FOOTBALL.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13661, 1 September 1916, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

NORTH OTAGO v. W AIM ATI' 1 ,. Yesterday afternoon''a North Otago junior representative team played a match with lliwirna Club (Wainiato), when after an exciting finish Ihe local players secured victory by the narrow margin nl: two points. King George's I'nrk was in good order and weather conditions left no room for complaint. A fairly large number of spectators contributed their quota towards defraying the expenses incurred by the local Bub-Union in connection with the match, while a lot of others had a free view from the road on the west side of the I'arlc, Owing lo the late arrival of the visitors there was some little delay in starting play,

The teams wore as follow: North Otago (Yellow and Black). 'Full-back—McLean. Three-quarters—Bruce, Robins, McQuin, Five-eighths—Townsciid, Elder. Half-back—Robertson. Forwards—Williams, Winslcy, Murray, Crave, Crisp, Scott, Brooker, Webher (wing). Hkilroa, Waiinate (Black), Full-back —IT, Bishop. Three-quarters—B. Baker, W. Hume, W. Stott. rive-eighths —F. Belcher, L. Nash. Half-baok-L. Dewnr. Forwards—J, Edmonds (wing), W. Panbeck, CI. Hawke, S. Garland, C. Butt, 11, Woffindin, T, Milton, and P. Linden. The visitors were successful in tlic spin of the coin and the Blacks elected to defend, the western goal, the local team thus having to contend with an exceedingly puzzling sun. North Otago set the' ball in motion and McQiiin missing the return the visiting forwards swooped down on the ball ami play immediately settled inside the Yellow's twenty : live mark. A free-kick by the locals was well returned by Bishop and the visitors took the oval across North Otago's line but only a force-down resulted. After the hall had again,been brought into play Wnimato invaded, and a couple of rushes headed by Nash were well stopped by Robertson who punted up the field.' The Blacks continued to keep up the pressure. Off-side play by one of the visitors enabled the Yellows to remove operations to the t neutral zone. Bishop kicked down (lie field and Baker following up. fast secured the ball and scored an easy try. The shot which was an easy one was missed by Hawke, whose attempt was 'feeble. "Wnimnto .. ; . ?>

North Oinso 0 On resuming the local team aided by a gnnri kick hy McLean placed ,the visitors on the defensive, Scott, Grave and Winsley putting in some effective work. A mark by Winsley was charged down and play returned to the centre. Grave headed to the visitors' quarters, who a few minutes later were compelled to force in self-defence. After successfully withstanding another attack the Blacks gradually drove the Yellows back and several scrummages were, contested in closo /proximity to the latter's line,.and eventually Woflindin got access, but the shot was again futile. Waiihale fi North Otnfli, A

Edmonds was responsible for the ball being in the Yellows' quarters after the resumption and Hawke snapping up the leather registered the third try for the visitors. Once more the major points were missed, Waimate .. .. 9 North Otago ..'... 0 , Half time was sounded a few minutes later without any alteration to the score. On changing ends hard uninteresting play ensued without incident. The Yellow forwards were making repeated efforts to break away with the hall but the visiting backs were always on the alert and frustrated all attempts. Through the agency of a couple of free-kicks the Yellows were enabled to institute an attack, Robertson and Robins' making successnve dashes for the line. An infringement by a Yellow man relieved the tension, but McLean's return recovered the lost ground and the Blacks were again defending A kick by one of the visiting backs sent the' ball into AVebber's hands, who had no difficulty in registering the first score for the. local players. The shot which was not a hard one failed. Waimate .. ,') North Otago . .. .. ?>

Encouraged'by their success and also Ivy the plaudits of the spectators tin; local team made strenuous efforts to improve their score, A clever mark by Dowar who took I lie ball from the toes of an opponent stayed the offensive but the North Qtago boys were not to be denied and repeated the onslaught made on the opposing line in ■ which Seott. was very conspicuous, Grave and Brooker being also in the van. Ultimately MlcQuin scored near the corner. The shot at goal from a difficult, angle was futile.

Waimatc 0 North Otago (i With only some ten minnt.es to go the local representatives redoubled thoir efforts to notch another score and the excitement amongst the spectators was at high tension as attack succeeded attack, Robertson getting the ball from a scrum in front of Wnimate's goal sent the ball on to Webber and the latter transferred to MeQuin who took the pass when going at top speed and dashed across the line amidst loud applause, Bruce adding the major points with a fine kick which earned for him much applause. North Otago 11 Waimate A .During the remaining few minutes the visitors made a bold bid to improve their position but the game ended in a victory for flic bt.nl ptayers by the narrow majority of two points, Mr Joe Reid was roferee.