FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13694, Issue 13694, 10 September 1906, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

OTAGO v. CANTERBURY. ' A WIN FOR OTAGO. (Per Ukited Pbzss Associatioi,*.) IaiiU.MUiIUKIJH. September 8. Tho twenty-eighth' annual match beIween Canterbury and Otago was played at. Lancaster Park this afternoon, and attracted an attendance of about 3000. The weafher was beautifully fine—if anything, 100 warm for football,—-with 1 a fairly strong north-west wind blowing diagonally across tho ground, which was in capital order. The Otago team's defeat at Oamaru had cncouragcil 'Canterbury's supporters to hope that at length victory might rest with the home team; but once ugoin they were disappointed. Tho game opened promisingly for Canterbury, >i their backs quickly got to work, and with a pretty (Missing rush pierced 01 ago's defence. Once the Otago forwards settled down to work seriously it was seen that they wero much more solid than the local pack. They secured the ball much more frequently in tho serums, and wero much faster and more vigoroui in loose work. Tlioy wound up the first, spell with a point to the good, and at the opening of the seoond quickly added two more, tries to their total. With 7 points in their favour Otago's policy was to keep play as close as possible, for the Canterbury backs wero better than their'opponents. In this |>olicy they were successful, and although at the close of tho gamo tho Canterbury backs did succeed in opening up tho game the eirort come too lato, and Ottigo won by 12 points (four tries) to 8 points (a goal from a try and a try). The teams were : — Otago (Blue).—Full hack, E. Booth; threequarters— A. Chambers, R. Ongley, Ei J. Dvrycr; 'fire-eighths —A. Eckhold, 'W. Dougherty; half, J. Clarke; forwards—S. Casey, B. Spcirs, H. Palon, P. Fitzpatrick, It. Abbott, A. Jl'Donald, G, M'Kcnzie, H. Port-eons (captain).

Canterbury (lie<l-an<l-blac!;).—Full back, J. J. Stevens; three-quarters—F. Fryer (captain), Cr. D. Gray, P. Egan; five-eighths, It. G. Deans, D. M'Gregor; half, P. Burns; forwards—E. Tvnc, V 7. Shannon. F. L. Murray, C. J. Pcarco, B. Hopkins, W. Graham, C. Evans, P. "Webb,

Olago won tho toss, and Canterbury kicked off against tho wind. Tho home team's backs at once sot to work with some passing rushes, but,owing to faulty handling of the ball they made but little headway. A good kick hv Fryer had plav in Otago twenty-five, and a strong attack was set up. Dean made a strong riln, but was tackled in time; and a few minutes later M'Gregor Was tackled right on the corner flag. A free kick relieved the pressure, but Stovens returned well. Clarke, however, got in u useful line kick, and the scone of action was removed lo Canterbury's twenty-five. A loose rush eventually carried tho ball over tho homo line, Canterbury forcing. A moment later Ongley had an unsuccessful shot at g<jal from a free kick. Otago kept up' the pressure, and a passing rash ended in Dwyer being tackled witl'iin a few yards of Ihe line. A fvio kick enabled the homo team to clear tlio line. Fryer made a dashy run down the side line, but was well tackled, and a Inn;: kick saw play otico moro in Canterbury's twpnty-five. Tync, however, camo to iiio relief of his flido, and then tho Rfd-and-blacks secured possession, fine work by Deans and Gray having Fryer with a clear run in and enabling him to score under tho posts. M'Gregor kicked an easy goal. Canterbury 5. Otago nil. Resumption of play was followed by a strong attack by the Blues, and from a scrunv on tho Canterbury lino M'Kcnzie snapped up the ball and dodged across. Paton mado a good attempt at goal, but. the wind carried the ball outside tho posts. Canterbury 5, Otago 3. Tho Blues were now playing a much stronger game than their opponents, and from a' forward 6cramblo Fitzpatrick succeeded in scoring. Palon made another good shot, but again the wind was too strong., Otago 6, Canterbury 5. For the remainder of tho spell Canterbury was acting on the defensiyo, though just as half-time was called a free kick, backed up by a forward rush, enabled them to shift plav to mid-field.

flio weak return'by Deans from tho lciekoff in tho'.second spell fixed tho opening play at (ho Canterbury twenty-five, a knock-on spoiling what looked like a dangerous rush by Iho Otago backs. Kicking; by (ho backs gave tlio homo team a slight. relief,, but -the Blue forwards had settled down to work in 'earnest, and they gave Canterbury a very busy time repelling their attacks. From -- a. freo kick by M'Clro;:ar the bal! was well-taken by Chambore, and lie instituted 1 * & passing rush, whioh' ended-in Dougherty scoring at the corner. Tho Canterbury tackling proved iteelf remarkably weak .on this occasion, every man waiting for the pass, instead of goinj for thb player witlr the ball. I'aton's kick at goal fniled. Otago 9, Canterbury 5., A long kick by M'Grcgor, backed up by Rood footwork byTyne, had play at the centre, but Dwyer marked, and Paton found the line well up tho field. The Otago forwards worked tho ball to the

Canterbury lino, and...froin a mark by Portcous Paton had aji • unsuccessful shot at- goal. The kick, however, led up to Otago's fourth try, for iho ball was dropnod by Deans, and fast following-up had Canterbury in trouble, Dougherty scoring. He took tho kick at goal .himself, but failed. Otago 12, Canterbury 5. Then began a period of play which Raw' Canterbury a very busy time, but which was very unattractive to tho public. Otago played to the lino as much as possible, keeping the gamo very close, line-out succeeding lineout with painful monotony, though, of course, the gamo was tho correct one for the visitors. From a serum on tho lino Clarke was almostover, but Burns relieved, and tho homo team got a brief breathing apace. Booth, however, marked, and Patou had a shot at goal, the homo team being forced. At length Stevens found the line past half-way, ami a free kick well baeked up bv the forwards took play to Otago's twenty-five. Tho lied backs essayed some passing, but an interception had them in trouble, Stevens saving by marking. His kick was well followed uii, and Deans, and M'Ciregor brought off somo fine passing, which enabled Egan to score. M'liregor's kick at. goal failed. Otago 12, Canterbury 8. Tho Reds kept up the pressure, but. Eckhold got iu a fine line kick, and play was once moro in Canterbury's twenty-five. Otago set up- an attack which threatened danger, but Gray intercepted a pass, and aftor a strong run passed to Deans. The latter, however,- had not suflicient pace, and was tackled just in time. Tho Red backs made another effort, hut Booth marked a centro kick, by Fryer, and chocked the onslaught. Otago's defence ivas •prettyseverely tested, but the Hue forwards removed danger, though in', the last few minutes tho 'Canterbury backs made an expiling attempt to score. They were un-

successful.' and the game ended with play in neutral territory. Mr l'\ T. Evans was referee. Final score: Oiago ... 12 point.';. Canterbury... Bpoints. Ofago and Canterbury have now played 28 mutches, the former winning. 17 and the latter five, while six .have been drawn. The last, occasion on which Canterbury.securcd a. victory was in 1931, when Qlago suffered defeat by 3 points fo nil.