FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 12875, 26 July 1906, Page 4

FOOTBALL

THE WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. —Railway Win the R aimer.— The final match for the Wednesday tanner was played between the Railway aid Alhamfira at the Carisbrnok Ground yesterday, in the presence of 500 spectatore. From the linc-out the Railway secured the hall, and after a neat passing rush between the banks Muaro eroded the line. His shot at goal hit Die uprights. In the seoopd spell Easton secured the ball' from •the line-out, and dashed over the line pear the .comer flag. The attempt at goal again failed. After a bit of give-and-take play Foord secured the ball, and scored for Alhambra, no goal resulting. ' No further score was obtained, and the game resulted in a win for Railway bv 6 points to 3 The Railway team now hold the banner’ them record being .-—Matches played 8* M • points fpr, 81; points against-, 15, Alhambra won the btoner last year. OTAGO UNIVERST TY v. INTERGARGILL. Tlie match Otago University y. the In-i vcrcargiH Club (runners-up forth© Premiership of Southland) took place at Invercargill yesterday, and resulted in a draw neither side scoring. The ‘ Southland Times s says:—“An unusually large number of spectators were present. The hopes of a bnluajpt exposition of back play were, of coarse, dashed by the greasy appearance of the turf, though some consolation was afforded supporters of the local dub by the reflection that the conditions greatly enhanced the chances of their team. And so it proved. The many who were dubious of the Invercargill players making a stand against the redoubtable Otago University had their doubts removed by tb© first few minutes of play. Both teams were applauded on taking the field, and the visitors supplemented Dteir response to the old British salutation with their Maori “ haka.” From the outset the Invercargill (Bines) went “all Out,” and wore speedily in their opponents’ quarters. Here the ’Varsity showed they intended; to play their wonted open game by sending the ball about among the backs, in accordance with the Rugby maxim that “attackis the best defence,” and the spectators realised that they were r.ot to be disappointed in tbeir hopes of fast, open play. As play proceeded it became apparent that tlie Blues’ pack could hold the visitors in tight work, and that their lino work was on a par with that of the ’Varsity. In scrum work the "'‘hooking” honors’ were about even, but the visitors’ heeling out was far ahead of the local pack’s. The ball almost invariably went with a clean sweep from the centre of th© scrum to the half-back in a manner that argued scientific packing and efficient “ locking. ” In open work Die conditions were against Die visitors. With the ball heavy and dead, their cross dribbling tactics did not succeed ea well as the straight-ahead kick and rush play of the local forwards, but one can easily imagine the trouble their pack would give with a lively brill and firm footing. As regards speed and passing ability, the ’Varsity backs are clearly far superior to the local men. They appear to favor the British style, each Ijacking up his colleague well, but the transfer seems to bo given very often without a knowledge of where the ball is going and on the chance of someone coming up for it. This style is certainly attractive, and sometimes bewildering to defenders, but for th© circumscribed space of operation usually obtainable it appears to kick the direct effectiveness of the ordinary double or triple Iranefer, swung low, sharp, and straight to th© hands of the man outside. In iiish-stopping, fielding, and tackling, the I.F.C. backs equalled their opponents, but their kicking was slighDy inferior. Looking at the teams and 'play all round, the impression is that the visitors are capable under other conditions of much better tilings, while Die I.F.G. were seen at their best. The local team undertook a very heavy contract, and tlie manner in which they did it is so gratifying to both the public and their supporters as to constitute a high compliment to the visitors. OTAGO v. TARANAKI. The above match will ’be played on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday. -Three matches have been played between the two provinces, each side having a win t© their credit, while the last match, played id Dunedin in 1899, ended in a draw. Given fine weather a good exhibition of Rugby should be witnessed. The Taranaki team .arrive this evening by the second express, and will he welcomed by the O.R.F.U. officials and members of the Otago team. The Taranaki boys will be quartered at the Criterion Hotel during their stay. Mr A. Downes has been appointed referee, and Mr S. Ballantyne will act as line umpire! for Otago. The Railway .Department has consented to delay the 5.27 p.m. train to Palmerston until 6.15 p.m. Tickets fop the match are obtainable at Mr J. Mendelsohn’s. M’Kenzle .(Alhambra) having injured Ms finger this morning will be unable to take part is. Saturday’s game. His place will be taken by Edwards (Southern). WEDNESDAY ASSOCIATION. Southern and Telegraph met at Gulling Park yesterday, and hustled vigorously and evenly to the final reading of Southern two goals, Telegraph on©. Telegraph opened the attack, and drew first blood, after whiclr Southern had their turn, and attacked for the remainder of the spoil. Only one goal was registered, howeyer, and that through the instrumentality of Nightingale, though A. Sligo 1 sent in .a very hot high shot, which Jarvie just managed to negotiate. The second spell, which provided some interesting play, was of a give-and-take nature, in which' Telegraph backs and Southern forwards shone, with tjie logical result that Southern got home, J. Sligo scoring with a shot which gave Jarvi© no chance. Moore, Swete, and HilJiker played wcfl for Southern, as did O’Conno.r (2), Jar vie, and Smith for Telegraph. Mr Peterson’s rulings were unquestioned.