FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 18094, 9 October 1922, Page 5

FOOTBALL

RUGBY. It is understood that’ the University Football Club has decided, as was generally expected, that “it is not prepared to bring a specific charge against any member of the Otago team” for consideration of the O.R.F.U. Executive. The annual match between Speight’s and M'Qavin and Co. was played on Saturday at Tahuna Park. It was a hardfought game. M'Gavin’s won by 14 points to 6. Mr J. Sutherland ably controlled the game. SOCCER. jEACLIFF v. RUDD IM AN’S DUXEDIX ELEVEN. ' Although the Association football season closed officially at the end of September, a return match by the above elevens was | played at Sea-cliff under summer-like | weather conditions, the Dunedin eleven reversing the result of the first game (1 to 0) by the odd goal in three, thus making honors even. The hard and baked condition of the ground, and the warm weather were not conducive to strenuous Soccer, but the game was very fast and exciting from beginning to end, the keenness and bright display of both teams being worthy of mid-winter work. The Dunedin eleven were first to score, Newman, at centre-forward, following up his high shot and bundling the goalkeeper and ball through simultaneously. After both goals had run narrow escapes Seadig had an opportunity of equalising through a penalty kick, but Scott, in goal for Dunedin, smartly saved and cleared Hooper’s hard drive from the penalty shot. Seaclifi maintained the pressure for some time, Burns and MTvenzie being prominent among the forwards and well backed up by Cox and Murray in the halves. Scott, in goal, however, fielded and cleared everything that came his way in fine style. Combining well, Dunedin came through on the right, and a hard drive by Catto resulted in a penalty kick against Seaclifi for hands. Euddiraan took the kick and converted, giving Rivera, _in goal, no chance. Dunedin 2, Seaclifi 0. louards half-time SeaciiK, made determined efforts to register, and Burns, who was playing a sterling game at inside-left for fjea-clilf, had hard luck with two good/efforts. Corners were forced by each side in rapid succession without and through the hard and uneven surface near goal several open goals were missed by both sets of inside-forwards. Play ruled fast and furious till half-time, the Anderson brothers (at back for Seaclifi) and M'Callum and Dickel (at back for Dunedin) repelling all attacks. Towards the close of the first half Scott brought off a magnificent save from a fine shot by M'Kenzie. The second half was contested in the same fast and open maimer as in the first spell, a feature being the clever tackling and good opening-up tactics of the halfbacks—Murray and Cox for Seaclifi and Cherry, Dryden, and Johnson for Dunedin. Walker and Ruddiman, at inside-forward, were working hard and lending their halfbacks every assistance, in marked contrast to the local team, whose vanguard was working disjointedly. Play ruled fast and even, head work being a feature. Several corners were forced by each side in turn, ill without result, and, as in the first *pell, several chances of registering were inissed close in. Towards .the last ten minutes a mix-up in the penalty area near goal resulted in a penalty for Seaclifi for hands, and G. Anderson taking the Itick made no mistake. Dunedin 2, Seaclifi 1. Give-and-take play ruled for the last ten minutes, each side' putting up great efforts to augment the scoring; but defence proved tetter than attack, and a close and interesting struggle resulted in victory for Dunidin eleven by 2 goals to 1. The players found the game rather warm for their liking, and the referee (Mr W. Smith, Otago R.C.) is to be congratulated on the very efficient manner in which be controlled the game. He was the hardest-worked man on the field, getting no rest, on account of the auick exchanges, the ball travelling rapidly from end to end. The local players were entertained to a saost enjoyable dance after the game. LEAGUE. The first champion of champions club match of the season, in which the Petone team, of Wellington, challenged the title of the City Rovers (Auckland) to the League Challenge Shield, which was won by them last year, was played at Carlaw Park, Auckland, on Saturday under wet conditions that had a decided effect on the attendance as well as on the game. The Aucklanders' won by 5 points to 3 after a close and exciting match in the mud. Kwse scored an unconverted try for Petone, and the City Rovers scored one and a penalty goal.