FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11798, 30 July 1900, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

. THE RUGBY GAME. SENIOR FLAG MATCHES.

Union v. Pirates

The return match between-the Union and Pirates was played on the Caledonian ground on Saturday. There was only a fair attendance of the public. The Pirates won the toss, and the Union kicked off from the harbour end. The Blacks almost immediately set up a strong attack, the Maroons forcing down. The Pirates kept up the attack, and from a free kick near the Union twenty-five Fisher had an unsuccessful shot at gcal. The Union, breaking away, took the'ball right to their opponents' line, where a series oi scrums took place, but the Blacks soon removed the danger. Play was even for some time, till

the Pirates again got away, and were only stopped en the Union line. Fairelough had a pot at goal, but without success. The Blacks still pressed, and were near scoring on' two or three occasions, the ball eventually going into touch in goal. - The Union backs started a passing rush near the Pirates' twenty-five, but bad passing let Denny (Pirates) away, and, running from his own twenty-five without opposition till lie came to the Union full back, he kicked the ball over the line, but White was too fast for him and prevented a score. Towards the end of the spell the Maroons set up an attack on the Pirates' goal, but touch in goal was the only result. Half-time was sounded without any score on either side. The second spell was faster than the first, both sides making desperate efforts to score. After a lot of fast open play tho Pirates had a shot at goal from a mark near the Union twentyfive, but Fisher's kick went wide. The Maroons then shifted play to the other end but the Blacks saved a score by forcing Towards.the end of the game White made a "ood run from his own territory and then passed to Valker, who sent the leather on to Bennett, this player being stopped close to tho Pirates line. Tho Union tried hard to get over, and on one occasion Bennett did get across the line, but lost the ball, and a force down was recorded. Just before the call of .time the Blacks made a strong attack on the Union line, but the defence of the Maroons was equal to tho strain, and when the whistle was blown for time the game stood: Ulli°» Nil Pirates" .. Nil

AIHAMBEA V. SOTJTIIEKN

A fair number oi spectators assembled at Tahuna Park to witness the return match between these clubs. - Southern, kicked off, and Alhambra returned play to the half-way where even play ensued for 10 minutes ■{'■- hambra started a passing rush among' their backs, but a good chance was spoiled by a bad pass from King to Bennet. Southern broke a-way with a. fine forward rush to Alhambra's line, and the latter eventually forced Alhambra shortly afterwards got on another passing rush, resulting in Wallace scoring a neat try° Ins own attempt to convert being a failure! Southern were again very aggressive, and their forwards broke away with another dribbling rush to Alhambra's twenty-five, but, kicking too hard, spoilt their chance of scoring, for W. Dey forced again for Alhambra. The Red and Blacks' continued making use of their backs, but several good rushes eventuated, but were frequently spoiled by bad passing, King-especially, being an offender. No further score was registered at,half-time. On changing ends Southern as?aih broke away, but Stephenson relieved with a good kick to half-way, where a lot of uninteresting play occurred. A dribbling rush by Alhambra was nicely stopped by Lawry. Southern were here awarded a series of free kicks for infringements, but no advantage was gained, the Alha-mbra backs returning well. ' Alhambra carried play to Southern's line, where the latter team were again awarded a free kick, from which Whinham secured a mark, andWallace placed a fine goal. 'Alhambra now became very aggressive, and from a back rush Stephenson broke away, but was collared at the twenty-five flag. Another Alhambra rush, headed by M'Kewen and Hobson, resulted in the former scoring between the posts. The attempt to convert was a failure. The Southern were kept biwy defending until the call of time, when the score stood • Alhambra... 10 points. Southern ... Nil.

DrncEDiN v. Kaikobai.

The above .match was played at Bishopscourt on Saturdayr a fair number of spectators, being present. The game was not a particularly interesting one. For the first few minutes Dunedin, made matters pretty warm for their opponents, but they afterwards fell away, and were, mainly on the defensive for the rest of the game. Shortly after the game commenced the ball was passed out from the scrum from Williamson to Wilkinson, who scored an easy try. Not long afterwards Booth kicked a penalty goal, but no, further score resulted during the remainder of the spell. Almost immediately after the teams changed ends Porteous scrambled over the line from a loose rush, and Booth kicked a goal. Mackenzie- subsequently got possession, and made a splendid, run, carrying the leather the greater length of the ground, and Succeeding in getting over the line just as he was grounded. M'Kay took the kick, and was successful in registering the major points, thi* being the first score made for Dunedin. NVlong before the spoil ended Spiers dribbled the ball over the Dunedin line and fell on it. Booth took the kick, but nothing came of itj and when the. whistle blew the .scores stood thus: :

Kaikorai... 14 points. Dunedin... 5 points.

ZUTGAEI-RICHJIOND V. UNIVERSITY.

The match Zingari-Riehmond v. University was not played, the latter being unable to put a team in the field, owing- to the nonarrival of several of their players from Christchurch. The match goes-to the Zingari-R:ch-mond by default.

■ SECOND GRADE FLAG MATCHES. Ravensbourne met Port Chalmers at Port, and after a fast game beat them by 6 points (two trios) to nil. W. Connor scored from a forward riKsh, and R. Patterson scored from a. good passing rush. Mr Glover gave every satisfaction with the whistle.

. The match Dunedin y. Pirates resulted in a win for Dunedin. by 3 points (a try scored by Wardrop) to nil.

The Union defeated tho Zingari-Riehmonrl on the North ground by 20 points to 12. The Southern did not put in an appearance on Saturday, and the leferoa (Mr M'Neil) -warded the match to the Kaikorai by default.

THIRD GRADE .FLAG MATCHES,

Port Chalmers journeyed to Ravensbourne. and defeated the Ravensbourne, after a hard contest, by 7 points to nil. For the winners, J.. Craig potted a goal and S. Moir scored a try.

The Pirates met and defeated the High School by 20 points to nil. For the winners, tries .were scored by Miller (2), Wilson (2), Birrton, and Saunders, Miller converting one. For the School, Carswell, Oilray. Jolly. Morgan, Watson, and Whitscn played well. Mr Finnegan gave every satisfaction as referee.

The Zingari-Riehmond met and defeated the Southern by .10 points to nil. Tries for the winners were obtained by Hay and Beck, while Currie potted a goal. Mr Scurr made ■an efficient referee.

OTHER MATCHES.

The Mosgiel Rovers journeyed to Outram on Saturday to try conclusions with the West Taieri team. The game resulted in a draw, each side scoring 6 points. Heenan and Murtagh scored for.West Taieri, while Wingfield secured a try and J. Murdoch kicked penalty goal.for the itovers. Macpherson was the pick of the West Taiori team, while Wingfield, Mann, and A. Smith worked hard for Mosgiel.

A Wellington telegram states that Wellington defeated Wairarapa by 11 points to 6. lhe Wairarapa, team play South Canterbury on inuraday and Canterbury on Saturday.

POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. Sexioh Gkadk Banxeb.

The senior grado matches were brought to a conclusion on Saturday. The result "is that the Alhambra win the banner for the ensuing year, with Kaikorai, who won the contest 'nst year, filling the second portion. The wining team have a very good record for the seaBon, as out of 12 matches played they 'have won nine and lost one, while two have b»:>n drawn. The following table shows the positions of the varioiw clubs: — Points. Cl"b- t -; i % 7"^ \i s is £ -Z < fz-E Alhambra .. ..12 9 1 2 3US 34 20 Kaikorai .. ..12 7 2 3 81 28 17 Union 12 6 3 3 67 i 9 15 .Zingari - Kichmond 12 G 5 1 21 69 13 Pirates .. ..12 5 G 1 -it P,3 11 Southern .. ..12 3 7 2 29 Go S University .. .. 12 ' 4 8 0 60 G7 8 Dimedin .. ..12 2 10 0 35 134 4 Second Grade 23awner. The following table shows, go far as can be ascertained, the positions of the teams engaged in the contest for the 0.8. F.U. second grade banner: — Ravensbourne .. 11 10 1 0 111 27 20 Albambra .... 10 9 1 0 133 23 18 Kr.ikorai .. ..11 8 2 1 59 10 17 Dunertin •■ ..11 7 3 ] 38 42 15 .Port Chalmers ..11 G 4 1 4G 33 13 Union 11 4 G 1 60 73 9 Pirates 11 4 7 0 33 60 8 University .. ..10 4 6 0 34 25 8 tfigli School ..10 2 8 0 35 87 4 Zingari - Richmond XI 2 9 0 34 75 4 Southern .... 11 0 0 2 3 122 2