FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9195, 15 August 1891, Page 6 (Supplement)

FOOTBALL.

A contributor sends the following:—"Undoubtedly the most interesting match of the season was that jilayed on the Caledonian ground on 'Thursday between the Wharf Lumpers and the U.S.S. Company's office employes. The former, who were led by the redoubtable Captain Dan Matbesos, at first wished to be allowed their bale hooks to collar with, but, after some demurring on the part of the clerks, the point was not pressed. We believe, though, that the O.K.F.U. will be asked to add a bye-law permitting the use of hooks in matches of thia description. Punctually at 330 o'clock the office boys marched on to the ground followed by the lumpers in real fighting rig— jerseys were conspicuous by their absence, but moleskins aad dungarees were the order of the day, and heel and toe-plates were the correct thing. Three spells of 20 minutes each were indulged in, Mr Noel wielded the whistle, and Messrs Hunter and Twiriama the flags. Turton kicked off for the office, and Rice speculated at it but missed tho ball, and kicked himself off his feet. Matheson came to the rescue, and with one of his famous drop kicks placed the clerks on the defensive. Ledger, however, obtained possession, and after a smart run drew first blood for the office. After the kick-out a series of scrums ensued, in which the Wharf team simplj walked over the 'Office, and Edwards and M'Donell scored. At the end of the second spell the score was 2 points each. The third spell wag very fast, and Searle scored for tho lumpers and the try was converted. The U.S S. Company's fast and favourite Ramsay then obtained possession of the leather, and steaming down the touchline at a rate of about 15 knotß, easily passed the hulks Rice and Matheson and grounded behind the bar—we mean the posts. Hughes converted. The ball was next passed put to ' Chummy junior,' who made a rattling run down the field, but was grassed a few yards from the line. Edwards next came heavily in contact with the fall back, but the loss of two teeth was the only result. It was now five minutes to time, and the excitement among the onlookers was very keen. Cries rose such as, ' Well played moleskins,' • Go it pen and ink slingers,',' Put your weight in, lumpers,' 1 Play loose, blotting pads and ink erasers,' k<i. Time was called shortly afterwards, and the soore Btood—Office, 11 points; lumpers, 5. The lumpers had a long way the best forwards, conspicuous among them being M'Donell, Edwards, and Miller, the latter being much admired as he walked down the field with four men on his back. Among the backs Captain Matheson was conspicuous by the clever manner in which he evaded collariDg his opponents. The back play of the office was very good, Mill aad Elder, who both scored, being conspicuous. It was a great pity that the O.R.F.U. Match Committee were not present, a3 I am sure that several of the players would have been included in the team to represent the province."

A match will be played to-day on the Caledonian ground between Sargood, Sod, and Ewen v. Bing, Harris, and Co. Sargood, San, and Ewen's team—Ballingshaw (captain), W. M'Beath, Jameson, M'Millan, Haig, Waite, Hellyer, Inglis, Power, Thomson, Brugh, Bremner, Haydon, G. [Munro. Bing, Harris, and Cos. team—Kinvig,'Bardsley, Stephenson, Low, M'Beath, G. Beckingsale, Forsyth, Webb, Cuddy, Arthur, Wilson, M'Phee, Inglis, Yates, and Hill. Play to start at 2 p.m. sharp.