SOUTHLAND FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12995, 9 June 1904, Page 8

SOUTHLAND FOOTBALL.

(Ffioii Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, June C. The first round of thfe senior football matches was concluded on Friday,, notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, and tho day' 3 play put a new aspect on the points for premiership. It was unfortunate for the Biues that they did not havo their 'beEt team on tho field, for very litt'.e would havo turned their defeat of 0110 point by tlio Atliletio into a, victory, the win being dependent only on the difference in the values of tho goals (a potted goal to a penalty). All things considered, however, the Athletic forwards are to be complimented on the manner in which (hey stood up to their weightier opponents, while their backs rendered valuable assistance by. fielding the greasy ball cleanly and by good kicking. The Star v. Britannia match was more evenly cc»te3tsd than was expected, and the Brits, were fortunate in meeting the weakest team the Star havo had this season. The game was confined mostly to tho forwards, but though there wa9 little passing, tho backs had a good deal of saving work to do, and on both sides the fielding was, under the circumstances, good. Though the Star at times attacked very stiongly, they lost only ono leaily good chance ot scoring, whereas the Brits, had a number of fino opportunities which were lost'througli lack of combination among tlio backs, and the game ended in a pointless draw. The' result of this game leaves the Pirates with a lead of 1 point for the premierohip, tiie teams standing:—Pirates 1 points, Star G, Britannia 3, Athletic 3, Invercargill (Blues) 1. It is reported that tho Athletic have secured Ihe services of u good man in Conmber, who hails from Miiton. He was chosen to play for them 011 Friday, but did not put in an appearance. Bain, (lie speedy Star win* three-quarter, did not play for his club on Friday. He is at present incapacitated by an injury to his leg, but is expected to be p.ayir.g again shortly. There has been rather an unpleasant fuvu in school football. One of the regulations governing these matches limits the players to bona fido pupils under 1G years of age, and any team playing a boy who is ineligible forfeits the match. It has been discovered that one ot the Marist team is about IGJ years old, and iii consequence of this the committee in charge of the games declared all the matches p'.ayed by the Marist team against the Park, Middle, and South as wins for these three schools. The matter is to be brought bftora the S.R.F.U. Saturday was a most unpleasant day, hut in spito of that the fixtures were adhered to. The Harist beat Waihopai by 9 points to nil, whilo the South were victorious over the Middle by G points—a try and a goal from a penalty— to 3. This completes tho first round. Owing ti the disqualification of the Marist team last Saturday's win is the only 0110 they can claim, and the scores stand—South 31-, Park 3, Middle I£, Marist 1, Waihopai 1.