FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12607, 10 March 1903, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

AI/HAMBEA CLUB. Tbo committee, in presenting for your approval tho nineteenth annual report- for the past season, states: — Tho club's record for the past season must bo considered highly satisfactory. Your First Fifteen succeeded in again capturing the senior championship with the splendid performance of:- Matches played, 13; won, 13. Points scored: For, 161 j against, 0. Tho members of this team must-be highly-congratulated, tlieir success being entirely due to persistent training, which enabled them to go 011 the field every week with every man in good condition, which is, without doubt, n much-required factor in a hard game.

Last Easter being the club's turn to visit Christchurch, your First Fifteen met our Canterbury opponents, tho Merivale Club, the match eventuating at Lancaster Park. Tho Alhambra team succceded in defeating them by 14 points to 3 points. Your committee wish again to record tho very handsome treatment the team experienced at tho hands of our interprovincial friends, all of whom, vied with 0110 another to mako tho stay in their city enjoyable. Easter next, being tho occasion of tho visit of the Merivale Club to Dunedin, wo trust that every member of this team will do bis utmost to reciprocal in every way possible.

Your Second Fiiteen have also a record this season that they may bo proud of:—Matches played, 12; won, 10; drawn, 1; lost, 1. Points scored for, 213; points against, 19; again winning tho second grado championship. Wo heartily congratulate our Seconds on tho fine form shown throughout tho season, and trust they will bo equally successful this coming sear son. Included in their record is tho match versus Pirates Second (Invercargill) Club, which was played at tho Caledonian Ground on Easter Saturday, tho gamo resulting in a draw, each team scoring 5 points. Wo trust this match will continue to bo an annual one, as it fends to foster goodfellowship among our Southland friends. Tho ■ Pirates team were suitably entertained by tho club on their visit here.

Your Third Fifteens have been fairly successful. Tho A team proved to bo tho best of tho two, being again runners-up for the third grado banner, this being tho fourth season in succession. Tho 13 team opened the ccason very well, but considering tho mariner in which their members were drawn on to fill vacancies, they could not be expected to continue tho season successfully; they, however, acquitted themselves creditably. The following are the respective records:—A team —Mafches played, 12; won, }0; drawn, 1; lost, 1; points scored for, 165; points against, 30, B team-r-Matches played, 11; won, 5; lost, G; points scored for. 95; points against, 65. Your A team journeyed to Milton to meet their.engagement with the Tokomariro Juniors. Tbo match ended in a win for the Alhambra team by G points to 3 points. The members had a very pleasant outing there. Tho Albany Street Gymnasium vas again secured nfc a heavy expense, but nevertheless wo aro pleased to report a good attendance at each practice throughout tho Bcason, which justifies tho expenditure. The club's interprovincial representatives wero Messrs R. Bonnclt, J. Knowles, A. Hobson, F. Given, J. Roddick, J. Mitchell, and G. Phillips. Mr J. Hoddiclc had also tho additional honour of being solccted a mombeT of tho South Island team. Messrs J. Stuart, H. Choo Quoe, E. Sayers, W. Johnston, A. M'Culloch, S. Abrim, and P. Stuart wero selected members of tho Otago Junior Representative team. Needless to mention that all acquitted themselves creditably and with honour to their club.

Tho club's ground and pavilion at Opbho Park jiave received usual attention by your committee, and aro in good order and condition. The thanks of the club aro duo to Messrs A. Spenco, M. Higgins, and E. Robson for the timo spent in coaching and caring for the respective teams. Wo trust tho invaluable services rendered by these gentlemen will again bo available. We have, to cordially thank tho many friends of. the club who kindly presented caps to tho various members; also to Mr W. Coffey, of Wellington, who kindly presented a gold medal for the best all-round junior; samo was eventually won by Mr A. M'Culloch, of the Second Fifteen. It is pleasant to note tho success of the club's members in other sports. Tho team representing tho club in the net ball tournament, under tho auspices of the N.E.B. Club, won. in good style, going through unbeaten. In tho Swimming Club's Relay Race the club's representatives secured second honours. All must bo congratulated for upholding the clnb'9 name. A complimentary smoke concert, kindly tendered to tho players by tho club's executive, was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, and proved a most enjoyable entertainment. During the evening club cups wero presented by the president. Tho kindness of the club's executive was highly appreciated by all present. Tho,season was brought to a close With the club's anual ball, which was held at the Choral Hall, and v;as again a successful fnnotion.

Financially, tho statement of f.ccounts shows the receipts to bo £44 3s Gd, expenditure £14 lis 3d, leaving a balance of £9 12s 3d, which, together with last year's balance, will leavo a balanco in hand of ill 19s lOd. Considering tho many calls on pur funds during the pn,st season, this must bo considered very satisfactory. In conclusion, your committeo desires to urge the members to take tho samo interest in the club as formerly. All must work together to maintain tho high standard of play the club has attained. The amount of young blood at the club's disposal will stand them in good stead for years to come, and, if nicoly handled, will undoubtedly bo as successful as their, predecessors in keeping tho club in tho vanguard of Rugby football.

DUNEDIN CLUB, The following roport will bo presented at tho annual meeting of the Dunedin Football Club, to be held on Friday evening, 13th inst. :— In presenting tho thirty-first annual report youi committee can look back upon tho past season with every satisfactin. The record of tho club, though not brilliant, was a decided improvement on the last two seasons. . Tho record of the senior team was highly encouraging after the disasters 30 lately experienced. Throughout tho season the team, though meeting with many rovorses, were never beaten until tho whistle blew. The performance of tho backs being good at tho beginning of the season ended brilliantly; tho forwards, being on tho light side, wero consequently handicapped, but stood up to their heavier opponents with credit to themselves and satisfaction to all supporters. Twelve matches wero played, of which four were won, two drawn; and six lost, scoring G3 points against 59. The Second Fifteen show a very fair record, four matches being won and 'four lost. ■ Mr T. Hnlligan, as captain, proved tho right man in tho right place. Regarding tho Third Fifteen, your committee can speak with pleasure of the commendablo enthusiasm displayed by the members of this team, which was almost entirely composed of new members, and consequently had an up-ihill fight. Tho record was all that your committee had reason to expect, and confidently look forward to better results during the coming season. Your committee hive pleasuro in placing before tho membors a balance sheet which is very satisfactory considering the heavy expenditure 'incurred, aud would impress upon members that the secretary's duties would be considerably lessened if subscriptions were paid more promptly. It is with regret that wo liavo to record tho serious illness of Mr Harold Bremner, and sincerely trust that ero long ho will have completely recovered, A fund was recontly opened to show tho esteem-and sympathy of the membors. • Tho anual fixturo with the Sydenham Club took place iii Dunedin at Easter, and resulted in a win for tho Dark Blues by a fair margin of points.- Tho club return the visit litis comincr Easter, when it is honed another victory will be placed trjeredit. Messrs Stalker and Teasdale represented the club in the Otago representative team, and they are to he congratulated on their inclusion. TIIO annual smoke concert proved a great success, aud was a fitting termination to a most enjoyable and encouraging season. It was deemed advisable by yonr committee that the medp.l presented by Mr J.' C. Ross for tho most consistent trainer in tho senior team bo loft to the vote of the members of that team at tho annual meeting. In conclusion, your eommittoo trust that the club will continue 011 its present upward tendency, mid with the increased space provided by tho enlargement of the training room will follow the excellent example set last year.