FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9536, 19 September 1892, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

CANTERBURY V; OTAGO

VICTORY FOR CANTERBURY,

The annual football match between representatives of Canterbury and Otago was played on Saturday afternoon on tho Caledonian ground. The Ueld of play was in splendid order and the weather was line, but half a gale of wind blew up tho harbour across the ground, giving the side which defended the eastern goal a considerable advantage. There was a very large attendance of spectators, by whom the 3Z' h ,ge^b interosfc was tilketl »* the - lions of a considerable section of them for the PhTfj 8-° WHrl>ed fchoir S°od Judgment . that they were unable to soo anything worthy of apph Ulßem t hol)lay t > nt y S,m •\T Thf SUCCOSS of tho Canterbury team m the north caused their chances to be regarded with unusual favour, but the consensus or opinion nevertheless was that they would W to yield to their opponents on this occasion , How the anticipations of tho bulk of tho public in this regard were not realised will be seen from the report of the play. Tho teams were composed as follows :— CANTEttBUUY. OI'AOO. <llcds-) (Blues.) PULL BACKS. ' 11 ,r V, St lb of 11, , l'.Hobbs ... Ho T.King .. no r , T TflllEß-qUAUTEHS. " £ r-^ 0 ° bba 12 * W.Barnsido ... 10 9 w iVi — 10 4 A. Downes U f! W. Balch ... 12 .0 -A, Laurenson ZU i n t, . HALVES. G. Forbes .... n2 0. Crawford 10 C , W. Price ... oSW. J. Oran ." it 0 T 1M , I'OHWAItDS. I-.lLbort... . ... 12 o J. Duncan 12 0 i.Childa ... -11 4 - .T. Balwr ... .13 8 A Mort. ... X) o D.Ton-anco ..." 12 5 } V- k-amucls ... 12 0 J.R.Uoutnomery 13 S J.Mlvemlry ... 12 0 J. Campbell .. 12 0 A.Johrustone ... 12 2 11. D. Isaacs 12 4 W-LcCwn ... 12 OG. Turton 12 s K.Matheson ... UW W.Johnston "". 12 0 In the matter of weight the Blues had an ' advantage in both divisions, their backs averaging list Jib and their forwards 12st 81b, while 1?' ? f the Ga"terbury teani was ward aUd 12sfcllbfor theforMr W Wyiuks acted as referee and kept the players strict yto the laws. His task was no easy one, for largely owing- to the prevalence of ■he strong wind, minor infringements were very frequent during the match. Messrs A. White & c?T y) aU4 l:-* Har Per (Otago) were tho touch judges. Forbes, the visitors' captain, beat Montgomery in the spin of tho coin, and of course decided to give his team the benefit of tlie wind behind them for the first spell The game was started at 8 minutes past 3, and the Otago forwards burst at once into the Reds' quarters, till Lee by a speculating kick sent the ball past the quarter-distance. A free kick for ott side produced no advantage to the visitors, as one of their number was in front of A. Hobbs when he kicked, but Balch was instrumental in ehftmg past the centre, and fast work took the ball down to King who ran for some distance! but .then mused his kick. Laurensoii was haudy however, and, with a sharp kick, he sent tho ball to the Canterbury full back, whose return went to King, and the latter dropped ■into-touch. Balch missing the ball when ifc came to him shortly after this had the Blues' forwards, with Isaacs at their head, on to him in an instant, and tho play was in this way shifted past the half-distance (lag. Some admirable passing by .Price, Forbes, Hobbs, and Xee, whose skill was cordially dowr Sfh b? I ,the public' took the baU down the i,eld, and A. Hobbs carried it well inside the Blues' twenty-five, but a serviceable kick by Burnside pub it into touch ?W? t. I -° ! ;erritory' an« auother by Cran sent it past tho centre. The Reds' for* wards worked the ball d-wi the touch line for .a short distance, and hard kicking by oue of the visitors sent it over the home line, a force down being recorded. After the icick out! smart play by Laurenson sent the ball out W Uw lj fIl Ceufc-r^ where some attempted passILri r'f MBffas spoilt by the strong SJnVV,*TO J°hnsto? e (Canterbury) dribbled into the Blues' quarters, and Downes mulling a pass the home team had an anxious moment, but Laurenson came to the rescue with a smart kick out of bounds. The play went on about the centre, where the ball was heeled out of a IZlv 1, 0? 1 Gran tackled, wfcft i bled- lfcaw<iy t0 Lee> wh° kicke^ hurried y and backed up. Tho wind carried I the ball down to King, whose return was extremely wea lc, and Lee securing possession darMntT 1; ? hn 6 I^ the darting in to tackle him just as he dropped. Balch took-the kick, but from the difficult angle could not get the ball near the goal On play being resumed, there was some severe work W^. « a pass let Balch away, sfrLf. Canterbury player gob into full £ fTo^B^ Ofca e° Ouaked in their Ifmf' AI- "S fcacklecl Wm cleverly and &1 V areer 1U^ ide the Blues' quarterdistance. Duncan and W Johnston regard some ground for Otogo in the rather straggling play that followed, after which Duncan, by Tf ,foll.°™g up, shifted the ball into the Reds terntory, where it did not lon- remain however as a kick by Forbes drove it S the quarter-distance flag into touch. The Reds hih- TT™ 1° kiekiu Jf' aud with the wind S^fi, 1^ ttal«ferred the play to tlie Otago half but the operations were confined to Sf-i f Ott IT,' ? Ufl were far from interesting, t^t^l^ 3*ll^* a™tter of exteme d.friculty tovget the ball thrown in the wind the referee's whistle was in great requisition. Smart play by Duncan, followed by a K?» H °J an> ,S^/ ted t0 the Ileds' quartet-dis-tancG but a freekickto the visitors, onaceount of aLoSh? i° tago) bf {»Sott- S ite, which was, mi«+*B? !hh p aboufc the visitors' own fZI f' Pl"*** '«■■.*• Hobbs, resulted in a force down. When tho ball was brought out, the spectators were fairly avoused to enthusiasm by bnlLant passing by some of the home team, which gained fully three-fourths of the field for rnTV forranc(? got away with the ball from a pack and passed to Cran, who, after running till he encountered opposition, transferred to frn^ti l '( r?. mT h° mitwenfc on to Laurenson, from the latter to Johnston, back to Cran, and tallytal-Mirenson, who was brought down .when the coveted lme was only a few yards off Judicious kicking; by the visitors and foolish pass.ng by the home players resulted in the play bemg shifted past the centre, and A. Johnstone (Canterbury) dribbled on into the Blues quarters. There Price obtained possession and threw quickly to Forbes, who served A, Hobbs, and the latter, making a rush for the hnc, fell just beforehereached it, but recovering himself transferred sharply to Childs, from whom the ball went to Balch, and the latter dropped across. F. Hobbs was entrusted with the kick but tailed to register the major points. After the kJ c. k °.ufc> c the Reds' by good passing on the part of tneir forwards, boro down into their opponents quarters,. where Balch had the ball passed to him but was immediately grassed. Cran tried hard to get away, but his pass, intended for Laurenson, fell into the hands of aalcn, who, however, slipped as soon as he got it, and the play went on about the quarter distance, until a kick from Balch produced a forcedown against Otago. Only a couple of minutes remained till half-time, and in this short period a further score, which, as it afterwards turned out was the winning score, was nwle against Otago, for P. Hobbs had the ball placed for turn near the touch line about the centre from a free_kick and with a splendid effort he sent it straight between the posts. Almost immediately alter this the whistle went for half-time, the score being—Canterbury, 7 points; Otago, nil. It was expected, however, by those who were acquainted with the possibilities of the Ota/jo teams pl ay that, with the wind behind them in the second spell, they would have no difficulty m wiping off their deficiency. That these expectations were not fulfilled will bo seen from the account of the play in the second spell, though had advantage been taken of the opportunities which offered the Blues should have comfortably headed the visitors' score. The kick-oft went into touch about the Blues' quarters, and a smart kick by Cran, who had the ball passed to him when it came into play, scut it back out of bounds at the centre Laurenson and Duncan between them fumbling let the Reds into the home territory, where tho S2 ?? cu™* by A Hobbs, who made a bold S -rt ilT 1 l0°k0(1 like scoring. Ihe attack was staved off, however, &?-%T' M f ' lilli!1S llosscssi<>» ran through Smhf, L ° full« back h0 bouuccd the ball wa™sedatn Ver thafc r "•ayer's head, but he wa o grassed at tho same time, and, no one backZ, t'the'r F'f Hi° bbs 80t iis ki* *™ toi about the Canterbury twonty.-uve. Tho v.lnv did not, however, remain there long, for the Reds forwards, getting on side through the behind theiT by °nC of thoh »u'"^ behind them, touching an Otago player, rushed .t up the held, and it was kicked across' toTee who gathered nicel y and ran powerfully up t o the Blues twenty-live, where King and Burnsue between them stopped his progress M'Lareu was mainly instrumental in having the play shifted back to the centre, and a kick from Laureuson, backed up by Baker and Duncan, took the UU down to F. Hobbs, who saved St? Um- yl)^^ Pay in tbe Ked«' 'garters ] A. Hobbs took the. ball off si d e , and n\ irnsitlo had it placed for him within fair raueo but his kick lacked direction. After the drop 'out tho play was between the centre and the Reds' quarter-distance for some time, whence \V Johnstou {Otago) got away and passed to Burnside, who, aiter dodging two men, coiild have got in when he let the ball siip ;uvay from him. This Reds' forwards worked back to neutral territory, and the Blues' endeavours to open up the play proved unavailing. On one occasion Laurenson passed out to Downes, who threw on to Burnside, but the latter was called back for a pass forward, and the novel and uucdifying. spectacle.was presented of Mr Wyinks, whose fairness as a referee is absolutely unquestionable, being hooted all round the ring by the Otago crowd. By united i dribbling the Blues'forwards worked the ball well within their opponents' territory ; but the i visitors exhibited splendid defensive powers, , while tho honui team sacrificed chance, after • chance by muffing the kill. The play got vory uninteresting, and it was disheartening to the

supporters of Otago to see that a long kick from Downes dowu to the Canterbury full back was not followed up promptly, and the latter was allowed to run to the twenty-five flag before he was tackled. Laurensou missed a good show by not taking the ball when it wont to him, and immediately afterwards, when that player got away along the touoh linn, he was not backed up. Crawfurd was the noxfc to makea dash, but his pass was not taken, and some scrummaging took place in the Reds' quarters, from wbicib. the ball came out to Dowues, who, running across, dropped.Jand with a well judged Kiclc screwed it fairly between the posts. There was loud cheering at this score, which it was hoped would arouse the Blues to increased eftorts. Within a few minutes of the kick-oft the Keds submitted to two force downs from long kicks. A. Hobbs' kick-out, after tho latter of these, wont to Downes, who marked, but his high return was not followed up smartly. Isaacs and W. Johnston triwd to break through, but a pass from the latter to Downes was fumbled, and the Reds burst away to the centre. There Matheson got loose ami passed to A. Hobbs, who sent tho ball on to Lee, ami tho latter in a strong run was missed by King, but was tackled from behind immediately afterwards, and tho ball was secured by Montgomery, who kicked down the field, and an exchange between F. Hobbs and Laureuson left it at the centre. "W. Johnston next kicked down to the visitors' full back, who made a fine run, which took him past the half-way flag before Duncan collared him, and the samo player again held the Blues in check, when W. Johnston dribbled nito the Reds' quarters a few minutes later. I lay along the touch line saw the operations shifted to the Otago half, but Crawfurd, Baker, M'Laron, and Duncan between them removed it to the Reds' quarters, where there was someunmterosting'play along thetouchlinebeforeßurnside kicked across the field to P. Hobbs, whose return v.cnb to Downes, and the latter ruuniug bounced it over the full back's head, but Lee was about and touched down. There now remained only about 10 minutes 'niore, and the Blues had ail the appearance of being a beaten team. The play went on chiefly in the Reds' territory, but Crawfurd and Laureuson were not supported in an endeavour to got through. Then the home team had a good chance, for, through the ball flying off Hobbs' too and beiug blown into touch in goal, a scrum was formed outside the Reds' line. On the ball coming out it was thrown across to Buruside, but a groan of despair from the spectators proclaimed that he had fumbled it and the opportunity was sacrificed, the play going- on at the touch line. The visitors' defence being found to be impregnable tho Blues had recourse to attempting to kick goals from the field. W. Johnston obtained a smart mark at a difficult angle and the ball was placed for Xorrance, who sent it, however, outSide the posts, a force down resulting. The kick out went to Laurenson, who, in response to cries of " Pot," dropped at goal, but his effort was unsuccessful, and then Crawfurd obtained a mark on a line out. Laurenson had the place kick, and, unfortunately for Otago, when the ball seemed to be going straight for the goal a gust of wind carried it well outside the posts. After the kick out Downes secured a mark, and the ball beiug punted high and followed up there was a scrummage formed close under the visitors' goal, but when the ball came out there was the inevitable fumbling, and the Reds shifted it to a less dangerous place, where ifc was when the whistle was blown for "no side," Canterbury winning by a goal and two tries (7 points j to a goal (4 points). ( v The match was for an encounter of its kind singularly devoid of incident, und the play at times was not better than such as is seen in second-class contests. There can be no doubt, however, that the Canterbury players won fairly on the merits of the play. Their northern tour had given them a combination which was sadly lacking in the home team, and m various respects ill which the Otago teams have within recent years manifested a superiority over them they showed marked improvement. Their forwards fairly beat their opponents* and this was the nrst ractor in their success of the afternoon. It would be impossible, however, to over-estimate the value of tha defensive play of their backs in the second spell, and tho full back, ]?. Hobbs is m particular entitled to the highest praiss for his splendid exhibition. He has played against Otago before this, but without showing more than average powers. Qti Saturday, however, he gave one of the finest expositions of back play that has been seen in Dunedin. His tackling was sound and his kicking excellent while against the wind he adopted the judicious game or running, as much as possible, until, at all events, he could depend upon getting the ball into touch. Throughout tho game ne played with admirable judgment, and he was undoubtedly the most prominent figure in the contest. A. Hobbs' play in the centre was of great value, and many rushes and runs were cleverly stopped by him Lee and Balch did good service, the former, who is uot so fast as the latter but more difficult to stop, beiug the more noticeable ; and the two halt backs, besides initiating the passing on their side, were very reliable. Of a splendid lot of working forwards, the brothers Ebert, Le Oreu, and Matheson were the pick, while Johnstone proved himself to be a rattling good wing player. The play of the Otago representatives was exceedingly disappointing, and some ot those from whom much was expected did not exhibit anything tike their club form. Duncan usually so brilliant in following up, was hardly ever noticeable in this respect in the second spell, and Montgomery, generally so successful in breaking away from the line, was never once allowed to get off. The short passes which have come to be regarded as a feature ot Utago forward play were conspicuous ouly by their absence, and experienced players, when they got the ball, actually did not appear to know what to do with it. M'Laren, Isaacs, lorrance, and Turton played hard throughout the game, but Bsquilaut was sadly missed Baker shone occasionally, and Johnston's play had little of its customary dash about it. The latter was played as an extra half back in tho second spell and did good service, but the efforts to get the ball away from the forwards were rarely successful, and when they were successful they were nullified by fumbling. Crawfurd has seldom been so inconspicuous in an important match, ins play being smothered to a large extent; and while Cran was not free from thegeneral malady of muffing, he made some smart runs and did good service with his tackling. In the centre, Downes played well on the whole, aad his potted goal was a nice !w i T rlV but Laui-ensou, notwithstanding that he fumbled a good deal, was the most noticeable of the backs, and several times were the team helped out of a difficulty by him Burnsidc did uot display much judgment, and neither did King, who certainly gave the Reds tueir first try. The following shows tho results of the matches played between the two provinces :—

18^ 7 ~At Cn«stehurcli—Otago won by two tries

}S7B-At Dunedin—Drawn, no score. Toon A! Drawn, no score. TcS?~ A! Dunedin-Drawn, one tiy each. anfc^ Cto»« ShUICh-otllgO wonl>y- OM coal threes S el ~OtaSOWOnbyflVO g°als and

ISSIi-At Ghristclmrch-Otago won by one goal d three tries to nil.

tolone~ti At ■ Duucdm~Gaaterl)Ul T. won by one goal 18S5 - At Clvristchurch—Canterbury won by one goal and two tries to nil.

i««7~ A! Dunedin—Drawn, no score. ™™ Olmstchurch-Drawn, one goal each. •our trTe t "" ag° WOn by °UC gOal and

S ollt7o^ C tr;. iStCIIUrCh~Otag ° Won by threC ti^r^ punedin-Otaso won by two goals and three tries to one goal and one try 1891—At ■Christcluirch-Otago 'won by three goals to one goal. IS92—At Bunertin-Canterbury won by one goal and two tries to one goal.

£, 8 mombers of fche Ota £° team dined with the Canterbury players at their hotel on Saturday night, and both teams visited Portobello proceeding and returning by steam launch.

The team which it is proposed to send around the goldfields has "not yet been finally picked. rlhe following, however, will probably be among the list of players :—lsaacs, Baker, G. M'Laren A. Millar, Torrance, Duncan, Beadle, Campbell, M'Laren (Kaikorai), Robertson, Pram, Burusido, Curadns, and Harris.

A Wellington junior team beat a Manawatu junior team on Saturday by 10 poiuts to nil. In Wellington senior cup matches tho Athletics beat Wellington by 5 points to 2; the Ponekes beat Petono by Uto 3. The Ponckes have an unbeaten record this season, and cannot now lose the cup.