FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11507, 21 August 1899, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE KNGLISII TEAM.

Preso Association—By Telegraph-Copyright

MELBOURNE, August 20. The Englishmen played the Victorian Rugby Club. The former -.yon by five goals and > try to nil.

SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO.

Tlie succession of* victories won by the Southlanders against Otago in the last five matches came to an end on Saturday afternoon, when the local team pulled off a fairly easy game by 12 points 16 5. The attendance was again very large, and the ground in good order. The weather looked threatening at the outset, but fortunately held up throughout the afternoon, and a light south wind prevailed. The game was not unusually interesting, and Otagd's all-round superiority made it somewhat onesided. It is safe to say that it was only the stubborn defence of the Southland backs that saved their side from having a good many more points against them. Little fault could be found with their tackling, but whenever they got away with the ball their passing was almost invariably smothered by the Ota«o forwards. The passing of the Otago backs, although hardly as brilliant as that displayed in the Canterbury match, was again of a high order, and the Blues' forward play was superior all round to that of Southland. Mr F. H. Campbell acted as referee, and the touch judges were Mcwrs Manson (Southland) and W. H. Haydon (Otago). The following were the teams:

SouthliUid.-FuH back, H. Ecdgers (10.0); thren-quaiters-H. Hill (12.6), T. Maley (11.10), B Bain ■(11.4); halves—W. Hanna (12.3), W. Stead (10.0), P. Praser (10.0); forwards—W. Myers (11.11), L. ifurphv (11.8), I. Jenkins (11.8), E. Purdue (13.6), AY. Judc (11.6), V. Metxgei (11.10), H. Anthony (12.5), P. Anderson (11.5). Ola»o.—Full back, Wi Pvepa (12.5); threequarters—A. Arrait (11.4), J. O'Shea (11.8), G. S. Stephenson (12.5); halves—J. Macdonald (13.11), W. Sinclair (11.8). J. Duncan (12.6); forwards—T. Cross (13.5), \V. Farquharson (12.8), 3?.; Given (12.6), C. h. Gregg (12.6), D. M'Donakl (13.0), D. M. Munro (12.4), E. Murphy (14.0), W. Olson (12.6).

Southland won the toss and decided to play against the wind from the .harbour end. Stead returned Murphy's kick-off into the touch on the Otago side of the half-way flag. A good passing rush between Maedonald, Sinclair, Duncan, and Stephenson set things going, and the last-mentioned player was collared in the Maroons' twenty-five. A serum followed the throw-in, and Stead getting the ball made a good run, and passed to Hill, thus removing the play back to half-way. Continuing the attack, Metzger got away with the ball. Bain made a fine run, taking it down the touch-line, whore it was kicked out near the Blues' corner flag. Otago then rallied, and the forwards, with Gregg and Murphy in front, took tho ball back to half-way. Soon after this, Maedonald marked, and Sinclair following up obtained possession and passed to Steplienson, gaining more ground. A few minutes later a scrum was formed in the Southland twenty-five, and as. it was breaking up Murphy got the ball and was very nearly through. On being collared, he passed to Munro, who was stopped within a yard of the line. A scrum followed, and the Otago backs got the ball. From Macdonald it went in turn to Duncan, Sinclair, and Armit, and the latter ran1 in and touched down near the corner^flag. Hill had bad luck in slipping and falling, otherwise he might have succeeded in bringing down Armit, and averting the score. Macdonald was entrusted with the kick, but no goal resulted. 3—o. On continuing, the Otago backs again set a passing rush in motion, and the ball went through the hands of Macdonald, Duncan, and Sinclair, when O'Shea failed to take it. and, Maley intercepting, kicked into touch half-way. Play in the centre followed for a few minutes, and then the Maroons' backs gave a display of passing. Frascr got the ball, passed to Stead, who sent it on to Hanna, but Maley failed to take it, and the Blues, seizing the chance, came on with a rush, and put Southland again on the defensive. Play in the Southland twentyfive was warm for n. few minutes. Maley got a.mark that might have relieved, but the ball was brought back for n scrum. Macdonald displayed too much celerity in getting it out, and Southland got a free kick, but a feeble effort took the ball into touch about 10 yards further down. Off-side play by Munro gave the Maroons another chance of respite, and this time Stead found the touch-line with a kick that sent the ball, out about half-way. Faiser, Hanna, and Hill put in a passing rush without gaining much ground, and then JenIcins got away: he passed to Stead, who managed to get a long way away from his other backs, and was collared on the other side of the ground. Maley got in a hard kick, which was marked by Wi Repa. Macdonald and Gregg followed up and rushed the ball down to Rodgers, who mulled it, and it was kicked out near the corner. From a scrum 15yds out Sinclair'got .an opening, and was nearly through, but was brought down about a yard from the line. Another scrum, and Mac--tlonald got a similar chance, which he utilised by scoring. ■ • O'Shea made a poor attempt at an easy goal. Otago, 6 ; Southland, 0. Rodgers kicked off, and from a serum the Otago backs brought the ball down to the Maroons' quarters, where Macdonald made a long pas? to Gregg', who was in front of,the Southland goal. Finding his way blocked,', he passed to Cross, who might liave scored if he had been able to take the ball. A scrum on the line followed, and the Southland.backs getting the ball, Stead obtained.relief for his side by forcing- down. The respite was only temporary, and the Blues again pressed the visitors in their twenty-five. Maley marked in front of his own goal, but his kick was feeble, and Macdonald obtaining possession passed to Olson, who clung to the ball, although he might easily have passed. Stead and Bain then took the ball clown to half-way. Macdonald, Sinclair, O'Shea, and Stephenson brought it back, and the lastnamed was pushed but near the corner flag. Macdonald again cost the Blues a free kick for taking the bailout of the scrum, but Hill only gamed a few yards. Stead, however, camo to the rescue, and with another of his brilliant runs, "on his own," took the play down to half-way. .lust before half-time Southland were penalised, and the ball was placed fov Wi Repa. His kick was more powerful than accurate, and yielded nothing. Jude opened the second spell with a kick that landed within a yard of the Otago goal line, and Wi Repa forced. A free kick to the Maroons gave Rodgers a " pot," and the attempt was good. Wi Repa kicked out, and Bain marked half-way. Cross returned, a-nd the Maroons' backs passed the ball across the field. The .Blues' forwards then worked it down to Rodgers, wlio made a poor defence, and the ball went into touch near the corner. Tho Maroons worked the ball back to safer ground, and play centred for some minutes. Eventually Stead and Bain got away, and the latter made a good run. When he found his progress blocked he kicked, and was following up, with a good chance of scoring, when he was deliberately blocked by Stephenson. The free kick—that was poor compensation for what appeared to be a very ungenerous action —brought little relief, and a forward rush by the Blues took the ball down to the line, where Farquharson scored. Olson gave another illustration of the Otago team's misfortune in lacking a reliable place kick. Otago, 9; Southland 0. Give-and-take play ensued, and finally Wi Repa forced down as a result of Jude kicking over the line.' Good passing by Macdonald, Sinclair, and Duncan shifted the play to the Southland half, but O'Shea stuck to the ball too long. Duncan camo to the rescue, passing to Stophenson v and that player found the touehline at the~Soulhland twenty-five. More passing by the Blues gave Stephenson another chance, but Bain was equal to the occasion, and brought him down. A minute later and Slephenson got the ball from Macdonald, and made a fine run, which resulted in his scoring the best try of the match. Tho kick at goal was an easy one. but, almost needless to say, it yielded nothing. Otago 12 ; Southland 0. Uninteresting play followed about the middle of the ground. At last Southland got a penalty kick in a fairly good, position, and Jude essayed to score, but without avail. Play again centred, and then Southland made a final effort; A hot five minutes' work in the Otago twenty-five ended in Hanna getting away. He made a short run rind kicked towards the centre of the field. Wi Repa did not Hold the ball well, and when lie gained it he found his opponents charging him. He ra,n Iwliind tho Otago goal line, and when collared lost the ball, so that Maley scored an easy try between the posts. Taking the kick himself, he added the major point. The bell at once rang, and no side was called with the score:

Olago ... 12 points Southland 5 points At already mentioned, the Otago forwards excelled themselves, and if special mention is made of any, M'Donald first claims consideration. He played a brilliant game from Btart to finish. C-Jregg, Murphy, and Cross also put in splendid work. As full back, Wi Repa, who did not have much to do, generally found the touch line, and was apparently safer than in the match against Canterbury. But the manner in which he allowed Southland to score the try would seem to indicate that he is not resourceful when he gets into difficulties. Armit played his usual dashing game, to the delight or the spectators, and lias probably graduated into the best " gallery" man in New Zfaland. As centre, O'iSlisa was a failure, and his taking of passes was, with a few exceptions, weak, and it is doubtful whether ho could not be improved upon for next Saturday. Stephenson's play was a vast improvement on the form he showed in the Canterbury match, and showed that when he likes he is the right man in the right place. The way he scored hit! try on Saturday was worthy of being placed alongside of his best efforts in interprovincial football. It is a pity that he should havo marred tho effect of his good play by a wanton act of obstruction, which,

perhaps, prevented Southland scoring. Whether Bain would liava tcored or not is still being argued out, and possibly will form a topic of conversation in football circles till the Taranaki match displaces it; but it should bo remembered that if Bain had had a clear run he would still have had to reckon with Armit, who was close up, and is one of the hardest men to got pp.ot in the Otago team. Macdonald played a fairly good game, but it would be a great improvement in his play if lie could get the ball away from, the scrum quicker, and yet bear in mind that it is generally not worth the candle to pick it out. Sinclair played his usual safe, consistent game, and Duncan showed good form.

For Southland, Koilgor.::, at full back, was painfully weak, and showed nothing like the form that on previous occasions he has exhibited to the honour of his province. Bain showed that he could run like a deer, but he is only dangerous when the ball is put into his hands and he is given a.clear start. Maley, who was put into 'the team as substitute for Murphy, played a fine game ; aud Hill proved remarkably good on the opposite wing to Bain. Hanna played a capital game, and his tackling was unusually good. Ho brought Duncan down in fine siyic. Stead put in an immense amount of work, but his chief fault was. that he got too far away from the other backs, and when his progress was blocked he generally found himself in the midst of a sea of Blue forwards, and never a friendly Maroon jersey at hand. I'raser got the ball away in a first-class style. The Maroon forwards, compared with those who won matches for Southland in former years, seem to have deteriorated sadly, and the policy of the Southland Union in putting forward a

lighter class of men is a. mistake. Anderson, who has represented Otago in five or six representative matches, showed that he can still keep pace with the best. Purdue, who donned the interprovincial jersey for the first timo this year, fully justified his inclusion in the team, and others worthy of mention were Murphy and Jenkins.

The following table shows the results of the matches between Otago and Southland representativo teams, from their initiation up to the present time: —

1887.—At Dunedin—Otago won by 1 goal and 3 tries (0 points) to nil.

1888.—At- Invercaigill—Drawn ;no score. 1889.—At Dunedin—.Otago won by 4 goals and 3 tries (15 points) to 1 try.

1890.—At Invercargill—Soiithland won by 1 goal and 1 try (4 points) to nil.

IS9l.—At Dunedin—Otago won by 5 goals and 2 tries (17 points) to nil.

1892.—At Invercargill—Otago won by 2 goals and 3 tries (12 points) to nil.

1893.—At Dunedin—Otago won by 1 goal and 2 tries (9 points) to 2 tries (4 points).

1891.—September 12: At Invercargill—Southland won by 1 try (3 points) to nil.

1894.—September 22: At Dunedin—Otago won by 1 goal and 1 try (8 points) to 1 try (3 points).

■1895.—August 17: At Dunedin—-Otago won by 1 try (3 points) to nil.

1895.—September 18: At Invercargill—Otago won by 2 goals and 1 try (11 points) to 1 goal (4 points).

1896.—August S: At Dunedin—Otago won by 1 try (3 points) to nil.

IR3o.—September 23: At Invercargill—Souths land won by 1 goal and 2 tries (11 points) to

• 1897.—Auguot 21: At Invercargill—Southland won by 1 try (8 points) to nil.

189T. —September 4: At Dunedin—Southland won uy 1 potted goal (1 points) to nil.

189S.—August 31: At Invercargill—Southland won by 1 try (3 points) to nil. IS9S.—September 17: &i Duneclin—Southland won by 3 tries (9 points) to nil.

1899.—August 19: At Dunedin—Otago wen by 4 tries (12 points) to 1 goal (5 points).

NELSON v. WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, August 19.

Nelson played Wellington this afternoon in beautiful weather-before about 2000 people. The ground was a little damp after .the night's rain. The local team won the toss and played against the wind. In the first quarter of an hour De Vere secured a clever try for Wellington, and twice Bonar nearly got in, but after that the men .played lazily, and the visitors pushed them back to the line, where Batchelor succeeded at the second attempt in getting across. No goal was kicked from either try. Calnan obtained another try through a weak piece of fumbling by Nelson, and the first spell ended: Wellington, 6to 3. On resuming, the local men showed some-good passing, and Pritchard scored between the posts. Hales easily converted, it'into a goal. Shortly after Roberts, by a very unselfish pass, let De Vere in, making Wellington U, Nelson 3. Nothing more was registered on either side, but the visitors played up very well, and several times had fair chances of getting over the line, which were lost through weak passing. The Wellington backs played a dashing game, but the team generally gave the impression that they .were not exerting themselves. Nelson did not play at all badly at times, but felt the want of good scoring men behind the scrummage.

THE AUCKLAND TEAM.

AUCKLAND, August 19.

The. following is the Auckland team for the southern tour of the Auckland Rugby Union: Fullback, G. Gillett; three-quarters—Harri-son, M'Pike, Absblum, R. M'Gregor; fiveeighths—Phelah, Reily; halfback, Young; wings—Laing and A. AVilson; forwards —Irvine, J. Gillett, F. Murray, J. M'Gregor, Gallagher, Scott, AA'ilson, Tyler.

TOURING FOOTBALL TEAMS. WELLINGTON, August 19.

The Taranaki representative football team went south by the Rotorua to-night to meet Southland, Otago, and Canterbury. Tho Nelson team leaves for Lvltelton on Monday.

AVANGANUI v. AVAIRARAPA. MASTERTON, August 20. Wanganui and AVairarapa played a drawn game, scoring 3 points each.

TARANAKI REPRESENTATIVE TEAM.

' The following constitute the Taranaki team now on the way to'Dunedin: —Full back, G. Holdsworth ; three-quarters—A. Bayly. L. Allen, A. Good; five-eighth, H. Mynott; half, A. Humphries; wings'—H. Mills. G. Ryan ; forwards—6. Parker, G. Bendall,B. O'Dowda, W. Lambie, D. Watson, J. Greigh, Bayly, H. Ball, and AY. Lile; emergencies—Back, R. Carroll; wing. A. George; forwards—Brown, Philips, and Sampson.

The following team will represent North Otago in the match against the Rugby Union team at Uamaru on Thursday next:

Full back—Crawshaw; three-quarter backsBooth, Buist, Flynn; half-backs-Hunter, Bee, Toohey (captain); forwards—M'Ghie, M'Elhenny, Low, Falconer, Aitkenhoad. J. Irvine, Boyland, W. Irvine. The O.R.F.U. team consists of the following:—Full back—Lawry; three-quarter backs—White, Wood, Buchanan ; half-backs—Armstrong (Union), W. Dey, Johnston ; > forwards—Cavanagh, Gilclirist, O. M'Kewen, Hobson, Neill, Hobbs, Fisher, Dunne.

ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT.

The filial rounds in the Association five-a-side tournment were got off at Bishopscourt on Saturday. Tho ground was in excellent condition, and there was a fairly large number of spectators. In the junior competition the first three rounds were wpn by Wakari No. 3, Southern No. 3, and Roslyn No. 3- Roalyii had tho good fortune to draw the bye, Southern beating AVakari. The final contest was very evenly contested, some really good work being put in by both teams, but the better condition of the Roslyn boys enabled them to come out on top. Junior. Second Round.—Wakari No. 3, 3 points, beat Northern No. 4, 1J points; Southern No. 3, 3 points, beat Northern No. 3, nil; Roslyn No. 3, 1 point, beat Green Island No. <t. i point. Semi-final.—Southern No. 3, 3* points, beat Wakari No. 3, nil; Roslyn No. 3, a bye. Final.—Roslyn No. 3, 3 points, beat Southern No. 3, nil. Sehios. Second Round.—Wakari No. 2, 6 points, beat Greou Island No. 2, nil; Northern No. 1, 3$ points, beat Roslyn No. 2, nil; Southern No. 1, 1 point, beat Wakari No. 1, nil. Semi-final.—Northern No. 1, 1 point, beai Waktiri No. 2, -J point; Southern No. 1 a bye. Final.—Southern'No. J, 3?, points, beat Northern No. 1, nil.

In the senior grade Waltari No. 2 and Northern No. 1 had to play in the semi-final, Southern securing a bye. This contest was watched with greater interest than any other during tho competition, as the teams were considered" the two strongest entered, Walcari being slightly the favourites. The skilful manner in which the members of both teams manipulated the ball was a treat to witness, (lie work of Sligo and Chadwick in the Northern vanguard and D. and J. M'Millan for the "Wakari being especially brilliant. Wafcari had no luck, however, and call of time found Northern on top by two half points to one half point. After the form they showed in the semi-final, the final tussle was looked upon as a certainty for the Northern, but to the surprise of everybody they simply wont to pieces. Holland kicked off for Southern, and immediately the ball was rushed down to the Northern's goal, whore Adams, in attempting to save, had to concede a corner (i point). From the kick-out Holland returned'hard and high over the goal-keeper's head, the ball finding its way between the posts—a very lucky goal. After this reverse the Northern had much the best of the game, buttgwero unable to retrieve their position. Their shooting was greatly at fault, Chndu-ick and Morrison both missing easy shots, and by the time no-side was called they had been unable to score.

Just before the final was played a team of five men from H.M.B. Ringdove met a Roslyn five, the latter being victorious. The bluejackets, although none of them have over played in five-a-sides before, made a very good fight of it, and with a little experience in these sort of games their five would take a lot of beating.