FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 14637, 5 August 1911, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

"INTERHIGH SCHOOL MATCH. OTAGO DEFEAT SOUTHLAND. The annual fixture between the Otago and Southland High Schools took place at Carisbrook No. 2 ground this morning. There was, as is usual these fixtures, a large attendance of schoolboy supporters, who made things lively with their resounding cries of " School!" • Ihe Bpia of the coin favored Otago, who elected to play to the southern end. The local team jumped into attack from the kick-off, artel soon had the visitors penned back on their goal-line. The Otago backs indulged in a great deal of passing, Begg whipping the ball away from the scrum iu fine style. Robertson made several breaks for "the line from the blind side, but failed to get across- Then the ball was travelled through the full rearguard, and though on several occasions the danger signal was up, the passing failed to bo sustained at the critical moment. In this way the local team lost at Jeast three certain scores, and to add to the discomfiture Pilling missed a comparatively easy shot at goal from a mark. Once Wylie got across, Dut was called back for off-side. After Otago had been attacking for about 20 minutes Southland took a turn at the management of affairs, shifting the scene of action to the opposing end, where they attacked vigorously. A couple of free kicks to Otago brought them out of danger, and they rushed play to the Southland area, only to be sent back for off-side play. Dobbie and Stsad were prominent for sound kicking for Southland, and it was mostly due to players' efforts that Otago were kept defending. Once the heavier Southland forwards were within an ace of scoring, but someone forced down in the nick of lime. But continued pressure boro fruit, and from a scrum on the line the Southland pack shoved their opponents over, and Laurie scored a try. M'Kenzie missed with the shot at goal. Southland 3-0. A few moments later Stead made a dash through the defence, but Fitzgerald just managed to haul him down. Hutchison led the Otago forwards on a ven-ure which came to nothing, and Southland were attacking strongly when the whistle went for time. Otago opened the second spell in determined style. O'Shea put his side in a good position with a long punt. From an ensuing scram Begg despatched his backs on a parsing venture, but the Southland defence proved sound. Not so the next time, however, for O'Shea drew the defence and flung the leather out to the wing, where Hutchison secured and dashed across. Patereon failed at goal. 3 all. Play had scarcely been restarted when Otago indulged in another eortio, and this time Patereon went over at the corner. Taking the kick himself, he goaled with, a fine effort. Otago B—3. Tho local team continued to attack determinedly. O'Shea, by intercepting a pass from halfway, broke away and kicked over the full-back's head, and Patereon, running strongly, nearly scored again. Otago continued to play with groat confidence, passing beautifully. The try of the match came when Wylie received a pa«; from Begg, and with the line a good 20 yards away flashed through the. defence and fell over the line with a couple of Southlauders hanging on to him. Paterson failed to convert. Otago 11—3. A strong run by M'lGw.ie put Southland on their first real attack. They worked right up to the line where passing ensued to no advantage, Be-gg clearing. The- con- < lixling stages of tho game saw Otago holding their opponents easily. The game ended without any further &core : Otago ... ' 11 Southland ... 3 It wa-s a good game to watch, being much more exciting than many first grade matches. Taking matters all through Otago deserved thoir win, for, save for the period in the first spell when Southland were attacking, they were ; nearly always top doge. Their passing in the second spell was excellent, they threw the ball a.bout whenever possible, and not wildly. Southland had two good backs in Dobbie and Stead, the latteT a brother of the Stead of All-Black fame. These two players were of invaluable service with thoir kicking, and Stead ako initiated several passing boute, which, however, fizzled out. The forwards were a fairly even lot. Southland were better in the tight work, but the locaJ pack was a trifle superior in the loose. Mr A. Fordyce refereed. After the match tho teams dined together under the preeidencv of the rector of the Boys' High School (Mr W. J. Morroll). The Southland team returned home by the second express. UNIVERSITY v. OWAKA. University and Owaka plaved a match on the Caledonian Ground this afternoon before tho match between Otago and the South Island minor unions. Tho weather was perfect., but the gronnd was slippery. At half-time the score was : University 11, Owaka 3. Tait was tho first to score, getting across near the corner. Ongley failed with the kick. 'Varsity 3, Owaka 0. The next tiy was a sensational one by Millard. Owaka had taken play up to 'Varsity's line, and a kick by a Blue back was mistieldcd by On-aka, two men going for the ball. Millard snapped up the ball, and, getting into his stride, outran all his opponents, and scored between tho posts. Ongley converted. 'Varsity 8, Owaka. 0. Patterson, getting a-cross at the corner, added another 3 points to tho Blues' score, and M'Kay scored from a forward rush for Owaka. White failed to convert the latter. University took command of the game during the first half of the second spell, Millard and Potte"- scoring tries, which were not converted. 'Varsity 17, Owaka 3. Uninteresting play followed, the advantage being with Owaka, who came near scoring on several occasions. Eventually, after some line-outs and scrums near the coiner, Lcnnane got across at the corner. Richar.lson failed with the kick, which was from a difficult angle. Final: University ... 17 Owaki 6 Mr J. Milier was referee.