FOOTBALL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10662, 24 May 1895, Page 2

FOOTBALL NOTES.

per QUIDNUNC IN “ OANTUBBUEY TIMES.”] • Although I hare been since its inception, •mditlll »m, » strong supporter of the New jZMla&d Engby Union I am likely to prove a ▼•% sever© critic upon its actions in the •▼•at of ■ any injuatics or transgression noon its part. My contentions in favour - of a universal affiliation to the central body have always pean induced by a love of the game, and a genuine desire for its 'welfare in our. colony. I know very well that anti-affiliationists will hail with .delight any admission on my part that the New Zealand Union can fall into any error. One prominent South Island writer ▼rill, I am sore, be delighted, and in his mual narrow-minded manner will endeavour to make capital out of this paragraph. Not being constructed in a way to enable him to lay aside prejudice and one-sidedneas ha ’ will (triumphantly grasp at any admission of any ehortcoming on the part of his much-detested New Zealand Union. In 'spite of all that, though, as I am placed in • position to fearlessly and honestly criticise football matters in New Zealand in general, and Canterbury in particular, I have no hesitation in tackling a question that has arisen in connection with the management of the New Zealand Rugby Union. At the same time I can also assure (that body and all its opponents, that at *any time an instance'of wrong doing comes under my notice, I shall speak out in -Itheae.'coliimnß with no sound but 'withdut the slightest symptom of bias, •pleen or venom. I wish to always give ifair play, and to state fairly and squarely both sides of any question. A fact that 'Jus lately coma under my notice has led to theioregoing, remarks, and I will now lay the case before my readers. It will be ■remembered that the Taranaki Union ssnt y team to play Canterbury last season, and :the garni, was played on Sept. 8. With *th» exception of the five players who Srore picked to play for New Zealand, ■the , team returned to their homes Jon, the same day. These five ppiyed in Christchurch till Sept. 15, on Sfrhich. date the New Zealand match took (place at Lancaster Park. I notice on the balance-sheet of the New Zealand Rugby ’Union, under New South Wales tour uc'*count, the following item:—Expenses five .Taranaki players, .£2O. This amount, I learn, has been subsequently corrected, and stands at £l9 14a, as an amended jbslance-ahdet has been forwarded by the Taranaki Eagby Union to the New Zealand Eugby Union. Now I cannot imagine for one moment why the New Zealand Eugby Union has acknowledged this, claim of the hpupkil Unions, The fiyemen were in,

Christchurch, and the only claim they had on the Hew Zealand Rugby Union was for their week’s board here, and that, I am told, was paid by the treasurer of the Canterbury Rugby Union out of the proceeds of the New Zealand match, and the amount certainly appears on tho New Zealand Rugby Union balance-sheet headed hotel expenses New Zealand team. The point seems clear that the Taranaki Union is trying to “trade” on the Now Zealand Rugby Union for the expenses of five of. its players, just because they were included in the New Zealand team; and this is all the more unexplainable aa the Canterbury Rugby Union voted .£25 to the Taranaki Union to enable the team to make the trip. I trust it is not too lata for this matter to he seen into, and in view of the levy on tho affiliated unions it would be as well to have it settled at once. There is no doubt in my mind that the Taranaki Union owes *the National body tbe sum of £l9 14s, and should refund it without delay.

! The Linwood-Canterbury College match does not call for any exhaustive coni meat. When it has been said that Linj wood won by twenty-five points to nil, | and that this score about represents the difference between the teams on the day's play there is not very much more to add. Linwood played their usual open passing game, and maintained the high standard of play they have shown this season, although, owing to the weakness of the opposition, the forwards may not have shown all the dash and vim that they have on previous occasions. For the first half-hour* the game was fairly fast and open, and though Linwood wore attacking most of the time no score was noted, a fact which shows that the defence of the College was distinctly good. During the next half-hour Linwood did practically ail their scoring, and while that time lasted the leas said about the play of the College the better. Their all round play became suddenly feeble, and on two or three occasions the Greens were enabled to score tries which ©von moderate collaring would have prevented. Half way through the second spell the College brought out an extra back, and tho result was excellent, as they not only checked their opponents’ passing, but succeeded in transferring the play to Linwood territory. The College forwards ware overweighted, but stuck to their work, and it was due to their consistent play during most of the game that tho score was not larger. The team as a whole, although badly beaten, showed that it possesses capabilities which might bo turned to good account. The collaring though good at limes will stand improvement, nnd the backs might pass more with advantage. For the winners. Orchard at full-back, was a spectator for most of the game and had little opportunity of showing his defensive powers, but his kicking was as good as ever. Hobbs and O’Brien between them were responsible for most of the- scoring, but O’Brien showed signs of a tendency to run into his opponents and one, at least, of his tries should hqvo been easily prevented. Hs, however, maintained his reputation of being one of the most dangerous scoring men in the province. Glennie, on the other.wing, was fair, and Gordon and Price played with a groat deal of dash. M’Namara. Kerr and Ward were conspicuous among the forwards. For the College, Hall at full-back was rather uncertain, and of the other backs Ferguson and Atkinson at half did best. Atkinson, especially, who has improved rapidly since his adoption of the Rugby game, showed excellent form and passed with great judgment. H. West was the bast of tho forwards.

I am perfectly satisfied that had the Eaiapoi team adopted their last year’s style of play, which was so successful, instead of trying something they cannot do, vis., pass and score by means of their backs, they would not have been beaten by Christchurch last Saturday. Nob for a moment do I wish to infer that the town team did not deserve their win; far from it, as I recognise that the Christchurch team showed a lot of improvement.

and stuck taanfully to their work throughout the game; hut the fact remains that after having the wind in their favour (and tho wind was very useful, especially for long kicks) all the first spell, they had none the beat of the game, and for the second half were practically playing a defensive game. That Kaiapoi failed to score was due to bad back play, and the absence of a defined system of attack. Tho Kaiapoi forwards in the second spell heeled out to their backs, only to see those backs to make any headway, and instead of going back to their old style of rushing forward play, they frittered away the Dime by playing to those behind them, and so lost their chance of winning. In tho absence of backs who can attack when opportunities come, the team should trust to the forwards to win their games for them, as I am satisfied that the back system is beyond them at present.,. The Christchurch forwards have improved muchly, and they stuck to their work like tradesmen, and played up with fine spirit. Appleby again played a sound game, and Humphreys is fast getting into his best form, while Morris, on tho wing, is an improving players, Glendining at half was safe, and passed accurately, while Cowlishaw -was undoubtedly the best of the backs. He showed the best form of any back in the match, and his try was a very fine effort, aa he had first to dodge hie way through the forwards. Craig played soundly, and tackled faultlessly, but neither of the Harleys was up to firstclass form, and the same can be said of Middleton. I have already spoken of the Kaiapoi backs, but Feathers ton a deserves a word for his all-round display, which was capital. Moir and Pearce were not “ too good,*’ and Balch has played better. Although he did a lot of work, he was not over sure at handling the ball, and the safe tackling of the opposing forwards probably accounted for a lack of his usual brilliancy. Templeton and Renaldi have not yet acquired the art of getting clear of the opposition, and making openings for thoir comrades at three-quarter, and until they do the Kaiapoi back play will never be consistently good. The forwards played splendidly, particularly in the first spell, against tho strong wind, bub made a great mistake in the second in playing so much for their backs. Forrest showed that a really good player with his feet is worth a place in any team. Oram was good in the loose and ‘line-out, and tackled safely, while Simpson showed a lot of improve- ! uaont, and Dickie will be a fine forward, , with a little more experience. It would seem to be characteristic of the team which has represented Merivale so far this season to appear to disadvantage in the matter of forward play in the early part of a match. This was do in matches previous to that of last Saturday, when it was again noticeable against Sydenham. In the first spell the Sydenham forwards, who were much lighter than the Merivale lot, kept well on the ball from the outset, and the way they showed up in the dribbling rushes led one to think they would effect Merivale’s downfall. It was indeed surprising, end no doubt very reassuring to several old members of the Sydenham Club who were present, to see their comrades in the front division beating their opponents to pieces in the loose work, and during tho interval speculation was rife as to whether they would repeat the performance in the second spall. This much desired object, from a Sydenham point of view, was not fulfilled, however, for tho Merivale forwards, setting to work in real earnest from the kick-off, soon had the upper band and the tables were completely turned. The ball was continually in the Sydenham twenty-five, but the latter set up a strong defence, and succeeded in keeping out the Merivale men till just on the call of time, when Sofia managed to scramble over the line with two_ or three Sydenham forwards on top of him. Of course the try was appealed against, but the referee decided in favour of Merivale, and tbe Sydenham team accepted his decision with very good grace, but the sumo cannot b& said of a number of tbe spectators, who gave tho referee a lively five minutes immediately ho called “no side ” after the kick at goal. The game was hotly contested throughout, and, at times, some of tho players indulged in frequent squabbling and occasional rough play. Tho referee cautioned two or three of them, and I was glad to see that it had the desired effect. On the Merivale aide, W. Pearce filled the position of full back without making any mistakes. The three-quarters and White were too well watched to be able to score, but, nevertheless, they played well. Menzies, in the centre, did all that was asked of him, but Mason and Austin, although kicking well, fumbled badly at times. White’s all-round play was as good as ever, and Lawrence at half-back managed to get the ball away from the scrummages very smartly. The forwards, who were all to pieces in the first spell, played well together in the second half, their scrummage work being especially good. Haskins, Fraser, Sides and C. Menzies seemed to be more prominent than the others. The back play of Sydenham was much better than usual, the tackling being first-class. Young, at fullback, was very safe, and the only time he was ssked to show his tackling abilities ha brought P. Menzies down in fine style. H. Forrester played a good game at centre three-quarter, his kicking being very serviceable. Peacock showed that he was worth his place in the team by hia fine tackling, and Collins played better than he has done this season. Reese and Ritchie at five-eighths and half-back were in their best form, and hampered the passing of the Merivale backs considerably. . The forwards, to a man, all played hard throughout. M’Arthur, by bis fine tackling and smart following up stood out above the others. Sincook was in great form and played well from tho start, and Halliday, Meibleham and Joll wore always to the front. W. Knight, lately one of Sydenham’s forwards, intends playing for Merivale. The Southern Club visits Dunsandel on the Queen’s Birthday to play the local team.

Eoese has scored a try in each of tho senior games in which he has taken part this season.

p, Meczies made two fine attempts at drop-kicking a goal on Saturday. On each occasion the hall went just outside a post. As the Eugby Union received only three entries for the Thursday Flag Competition, it was decided to abandon it for this season.

E. Waddell, the promising Sydenham foward, left last week for England, with the view of improving. himself in his occupation. M*Arthur played the beat forward game for the Sydenham senior team on Saturday. He was always on the ball and his tackling was first-class. Forsyth, J. Glennie and Thomas were absent from the Sydenham senior team on Saturday. Their places were ably filled by Eifcchie, H. Forrester and Peacock. • When Sofia scored his try in the Meri-vale-Sydenham match he had three of the Sydenham forwards clinging to him. The try was a very doubtful one, and should not, I think, have been allowed. I have to acknowledge receipt of the "Otago Eugby Union Annual" for 1895, which shows no falling off whatever in the quality of the matter for which the annual has been famed for many years. W. Pearce played full-back for Merivale against Sydenham. Ho has lost none of his old form, and if he decides to continue playing he will materially strengthen the team in its remaining matches. The Linwood Club’s first winter social in the clnbrooms on Wednesday, May 15, was a very enjoyable affair. There was a large muster of members, plenty of good music and refreshments in abundance. White’s all-round play on Saturday was excellent. He is in fine form at present, and had the Sydenham backs’ tackling been at all weak there would have been more than a three-points* difference between the scores at the finish. G. Peacock, who has hitherto played for the Sydenham Club’s second fifteen, was tried at three-quarter in the first fifteen on Saturday, and judging by the way he tackled White and Menzies he should be kept in the team. The Wellington Eugby Union haa.paased y- I-

a resolution favouring home and home matches with Canterbury, and leaving the arrangements to the Management Committee. It is understood that the match will be made an annual fixture.

Tho Hardware Thursday team has decided to play under Association rules this season, a step brought about through some of tho hardware hounea closing their wholesale branches on'Saturdays and thus greatly reducing the number of players available for football on Thursdays. The Richmond Club's First Fifteen is much above many of the President’s Cnp teams. The forwards, I am informed, average about eleven stone, and the backs aro a very smart lot. The team has played two matches and scored seventyone points to three. Not a bad record for a young club. I hear that C. J. Collins, of the Sydenham first fifteen, leaves for England by the Doric at an early date. He played his last and best game this season on Saturday. Ho is not likely to stay long in England, as it is his intention to go on to Scotland, where he will join hia old plubmates, R. Waddell and A. Forrester.

During the second spell of the Merivale —Sydenham match the referee, Mr W. Soper, cautioned two or three of the players for playing roughly. Towards the doss of the game I noticed a player strike aa opponent who had been cautioned. The former escaped without being admonished, owing to the referee not seeing the incident.

Mr Coffey has given notice that he will move at the next meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union(l) “ That tho senior selection committee be elected by the senior delegates at the annual meeting of the Rugby Union ; that tho junior selection committee be elected by the junior delegates at the annual meeting of the Wellington, Rugby Union.” (2) “ That tho Wellington Rugby Union delegatos to tho New Zealand Rugby Union be instructed to bring boforo the latter body 'the advisability of instituting junior representative .matches with the Northern and Southern Unions.”

At last week’s meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union letters were read from the New Zealand Rugby Union, staling that the Canterbury Union’s proportion of the levy made to clear off tho deficiency on last year’s balance-sheet was £6 14s 2d; that the disqualification of the treasurer of a country club in the North Island was in force throughout tbe colony so far aa football was concerned ; and that tho disqualification in regard to acting as captain of a representative team imposed upon William M’Kenzie, of Wellington, had now been removed. The letters were, received and it was resolved to forward the amount asked for immediately. A correspondent writes me from Kaiapoi that the play of the Maoris in the N’tu Ahuriri team on Saturday against the Kaiapoi Second Fifteen was characterised by ‘ great roughness. lam sorry to hear this, and trust that some exaggeration has baen made. I personally know the referee in tho match in question, and I am quite sure he would not ( allow any foal play to occur without reporting it to the Canterbury Rugby Union, I have not yet seen tho Maoris play, but I will take on early opportunity of doing so, and my Kaiapoi correspondent may rest assured that I will carefully look for any traces of tbe undesirable element he mentions.

The Sydenham hoodlums were at their worst on Saturday, and it is very probable that their disgraceful behaviour will cause Sydenham Park to be disqualified by the Union. Upon one occasion last year I felt called upon to refer to the behaviour of a section of the onlookers at Kaiapoi, and I was heartily glad to notice that the few words of advice I penned were,acted upon, aud that afterwards nothing but fair and healthy “barrack” was indulgod in at Hume's Park. I hops to notice henceforth that the fair-minded majority of the onlookers at Sydenham will use their best endeavours to stifle the rowdy minority that made matters so unpleasant on Saturday. At the same time, too, I would again advise the Rugby Union to endeavour to arrange bo that a referee is not appointed to control a match. between clubs in ono of which he is interested. Ido not wish for a moment to insinuate that Mr Soper favoured Merivale, but aa he belongs to that club it would have been better if, for instance, he had been appointed for the Linwood-Can-terbnry College game, and had Mr Cotterill taken tho Sydenham and Merivale match the malcontents would have been at least robbed of one of their strongest arguments.