FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9148, 22 June 1891, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

Union v. Taieri,

This match was played at Mosgiel on Saturday in the presence of a large attendance, the ladies turning out in considerable numbersThe union team were accompanied by a strong ■contingent of supporters, some 70 members of the club making the journey. The day was simply perfect, and the ground is one of the best in or around Dunedin. Davidson won the toss, and Henderson (Maroons) kicked off. Following up smartly the Union forwards penned the Taieri well within their twentyfive. Some nice short passing among Henderson's men took the ball right up to the Taieri line, where " Teddy " Davis obtained it and was over the line like a shot. The kick was not easy, and Harming failed. Porteous returned well down the field, Taieri again being hemmed. Another short passing run by the Union forwards enabled Grieve to score the second try j within 10 minutes of starting. Harming again j failed to plaoe a goal. This reverse wakened I the Taieri up, and encouraged by shouts from I their supporters, they played a much more | determined game. They wero not, however, | able to make much headway. Their backs did I some pretty passing, the ball invariably finding I its way to R. Elder, who mulled it time after | time, thus throwing away whatever chance the | Taieri had of scoring. Lang secured a mark J between the halfway and twenty-five flags, and | potting placed a goal. The referee, however, S disallowed it, owing to the, kicker having gone | some 2yds over his mark. W. Elder, who had been j playing with excellent judgment made several J attempts to get away, but Smeaton was collaring in great form, and brought him down time after time. The Union were now pressed for a few minutes, but their forwards were superior to those of the T-ieri, snd they had no difficulty iv clearing their lines. Lang, Smeaton, and Mackie put in some long kicks, M'Donald also making a nice run right under the Union posts. He was very slow in passing, and lost a I good show of scoring. W. Elder shortly after j secured the ball snd made off up the touch line I at agreat pace fthis time passing Smeaton), but I King tackled him splendidly, bringing him down I when within five yards of the line. Banning, I Grieve, Wright and M'Kinlay headed a strong dribbling rush right down tho field, tho ball going into touch at the corner fl.ig. Half time was now called. The second spell was contested principally by the forwards, both sides playing a fine game. The Taieri halves made several attempts to get the leather out to their three-quarters, but the Union halves and forwards were collaring perfectly, and all attempts in tbis direction failed. Lang was very clever at this stage of the game, and gave his opponents a tremendous amouut of trouble. He passed out unselfishly to Porteoua and Smeaton, and although both took the ball well and made short dashes, the Taieri boys were too fast for them, bringing them down before getting dangerous. Harris and Davis were now working splendidly together, aad, assisted by their forwards, made things very lively. The Taieri full back had his hands full, and had had a less reliable man been there the Union must have scored time after time. The pressure was kept up, and the ball passed from Tattersall to Davis, who ran to the line, then passed to M'Farlane, that player scoring near the corner flag. Lang took the kick aud made a fine attempt, the ball passing underneath the bar. Nothing further of note happened until the call of time, leaving the Maroons victors by three tries to nil. A moro equal set of forwards than those of tha Union it would bo diffiult to find, every mau playing a good game. Harming probably was the best, his all-round play being greatly admired: The two half baoks are first-class men, the best that the Union Club have had for some years. Lang was the best three-quarler back ou the ground, his play being admired by all. Smeaton ran him very close, he having played bis best game this season. Porteous watched R. Elder very closely, and both having speed, they were unable to got away from each other. King had very little to do, but showed that he is a good man. The Union were not forced once during tbe whole game, so he had no difficult tasks to perform. The Taieri team all round is a good one. The | forwards plsy a hard game, Matheson and Mann being about the best. The half backs are very clever, and it was not their fault that the threequarters did not get more to do. W. Elder was in rare form, doing a lot of work. Mackie was prominent in stopping rushes; but R. Elder, of whom great things were expected, did not play up to his true form. Flynn was reliable, and ho is without doubt the best full back playing iv senior matches thia season. Mr F. Home officiated as referee to the satisfaction of all, his decisions being accepted without demur by the Taieri aud Union alike. He was, however, subjected to howling and hooting by a gang of hoodlums who it was evident knew nothing whatever of the game. Messrs G, Murdoch (Taieri) and T. Downes (Union) noted as line umpires. The visiting team were supplied with refreshments at the close of the gam., they then making for home, one and all expressing the opinion that the Taieii boys are jolly good fellows.