FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10900, 6 September 1897, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO,

The return match batween.teams representing j Southkud and Otago csme off ou Saturday at the Carisbrook ground, in the presence of about, 2000 Bpcctatsrs. The afternoon was not a temptbg one for the supporters o£ the game. A thick drizzling rain hud fallen all the previous night and nearly all the forenoon, and as the time for play drew near, although it cleared off a little, it was still very miserable. The ground, in consequence of tho raio, was sodden all over, but at one corner and near th 6 pavilion it was extremely bad. The teams wers well matched ia weight. The visitor^ b».cks sca'ed 77si 101b and their forwards 99st lib, while the Otago backs weighed 79^t 131b and their forwards 99jfc. The following are the weights of the nasa :— Southland (Maroon). Otago (Blue), i full back. st In sfc lb Wkittaker ... 10 (T Boss 12 10 THREE-QUARTER BACKS. ; Bain ... ... 11 5 Arwib 11 9 ! Manson (captain) 10 1(1 Wood 11 i ; Hirst 12 3 Macdonald ... 11 6" } HALF BACKS. Slead 1U i Duncan (captain) 12 7 Ward 10 10 M'Ara 10 2 Jenkins 12 (I Sinclair 1U 3 FOR WARES. Murphy 12 2 FarquharEon ... 12 6 M\Nie ... ... 11 « Ronald 12 0 Mat'ncson... ...11 7 Kogsrson 12 S Purdue : 13 8 Burt 11 13 Wahh ... ...13 (I Priest 18 0 Atuhony 13 0 liob=on 1! 12 Aniiei-Kon- 12 0 Stewart IS 0 Donaldsbu ... 12 H Given .12 3 The avsr.ige weight of the Southland backs was list lib, of the forwards 12nt sb, and of the. team list 111b; while tb« averags weight of the Otago backs wa3 v lls3 51b, of the forwards 12at 51b, and of .the team llsl; 13lb.

Hanson won the toss, and elected to play towards the p&vilioci end of tha field. Priest kicked oS, and Ward laade a. mn and passed to

Hirst, who did no; get far. The bill was kicked down to "Whittaker, who made afeebte (-Sort to return it, bjt soms of the Marooas' i'or.vards putting in a timely appearance the 'either mads its way to Ross. The Alharnbra payer slipped as he took the ball, but he clevedy eluded two opponents anil got his kick in. A conple of fine kicks to fcne Maroons took the play to Otago's quarter flag, and for a few minutes the ball remained about thisqusrtar. Donaldson got a mark, and Wood coming into possession followed the same plan and kicked well down. Murphy and Purdue were prominent in play tbat carried the ball close to the Otago line, where Hanson snapped it up "from a pass in front of the goal posts and smartly potted, the ] ball travelling over the crossbar with no more than a foot to spare. Cheers from all parts of the ground greeted tho Southland captain's success. Southland * point?, Otago nil." The Blues kicked out, and the ball was sent, back to Slacdonald, who made a strong kick down ths touch line. Again the hall was kicked to the University representative, and again he raid?, me of the line, kicking down past the halfway flag. . The .Maroons' forward?, who were exceedingly srawt at following up, took the . play into Oiago territory, but Priest showed up at the head of the Blues, shifting the scene of operations again to the Maroonfc' ground. Whittaker, the full bask, made a herded kick and.followed up past the halfway flag. The ball was dribbled scill further into the Otago ground, Walsb. rendering good service. Ross made a short run and kicked down the field, and the Blues, sticking to it, carried tbe ball close to the lino. Pardue headed a relieving rush, which was pluckily stemmed by M'Ara.- From a scrum Jenkins passed to Ward, who made a had pass to Mansou, and Sinclair, 'seeing his chance, cauaea the play to return to the Marconi* quarters. For a time there was no play worthy of note. The Otago men, playing capitally,' managed to gain ground slowly until they were within 10 yards of the coveted line. Some hot work ensued, and Mathesou made a kick to relieve his side, bub the ball struck an opposing foiw&rd and rebounded over the line. F/.i-quharson and P.-iefit were after ifc in a twinkling, right under the posts, but it proved too slippery for thsH^ and when they lost is a Maroon player dropped on it, and the result was a fores. The Southland men again c»me away, Anderson and H'Nia showing np, but one of the Braes pub in a running kiqit aod turned tha tide. * Usnson got the ball and ran well, passing nicely to Ward, who transferred tp"Eir.it,-and M'Ara earned a round of cheers for bringing the last-named player to the ground. Anderson carried play t■> within five yards of the Otago line, bat Demean put in a smart kick which .took the pressure off the Blues. A penalty kick to the home tsaia was aiio Rccsptable. Given was in tho ran in a rush ftf O--.ago forwards, but the Maroon?, wUh ihe :»su»l gocd combination, stopped the ous*.hu!;>, -id after an interchange of kick'] bnrwesn toe ,ssks Wood kicked out at tho ceuuve. Tivo (res kicks to the Blue's resulted iv Otag-o (.-viniug ground, and a welljudged kick by Ariui'j carried operations past she quarter .flag. Another free kick to the / Bluts, and one of the Maroons then kicked strongly down the field, and his men following up e*pitslly play was in mid-field. From «. scrum Duncan passed to Armifc, and the Kaikcrai representative got over a lot of ground before his careor was stopped. From a lineout, Priest got away with the ball; and mainly by his efforts it was tikea over (ike lino, but' a Maroon dropped cv it and r. force down resulted. -Southland attacked, but Bart aiid Hob*on got the ball away and ifc was gent to the. Marouna' quarters, M'Ara, going strongly, tickled Whittaker bsfore he coald return, snd ■jus!; as a line-out was being formed 15 yards from the Southland line'half-time was called.

In the second spell, the ball was ssnt from the ki«k-off.to Wood, Wat) failed to take it cleauiy, and plviy tioqk place in the Ofcago twontr- i five. Bsgflrsou was oti-side, and from a likely position Macson took a shot at goal. His effort; was charged down by Dancaß. For a tide tbe visitors pressed tie Blues very herd. Ross got a chance to kick, and made good usa of it, and the fojwards, by good combination, kept the ball in the centre. Wood registered a serviceable kick, and Ward returning to Mscuona'd, the University man sent the leather to Stead, who took i 5 well, and ran down the field past the centre, deddng several of the Blues on the wr.y. The horns team were penalised * for Sinclair tskiag the ball out of the scrum, and Purdue m*da an attempt ab goal. He lifted the ball well, but, it went a few feet from the posts. The Maroons again assumed ths aggressive, and Purdue had a seciud shot at goal, but again ths ball went wide. Some hot pls.y took place, and owing to too smartness ex M*nson and Hirsb the bail was takan over the Blues' line, a fot.ee down resulting. For the next 10 minutes play was at the centre. Otago then worked the ball along slowly, and Woed made a good kick. The Maroons retaliated with a vigorous rush, and Ross, picking up stnartly, kicked to tbe centre. Maeaonald sent the bull further, after which the Maroons carried it to the centre, where it regained for a time during some uninteresting play. Jenkins put some life into the game by taking the ball into the Blues' territory, aad looked very like scoring, but Ko-s saved with a weak kick into touch.' Play was now at the B!uf s' quarter flag. The home ten-m sfcartod a dribbls, which was stopped Bear the centre by Stsad, who managed to gat in a good kick, but Macdonaid returned -well. Southland maintained a otrong onslaught, and once or twice were within an ace of scoring. From a lice-out the Blues got an advantage. Southland maintained their effoits, but Ofcago showed capital defence. Dune.ii, M'Arn, Wood, and Artnit took part in a run which carried the conflict to the centre, where Hirst came to the rescue by grassing

Arait. The Blues, warming to their work, continued to press on, but Whittaker nullined their efforts by sending the ball to the centre again. The Maroons' forwards came away nicely, Rud Purdue dribbled tho ball right down to the Blues' line, where it went out, and time was then called, leaving the visitors the victors by a potted goal (4- points) to nil. Mr F. H. Oarcpbell, as referee, gave satisfastion to both sides. Messrs A. M'Robie (manager of the Southland team) and R. D. Isaacs (Ofcago) acted as touch judged. The features of the fame were undoubtedly the strong forward play oE the Southland team aud the clever handling of the ball by their backs on sucli a wet ground. Although the Otago forwards got possession in the ccrurn on several occasions, they did not seem to rusks such good use of it »s their opponents. On the line-OBfc and in the loose the Southlandei-3 beat the Ofcago men budly, the Blues' forwards being slow in comiug round to help the backs. The Otago back clay was very disappointing, -the helves being slow ia getting in their bjckn, snd making poor attempta to stop tho dribbling rushes of the Maroons' forwards. On the other band, the play of the Southland back 3' was excellent. They took the slippery ball wonderfully <s»ell, and their kicking, too, was remarkably good. Whittaker, the Southland fall back, who is quite a young player, took the ball aud kicked well, aud should be heard of later on. Hirst ! and Bain, the wing throe-quarters, had little to j do, but what they had they did well. Mausoo, ; Stead, Ward, snd Jenkins made a splendid combination. Their passing, running, aud kicking were much admired. Mansou especially played a brilliant game. Ward also played a great game. The forwards, as mentioned bsfore, all played well, bub Purdue must be singled out as being tho laosb conspicuous. He plajed a rattling same from start to finish. Jind it h a great pity he was not included in the New Zealand csrui that visited Australia. Anderson, Murphy, Donalds^i!, aud Walsh also did yeoman's service. Qfl ihf. Otago side, Eons, at full back, did a lot of useful work. His judicious kicking kit) touch t avert his ieaui time aftei: time. J. G. Macdonald waa decidedly the pick of the threequarter bf.cks, his loug kicks gaining lots of ground. Armib, on the other wing, had com- « paratively Kttis to do, the bulk of the work ■ ailing on Macdonald's shoulders. Wood, at centre, was sale but not brilliant. M'Ara was again the best of ths halves, playing a. fine de- ' fensive game. Duncan and Sinclair did not play

up to past form at all. The former's*exhibition W2s only a mediocre, one. Of the locf.l forwards Priest, Given, Hobson, and Burb shoraed up prominsntly in the loose and on the line-cat ; aad Stewart and Farquharson worked hard ia the scrums.

The following are the results of previous contests:—

ISS7.— At Duaedin—Otago won by one goal and three tries (fi points) to nothing. 18-SS.—At luvercarsill—Drawn, no score. ISSl).—AtDunediu—Otagu won byf'iirgoals and fai-fo tries (15 points) to o-« try (1 point). IS'3o.—At Invercargill— Southland won by one goal and one try {i points) to nothing. 1891.—At Dtmedin—Otago won by five goals and two tries (17 points) to nothing. 1892.—At lavercargill—Otajo won by two goals and three tries (12 points) to nothing. 1803.— Ah Duneain—Otago won by ons goal and twn tries (0 yoints) to two tries (4 pointfO. ]gf)}—Septe:ul>er 12, at luvercargill—Soathlaad won by one try 13 points) to nothing. 1594.— September 22, at Uuneciin—Otago won bf one goal and one try (S points) to one-try (3 points). ' ]S9j.—August 17, at Dunedia—Oiago won by one try (3 paints) to nothir.£. IS9s.—September 38, at Invercirgill—Otago won by two gosls and one try (11 points) to one goal (4 point-). lS9i>.— August S, Danedin—Ot3go won by one try (3 points) to nothing. ISSS.-September 2:*, at luvercargill—Southland won by one gojl and two tries (11 points) to nothing.' 1837.— August 2i, at Invercargill— Southland won by one"try (3 points) to nothing. 'igt)7,_Septeniher 4, at Duuediu—Southland won by a goal (-1 poiuts) to nothing. The two teams din«d tcg^lker in the evening in the European Hotel, Mr Gallaway (preBidcct of the Otsgo Union) .being in ths chair, and yesterday they went on a harbour trip to Tortot illo.

CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON.

iPkb United Pbess Association.) Chhistchubch, September 4. • The ioterproviuci.4 match Canterbury v. Weiliugcou. was played here to-day, and resulted io a win for 'Wellington by a potted goal to nothing. The ground was ia Sac order in spite of a day aad a-half's rain, but a cold wind blew across che ground, aud the attendance w*.s only about 2000. Mr W. J. CotteriH, of Tiino.ru, was tt;e referee. Canterbury had all the best of the first spal], and vVeilingEoa of the second until tbe last quariar of an hour, when the Canterbury team woke up. Of the Canterbury bricks Orchard, O'Biriec, and Price played splendid games, but G-lannie was weak and quito spoilt the local combination. King and Wallace were the best of the WelliDgEou backs, but KeHy did solid work. Among the forwards Brooker, TSevell, and Jofrustone for Canterbury, aud Galiafjher, Hardcantle, and i'l'Kenzie for Wellington, were much the best.

Wellington kicked off against tb.3 wind, and some good worV: by O'Brien and Price (Ca.aterbary) took the ball to the Bkcks' quarters, where Woodß and Hardcsstle were responsible for goo;! kicking nod defensive play. Glonnie spoilt what might have been a chance by mulling bs.d!y, and O'Bi-ien made a dash for the corner. \Vahspa vklicvimi, but Orchard potted, and following up spoilt Wallace's return. From a penalty kick l;o Canterbury, Fitzgerald made a splendid kick, which went ja<i» outside the post, the Blacks btiag forced. Meozias marked the kick-out, and panted high, hub the Wellington forwards came away witll a tine rush to Orchard, who relieved, and O'Brien teuc the bull out at htlf-.way. Clever passing between O'Brieu and Meuzies took the ball to the Wellington fcweotyii?e, where Kelly intercepted, and v/ifc'a King went right down the field, Orchard returning bidiy. Then carae ona of the finest ru«lie9 of the clay, Eevell and Jobnstoue dribbling together from the-Beds' twenty-Svu to the Wellington goal i line, where Baumbsr, who mi playing a very safe...game, just saved. The Blacks wera penned, for a long time, and were finally forced, j 1 Menzies r.nd Glennie collided in taking the drop- i one, and off-side play by the Reds' forwards ! g&va M'Keuzie a chance to put the ball out well ! down the fis!d,'but JohasSciie kicked hard bask, and O'Brien went oa with a lusty punt, Baua>.berkickiug out at the Welliaf-.too. twenty- \ lUe..- Price started a Canterbury passing man, \ which Lociraor spoilt by kcockia^ oaj^and Woods marked, Lorimer returning ba.d!y at half-way. The Black forwards kicked hard and followed, up, with Hardeastle to the fore, but off-side, play checked the advance. Lorimer , mulled a punt of Kind's, which be should have ' lf.fc. to. Orchard, and determined fighting fol- ' lowed 6a the Reds' line. Wallace marked in s. good position and placed the bail tor Campbell, who m-ida a line attempt, the ball tailing short, ar,d Orchard punted oat of touch near tne halfway instead of forcing. Obstruction oa the lineoat gave the Rei's a free kick, and Fitzgerald smothered Fritch&vd's return. Orchard jti9t stopped a rash of M'Xenzie's ia time. Frit-chii-d again mulled a high kick, and GUnnie c«.ma away with a strong rua, passing to Johnstone, who should have gone oti, bat ne passed to Fitzgerald, who knocked on. The Keds ■were boating ttas Blacks' forwards in tha scram and loosa work. Wallace \yau prominent here with some five defensive play. Fitzgeralcl had" another attempt from a peaaliiy as the halfway, but the ball struck tha post. Immediately afterwards Glennie marked, and Fitzgerald's kick was this time slightly snort. Wellington caaie btck with a fine rush, which Orchard safely stopped, and Kelly started a floe passing rusb, being grassed by Orchard- just in front of the post. Campbell had another place kick from a penalty, and this time the ball fell about six inches short. Lorimer followed the drop-out by a fine run, pissing to Menzies, who, slipped, and half-time sounded with the ball in Wellington's quarters. The first quarter of an hour of the second speli was fought on the ■Wellington line, but the Canterbury backs played carelessly, and Gallagher, Campbell, end M'Keozie finally relieved, M'Kenzie being particularly prominent. Wild passing by the Blacks lost ground, and Fitzgerald smothered King ia the Wellington quarters. M'Kenzie started a passing rush back* t'ae ball going to Woods aad f torn him to Pritchard, who mulled. M'Kenzie broke away from .a1 line-out and went right; over the line, O'Brien saving by kicking over the boundaries. Then Wallace and Fritchard again penned the Beds, aud Wallace picking up smartly pottad a clever goal. After the kick-off Kiojf made a great punt.Vbut a penalty relieved the Rec'.s, and Eoert and Johnscone made a fine dash to the centre. Menzies ran strongly into the Bi^cko' fewoaty-five, bat King kicked wtfll back, and Orchard stopped a nice dribble by Kelly aud Hardcastle ia the Reds' twentyfive. Feeble passing by the Reds spoilt several chances, aud Campbell had another shot from a pautlty, Canterbury being forcsd. Wallace returned the kick out well, but O'Brien and Menzies punted back, and Glennis and Price made a short passing dash. O'Brisn ran finely down the line, and the game livened up with about a-quarter of au hour to run. From this out the fieds attacked strongly, and Orchard was brought up finally to three-quarter back. Baußibsr aad Wallace put in some magnificent collaring, the Canterbury backs oomiug dowu time after time. Orchard made a fine run, bnt was put out, and the Rbcls' forwards went on to the corner flag. M'Kenzie relieved with a dribble, only to see O'Brien flash back agsiu to be collared by Pritchard just in time. The ; game ended just afterwards with the score: Wellington, 4- points ; Canterbury, nil. A feature of the game was the fine punting of .Wallace, Orchard, and O'Brien, the lastnamed finding the line every time. Pritchard was a failure for Wellington. The place-kicking ,y/as remarkably good, but wanted luck. Thero was no back combination on either side, and tbe game was consequently a forward one, »nd for the most pare very slow. The Wellington wing forwards were frequently penalised for off-aide play. Forward, the teams were svenly matched ; but the Canterbury backs must h&v* mada the score different if Glennie had played at all well. Gallagher's play on the line-out was remarkably fine, bat this player has a stroag tendency towards roughness. Campbell wan another great success, wtiile Orchard quite played up to his old form.

WELLINGTON v. OTAGO,

The Match Committee of the Otago Rugby Union have selected the following players to represent Obago against Wellington next Saturday . _ full bask—W. Ross ; tbroe-quirter back's—A. M. Armit, T. Wood, J. G. Maedonald; half basks—J. Duncan. M'Ara, A. Mason ; forwards—J. Ronald, W. Farquharson, F Given, A. Hob3on, P. J. Priest, J. R. Burfc, It". J. Stewart, W. Kogerson. Tho only alteration £rosa the team which met Southland on Saturday is that Mason takes the place of Sinclair as half bank. The above players will meet in the lodge room afc tha European Hotel on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The Wellington representative* will arrive in Dunedin by the north express this evening and laave to-morrow morning for Invrrcsrgill, where they will play Southland on Wednesday.

The Pacific Club claim to hold the proud positioa of premier junior club of the city for jsason 1897, having played 10 matches, of which they won nine and drotv one. The club scored 104- points, while 17 only were registered against them. They also claim-three more matches by default. This Second Fifteen, who are also premiers i" t'leir class for ' ne aecouci seasou in succession, scored 113 points, with only 16 against theu), no team having ■ crossed their line. Tho 16 points comprised goals from free kicks. The United Second closau the season by defeating the Belmonl; in the return match by 51 points to nothing, aud leaving their record thus: Matches played. 8 ; won,?; drawn, 1 lost, 0. Poiat3 for, 150 ; against, 3.