FOOTBALL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11554, 15 April 1898, Page 7

FOOTBALL NOTES.

Bt Quidnunc in " uantbbbubt Times.”] Add to the earliness of the season the .conditions under which the game was ; played—a ground which was hard and ; dusty and half a gale blowing—and it is not to ho wondered at that the annual jmatch • between Linwood and Union "(Dunedin) Clubs, which took place at the ; North Park on Saturday was not remarkfable for anything startling in the way : .of good football. Both teams sadly lacked condition, and this was most apparent ■towards the conclusion of the game, when the majority of the players were in a more or less “ used-up ” condition. Neither .team was represented by its full strength, the homo team’s ranks'containing a goodly 'proportion of junior players, and the visitors were in. a similar plight in this •respect. In forward play the visitors more than held their own, and especially was this noticeable in the second spell, when they secured the ball on nearly everyvbccasion in the scrums, but their :haoks lacked-the cleverness and' dash of their opponents, and it was owing in a great measure• to their superiority in this department that the local team secured such an easy victory. Lumb, the Union full-back, was a failure, constantly landing his side into difficulties, but he made some amends by his excellent place-kicking. The other backs, with the exception of Armstrong at half, were very ordinary. This player, however, was responsible for a large amount of good work. The forwards all worked well, and it is hard to particularise, but E. Stewart must be given credit for some really brilliant play. E. O’Brien played full-back for Linwood, and although he did not have a great deal to do he showed that he possesses the makings of an excellent player, being very safe and a good kick, J. O’Brien and Orchard were the pick of the three-quarters. The former did not display his usual dash, but was always handy when wanted, and put in some fine funs. Orchard, excepting an occasional mull, played a souud game, but M’Lenan, at centre, proved a failure. F. O’Brien, at five-eighths, lacked “ go,” but Phillips, at half, fully sustained his reputation as a sterling player. The forwards were a very even lot, no one showing any particular brilliancy. ' When the conditions under which the Meri vale-A1 bam bra match was played are considered it must bo admitted that it was a really good game. The ground was hard — : the players the reverse—and a heavy gale blew right down the ground, consequently back play was at a discount, although I doubt if that affected the teams much, as neither appeared to be too sound behind the pack.., Undoubtedly the home ■team had much the best of the play, as their forwards showed more dash and were better in the pack; in fact, I think it is some years the Merivale had such a fine lot of forwards, judging by their display on Saturday. .The game was practically a forward one throughout, but while the home team used their feet the southerners endeavoured to pass, and the former style ’proved most successful. Mason and Stephenson, the two recent acquisitions to the club, were the best of the Alhambra backs, the former doing an immense amount of work, and the latter tackled better than I have ever seen him, while his line-kicking was very accurate. The rest of the hacks did not show up prominently. The forwards appeared in better condition thanMerivale’s, and no doubt will do better 'later in the season. Given was the best. Hobson played a hard game in the pack, and Watson was prominent in the open .play. The Merivale team has several new backs. Voyce, late of Sydenham, was fullback and licked and fielded the ball well, while on two occasions I saw him tackle accurately, rather unusual for him. M’Cull, captain of the Junior team last year, played in the centre, and this fine young player has a future before him. He is the most promising I have seen for some years. Menzies was, as usual, dashy, but Bird, although clever, will never reach senior form, and Forbes is more useful in

defence than attack. Amongst the forwards Drake was noticeable throughout the game for his dashing play and fine foot-work, and Chambers and Bush stood out prominently amongst a splendid lot of forwards.

A large number of supporters came up with both the Union and Alhambra Clubs.

Given, of. the Alhambra team, played a very fine game against Merivale. He is a solendid forward.

* Mason, the Otago half-back, who is now playing for the Alhambra Club, tells me he intends staying in Christchurch. P. E. Leach, who played for the Merivale Club for some years and represented the province in 1891, was married last week. ,

On Saturday I noticed Arthur Hobbs in the position of a spectator, and wondered if the redoubtable “Tommy” had at last given up, the game. - _ Matters are, I hear, in a very “ mixed ” condition at present in the Albion Club, hut it is to he hoped the committee will soon have things in a satisfactory condition.

P. Campbell, who left towards the close of last season for Wellington, is at present in town, and played for his old club Linwood, against the Union First Fifteen, on Saturday. I hear that the Alhambra Club has secured the services of Ward, the Southland back. The Wellington and Otago players thought highly of Ward’s play in last year’s “ rep.” games. The Linwood First Fifteen contained two very youthful looking players on Saturday—L. Fanning and Brunsden to wit. Both are in the forwards, and judging by their play fully justified their inclusion.

W. J. Byrne, who played so well last year for the Boys’ High School team, has thrown in his lot with the Linwood Club. He took part in the match between that club’s Second Fifteen and Junior Second last Saturday. H. Gunthorpe, late Lancaster Park bowler and Merivale footballer, was on a visit here last week in a dual capacity. On Good Friday he was competing at the bicycle sports, and secured third place in the Wheel Eace, while on Saturday he was helping his club in their efforts to beat Linwood. A good all-round sport is Gunthorpe. As I anticipated, Stephenson is now playing with the Alhambra team. He tells me it is undecided if his old club—the Dunedin—will start this year. So far only he and Mason have left, but things have not being going too kindly with the management in the past. It will he a great pity if such an old club as the Dunedin has to disband.

Bush, the Wellington forward, played his first game for Merivale on Saturday against Alhambra. Although not yet in first-class form, he was very, prominent, and is undoubtedly one of the best acquisitions the club has received. He might he styled a typical Wellington forward, and Canterbury would he the richer for a few more of his sort.

W. Eoss, the Alhambra and Otago fullback, who has taken part in all the games played between his club and Merivale, was married last week, and came to Christchurch for his honeymoon. Before the match, Eoss told me he had played his last game, but when Dodds, the full-back, was injured Eoss volunteered to fill the vacancy till time.. He much appreciates the present given him by the Merivale members.

An incident that happened on Saturday in the match between the Alhambra and Merivale teams requires more than passing notice. The Alhambra hacks had got on a passing rush, which Menzies stopped by intercepting. He did not take the hall directly from an opponent, as, owing to its being badly thrown, it struck the ground, and was secured by Menzies from the rebound. An appeal was immediately raised, and no attempt was made to collar Menzies by the only opponent at the time in a position to make it, viz., Stephenson. Menzies ran down the field, but fell when close to the full - hack, who

instantly pounced on him, and a scrummage was formed at the spot where Menzies came down. The referee’s decision was badly received by the visitors, who insisted that a player could not intercept a pass unless it came directly to him, that is from an opponent and without touching the ground. The incident was brought up again at the smoke concert, when the Dunedin players stated that the custom was law in Dunedin, though they were unable to find any rule to support their position. If what the Dunedin men say is correct, it is high time those gentlemen who officiate as referees in matches played in the southern city set them right on what is a very important matter, otherwise unpleasant complications may arise. Tt would be worth knowing where Dunedin players got the idea that a player could not intercept a pass unless the ball came directly from the hands of an opponent.