FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 10932, 15 May 1899, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

The following are the results of Saturday's matohes : RUGBY. ~~ [By Rkfrhke.] FIRST GRADE. I im, KAIKORAI V, UNIVEHSITT. r nine weather on Saturday was fine overhead, but several of the grounds suffered badly from the heavy rain which fell during the week. tCahnna Park has long earned the distinction of being one of the driest grounds in town, and it fully upheld its good name on Saturday, when the University (last year's conquerors of the Kaikorai) met the Blueand-blacks for the first time this vear. A large crowd assembled at thn park, including many of the fair sex, most of .whom, judging by the enthusiastic way in which they applauded any good play on the part of the 'Varsity, were keen supporters of the Lijjht Blues. The Univerity team were strengthened by the inclusion of T. Hunter, who made his first appearance this year, and on the wholo they were determined to make a respectable show against the hill boys. That they succeeded in this was amply borne out by the pluck and determination with which they defended their lino during the greater part of the game, for oil through the play was chiefly in their quarters. So far as defence was concerned, the match furnished a true test of I their powers in this respect, and had i they shown the slightest weakness in that) department of the game a large score must have been recorded against them. Time after time in the first spell, when playing against a bitter cold wind, they effectively stopped the vigorous attack of the Kaikorai, and succeeded in keeping the Colors from scoring, to the delight of their supporters, who gave way to oud clapping when the whistle sounded without a score being recorded. During the interval the question of whether the Light Blues would show up to better advantage with the wind was the topic of much discussion, but this was not to be, for it was noticeable from the commencement of the second spell that the home team were laboring somewhat, while the visitors' passing waß much more accurate against tho wind. Several times they were all but over, and " Barney " Armit twice went within a foot or so of the goal line. However, the 'Varsity kept up a brilliant defence, and at one stage of the contest it looked as if a draw would result. Then, within about twenty minutes of time, W. Sinclair seized an openinjr, the five-eighths not being in their placeß at the time, and jinked oyer the line without a hand being placed on him. A damson easily converted. From ibis out the Light Blues seemed to waken up, and on more than one occasion thev found their way into the victors' territory, ' but nothing of much consequence happened, and the Kaikorai were returned the winners by 5 points to nil. The .match itself was an interesting one up to the time Kaikorai scored, for after that it was the visitors' game. They certainly won the game on their meritsJ . and had the contest ended in a draw, as was anticipated by many, it would undoubtedly have been hard luck for them. Their forwards repeatedly got posBesdon of the leather in the scrums, but the ball did not come out so cleanly as one would expect from a team that have now had so much time in which to make themselves profioieut at this particular art, The backs, too, do not put in the same brilliant work that once characterised their play; but, nevertheless, they are still capable of teaohing many of the teams a few wrinkles in back play. On more than one occasion good ohancos were spoilt either by bad passes or by one or two of the men attempting to beat too many men. The University vanguard showed up very creditably both in the scrums and in the open, and, taking their play all through, they just about held their own. The Colors were a shade better than them in scrum work. The collaring and kicking of the backs were both of a high standard, and it was principally du-3 to their stubborn defence that another try or so was not obtained. They were given so very few opportuni ies of playing on the attack that it is impossible to form an opinion of their powers in this respsct, but th-y gave one the idea that they are as smart as ever at handling the ball They, however, did not seomto possess anything like hvt year's combination, but with a few more practices togother they should prove hard nuts to crack. Johnston, tho KaikorM full-back, fielded tho bill well, but his kickin?. gained very little gr.mnd for his side, showing want of judgment on his part. Armlt was a regular thorn In his opponents'side, but he was not fed nearly enough. He was given very few passes in the second Bpell, "Wood made one splendid opening at the start, but spoilt what looked like a certain try for Armit by giving a bad pass. He does not appear to play with the same energy as of • old. Sinclair, on the wing, was slow off the mark, and was generally grounded before he oould get up speed. Duucan always plays well. "W. Sinclair never lagged for a moment, playing hard throughout. His try was a pretty piece of work on bia part. M*son Bhould pass more, instead of going st, much on his own. He was too fond of trying to beat three or four men, with the result that the other five-eighths had to stand and look at him running iuto the arms of an opposing player. In this way several good openings were thrown away, and a player like Armit had to content himself by only getting the ball when it luckily came his way. Of the forwards R. Murphy, Cross, Adamßon, and Porteous were about the best.

White, the 'Varsity full-back, made few mistakes. Oibell, on the wing, Is a stroDg runner and a dangerous man when near his opponents' ltr,c Hunter, centre, has played better games, wi Bepa collared and ran well, but he did not seem at home on the wing at times. Bl'Ara played one of his usual b ii'iant games, being equally aB good on tb* defence as on fie attack. Armstrong lent va'mMa aismtance, but his passing was not too good, while k eking was Maodonald's a'rongeat point. Gregg and Shand were about the pick of the forwards. Mr J, Croxford controlled the game. ALHAMBBA V. SOUTHKHN. It has been said, and undoubtedly there is much truth in the statement, that more people are harmed by attending and witnessing football than by playing it. Standing on a wet, Boiden field, the spectators at the AlhambraSouthern match on Saturday must at any rate have felt decidedly uncomfortable, if none of them laid the seeds of disease. The enthusiastic barrackeTß probably did not think of this, but interested themselves in the game, which. in view of the good form displayed bv both olubß in previous matches, they had reason to believe would be a tight one. Their hopes in this direction were realised. The game was certainly an even if not a brilliant one. The ground, was heavy and slippery, and pools of water were lying here and there. The ball, of course, soon became heavy and greasy, and play was mostly confined to dribbling rushes on the part of the forwards. Occasionally passing runs were attempted by the Red-and-blacks. 2 he half-backs certainly handled the ball well, but there seemed to be a stop when it got to the three-quarterp. The collaring of the CaverBham backs had, no doubt, something to do with the of these passing runs, but Bennett and Cunningham did not play up to form in the first spell, when, with the wind helping them, the Alhambra had most chances to score. For the first quarter of an hour the Southern were hard pressed. Their forwards Beemed to be smothered by the opposing ones. Given, M'Donald, Johnston, and Elder were handling the ball very well, and it seemed as if they must break through the sound defence of the Black-and-white backs. The Albambra, how ever, could not get over, and the only score they registered against the Southern was a penalty goal kicked by Bennett, the free kick being granted through Lawry lying on the ball a fraction too long. Occasionally the Southern, through good dribbling on the part of Neil, Duncan, Allan, and others, had a look in during the first spell. "With the wind at their backa the suburban team were much more aggressivo in the second ►poll. Several times they were near scoring, the nearest being when Cunningham shirked stopping a rush, and the Southern forwards dribbled it over. On another occasion Bennett seemed likely to score, but 111 luok still pursued the Southern, and he slipped when he had a clear field In front of him. At times the play became slow, and the only diversion the onlookers had was a scrum in a pool of water, or two or three players frantically trying to kick the ball from out of a similar place, and only Mieceedlng In splashing each other. During the last eight minutes or so the Alhambra had much the better of the play, and Elder, Bennett, and King came near scoring, but were always upset in the nick of time. The game thus resulted in a win for the Alhambra by 3 points to nil. The forwards on both aides played with considerable dash. It was a day for dribbling, and fine rushes by either side were frequently witnessed. The Alhambra were no better, perhaps not so good, as their opponents in the loose, but beat them undoubtedly in the scrums. It is a difficult matter to single out any one of the Alhambra forwards as playing better than his comrades, but mention should be made of , the fine game played by M'Donald, who was prominent right through. The half-backs all ! played well, but Elder was the best, displaying first-olass form. Bennett at centre threequarter was disappointing in the first spell, but picked up considerably in the second. (. unninghamwas "off color." M'Laren, at fullback, was very sure, and kicked with judgment. Simpßon, the full-back on the opposing aide, stopped rushes welt, but was inclined to get out of his place. This Is no doubt due to .his playing In a strange position. Parris was weak in hia kicking. Lawry, on the other hand, performed very creditably in this respect, besides collaring well. Duncan waa about the best baok on hta aide; Chambers did not play so well «a usual, and Burgess was ako less prominen t

than on previous Saturdays. All the forwards played well, Nell and Olson especially so. Mr Campbell, as referee, strictly enforced the rule regarding lying on the ball, aa both sides occasionally found out to their cost. ONION V. PIRATES. ThankH chiefly to the combination of the TTnion backft, tho Maroona were ablo to wore a victory against Pirates by a try, scored by : Walker, .to nil. The visitors' forwards effected a surprise by beating the home team in the loose, while in tho sorams they about held their own, but somehow or other tho ball seldom tound its way among the baoks. One or two of the Union forwards did not seem to put all their weight into the scrums, and bad it not been for the brilliant attack of the backs things would have ended badly for the Maroons. Of the Union backs, Walker, who scored after a fine passing rush, was far and away the best of their number Armstrong and Adams also showed up prominently. Harris, Munro.'and Stewart were about the best of the forwards. On the Pirateß side Bragg, Thomson (backs), M'Leod, Burt, and Thomson (forwards) all played well. Mr W. H. Haydon aoted as referee. DUNEDIN V. ZINGARI-HICHMOND. This match, played on tho Caledonian Ground, resulted in a win for the home team by a penalty goal kicked by Mackay, who again upheld his reputation of being a firstclas3 kick. The Zlngari forwa:ds were superior all round to the Dunedin vanguard, but their back division suffered in comparison to tho play of the Blues' backs. Mackenzie waß again in great form, while Stephenson and Mackay showed plenty of dash. Of the forwards M'Kewen and Dunne were about the pick. On the Zingari i side Fonlyce. A. Smith, Austin, Fish (back*), and Smith, Stewart, and Macfarlane (forwards) made few mistakes. Mr H. Lawrence was referg 6 SECOND GRADE. Alhambra Second and Ravensbournc played a drawn game, each side scoring a try.—Kaikorai defeated DuneiHo. by 26 points to nil.—Port Chalmers and Union A p'ayed a elrawn game, there being no score.—Tho nntch Pirates A v. Union U ended in a draw, neither side scoring. ASSOCIATION. WAKARI V. MORNINGTON. The Wakari journeyed to Montecillo to meet the Mornington, and after a fairly fast game made an easy win of it by eight goals to one. Mornington attacked, and for a time the Wakari backs bad their hands full in defending their goal, W. Morrison especially saving with some excellent kicks, until at last from a rush, in which M'Donald, Hall, and Lainchbury were conspicuous, the Mornington scored their first goal. Immediately after the Arlidge brothers took the ball up the line at a great bat, and T. Arlidge, cutting in nicely, scored first goal for the Wakari. From the kick the Whites again obtained possession, enabling T. Arlidge to score goal No. 2. From a good passing rush Wright registered a third goal. Wakari, on turning round, had the ground and a rising wind in their favor, and, taking full advantage of both, continued on the aggressive during the whole of the second spell, five goals coming in quick succession, the scorers being G. M'Millan (1), George Arlidge (2), and D. M'Millan (2). For the Mornington, Seelye, Allen, and Grant were the pick of the backs, and of tbe forwards M'Donald, Lainchbury, and Hall played well. The Wakari, one and all, were in good form. Mr Simon gave every satisfaction as referee. NORTHERN V. GREEN ISLAND. This match was played at Northern Park. For the greater part of the first spell the game was very even, and no score was registered, Tlie Northern forwards were considerably weakened by A. Sligo (captain) being absent. Immediately after resuming in the second spell tho Green Island forwards scored from a scrimmago in front of the goal. After this reverse tbe Northern had things pretty much their own way, and Irvine equalised the score, kicking a neat goal from a very difficult angle. Chaelwick registered goal No. 2 for the Northern immediately afterwards. The game at this period was very fast, the Green Island making every effort to break the splendid defence of Irvine, Wyatt, Middlemas, anel Bolton, but without avail. Good passing by tho Northern forwards enabled Irvine to score goal No. 3. Tho Greens for a short time assumed the aggressive, and scored goal No. 2. The Northern forwards showed splendid training, and with a neat passing rush eluded the Green Island backs, Chadwick scoring the fourth goal. Mr R. N. Adams, jun., gave every satisfaction as referee, ROSLYN V. SOUTHERN. The Roslyn and Southern teams met on the Asylum Ground, which was in very bad condition owing to the rain during* the week. Ashton (Southern) won the toss, and elected to play from the town end. Stable 3 set the ball in motion. Southern gave the Roslyn backs a warm quarter of an hour defending, A. Dobson (goal) saving several shots splendidly. Roslyn now had a turn attacking, and passing amongst the forwards resulted in S. Brown scoring first blood with a shot from a difficult angle. Give-and-take play followed, until good kicking by the Roslyn backs left the Southern defending, and from a scramble Dodd cleverly lifted the ball high out to Ussher, who scored the second goal with a high screw kick. Almost immediately afterwards more passing by the hill forwards let Robertson get in No. 3 with a pretty shot. Southern warmed up considerably after this, and -the forwards, assisted by good kicking on the pai-t of the backs, set up a lively attack, which ended in Fleming beating Dobson with a high shot. Half-time was shortly afterwards called. In the second spell A. Dobson, who had come up to half-back, let the Roslyn vanguard away, and Ashton. in attempting to save his side, kicked the ball oyer his own line, giving the Blues a corner kick. A. Dobson took the kick, and, landing the ball right in front of goal, S. Brown cleverly headed it through. Nagle now went up forward, and started a good rush, which ended in his scoring another goal for the •Southern with a low shot. A few. minutes .later Southern were awarded a penalty, but Hiddleston stopped Nagle's kick in fine style, and a good kick by A. Dobson let the forwards away. R. Brown, getting a pass from his.brother, put in a smart shot, which Cameron failed to .stop. Time was called shortly afterwards. Of the Roslyn backs, A. Dobson, who mado his first appearance this year, played a splendid . game, and he was ably assisted by all the others. The foi-wards, who are a fine set, were all in good form, Robertson and S. Brown (wings) centring the wet ball splendidly. Cameron, Ashton, Sparrow, and Nagle brothers (backs), and Fleming and Holland (forwards) were the pick of the Southern. Mr D. Calder gave every satisfaction with the whistle, the gamo ending in a win for Roslyn by five goals to two. OTHER MATCHES. ' Wakari Second defeated Mornington Second by two goals to one.—Roslyn Second defeated Southern Second by three goals to two.—Green Island Second defeated Northern Second bv four goals to nil. THE ENGLISHMEN'S ENGAGEMENTS. The English team, who will leave England on May 8, under the management of Mr M. Mullineux, are expected to reach Sydney on June 14, and the following matches have been arranged:—June 17, v. New South Wale 3, at Sydney; June 20, v. Metropolitan Branch, at Sydney; June 24, v. Australia, at Sydney; June 28, v. Toowoomba, at Toowoomba; July 1, v. Queensland, at Brisbane; July 5, v. Bundaberg, at Bundaberg; July 8, v. Rockhampton; July 13, v. Mount Morgan, at Mount Morgan; July 15, v. Rockhampton, at Rockhampton; July 22, v. Australia, at Brisbane; July 25, v. New England, at Armidale; July 27, v. Northern Branch, at Newcastle; July 29, v. New South Wales, at Sydney ; August 1, v. Metropolitan, at Sydney; August 3, v. Great Public Schools, at Sydney; August 5, v. Australia, at Sydney ; August 8 and 10, v. Western Districts; August 12, v. Australia, at Sydney. The Westralian Rugby Union offered terms for a couple of matches, but their offer was declined because acceptance meant a prolongation of the Englishmen's visit.