulted in Otago’s line being cleared. After some hard play Orawfard got possession, and ran well down the field, ultimately passing to Downes, who transferred to Laurenson. A smart run by the Kaikorai representative took him over the line before Thomas oonld tonch him. Montgomery did not place a goal. Score: Otago 1 point, Southland nil Shortly afterwards Southland were forced dowr. When the ball was once more set agoing, Johnston obtained it and made a good run, passing in the end to Downes, but the Alhambra man failed to take it. A serum was formed near the Maroons’ quarter- tUg, and on being heeled out it was kicked over the line, a foicedown resulting. The Southland men were then mote energetic, and in a good loose rush, in which M’Robie and Hughes were conspionons, carried the oval to the Otago’s twentyfive. Cnff was on the point of getting over, but was grassed in the nick of time, and play then went back to the visitors' ground, Laurenson and Cran being chiefly instrumental in bringing about tho change. The Blues’ forwards got on the ball, Isaacs being the most prominent, and play was for some time in the vicinity of the Maroons’ quaiter flag. Orawfard got the ball into his hands and passed well to Cran, who ran in and deposited the sphere behind the goal posts. Laurenson’* hick registered them»jor points. Score: Otago 1 points. Southland nil. The visitors then assumed the aggressive, and pressed the local men very hard for fully twenty minutes, but the defence of the home team was splendid, and ail the Maroons’ efforts to score availed nothing. By good combined play the Blues shitted the scene of play to the centre, Matheson showing up in the rash. The Maroons again roshed the play down, but Torrance and M’Cleary were prominent in taking it back to the centre. _ Downes kicked well down, and succeeded in collarisg Thomas before the latter could retain it. From a free kick awarded the Blues at the quarter flag Laurenson attempted to place a goal, but the ball travelled a few yards outside the bars. On a fresh stait being made Isaacs took the ball from a line-out, and after a short run passed to Montgomery, who made a dodgy run, which ended in his crossing the line amid cheers. Laurenson placed another goal. Score: Otago 7 points; Southland nil. The visitors then carried the play into the B’ues territory, where Cuff, obtaining possession, made several attempts to get away, but the local players, by a capital open game, took the leather to the other end. Beadle failed to take the ball, and the Maroons were on him before he could kick. After some fast play Torrance possessed himself of the leather and got over the line right underneath the posts. Laurenson’s kick was again successful. Score: Otago 10 points, Southland nil. Half-time was called immediately afterwards. In the second spell Crawford got a try and Laurenson kicked a goal. Johnson next crossed tho lm«, and Montgomery’s kick was a fai’ure. Final score: Otago 17 points, Southland nil. The following shows the result of previous matches:

188T—At Dunedin— Otago won by one goal three tries (6 points) to nil. JSBB—At Invercargill—Drawn, no aooro. 1889- Dunedin—Otago won by four goals and three tries (15 points) to one try. 1890— At Invercargill-Southland won by one goal and one try (4 point*) to nil.

We understand that the Railway Department Is prepared to tun a special train to Caristchurch on Friday night “if sufficient inducement offers,” and will bring passer gers back in time to enable them to be at business on Monday morning. It now rests entirely with those who are said to have expressed so much anxiety to see next week’s match; and if they communicate with the secretary of the Rugby Union by Wednesday, in sufficient numbers to warrant the department in putting on a special train, that step will be taken.