FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9130, 1 June 1891, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

/I ' Alhambra v. Taiebi. The Alhambra travelled to Mosgiel on Saturday to try conclusions with the Taieri on the Mosgiel ground. The weather was all thai could ba desired, there being scarcely a breatfc of wind, and the ground was in first-class order, The match was witnessed by a large number oi spectators. The Mosgiel Garrison Band enlivened o the proceedings by playing several selections i, during the afternoon. Davidson (Taieri) won the toss and elected to play with a strong sun behind his back, and M'Cleary (Beds) kicked off, when Johnston gained some ground. The first scrum, which was then formed, was watched with interest, and to the surprise of mostlj a everybody the light Taieri forwards had the best x of it, and came away with a dribbling rush. The ball was smartly passed to ■ Elder, who was tackled by Downes. The Taieri kept the ball j close to the Reds' line until the pressure wan t relieved by a good rush of Red forwards headed ' by Esquilant. The Taieri by good play foon hac ' the ball back again, and made several good i attempts to cross the Reds' line. Crawford and ' Restieaux then put in somo good work, and > Downes gained a lot of ground with a long punt J into touch. The Red forwards then showed up I and preesed tho Taieri for tome time. Througt ' a careless pass on the part of jthe Reds W. Elder obtained possession and set off at top '• speed, having only the full back to pass. Ross, 1 however, was quite equal to the occasion, and ' tackled hiß man in first-class style. The Reds ' soon had the play baok again, M'Cleary, Baker, Johnston, and Crawford showing up in a passing run, but a good chance of scoring was thrown away by passing forward. Johnston obtained t mark, and Restieaux essayed a shot at goal Murdoch then showed np with a lonf kick into touch, but good passiug am running among the Reds placed the Taieri agaii on the defensive. Crawford got away well fron the back of a scrum and, eluding tho opposin j backs in capital etyle, unselfishly passed to Bakei who scored near the posts, and Restieaux placed an easy goal. Shortly afterwards* M'Cleary Johnston, Haig, and D. M'Laren broke awai together from the line out, which resulted in D M'Laren scoriDg from a neat pass by M'Cleary Restieaux failed to enhance the score. Direct!; after the kick off half time was called. David son opened the second spell, the ball being re turned by Noel. The Red forwards now playe* up and carried the play to the Taieri twenty five, where a hard and interesting game ensue< for a time. Stevenson came to the rescue witl a dodgy run and finished with a serviceable pun into touch near the centre flag. Johnstoi after a short run passed to Restieaux, who in turn passed to Downes who crossed tho line, bul passed back to Noel, wbo was still in phy, am was forced into touch closo to the corner flag From the throw in on the line out, the ball wai well taken by D. M'Laren, who rau in am scored. Restieaux, after a good attempt, failei to plane the major points. On the resumptioi of play, the Taieri evidently meant mischief and for the last 15 minutes of tbe game gav< the Reds rather a hot time. W. Elder mad< two fine runs along the tonch line to near fche corner flag. Matheson broke away from the line out and looked like scoring, but was called back. Noel then came into prominence with a strong run right through the opposing forwards, and proved to be very slippery, unti he waa caught by R. Elder, who had mucl difficulty in holding him. R. Elder anc M'Donald by good play brought the ball close tc the Reda' line, and soon after R. Elder scored after a pretty run. W. Elder failed in tbe plac< kick. Cunningham then made a good run tt the Taieri full back, bufc the Taieri forwards playing well together, simply ran over *theii heavier opponents, and had the play all to them, selves. Stevenson passed out incessantly to hi* three-quarters, and Downes, 11088, and Noel were kept busydefendingtheirline. The Taieri forwards, nothiog daunted,' kept up & stronj attack, and Mackie had a pot at goal, which went rather wide. B. Elder again got undei way, and running very fast got over the line, but before ho could touch down he came in contact with Baker, who carried both player and ball back into play. Soon after time was called. The Taieri were thus defeated by 5 points to 1 point. The plaj of the Taieri, has undoubtedly improved, Murdoch at full back was very safe, while R. Elder has the makings of a first-class player, his play at times eliciting vigorous applause. Stepheneon and M'Donald both worked well at half. The whole of the Taieri forwards played well, but Matheson and Stoddart are deserving of special mention. The Alhambra showed nothing like the form that characterised their play in previous matches, and allowed some golden opportunities for scoring to pass, which was chiefly due to wild and erratic passing. During the latter part of tbe game they appeared to be completely nonplussed. They will have to fhow a decided improvement in their play next Saturday if they expect to wiu. The line umpires were Messrs J. Allen (Taieri) and A. Dawes (Alhambra). Mr Clayton's decisions ss referee gave every satisfaction. After a most enjoyable and friendly game the visiting team were treated with refreshments supplied by the Taieri Ciub in their usual hospitable way. Kaikorai v. Pirates. The meeting of the above clubs on Satur ay at the Kaikorai ground, brought together a large concourse of people, as when these clubs meet a good display of football is expected, and everybody was rewarded by seeing one of the beat open games yet played this season. The weather was perfect, and the ground in firstclws condition, Torrance, winning the tess, elected to play with the sun at his back, and Drabble kicked off for the Pirates, who at once rushed the ball to the Kaikorai quarters, where, however, it only remained momentarily. The Blue forwards, by smart dribbling, carried the bill to the Blacks' twenty-five, and here the play remained for some time, till Cran by a good kick relieved his side. The Pirates' forwards—notably Drabble, Wales, and Milne—worked like Trojans to keep their lines clear; bnt the Kaikorai were not to be denied. From a scrum Rae passed to Macdonald, who passed to Laurenson, and the latter, after a clever run, punted into touch. Millar, Torrance, and Wilkinson were now playing all they knew; but the defence of the Blacks was really good— especially that of Cran and Williams^ From a scrum Leslie eventually dribbled the ball over the Pirates' line and scored—Laurenson, taking tho hick, placed a beautiful goal. Shortly after the kick off the Pirates were again on the defensive, and, by clean passing among the Kaikorai backs, King, after a good run, scored. The kick was a failure. From the kick out the Pirates carried the ball up the field, and, by good kicking by Cran snd Turner," put the Kaikorai on tho defensive. Rae kicked the ball down the field, and the Pirates' backs mulling the ball, the Blue forwards were on the leather at once. Duncan carried the ball over the lina and scored, a goal resulting. Half-time was now called, with the scores—Kaikorai 7 points, Pirates nil. The second spell started well for the Bleck", as they pressed their opponents a good deal, till the Biue forwards, witb Torrance and Leslie in the var, cleared their lines, aud the leather after some clever passing rescued Laurensrn, who after a beantiful run plsnted the ball betwfen the posts. The kick afc goal W3S unsuccessful. The Pirates again rallied ond gave their opponents a hot 10 minutes, but the defence of the Kaikorai was firet-claes. Tho Blues shortly afterwards again penned the Blacks, and King securing the ball again rau in, no goal resulting. Shortly after time was called, the Kaikorai winning a first-class game by 9 points to nil. Tbe game all through waa well contested, although the Kaikorai showed their superiority in every department of the game. Tho Pirates were unfortunate in nofc being able to play theic full strength, the Morris Brothers (3), H. D. Stronaoh, and Orbell being unable to play Wales, Drabble, aud Milne were most noticeable among the forwards for fcbe Pirates, and Cran (who deserves mention for his plucky play), Williams, and Turner among tbe back?. For the Kaikorai," Dave " Torrance played the best game he has ever done—"age agrees with bim. A. Millar, Leslie, and M'Laren may be men. tioned among the forwards. All "the baoks played a faultless game, but speoial mention is due to Willie Rao aa half back, aud also to Mac. Donald and Laurenson, who kicked splendidly, Mr T. Ralliugahaw as referee gave every satiso faction. Messrs Atkinson and Armit were line umpires, *