FOOTBALL NOTES.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13939, 24 July 1917, Page 2

FOOTBALL NOTES.

(By "Hover."); | A good number of supporters of both T» dubs wended their way to King «< George's Park on Thursday afternoon , § -.0 witness the game between the Old 'f, 3oys and Excelsior clubs, and the visi- \ tors had no reason to complain at tho: t bill of fare provided, as there was a j-' preponderance of interesting phases -;'; .luring vhe play, apart from the see-saw \[ fashion in which the scores were rung ~ on. The forwards on either side wero • as keen as 'mustard, keepings a solid " pace from start, to finish. Fleming' ;; was again in good fettle, getting away ;; from the scrums at a good pace. The .;; Beds quite held their,own in the loose, "~, but the Excelsior team were superior in ~ the scrummages. The ljuc-out work -~ was poor, there being far too many ■'"•" knocks-oil, the Blue and Blacks being ~ the chief culprits. The Excelsior back ". division could not complain on the .'! score of not getting chances. Thoso ' .'- they got were nullified through the - hesitancy of Chalmers and Young, for. - by the time the ball reached Taylor the ? Bed and Black forwards were swarming ;,' on if. Notwithstanding this handicap, ■ * Taylor's work was effective, and he - was running strongly and kicking - powerfully. Winslcy 's play was an im- ;- provenicnt on' his previous essay on the same ground. He has a line turn of speed, and is a difficult proposition *' to stop when in his stride. Eobertsou 2 was a tower of strength to Old Boys'. V> He never wearied of diving in and stop- :. -.

ping- the rushes, his short punts to touch also being more than useful, Townscnd is always ready To profit by an opening, and Kooney's try was mainly due to him, and later on he scored himself after making the run of the day, but he nearly lost the latter honour by the way he kept looking behind him during his progress to tho goal-line. Mollison was always safe.'

. The Athletic vanguard demonstrated against the Gallery their ability to stay to the end of the chapter, and six tries were scored, out of which only one was converted. It seems Iht. the mantle o'f "Pat' 1 ' Ross lias not fallen on any member of the team. Madigan was always in the front, and his presence appeared to electrify the others into activity. Rusbatch shaped well on thei line-out. < Gilchrist and Collet t aro a pair of good colts, "Jock" McCombic "went solo" for a couple of tries, proving as elusive as a slippery eel, his opponents" failing to tackle low. "I'addy'' Mansell is now near top feriii, his long punt usually found the oiK-linc on Thursday, llonald worked hard to avert defeat, being well seconded by Clarke, McGregor, and Dillon. *' * *

Followers of the Rugby game w ; ll regret that the High School Icanisyflnd - it impossible to further continue theirengagements in the junior flag'competition, which is due to the heavy pro- - gramme of outside matches with other - schools. Already teams have been to Christchurch and Timaru. Next ; Saturday they meet, the High ■ Christchurch; tlie following Saturday,; they play the-Timaru- High School at , Timaru, and then they journey to Dun- : edin and play Duncdin High School on " August lllh. Then follows the term. Vacaiion on August 21st, It is just" possible that the public of Oamaru will have a chance of seeing the boys out at. least once more this season, as they arc making an effort to assist in the Ecvcn-a-side tourney which the sub-" union is running on behalf of the British Red Cross.

Thore who arc keenly interested in Rugby Union football in Sydney are optimistic rcgardin;r its prospects after the war. At the annual meeting it was stated the old game had turned the corner, and subsequent events have proved there were reasons for the belief. The teams in most instances have devoted no time to practice, merely playing themselves into form, and now the football has reached a very creditable standard. Amongst the juniors the enthusiasm is remarkable, and defeated clubs not only turn up regularly, although another loss faces them, but sonic arc actually forming fresh teams from amongst their surplus players. In the Great Public Schools, the form is good, in fact, it is doubtful; if ever a combined team gave a better display than did these boys against, University a few weeks ago. The lover of vigorous football was particularly, delighted with their showing. When the youths arc eventually merged into the senior bodies they will be a great, acquisition. In the minor schools fcfie conditions are equally satisfactory, ami though the Union game may probably dose some of these youngsters, a number will surely be retained.—Referee.

FLAG POINTS. The following tabjßßiows the positions of the various JWs in the junior (lag competition at?™!, conclusion of the last matches played :

5) CS U Al <H 4J r- .i) .0 c n .1 » :i :) b a g 0 p o (5. J Cb h High School A . .651 110 11 10 Excelsior .642 43 31 8 Old Boys 6 41 11 26 16 i) Athlelic .. 6 3J 21 47 50 7 Telegraph. .. . 6 0 6 il 910 High School B . 6 1 5' 35 67 2