FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 11895, 25 May 1903, Page 7

FOOTBALL

RUGBY. —.Results of Matches.— Alhalnbth 9 v. Zingari-Richmond 3. Kaikorai 15 V. Pirates nil. Southern 13 v. Union, nil. Dunedin nil v. University nil. • The following are the descriptions of Saturday’s games -. —Alhambra v. Zingari-Richmond.— A strong wind which blew off the bay completely spoilt what promised to be an interesting game between tike Alhambra and Zingari-Richmond. It was one of the strongest “ blows ” ever fell on the Caledonian Ground for many a day, and those players who were called on at times to kick against it generally lost ground, so severe was the wind, which, on the other hand, might have been used to better advantage by Some Of tho men who had it in their favor. The Zingari Were fortunate in winning the toss, and, under such circumstances them game naturally was to make the play open. This, however, they failed to do to any extent worth noting. The Alhambra pack were 100 strong for hem, ■with the result that the Reds kept : ie game fairly tight all through the spell, md when halftime was called there was no score. The Zingari, of course, were attacking near.y all the time, and had they only been able to get the upper hand of the opposing forwards, so that they could have played a game that would have suited the day, they no doubt would have had a score to their Credit. But the Alhambra forwards were tbo big and weighty for them, and the Reds, playing a most determined and vigorous game all through the spell, always managed to clear their line. The Zingari missed one good chance from a free kick in front of the Alhambra’s goal, and several Times they looked like successfully crossing (heir opponents’ line. On changing ends the Alhambra had their turn, and play at once settled in the Colors’ quarters, where Dey, getting possession. scored. More passing saw the ball go out to Heenan, who dashed over at top speed with an opponent trying to hold on to him. Paterson next scored a similar try. all the kicks at goal being resultless. Keeping up the attack, Alhambra,were repeatedly dangerous, and another scßre seemed certain, when a most sensational incident happened. Heenan had made a run through his opponents over in the direction of the other wing, where he Was brought down. Some scrambling then ensued on the Zingari’s line, where Fish got the ball, :md with Heenan out of his place the Zingari three-quarter set sail against the wind. One Alhambra man went to tackle him, but missed him. Stuart, the full-back, next made a feeble attempt to stop Fish, who jinked him, and bolted down the field with a clear field in front of him. The wind was blowing for all it was worth, and the only question was whether Fish could stay the distance. Dey was on his hecis all the Way, but Fish kept in front, and running as strongly at the finish as at the start, scored one of the most sensational tries registered for many a day. Tho kick at goal was a failure. The spectators applauded loudly. Fish coming in for quite an ovation. It was a great try, and one which will long be remembered by those who were present. Two minutes 'aier lime was called. Mr W. A. Wilkinson gave every satisfaction with the whistle. —Dunedin r. University.— This match, played at Bishopscourt, did not attract a large crowd, and it proved fot tie most part rather a tame contest. Possibly the teams, in battling against their common adversary—the wind—had less energy on that account to spare for each other. There were, however, about the play the elements of a fine open game, for both sides went in for passing whenever possible, and the back play was the feature of the game. Dunedin, in this respect, were_ the stronger, and, though the game provided a fairly even go—much more so than had been expected—they were, perhaps, a little unfortunate in not winning. Dunedin started off with the strong cross wind just a shade in their favor, and in the _ first few mintes came very near to scoring more than once, but nothing more than force-downs resulted. . University, however, had quite as much to say during the spell as their opponents, and for a long time kept play in tneir adversaries’ ground. They had a couple of resultless tries at goal, once from a penalty kick and once from a mark. Well on in the spell, when University were attacking hard, Teesdale got an opening and bolted down the line. He ran straight into the arms of the fullback, but passed nicely to his five-eighths, who, however, could not manage to get over. Dunedin tried hard to score before half-time, and Maclaren, who was unable to play, but who directed operations from the side line, brought Stalker over to the wing to which the wind mostly confined the play, but that player was too well watched to accomplish much, and the spell ended without any score. There was some fine running in the second spell, but it did not avail much, there being very wild passing at times, while at others the wind seemed to have numbed the backs’ arms so as to prevent their taking the easiest of passes. Teesdale was again prominent with his speed. Taking a difficult pass, he made for the line, and on being brought down in the corner stuck to the ball and made a determined attempt to get across. WJ Repa was mainly instrumental in raising the siege, but was* blocked after running some distance, the ’Varsity man making a heroic but fruitless effort to charge bis way through a solid mass of men. Dunedin were soon in trouble, though, and a hot attack resulted in a force-down. Adams, who was playing a great game, again threatened danger to Dunedin, for on being collared in tho middle of a fine run, he passed, and eventually secured possession again, but was temporarily laid out in trying to run through an opponent. During the lart few minutes play became eiceea mslv willing, in comparison with the rest of the game at any rate. Dunedin were straining every nerve to score, and had the Varsity penned down near their line, but the Yarsity defended just as resolutely, rnd managed to stave them off until time was called, the match thus ending in a draw. —Kaikorai v. Pirates.— . The disagreeable weather, the expectation of a one-sided game, and a counter attraction at the Caledonian Ground completely spoilt the “gate” at Carisbrook. where less than a hundred spectators viewed the contest between Kaikorai and Pirates. Kirkcaldy, a somewhat well-seasoned Pirate, put up an energetic game for his old club! •and an admonition to “Heave Blacks,” which is suspected to have emanated from him, and which was always easily audible ■ill over the field, seemed to have the effect of stimulating the Pirates to great efforts in the scrums. Kaikorai, who were without. the services of Ronald, lost the toss, and for the first spell played up towards the pavilion goal, having to contend with both wind and srun. They made the game to suit circumstances, hugging the western touch-line, and in a series of tight encounters made small but steady advances. In this plan they received no small assistance from the Pirates, who are evidently firm believers in the exploded notion which lias its expression in the maxim “Find the line every time,” and who seem to think that, even when playing with the wind, it is the correct thing to seek touch with every kick. Kaikorai, on the other hand, were very much wiser, and in the second spell, when they had the wind with them, they looked for the middle of the field, and adopting the well-known Alhambra, plan centred mces* santly, and with good results. In the tight work which marked the first spell Kirkcaldy was veiy conspicuous, receiving assistance from Dennis ton, Stuart, Petre and - Fenwick, while Torrance, Porteous. Adamson, M Donald, and Duncan toiled hard for Kaikorai. Hislop’s kicking was a feature and his long punts from a succession of clever marks were of great benefit to his side. Halfway through the spell Porteous broke away from a line-out, and dribbling .nicely reached the line, where he picked up and capped a good piece of work with a wore near tho flag. The kick failed. 3—o Just before half-time Pirates with a good concerted effort got the play into Kaikorai territory, and the ball being kicked wildly by one of the Blues it came into the hands o! Cramond, who failed to take the best chance which presented itself to his side

during the course of the game, he being brought down by Duncan, who came across very fast. ( th the second spell Kaikorai gave a neat little, sweet little exposition bf attacking tactics, and added four tries to that, already scored by Porteous, Wilkinson (who played with any amount, of dash) scoring three, and Adamson one, but all attempts at goalkicking failing signally. Successive pieces of good Work left play in the Pirates’ twenty-five, where, Duncan klfcking hard over the line, Nicholson forced. Towards the middle of the spell Sinclair got the ball away nicely from the scrum, Duncan made a partial opening, which Smith improved, and Booth and Wilkinson both running Well,, the latter got in near the kick by Booth and a good on© by Cfainond saw Kaikorai momentarily in trouble, but Wilkinson cleared his line in workmanlike fashion, and soon afterwards Porteous pushing his way through a lot of opponents, Adamson got the ball ahd registered the third try. 9—o. Kaikorai continued to press the attack, and only the resolute defence set up by Hislop, who .Was assisted by Nicholson and Miller, kept thdm Out. At length Sinclair whipped out to Duncan on the blind side, and the ball being sent on to Wilkinson that player made a dive* tor the line, and touched down at the south-west corner. 12—0. At this stage Pirates, who had been in a chronic state of .defence nearly all the spell, began to go to pieces. Baxter made a good run down the field, and centring with judgment some hot Work took place almost under the Blacks’ posts, the ball eventually going to Wilkinson, who added another try. Smith’s kick failed to enhance, and an attractive game thus ended in favor of Kaikorai by 15 points to nil. Mr A. Downes made a very efficient referee. —Southern v. Union.— Two or three hundred followers of the game watched this match at Tahana Park, A very strong wind blowing along tin tcuch-Unes gave the Southern a tremendous advantage in the first spell, and their partisans expected them to put up a very much larger score than 10 points by halftime. The first score came after* about three minutes’ play, Bennett getting in as the result of a passing rush. M. Casey took the kick and made the score S. From that time, however, the Southerners distinctly slowed down, seemingly reserving themselves for the second spell, when they would have to play against the wind, and they also dropped combination, their movements giving the spectators the idea that they were content to look out for independent chances of scoring. More than once a Southern back hung on to the ball when by passing a try seemed reasonably certain. While the Southern Were thus playing below form, the Union team were performing Valofously and with splendid combination, each man doing so well that it would be unfair to mention any to the implied blame of the others. It was, in fact, at this stage, the best exhibition of football the Union team have so far given this season. They met the powerful Southern forward pack fearlessly, and, not content with defensive tactics, frequently ventured Upon a resolute attack, and all through played the game for the* occasion, by kicking low and making snre of finding the touch-line. As already mentioned, the Unions were not at this time encountering the real strength of the Southerns, nevertheless it was a capital game that they played, and, whatever they may do in the course of the season, Saturday’s spectators will remember the way they kept tho play near to the centre for the space of nearly half an hour. Towards the close of the spell the Southerns threw a little life into their work, and nearly scored two or three times, one effort resulting in another 5 points. The ball was kicked across the field, and Bennett just beat one of the Union backs in a fine race for it. thus getting a try that no other man in the team could have secured, and with a capital kick from near touch Bennett con-' verted it into a goal. In the second spell the Southern team came right up to their true form, and, though often baffled by the high wind, their splendid combination amongst the forwards completely beat down the opposition. Quicker or keener forwards could not be asked for, and they moved in a body here, there, and everywhere. When, occasionally, the ball did come out to the Unions they were shoved clean on top of it. On the form shown it seems strange that the Southern scored only once in the second spell. Half a dozen times they looked like it, but luck was with the Maroons as well as the wind, and though the Union men plainly tired, they generally managed to just stave off the score. The exception occurred just before the middle of the spell. From a passing rush between the Southern forwards Goodman threw to Simpson, and the latter got in alone from the 25 mark. M. Casey took the kick, but the wind spoiled it. Nothing else of consequence happened in the game, which ended in a win for Southern by 13 points to nil. Of the winning team, Goodman, Leyden, Popham, M. Casey, and Bennett played the best. Bennett did not make one mistake, and Goodman played the game of his life. Smith’s first attempt as full-back was somewhat marred by bis occasional fumbling in taking the ball, but excuses were readily made for him. The Union men all played well in the first spell, and were baked in the second. If pressed to mention names on that side it would be those of Rowlatt and Mnnro, -but it was a. team that came and- went in a body all the afternoon. Mr Mahone’s decisions as referee were accepted as fair, and he had ho special trouble, the rules being reasonably observed. SECOND QUADS. Port Chalmers defeated Ravensbourne by 8 points to 3.—Southern defeated ZingariRichmond by 9 points to 8. Peninsula defeated Kaikorai by 3 points to nil. THIRD GRADE. Port Chalmers defeated Union by 9 points to nil.—Alhambra A defeated Alhambra B by 6 points to 3.—Dunedin A defeated Ravensbourne by 6 points to nil. —Southern defeated Zingari-Richmond by 9 points to nil. The following results of matches played in the other centres on Saturday afternoon are supplied by our special correspondents : AUCKLAND. City defeated Grafton, 16 points to nil; Newton defeated Suburbs, 19 to nil; Ponsonby beat North Shore, 12 to nil. WELLINGTON. ' Tremendous interest was centred in the Melrose-Poneke match, knd the attendance was a record for local matches at the Athletic Park. The game was fiercely contested, and in the second half both sides were practically run to a standstill. Amidst intense excitement Poneke left the field winners by 6 points to nil. In the first spell Wallace kicked a beautiful penalty goal. The next half saw a superb piece of passing, started by Gray from the line, almost every Poneke back handling the ball. Slattery, making a terrific dash for the line, upset two of his opponents, and touched down amidst great cheering. Early in the first half T. Cross, of the Poneke team, badly broke his collar-bone, and had to go to the hospital for surgical treatment. As the insurance scheme came into operation on Saturday, he will reap the benefits of its provisions.—Oriental beat, Athletic by 18 to X. Randell (two), Buckending, Evans, Wylie, and Roberts scored tries, none being converted. Hales kicked a penalty goal for the Athletics.—On the Petone Ground- the suburban team defeated Wellington by 13 to 3. CHRISTCHURCH. The Canterbury Rugby Union’s championship competition was advanced another stage on Saturday afternoon. The weather was fine, and the grounds generally wer 3 in splendid order. At Lancaster Park the attendance was rather larger than usual. Chief interest centred in the SydenhamAlbion match,, which was not, however, very interesting, Sydenham winning after a close game by 3 points to nil.—Christchurch beat Old Boys by 11 points to nil; and the match between I inwood and Canterbury College was won by the former by 12 points to 3.—The Merivale team journeyed to Lyttelton, and defeated the local representatives by 19 points to 7. The championship points now stand ns follow; Albion 4, Christchurch 4, Linwood 3£. Sydenham 3i, Merivale 24, Old Boys 2, Canterbury College 4, and Lyttelton i

ASSOCIATION. —Roslyn v. Momington.— The match between Roslyln and Mornington, on the Asylum Reserve on Saturday, turned out a far more interesting one than was expected by the Onlookers, after seeing the state bf the ground. < On the day’s play the teams Were evenly matched, and the game might have gone either way right up to the finish. As it was, the ultimate “ draw ” was a very proper conclusion to the game, which was stubbornly contested all through. Momington gained the first advantage within ten minutes of the kickon, Boucher managing to place a shot between the posts after a free rush into Rbslyn territory. Thereafter there ensued a phaise of give-attd-take play, dilring which there was a lot of kicking and slipping and sitting down in the mud, to the disfigurement of numerous pairs of white pantaloons, There were also one or two matters of note at this stage of the game, consisting mostly of efforts at combination among the forwards of either side, which showed a desire on their part to play the game os it should be played. They were efforts only, chiefly because the conditions under which the game was' played were such as to moke most of the little niceties of foot work extraordinarily difficult. Nevertheless, they were willing attempts, and trying is the first step—in fact all the steps—on the track up the hill of success. Once the Roslyn forwards made an excellent opening, lining but in fine order,, and passing for a turn or two admirably. The mud and the opposing backs, however, vanquished them before they bod gone far. By giving the mud a share of the credit, it is not intended to detract from the ability of the Momington rearguard. They deserve a deal of praise for the comparative excellence of their work. Sparrow and Farquharson, the two full-backs, were remarkably safe throughout the game. Shortly after Momington had achieved their first score the Roslyn men made an effort and went near to equalising matters. Ineffectual shooting, however, made the attempt fruitless, and it was not until some time afterwards that the scores were on a level. This came about through a* very pretty piece of play. A. Dobson, with one of his clever screw kicks, gave the ball to the forwards on the left wing. Ussher took it up too near the comer, and then centred neatly to Brown, who, in his strategic way, was lying up close in goal, and was able to steady the ball and plant it in the net with only the goal-keeper to oppose him. It was a clever move, bub the Momington backs should have been more careful than to allow Brown.to have things all his own way, as he undoubtedly did. Half-time was called without any further score It Was thought by some that Roslyn would have a slight advantage in tho changing of ends, but this was not apparent. Momington, frithin five minutes of the start of the second spell, rushed the ball down the field, and Boucher shot it in from the left so smartly that it was in the net before the goal-keeper had well realised the danger. The Momington men thus obtained a lead of one goal, which they maintained Until near the end of the game. They kept at the attack for a good part of the spell, and once Hilford, with a little more speed and precision,, might have scored. The defence of the Roslyn backs, however, was too good. The final score was the re suit of another piece of very creditable work on tho part of some of the Roslyn forwards. Moore, " manoeuvring the ball cleverly, worked it down a stage towards the Mornington goal, and transferred to Ussher. He, in turn, passed it out to Clark, who shot successfully. Time was called soon afterwards. Leaving detailed criticism of the game and players to be dealt with in an other place, it will be sufficient to say here that the work of the full-backs on either side was full of merit, while among the halves and forwards there were periodic flashes of promising ability. Botu goalkeepers did the little they had to do creditably. —Wakari v. Green Island.— This match, which was played at Wakari, was spoiled by the wind. Wakari won by three goals to one. They won the toss, and pressed hard from the kick-off, but barring a few corners, they achieved nothing for some time. Then the Wakari men had a turn, and Webster, after a fine passing run, scored. Just before time M'Caughan equalised matters by a nice shot. Wakari’s

second goal was scored by G. M'Millan from a penally kick, G. Armit placing the third shortly before the call of time. —Southern v. Kaltangqta.— Southern were defeated by Kaitatgata at Koitfingate by four goals to nib. second GRADE. Wakari defeated Southern by default.' Northern defeated Roslyn at Montecillo by three to one. THIRD GRADE. Wakari v. Rodyn.—Wakari won by four goals to two. t ' Northern defeated Momington by nine goals to one. FOOTBALL IN AUSTRALIA. Eighteen thousand persons witnessed an exhibition of the Victorian game between Fitzroy and Colliugwood teams. Fitzroy won by 61 points to 45. Conforming to the request 0! .tho New Zealand Rugby Union, the match against the Northern Rugby Union will be played at Maitland instead of Newcastle,