Football Notes.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 4994, 8 June 1891, Page 1

Football Notes.

[By Tacklkk.] OAMARU SECOND V. ATHLETIC SECOND. I was present at the match last Thursday on the Recreation Ground. The attendance was meagre and the start somewhat delayed. Miller and Austin tossed up, Miller winning. He elected to play from the south end, and Henderson (Athletic) kicked off. The ball was well returned by Ilewat, and the Athletic forwards soon had the Yellows in their 25. Through picking up in the scrum tho Oamaru got a free kick, and following up well, tho "Athletic territory was invaded. The play continued here for some time, until Morton got the oval, and with the assistanee of M'Pliie, Waddell, and Vcitch, centred play in the Oamaru quarter. Fitzgerald and Stohr exchanged compliments, until Howat t->ok possession and kicked up tho line, and his forwards following up well got the leather, and passing to Spain that player scored tho first point for Oamaru. Hewat took the kick and added the major point.. The Ath - letics now warmed up, Waddell, Boreham, Miller, M'Phee, and Veitch working like Trojans to score, while J. Miller O ISeill, C. Ross, and Hewat worked equally hard to avert it. Austin here got possession of the ball, and, after making a nice dodgy run, was collared by Ross and Hewat. The Yellows saved their side by a scrum that was formed and transferred tho leather to the centre, when the whistle sounded half time.

After the spell the Athletic forwards seemed as if they meant business, their dribbling rushes and collaring being quite a feature. Holmes came to the rescuo and kicked to Rodgers, whom several forwards upset, and, keeping on tho ball, carried it to the Oamaru goal line, where the Oamaru forced down after heeling tho ball out of a scrum. From this out tho Athletic forwards were not to be denied. They attacked their opponents' lino tinio after time, but the Oamaru backs wore playing a fine game, especially Ross and Hewat, who managed to keep tho invaders <iff. Fitzgerald essayed a run, but Austin collared him, and then Heron and Ross exchanged kicks, tho ball eventually going out of play. The Athletics "took the ball away with them, Waddell, M'PJiie, Boreham, Tait, and Veitch being in the van. Morton picked up, and, after a pretty run, scored near the posts. Stohr took the kick, which he converted, amid groat excitement. The game waxed warmer than ever. From a mark by Irvine, Stohr got another kick, but did not increase tho score. After the kick off, tho Athletic forwards came again, but Ross was equal to the occasion, and, after clearing his lines, Mr Hardy blew the whistle, tho game ending in a draw, each side scoring three points. Messrs W. Burns and H. Baker acted as touch-line umpires. On the whole the game was a very good one. The Oamaru backs played a really fine game, as did also the Athletic forwards. Hewat is a very good full-back, and would do credit to any first fifteen. Ross played an excellent game, lining always about. Spain also did good work, while \V. Cork kicked better than I have ever seen him on any previous occasion. .J. Miller played a very hard game, as did also O'Neill and Menlove. The forwards lacked combination. The Athletic backs showed a want, of practice ; but, taking into consideration that this was their first game this season, I must admit they did very well. This team has some good forwards, Waddell being a slashing player. Miller, M'Pliie. and Veitch are also good men, while Tait in fast, but gets oft sido, and is inclined to stay there. [We are always willing to insert reports of football matches of reasonable length, but we must request contributors to send in their notes not a.m. on the day following a match. —En. O.M.J