FOOTBALL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10703, 12 July 1895, Page 3

FOOTBALL NOTES.

[BT QUIDNUNC IN “ CANTERBURY TIMES. ”J The Kaiapoi team again easily demonstrated its superiority over the men of Merivale on Saturday and, what was more, added another proof—if, indeed, any were needed—that the club possesses undoubtedly the best forward team in the province. I have carefully watched the play of the Kaiapoi men in their last two matches—against Linwood and Merivale—and I am quite satisfied that in point of merit the present fifteen is very little, if anything, inferior to the one which enabled the club to claim the title of champions last year. Balch’s absence of course weakens the back division as Driscoll’s does the forward, but per contra, the present backs are all round a great improvement upon those of last “year. Gray is'a first-class half-back, as I have noted before. Both Pearce and Robilliard are much better players, and Featherstone has improved out of all recognition on his last year’s form. The forwards still play a delightfully sound game, and are, I think, mixing their play very judiciously at presahh I have been led to indite the above comments by hearing, in more than one quarter, speculations as to the relative strength of the Kaiapoi team of this and of last year. Coming back to Saturday’s play, however, I may preface my comments -by noticing that the state of the ground was greatly against first-rate football, but despite that fact the game was not a bad one nor devoid of interest. _ One could easily pick the winners early in the game, but nevertheless Merivale stuck to their task right pluckily, and the ball flow up and, down the greasy field very consistently. The great point of difference, however, Jay in the fact that Kaiapoi made good use of their chances and scored regularly, whilst the Blues, although attacking very often, only once bagged a score. The forward play on both sides wan the main feature of the game. Good dribbling rushes and hard and determined charges, were very noticeable during the afternoon. The back play, of course, suffered on account of the conditions, but, for all. that, soma good work was done, and forward play was not allowed to completely monopolise the game. The Merivale,forwards struggled hard against a superior body, and on occasions took the upper hand, but only momentarily. The game was played in excellent feeling,/ and, notwithstanding the unpleasant surroundings, was a good one to watch.

Featherstona played a splendid game at full-back for the winners, and got through a task by no means easy without a fault. Eobilliard, on the wing, exhibited great improvement, and Pearce, though not getting much work, did well. M’Giegor, in the centre, did not please me, but Eenaldi again showed an aptitude for the position of five-eight. Gray gave another good exhibition as half-back, and I venture to prophecy that he will run Cook very close for representative honours. The forwards were all good—every one of them—and I only single M. Lynskey out as best of all because a Merivale forward informed me that he was worth three of the Merivale men. Fountain, full back for the Blues, gave another good exhibition, and I was much taken with the play of E. Cook at wing threequarter. Mason made one good run, and Lawrence’s cleverness w;as instrumental in scoring for his club. Both White and Cook were comparatively swamped by the dash of the Yellow forwards, and aa a consequence were never allowed to shine with their usual brilliancy, although occasionally putting in some good play. Soffe was ahead forward, and is a really good man; Johnston, Marriner, Fraser, and Haldane of the other s were most conspicuous. In the return match between the senior fifteens of the Sydenham and East Christchurch Clubs, the play though fast and exciting at times does not call for lengthy disoription. One or two alterations were made in each team at the last minute, and daring the greater part of the, first spell East Christchurch were without a fullback. E. Collins, who was on the ground, obtained a jersey and filled the position until the interval when he went up to wing three-quarter and Pavitt took up his old position ao full-back. Sydenham had to secure the services of two members of their Junior Flag team to make up the required number of backs, hut the forwards played as announced. Notwithstanding these changes the teams were fairly representative of the strength of the clubs at the present time, and an even game was looked forward to, and to some extent anticipations were realised. Each side attacked in turn all through the game, and in the second half the play was' very fast and full of interest. Sydenham, who were lucky enough to score five points soon after the kick-off, profited considerably by the weak tackling of their opponents, and were left winners by fourteen points to eight. The Sydenham forwards played with an amount of dash that was quite unexpected. They had much the best of the scrummages, and their dribbling was very effective, and they were well assisted by the hacks, who at times did some vary good passing. The East forwards, although not so smart as their opponents at getting the ball away from the scrummages worked very hard, but lacked combination, and consequently lost many opportunities of scoring. This was very noticeable in the second half, when Sydenham were hard pressed. The backs occasionally showed some good running and passing, but were never allowed to carry out their intentions to any great extent owing to the excellent tackling of the whole of the Sydenham team. Early in the season I referred to the weak tackling of the East Christchurch team, and on Saturday it was, on the part of the majority of the team, so feeble as to be a disgrace to a team playing in a senior compaction, I really, think they lost the match through men not trying to collar their opponents. At any rate two of the tries scored, by Sydenham, I venture to say, would not have been registered against any one of the junior teams playing on adjoining grounds, for they were gained by eimple straight running. For the winners Young, at full back, gave a fine exhibition of all-round play—his kicking being especially good. Of the three-quarters T. Eeese was the most prominent. Glennie played his best game this season, running tackling and kicking splendidly. D. Reese also played well, and M’Arthur at halfhack was conspicuous throughout the game. Hall and Hardis, the two wing forwards, showed up well in the dribbling and passing rushes. Sincock, Meikleham, Joll and Thomas seemed to be the best of the others. Pavitt, the Bast Christchurch full-back, handled the ball well and always gained ground by his kicking. Lorimer wss the best hack on the .ground, and it was surprising the amount of work he got through. He ran and kicked welb and was the only East back who tackled at all safely. Spring played in and out. Gully, on the.; wing, made several good dashes, Mahat’s passing was too slow. Ebert, Fenton, Rich, Izett and Charters were the pick of the forwards.

The match between Linwood and North Canterbury was looked forward to with a considerable amount of interest, and under normal conditions would probably have been well attended. As it was not many spectators put in an appearance, and one look at the ground was sufficient to assure those present that good football was out of the question. Except for a corner at the south end it was only fit for play of the mud-scrambling order. Both teams appeared to realise thi-:, and neither played with that vim and dush which is looked for when a serious game is in progress. The best feature of the match was undoubtedly the passing rushes, in which the Linwood backs occasionally indulged. The two O’Briens, Hobbs and Price showed' that they could pass, and pass accurately, unde'r any circumstances, and when fairly started they almost invari.'.b v succeeded in ecoiin" The North Canterbury backs were not in i with their opponents as far as combination wits concerned, and their play on the whole made a very unfavourable contrast. The forwards on both sidles played a goodtempered game, and accepted the inevi-

table falling about in the slush with ! equanimity. In the forward department | the Northerners were little, if anything, inferior to Linwood, although the latter i generally managed to secure the ball in i the scrum. Orchard* for the winners, ] appeared to take things easily, which would probably not have been the case in a more i serious contest. He showed an occasional fondness for “speculator ”, kicks. Of the three-quarters Hobbs and; J. O’Brien were decidedly the best. The' former played up to his best form, while it is doubtful if O’Brien has ever given a better display than he gave on Saturday. The run which gained him ( his second try was quite the feature.of.the match. Price and F. O’Brien performed creditably under the circumstances, and of the forwards Kerr was the best, as in addition to his scrum work he was always to tbs front intheopen. For North OantarburyWheeler was hardly a success at full-back. Ho occasionally did some useful kicking, bub his collaring was weak. Of the other backs Wilson was the best, and his kicking was of great service to his side. Fitzgerald did fairly well at three-quarters, considering "ho was new to the position; but 1 Duncan was not as good as usual. Roebuck, as wing forward, played a grand game, and well deserved his try. Of the others Marshall and the two Wilmots seemed most at home in the surroundings.

Kaiapoi meet Christchurch, at Kuiapoi on Saturday, Linwood play Merivale, North Canterbury and East Christchurch try conclusions, and I understand that Sydenham will play Canterbury College. I think the .first-named teams in each case will win.

Saturday last gave followers of senior football an opportunity for witnessing several of the best President Cup teams at earnest play, for three matches were in progress at the North Park, in to the senior game between East Christchurch and Sydenham. I took advantage of being present on the ground to spend the afternoon watching the juniors, and came away fully impressed that, while I struck the tight nail in my article on “A Menace to Senior Football,” I had underestimated the position. Saturday’s experience has convinced me that the Rugby Union, is quite in the dark as regards these junior teams and clubs. Take the match between St Albans and Lyttelton ~ a third-class contest remember. In it were engaged full-grown men, who for physique held their own with seniors. Of the thirty players engaged I calculated that fully 40 per cent should be playing senior football, twenty-five per cent junior, leaving the remainder in the third class. The Southern A team is lighter, but more skilful, and should be playing in the Junior Flag competition. Richmond is about in its class this season, but should be moved up next year. In my recent article I did not pose as an alarmist when I referred to the junior clubs as a menace, and Saturday’s visit to the North Park has thoroughly satisfied me of the necessity for firm and resolute action from the Rugby Union, for the menace is not confined to the clubs alone. I notice that Asbbolt and Pritchard, formerly two members of tho Merivale Second team, are playing for the : Athletic Club, Wellington.

Morivale’s forwards this year are a vastly improved lot and, were it possible to get together the backs of 1894 with their old system and combination and the present forwards, a very fine team would be the outcome.

In the Poneke—Athletic match last Saturday week at Wellington, the referee ordered a player off the held for striking an opponent, but afterwards allowed him to come on again and play. According to the Case Law in the “ Wellington Annual,” this is clearly wrong, and it will be interesting to hear the referee’s explanation to the Union, as I notice the player has been reported. I was extremely glad to notice that the undesirable and ; blackguardly section of the spectators at Kaiapoi was absent on Saturday, and chat while plenty of healthy and natural " barrack ” was indulged in, there was never any symptoms of a desire to beyond the bounds of decency and fair play. In fact I may mention that Merivale were heartily cheered when they scored, and T do not think that this was altogether due to the fact that Kaiapoi were playing a winning game, so much as that efforts had been made to exclude from the ground those who had on more than one occasion offended in the manner indicated.