NOTES ON THE PLAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13652, 23 July 1906, Page 3

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

RUGIST, To say that the University had the bast of the play in their matoli against Kaikorai would probably give only a faint indication of their superiority. The former played probably tiir-ir best game this season, and tho innumerable chances that wero presented to them were fully avaibd of, with the result tliat the Eaikorai had their hands more than full, in attempting to cheek the frequent attacks mado on their line. The game may be summed up briefly by saying that the Kail«.rai were simply outclassed in ail departments of play, and except at rare intervals did not give any indication that they were likely to break through the University defence. Tho Jiill team did not fare so badly in the first, spell, but shortly after the players had changed ends it became evident that tho University were going to win by a. largo margin, and the only question on which there could b(T any speculation was as to what success the Kaikorai would have in their endeavours to keep down tho score against them. As tho game progressed tire defence of the Kaikorai got weaker and weaker, and eventually the Blues met with practically no opposition at all, just running through tho ranks of their opponents like water through a sieve. Being so completely the masters of the situation, tho University played the game to suit themsoivos, and they fairly revelled in passing, giving a. brilliant exhibition that was highly creditable to themselves' and very inlci'esling from tho spectators' point of view. Naturally, the Blues mado some mistakes, by knocking-on and so forth, and it was due to this fact, rather than to the defence of the Kaikorai, that tha University's score was not larger. Tho winners gavo a poor exhibition of place-tricking, however, only one try out of six being converted. All of tho University backs, except Gilray, played brilliantly, and rarely made any mistakes. When they got the ball they did not waste any efforts by running towards tho touch-line, but invariably mado straight for tho Kaikorai goal, and when they found their progress barred tliey generally passed accurately and at the proper moment, with the result -that their attacks wero pressed homo to the test advantage. Adams, who scored no less than 14- out of 23 points, was probably never seen to better advantage, and he stands out as the hero of the match, though Scamveil, Maephcrson, Lomas, Wi Repa, and Dansey played so well that they ran their captain very close for the honours. Gilray suffered only by comparison with his brilliant confreres, and though ho made more mistakes than he usually does ho put in a lot of very useful work. Tho Blues' forwards boro their full sharo of the work, and arc entitled to a duo proportion of th'S credit. Their play all round was of a high order, their combination and footwork being especially effective. Of the Kaikorai little need 'be said except that they weie wholly ;unrccoenisahlo as tho team which played so well' against, the Alhambra only a week previously. Dobson, who was not plying, was sorely missed, but oven his presence could scarcely have made very much difference in the result. The only backs who shaped well were Booth and Johnson, who alone showed anything like solid defence, and who certainly played a plucKy game under hopeless conditions. Armit did some useful work, but he was not nearly as safe as lie usually is. The rest of tho backs were very weak, and this remark applies also to the forwards. Mr J. Williams controlled the game in a, capable manner, though one of his decisions caused some surprise at the time. Macpherson secured what seemed to be a perfectly legitimate try. but as Mr Williams's view was obstructed, and as the Kaikorai had possession of the ball when he arrived on the scene, .ho jtlid tho only thing possible under the circumstances, and awarded a force down. The game between, tho Alhambra and Dunedin, though somewhat excitirg, was by no means brilliant. In the first spell the play was fairly even, the Blue forwards showing to advantage, notwithstanding that two substitutes played in the places of the Ivemey brothers, who were unable to take part in the game. The backs, however, were .'extremely weak in attack, though their kicking was really good. Clarke did exceedingly well behind the scrum, his fine handling of the ball and good kicking often relieving his side. Ryan played a serviceable game, and Kelly, at full back, had quite a busy afternoon, and came out of the ordeal with much credit. Watson was absent from the Blues' backs, and his place was filled by Wilson, who distinguished himself by stopping Slattery on two or ! three occasions' when the latter was in a fair way of scoring. The fact that the Dunedin live-eighths and three- I quarters were keeping dose up to the , scrums in order to stop the Alhambra passing was taken advantage of by Knowles, who often kicked instead of passing, with the result that the leather generally fell where there was a big gap in the field, giving Kelly a lot of work. Faton. Sloan, and Fitzpatrick wero the most prominent of the Dunedin forwards. The Alhambra undoubtedly deserved their win, for on the day's play they were distinctly the better side, though' their exhibition did not compare favourably with that shown by them ill some oijier matches this season. It was noticeable that though they were playing only H men during the whole of the second spell they held the advantage for most of that period. .T. Dey was pressed into service as full back, and. considering that ho had not appeared on the field for some considerable time, he did remarkably well. H'Kowen played on the wing.in Harrhy's place, tiic lata- being out of town. Bennot showed bis beat form this season, all his work being executed skilfully and neatly. M'Leod exhibited much improved form, and was responsible for some very fine play. King's work was not up to his usual standard; but Snowies did very well, his punting being the chief feature of his play. M'Konzie was the host of the forwards. Mr .T. Duncan controlled the game, and had a somewhat hard task, but all his decisions were given with promptitude and firmness. The Port Ground was very sloppy on Saturday, when the Southern played Port Chalmers. The game was all iii favour of the visitors, who. throughout the major portion of the match, f'irly romped over their opponents. Port Chalmers at times set up some warm attack?, hut seemed unablfi lo take advantage of opportunities of scoring. The Southern forwards wore in great form. For the winners, the most outstanding players were Eokhold. Chambers, Sheehan, Edwards. S. Casey, and M. Casey, the lastnamed playing tho most brilliant game, on the ground. Dougherty, Cramond, Colthorpe. and Connor played host for Port. Mr .1. Miller centrolled the game -satisfactorily. The gamp between the Pirates and the Union trams w.v f»st and interesting throughout, and Ixilh sides had an. even share of the attack in the first spell, but on changing end* the Pirates gave one of tlio best exhibitions they have given this season. The Union lurks played a verv patchy game, and throw away several chance;. Tr,o forwards, en tho other hand, l>i?yed very wlidly, but s«awl to tire

towafUs the finish. Stinson was iho mainstay of the pack, and was about the lws'tforward on the ground, though • Stanley and Sullivan also showed to advantage. M'LcnI nan was the best of a moderate lot of hacks. The Pirates forwards put more dash than usual into their play, and it was difficult to single out anyone in particular for special mention, though Ross, Scott, and Dennision were probably slightly better than the rest. The backs got the ball more frequently than they do as a rule, and showed good passing at times. Hayes, who was promoted from the' juniors, played a good game, on the wing, and Clark and Cramond were the pick of the rest. The latter's kicking was a special feature of his play. Mr Ro<s controlled the game in a very efficient manner, and gave emire satisfaction k> both sides. The match Ranfurly v. Cambrians was played at Cambrians, and was won by the homo team by 6 points to nil. Tho following will represent, the Hospital against a University team on the North Ground on Tuesday, at 2.15 p.m. : — Frascr, Cross, Grave. Jfa.ideno, Irvine* Grieve, Slurie, Clarke. Clap]), Nixon, White, Hamann, Allan. Armstrong. Mcore ; emergencies—Lindsay Womersley. r OTAGO v. TARAXAKI. The following team has been picked io» represent Otago against Taranaki next Saturday: —• Full back, Booth. Three-quarter backs: Gilray. Adams, Maephersoli. Five-eighths, Kckhold and Dougherty. Half-back, Dansey. Forwards—Casey, Spiers, M'Donald, Paton, Johnston, M'Kenzie, Fitzpatrick, Porteous. The above players are requested to meet at tho Caledonian Ground on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, at 7.30, for practice. "Full Back" supplies the following critique of the members of tho team:— Booth (Kaikorai): An old Otago representative and a member of the famous " All Black " team. The finest defensive player in Otago; a powerful kick and a strong runner; the best man available for the position. Gilray (University): Has represented Otago with credit on previous occasions and has also played for South Isluid against North Island and for Now Zealand against Australia. A fine wing three-quarter, a powerful runner, and a certain tackier. Adams (University): First represented Otago in 1902, but lias never been in better form than during the present, season. A player who. possesses almost all the qualifications for the position of centre threequarter : a strong and powerful runner; a splendid kick with cither foot; captain of the team. Macpherson (University): Represented Otago for the first time last season, sml played for New Zealand against Australia, A clever wing three-quarter; fast, jinky runner, and a certain tackier. Dougherty (Port Chalmers): Representing tho province • for the first time. A clever young player, who excels on defence arid attack, and is quick to make and seize an opening. Eekhold (Southern): A young player who came rapidly to the front last year and is playing up to form. A clever five-eighths, and could also be played at scrum-half if necessary. Dansey (University): Representing the province for the first, time, A clever and resourceful half-back; gets the ball away from the scrum smartly and makes a lot of play for his backs; his defence has yetto be thoroughly tested. Casey (Southern): The famous hooker of the "All Black" team; a useful forward who has improved in tackling and following up since his trip to Great Britain. •Spiers (Zingari): Something of a veteran; a clever hooker and a useful forward ; plays hard from start to finish. M'Donald (Kaikorai): The best all-round forward in tho team; excels in the loose and the heavy work; follows up in rare style, and is a certain tackier. Paton (Dunedin): A tall, powerful forward, who is representing the province for the first time ; a powerful kick, either place, drop, or punt. Johnston (Alhambra): Another of the "All Black•'' team; has not been showing the form of a season ago. -U'Kenzio (Alhambra): Representing the province for tho first time; one of'the most promising young forwards in Otago; follows up ill fine style, dribbles cleverly, and is always on the ball. Fitzrmtriok (Duncdin): Has previously represented the province: a sturdy type of forward who revels in the heavy "work ;nd who plays a hard game from start to finish. Porteous (Kaikorai): A wing forward who thoroughly understands the game: plays desnerately hard all the time: quick to fet on to the opposing half-back, and a certain tackier.