INTER-UNIVERSITY MATCH.

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

INTER-UNIVERSITY MATCH.

A WIN FOR OTAGO. Tho unpromising weather no doubt militated greatly against a larger attendance at tho Caledonian Ground on Saturday afternoon, wlien the firsl of two inier-uni-versitv Rugby football matches, between the visiting Sydney anil the Otago teams, was played. The number of enthusiasts was estimated at a little over 1000. Despite the fact that, the atmosphere right up till 3 o'clock was charged with water, the rain held off admirably from the commencement of play on, though a cold sou'-weslcr was not eonducivo to Ihe bodily comfort of (hose present. A less important fixture would have Iw'cn voted a "bore" under the circumstances.

As far as tlie game was concerned, it was fast and Tnll of incident and excitement, while, in another sense, it. v;as disappointing. A better fight was expected of the visitors than they put, tip. However, a visiting team is always at. a disadvantage, and Sydney footballers coming to play at, Dunedin are at. a particular disadvantage, when I lie conditions here are compared with their own. Tho light rain of ihe morning made the ground sufliciently spongy to make the going heavy, and this told on tho visitors considerably. It. must, bo remembered that during the Sydney season just closed there, has been but ono wet day. The visitors, however, do not wish to detract in the least from Ihe excellent game played by the local representatives. They consider the team a good one, but, under more favourable conditions, as far as a ground is concerned, it. was thought, that they should have held their own. Taking the local standard, the form shown by the visitors was below that, of the winning team. f 'IJhcir tackling was not. so sure as that displayed by Otago, and the kiokilitr was poor by comparison; while, their defcnce, often at. the crucial moment, went to pieces. 11. was on tho lineout and in scrum work that Sydney invariably securcd tho advantage, the value of their work, however, not being taken full advantage of by the backs. Tho vigilance of the Otaj?o men nullified Ihe work to a great extent., too. Perhaps one of the most impressive features of the.ir game was tho rare dash displayed, at times by tho forwards, who, in the earlier stages of both spells, gavo a fino exhibition of combined loose play, which could not fail to delight the true Rugby enthusiast. On a dry, firm ground ihero can be little doubt that the local forwards would have Ijteir hands more than full in coping wffn their opponents. The backs did not have many chances, and gave a disappointing exhibition on the whole, with two notable exceptions. Those wero Matthews (half'back) and Verge at full back. The formers work at times was daring, but he was ci'tiuk to see an opportunity, and make full use of if. Verge's strength lay-in his defonsive play; lie was a sure tackier, and saved his side repeatedly. This player's kicking: was rarely at, fault, and this cannot bo said foremost of tlio members of tho leam. The visitors, played four three-quarters, of whom Oxenliam and Fuller were probably the best. Of the forwards, Heels, Harris, and Bullock all played a sterling gamp. The visiting pack wore heavier than Otago. by between throe or four stone. Tho local team, on tho other hand, put, up an almost infalliblo defcnce—in fact, their line was rarely in danger, and tho backs, with ono exception,- all-played up to their best form. Adams was a Trojan in defence whenever defence was required. His tackling was sure, his kicking usually c'tTective, and his play in all other departments was sound. Lomas was brilliant at times, and played one of his best games, particularly ion attack. Gilray was sure, and ran powerfully, and next to Adams was the best back on tho three-quarter line. _ Wi Repa was erratic in his play occasionally, but did a lot of yeoman service. Though, perhaps, Uttley was not always successful behind the scrum, he did splendid work in the open. Harrison, Lang, and Foote were probably tho best of the forwards in the order named. Up to tho time of his enforced retirement Tanscy played well, and Thomson was often in acquisition.

Following are the tennis:— Sydney University.—Full back, Dr A. Verge; three-quarters—'V. S. Flitter, C. \V. Hoe, H. B. Oxenham, A. D. Fisher: five-eighth. — Line; lialf, W. F. Matthews; forwards—H. Bullock, S. D. Walker. It. Harris, John Hughes. Jnmos Hughes. J. Hoets. F. Coon, — Hammond. Otago University..—Pull back, F. A. Scannoll; three-quarters—C. Gilray, A. A Adams, D. (}. Macpherson; five-eighths, 'f. AVi liepa, E. K. Lomas; ha'.f,.G. H. Utt'ey; forwards— J. A. Buvtrum, T. A. Harrison. P. L. Foote, J. Lang. L. Tanscy, W. Stowart, J. O'Callaghau, A. Thomson. The visitors played in blue and gold, and Otago in light blue. THE GAME. Tho visitors won tho toss, and sent Otago 011 to tho field to contend with the breeze, whic-h slackened somewhat after a time.' Thomson's kick-off was returned to Adams, who found tho line at halfway. Gilray got away nicely after the throw-in, but lie was headed off by tho ■ Sydney forwards, who bccamo aggressive, and (orccd the home team back to their twenty-five with fine concerted loose p'.ay. Otago's efforts to

regain the lost territory were unavailing, until Wi Kepa speculated somewhat fortunately. Adams fielded, but a knock-on stayed further proceedings at halfway. For disofcedionee hero Hie referee awarded Otago a free kick. Following this Gilray was prominent in tricky play, which placcd Hie visitors on the defensive, until lane secured a mark. The kick, a long one, saw Otago forced. Spirited play by the Sydney forwards, and a mistake by Adams, allowed them to reach to within a few y.'irds of the home line. Temporary re'.ief was afforded by Lang securing a. mark, but the visitors returned hot and strong to the attack, and got the leather a-way to their backs. The passing bout promised well, but Flitter proved the weak link in the chain, and fumbled the ball. This was immediately followed by the heavyweight of the Sydney students (Harris) breaking right through the defence with the ball at his toe. A hard kick, however, resulted in the ball going over the lino. Scanncll failed to appropriate the leather, but the übiquitous Adams forced just in time to pi event a certain score. The visitors gave a fine exhibition of back and forward play on the resumption of the game, the backs, htwever, showing a. tendency to get off-, .eide, and this proved Olago's salvation. Then Hoets, Bullock, and Harris got away with a r».=b that overpowered the local forwards. When 10 yards from line, howover, Adams got down to if. and saved his fide again. Loose play followed, an infnngement eventually enabling Otago to find the line at their own twenty-five. (Jive-ami-take play in the vicinitv ensued, hard kicking subsequently resulting i n Otago being forced for the third time after n quarter of an. hour's play. Look- play by the visitors' hacks again caw the lionu> loam defending, hut Macpherson proved instrumental in saving bis side bv beating his opponent for the hall, and s>oorl backing up by Lang, Wi ltopa. and tiilray" gave Otiifio the advantage and a respite at Sydney's twenty-five. Adams essayed a penally goal in the vicinity against the wind. Init the shot was wide, the ball not. going out of play. The return was piloted badly, and an open chance thrown away. With-char-acteristic dash Gilray snappc<(, lip ilie leather from the loose, and left several of the visitors standing. Thomson played offside here, this being Otago's first infringement. This enabled Sydney to regain halfway precisely, where £>ood play, to the advantage of the visitors, was'nullified by V" 0 -!' - . lull followed for a few iniimtes the visitors maintaining a slight hut a splendid piece of play by the local students, in which nearly alf the backs participated. roused considerable enthusiasm. Uttley and Gilrav were the last two players associated. Verge accounting for the hitter two yards from tho line. The Sydney forwrrds relieve! from tho line-out, gaining halfway. Adan;s secured here, and with good backing placed the visitors on the defensive nsuin, and a run bv Wi Repa was spoilt Lantr fjctiin? off-side. Walker and 1 utter were mainly instrumental in staving otf the attack, and aided by a mistake by Scanncll the visitors gained Otago's twenty-five, and maintained the advantage, though never really dangovous. Stowarf was forced to retire at this stage from a kick, his place . being taken by Fraser. Tired play and a flimsy defence allowed Harrison and Thomson to break away, the ball eventually going out- in Sydney's twenty-five _ 'IV Otago forwards jjave a fine exhibition of fast, combined play from the throw-in. Lanor being prominent. Foote Fccured the ball at the corner, and scored. Adams failed to place a goal from a difficult angle. Otaco 3. Sydney nil. Play livened up a little after the kick-off, nervals play bv Scanncll allowing the visitors to gain within five yards of the Hue. Lonins was prominent in the relieving play, and O'taso were penalised nt their twentyfive. Lane essayed a goal, unsuccessfully, Verge oventually kicking out at Otago's

twenty-five, where Footo broke away, but wa/5 accounted for by Roo at halfway. Otago made strenuous efforts to work down ' the field, the exhibition on the part of both teams bordering on mediocrity. After a time, however, (he defence gave way, and a dribbling'rush took ihe bail to within 10 yards of the visitor's line. Uttley got the leather away crisply to Lomas from a scrum, the result being that, the latter beat a man. and scored in a, good position. Harrison kicked aii easy goal. Ota go 8, Sydney nil. With about, seven minutes to go Oiago resumed their artack. The greasy ball and the state of ilie ground was obviously interfering with the defence. A fiee kick awarded Sydney relieved a *'iin by Gilray und Adams when a score ap-. poarcd' to Ite imminent, Uninteresting play followed in the vicinity of halfway, Otago again asserting themselves, _ UttJoy marked in a fair position, but the kick was lew, and Sydney were forced. Good play on tlio part o[ Loruas and a jinky run by Oil ray again placed the visitors in difficulties. Tho latter, when collared, got the ball away (o Wi Krpa, wlto'was accounted for by Verge. ,T»st before half-time was called Gilray again secured, and fled for the line, hut Thomson failed to tal.o th« pas. B , and a likely scoro was lost.

The wind showed a tendency to rise opln on the. teams taking the field for the second spell, and the chances of the visitors averting a big score being put up against them were looked upon as being very small indeed. The comparatively heavy gomg had affected! their *tylc. of play very considerably during the latter part- of tho first, spell, while the local men appeared to have suffered little from what vaj. for the most part, a most, strenuous spell. Sydney repeated their former action, ami attacked strongly after tho kick-off. Adams relieved with a speculator. Weak defensive play by gave the visitors the advantage from the scrambling play that followed, but a fine lino kick by Scannell prevented any danger. Tansey then got away from tho line-out with the ball at his toe. The player dribbled it past the opposing hades admirably over tho line, where Lang grounded it, but a force-down was ruled by the referee. Almost immediately after tho kick-off Wi Repa initiated a passing rush, and, after making a good run, passed to Thomson, who negotiated to within a few yards of ihe lino, and passed to Tansey, the latter just, succccding in grounding the ball. For some inexplicable reason, however, Mr Williams did not.award a try. The result was not advantageous to Otago, Tansey retiring with a dislocated shoulder after seven minutes' play. The player was not replaced, Otajjo playing a man .short during the rest of the spell. The next minute saw Wi Repa and Thomson essaying an ineffectual attempt. Adams failed to kick a goal in a fairly easy position just afterwards from a mark by Gilray, a force resulting. A strong forward rush by Otago followed the kick-off, and Adams attempted to drop a goal from the twentyfive unsuccessfully. Maephcrson and Adams got away from tho return, the latter centring to Harrison, but Matthews boat, him for tho ball, and, after chiding Adams, found • tho line at tho twenty-five. Play unworthy of note followed until Walker securcd a mark, and enabled Sydney lo regain halt way. From the exchange of kicks that followed. _ Gilray managed to smother a return, giving Otago the advantage. Tho visitors kept their lino clear, however, and, after fast, even play, a strong forward rush, in which Hoots and Bullock wero prominent, saw Otago defending. Here in the twenty-five tho visitors showed some of the dash they had exhibited during tho opening stages of the game, though the backs were slow in accepting chances, and frequent, knocks-on robbed them of several opportunities. Tho visiting hookers were beating tho local men almost without exception for the ball, and, although Matthews was getting the bail away with alacrity, the tackling of the local men coped with

nil efl'orls to score. The most (Jjshing.plsy of tho day followed. With a particularly lino effort Lomas relieved tho- pressure, and took the ball well up tho field. Just afterwards Gilray obtained possession, and, after making one of bis characteristic runG, during which ho eluded tho opposing back division, he looked a certain scorer. When just about to be tackled by Verge, bowever. and a few feet from the line, iln: player transferred to Wi Repa, who faded to score, and before Otago could carry out their purpose tho visitors had packed round tho ball. The Sydney .men. made desperate efforts to offoofc a clearance, Matthews eventually being successful, and for an infringement when tho Iwll had reached the Sydney twenty-five Adams attempted a goal. Tito shot was a good one, though, a. little off the line, and a force resulted. Sydney set up a strong forward' rush on resuming, but pretty play by Adams and Gilray made this ineffectual, the eftorl being spoilt by a forward pass 1o Wi Repa. After the Otago van had pressed back tho visitors past, their owu twentv-tive another likely elwiico was spoilt-by Macpkerson knocking 011 not far from tho line. After exciting play Harrison broke through the ruck, but Yerpo accounted for him. Strenuous forward play then ensued near the line, Matthews Having his side repeatedly by his excellent kicking from behind Hie Sydney scrum. A marie .afforded relief past the twenty-five, but loose combined forward, plav by Otago retrieved for them all Ibo lost territory. Verge again returned play io_ Ihe twentyfive, Uttley, however, putting in good work which nullified this. Gilrav, Adams, and Wi Repa then made a bid for the line, but were bcafcii back after an exciting rally, which roused the crowd to great enthusiasm. Superior play 011 the part of tho Sydney forwards was elTectnal in nflording temporary relief. Lomas and Harrison, however, at once placed the line in danger again. Vergo relieved with a kid;, which was marked by Thomson in a good position. Adams's kick was not in line. So far half on bout' had gone with out addition to the score, and the result of tho numerous rallies slackened down play a little. From another passing rush Otago again got closo up to the visitors' line, where Macpherson was pushed out. Matthews again ctfoio to the relief of his side here, and tircif;,*«crambling play followed in Otago's favour, Wi llepa fielding and attempting n. goal' 011 one occasion. Through Thomson, Otago eventually worked up close to tho visitors' lino, where tho ball went out. Wi Repa and Lomas were associated in tho looso play that followed, Adams taking 1 tho tatter's pass, and, after cutting'in, transferred to Gilray, who scored. Tho try was a very fine piece of work. Harrison kicked a goal without any trouble, bringing tho score up to—Otago 13 points, fydncy nil. Lomas was conspicuous after the kick-off. Sydney relieving with a free kick, which Adams ccntred and succeeded 111 smothering tho return. Nice footwork by Footc placcd tho visitors in difficulties. Thomson fielded from the ensuing scramble, but was tackled by Verge. O'Callaghan then picked up, and scored practically opposition in a good position. * Harrison's attempt at goal did not add lo the score. Otago 16 points, Sydney nil. Olngo became aggressive. Moepherson returning play to the visitors' twentv-five after some difficulty. Following 011 this Wi licp.i appropriated the leather, mid sped for the lino with a dodgy run. Ho was tackled from boliiTii'l. and threw a wild pass to Feasor, who fielded in time to bo collared a- few yards from the line. Harrison was just behind, and managed to struggle far enough to touch dn'-vii. The same player kicked a goal, a'jd shortly afterwards time was called. Scores: Otago ... 21 points. Sydney Nil. Mr J. Williams controlled the game satisfactorily.