FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14000, 5 September 1907, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. Jh Full BIC*. FIXTURES. Septembar U.—Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin. . ' \' ■' September 21,—Otago v. Wellington, at Dun•din... There is every probability of A. Adams playing for University against tho Combined Team on SatawJaj, and lias expressed his intention, if'selected, to play for Otago against Southland and Wellington. "Enthusiast" (Inveroargill) writes: — "Dear Full Back,—Mr J. Hutchison, speaking at tHo Rugby football'reunion, mentioned the ' sensational 1 match 1 between Auckland arid Otago' in 1895 as boiiig one "of the finest g.imoshobad everseen. He-also . mentioned the memorable match between Otago and "Wellington in • 1897." Could you givo any particulars of these matches, and, if possible, the Otago team in'the 1 1895 match? "Was it in the latter match that "Wood kicked a goal from a try j\wt on the call of timo?" ■ ' '

(1) The match Auckand v. Otago in 1895 was a brilliant game, remarkable for the sensational opening of Auckland—who put on eight points in as many minutes—and for its dramatic finish, | Otago running "out winners by-11 points to 8-point's. Otago attacked after the kick-off. but Cunningham, the Otago centre, missed a- pass in Auckland's twenty-fivo, letting A'qsolirin, aspoedy Auckland three-quarter,, away on the left wing.' Absolum made-a brilliant run well down tho touehlino into- Otago- territory, when lie paesed to Brown, who transferred again back to.Absolum, the latter theii passing to Murray,'who ran through" and scored behind tho posts. Taking the kick at goal Murray converted. .A few minutes later Auckland again scored. from a brilliant opening made by Braurid, but the try, was not. converted. Just ,on half-time Alf. Esquilant kicked a penalty goal, for Otago. In the second speir the Otago .backs played sensationally. Duncan was being, closcly watched by the -Auckland backs, but finally, with one of his clever runs,-the redoubtable Jimmy cleverly eluded Davy .Gage, the Auckland centre, and .breaking through Auckland's defence .'raced- over the line. The try was converted, .and the score read: Auckland, 8 points; 'Otago, 8 points. Otago continued to haras's tlic Auckland backs,'and as a final effort the ball was passed along the chain of (lib Otago attack—from Mason at half the ball was whipped out to Duncan, who drew the' dc/cnce', and transferred; to Cunningham, that player in turn passing to Mackenzie on the wing. ' ."Scobie" dashed over, scoring a try, which was hot converted, hut which" left Otago winners of a dramatic match by 11 points to 8. points. The Otago team consisted of tho following: Full back, \V. Ross ; s thrcc ; quarters—W. Mackenzie, T. Cunningham, G.' Stephenson;' half, Mason; five-eighths, W. Cran,. J. Duncan (captain); forwards-J. Torrance, D. Torrance, A. Esquilant, 11. 11'Farlanc. W. Beadle, S. Ballantyiie, F. iGivcn, P. J. Priest.

(2) The " memorable" milch between Otago and Wellington in 1897 was nicMorable not for its brilliancy 36 .an exhibition o[ Rugby, but for the tactics, of the Wellington "forwards, who played the ■" dashing " game of the far north—a game which wo in Otago havo never yet . got entirely accustomed to. In tho match referred to as "memorable" three of Otago's best backs—Duncan,. Mason, and Wood—were injured during the game. • Maedonald, another Otago back, was also injured, and had to leave the field; his-place being-taken by. Nolan Fell, a flying three-quarter. from the University Club. -During the game, the crowd bocitmc very hostile, and at one period threatened to swarm over the field. 13) Your third question evidently refers to tho 1901 match between Otago. and Wellington. won by Wellington on -the call of time, Slattery scoring a try' from which Wood, not Wallace,; kicked tho. winning goal. .- The members of tho Auckland representative team were to have beeni the guests of the' Otago Rugby Union in ft drive to Waitati, but owing to the.-disagreeable weather what promised to be an enjoyable trip hail to be abandoned. . Contrasted with the brilliant AucklandOtago match of 1895, in wliich tho far northerners raced over the Blues' lines twice and piled up 8 points in as many' minutes, Otago eventually running out winners by 11 points to 8, the contest of 1907 is merely a. third grade fixture. , Milnp, of the Taieri, may find a place in the Otago team to meet Southland. He is worth a trial. Two of the forwards, who did duty against Auckland , could well bo spared trom future representative fixtures this season.

Several changes forward and back will have to bo mado in .tho Otago team to meet Southland and Wellington on the 14th and' 21st inst. respectively—that is, if Otago is to uphold her reputation. ; At-'present it is trailing disconsolately in the rear. ■ A veteran Otago . footballer, who in. his day and generation was a brilliant exponent of Rugby, remarked in all seriousness after Saturday's gamo that,, tho' Otago backs at work, he thought of again putting on the jersey. Although ho is an ancient of days, lie certainly would have done as well "as soino of tho Otago backs against Auckland. Several Otago representative players are showing obvious signs of stateness, the result of a prolonged reason of club football. A little youthful blood imported into the team in place .of the weary ones would give the pack new life and more dash. _ j 'Francis, tho big Auckland forward, 'who was 60 conspicuous oh tho line-out. and in I the looso on Saturday, complained after the match of feeling .vory stale, the effects, no doubt, of the recent tour of Australia, whore the hard grounds, hard football, and hard feting play up with the condition of the Rugby exponent. Tho fine long-distance plaec-kieldhg of Francis, of tho Auckland team, was tho object of much admiration from the spectators on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday. The wonder is that .the Auckland captain did not give 1 tho big fellow all the shots at goal. It is not generally known that sevoral old Auckland representatives stood out of the present Auckland team to give tho younger players a trip to tho south. ■ Now a 9 to what took place,in:the Auclc-land-Otago match, this is what was observed from the elevated position of .the pressbox:—Handling tho ball in.the serums, attempting -to scoop it out with the hands, lying on the ball, packing on-the line-out, offside play, unnecessarily rough - tackling, unnecessary tackling '(a player being frequently tackled after ho had got rid of the ball), too much talking. ; Quite the greatest gathering of old-time footballers ever assembled in Otago met in Duncdin on Friday evening at a social reunion of ex-Otago representative players. The function was promoted by the Otago Rugby Union as a means of bringing old footballers together, and at. the outset let mo say that it was a huge success. - It was a .unique gathering. No fewer' than. 100 past and present players responded to the invitation.

Upwards of 50 apologies were received from past intorprovinciul players. Included in the list wcro characteristic messages from such well-known old-timers as Alex. Laurenson, tho ox-Otago representative thrce : miart<"r'back now in Wellington; "Dick" Isaacs.'the Dunedin forward, also in tho Empire City; J. R. Montgomery, Tom - Lynch, Jack Morris, H. Grenfeli (Oamaru), TV. Bannatyne; W. Mills, J. 11. Chapman, and Ted Tattersall.

It was an interesting innovation to see players of tho seventies ami early eighties (some of them showing, tho worse for wear] discussing th<3 past and pjeseat

methods of the game with the young blooda I of to-day. Among the "ancient of <laye" I who were present were Bob-Allan, "tho Taieri. giant, who. was a - member, of. tho Olago team which played Auckland in 1877, and Pat Nicholl, tho finest exponent of the dribbling game (now unhappily a lost art in Otago) the colony 'ever produced. Other old-timers were Bob Galbraith (1882), now secretary of the Southland Rugby Union; 'Frod Smith and Bill Strong, forwards of 1884; Harry Trcseder, now located in Invereargill, a sturdy' forward, of the early eighties; Dr J. B. Thomson, now a popular medico at Arrow (Central Otago), who was one of the 'finest backs playing in his year. 1886; Dr Hunter, a dashing forward of the eighties,, who played against . Stoddart's team; Alex. Downes/of whom it is said as a centre three-quarter he may have had equals, but whose superior has not been seen; Tom Sonmag, a burly forward who will bo well remembered by old:timo. enthusiasts; Arthur Gibson, one of the dashing players of'the famous family of footballers who hail from tho Taieri Plain; besides a host of others who' figured prominently in more "recent years. In addition to the foregoing there wero present Mr Fred Murray and several members of tho Auckland team. Reminiscences of ,tho early days of football in Otago and New Zealand flowed freely • from the lips of tho veterans and the "youngsters" of the early eighties and nineties.

To Mr J.. Hutchison, who has had 'a long and intimate knowledge of Otago football, was allotted tho toast of the evening, that of "The Ex-representative Players." Mr Hutchison handled tho subject well, and gave a graphic and interesting resume of Otago football, tracing Wts history and the career of tho prominent players from 1877 up to the present day. The speech was illustrated by crisp anecdote concerning Bob Galbraith, Tom Sonntag, Harry Trcseder, and others, which created roars of laughter. Reference was made to the 'famous Auckland and Otago match in 1883, in which H. Braddon, tho Invercargill full back, distinguished Himself by collaring Bob Whiteside, the Auckland crack, when that worthy was mating a' dash for the Otago line. I quote from tho report 'of tho game: "It really appeared as if tho l»st # wishes of Auckland wero about to be realised, for the Auckland domon, gathering full speed in a few strides, had soon passed the majority of his men. Braddon. however, the renowned collator, yet stood in his -way, and as ho went forward to meet his. formidable anagonist Otago supporters did not feel in the least' alarmed, and when a few seconds afterwards, ho brought him down near tho line tho young Invoroargill representative was ."(warded a hearty cheer." This tacklo of Braddon'6 is spoken of'with just admiration whenever old-timo footballers aro gathered together. The toast of "The Ex-Tcjircsentatives" was replied to by several old-timers who 'played, in tho early, seventies, and early' eighties. R. S. Allan, who was captain of the Taieri Club, and who was a member of the first team sent on tour from Otago in 1877, related some early experiences of the game—how it was sometimes played with two full backs, and how one full back looked after the play on one side of the field and the other full back watched tho other side. In Mr Allan's opinion the gamo had made no progress since its early days as far as dribbling was conccrncd. He referred to the fact.that present-day football was lacking in one .great featurethat was dribbling.' Good tacks the colony has produced since his day, but ho would like to see the back who could stop a. bunch of forwards coming down on him like racehorses with tho ball bounding at. their feet. Stories of the gay times spent in Christchnrch when playing against Canterbury were rife. A sad noto was struck when referenco was made to the players who had crossed the great divide—J. •P. Maitland, the first president of the Rugby Union, from .1881 to 1886; Henry Rose, .the finest half bacic of his day, and a manwho did a great deal for tho game in .Otago; Quinton M'Einndn. whose boat was found floating bot-tqm upwards in Lake To Anau,' and ho himself never, afain hcai'd of; W. H. Fowler,. W. C. Kennedy, Bob Fraser, and of more recent years the late lamented Alex. Armit.

Much was expected from that ancient of football days, Pat Nioliol, who was a member of the first team which went on tour to Auckland, representing Otago in 1877 (15 players picked from tlie Duneuin Club, and two—Nichol and M'Lcan—from the Union Club, the only clubs then in existence in Otago). "Pat," who wa6 greeted with vociferous cheers, contented himself hy thanking' the gathering for the hearty reception accorded him, and remarking that ho was the first man lo erect Rushy goal-posts on the North Ground. Pat Nichoi. was one of the finwt exponents of the dribbling game in tho colony jnd a place-kick of the first flight. Apropos of the Otaco tour oT 1R77, the team had the distinction' of wlnnine five out of the six matches played, and tho unique distinction of having no'points scored against it during the trip. From an old print I notice that "the team leu Duncdin in the magnificent steamer Samson, and-travelled by her to Oamaru, thence to Christchurch, where the first match was played against Canterbury in Cranmer square. The next match was against Auckland, in which the sensational punting of Woods (the Auckland half) and tho di;op-kicking of the Maori bacfe were the features. Nelson (the next match), proved an easy win, and like'wsio the game Against ■Wellington, which was played on the T3asin after a week's showery weather. To Christchurch, and overland to Temuka, where the hardest match of the .tour was played against the- little village! - The team won after a great struggle, by a try to.nil. The 1877 team returned to Dunedin by tho Beautiful Star, aftor having been absent from home. 25 days. The success of the tour is attributed to the -unselfish play of tho forwards,' the smart picking-un, passing', and running of the halves, and to the confidence inspired into .the-team by. tho three-quarters and full backs, who could be roliod upon to "grass" their men. Quito the best story told at tho gathering was that by Dr J. B. Thomson, who was" one of the finest backs the colony produced. A previous veteran footballer had narrated an experience he had had in a canoe on the Avon in Christchurch when on tour with a football team. Dr Thomson said lie, too, had had some experience of canoeing on the Avon. "It was when on a' tour of the colony with tho 1887 ■team. I was standing up in "the canoe putting on my coat, when having'succeeded in getting one arm into the sleeve of tho coat I over-balanced and fell into the river. This left mo only one free arm to swim with. On the bank of the river was a small boy, and I imagined how he would chuckle at my discomfiture. Draggins myself, wot and bedraggled, on to the bank, the small boy, instead of laughing at my plight, piped: 'Say, mister, have you ; got any. foreign stamps?" Dr Thomson ako told a story about the Nelson match on tho tour of . 1887. How they attributed tho "strong" gamo against Nelson to tho oxccllemt coaching of Harry Tresedcr at lunch. There wcro a lot of onions on the table, and the popular Harry prevailed upon the members of tho team to partalco freely of tho "fruit," for if t.hoy were unable to push their opponents tho onions would do the trick for them:' Tho onions did the trick in so far as tho,game was drawn. Dr Hunter, who was a member of the Otago touring team of 1887, and onc : of the best forwards in his day. said he had no Rugby reminiscences to relate, no stories about onions or foreign stamps. He agreed with Mr Allan, of tho 1877 team, that the art of dribbling had gono out. Unless forwards could dribble they wore not worth their plaocs in - any team.. The forward* should, in his opinion, be able to take the places of backs, and to play and handle the hall like them.

Others who responded to, the toast of the ex-representatives were T. Sonntag, Arthur Gibson, H. Treseder and R. Galbraith, all of whom made interesting references to the footW.l of by-gone days.' Altogether it- was Hid most entertaining gathering of footballers ever hold in Otago, and one which will be looked back upon with jvleasant recollcctions by all those who participated in •it. In the Auckland match the Oliago backs all m\nd gave a miserable ex : hibition of a game in which thoy are alleged to excel. Paucitv of ball cannot bo given as an excusc, for though it did bang badly in the back row, (hero were times when it was got away smartly enough for tho mo3t exacting five-eighth or three-quarter in the Yet what did tho Otago backs do with it when they got. it? At times an individual back would qoine to light with a spasmodic dash, hut a concorted movement on attack was never executed: mostly it was crippled and bent double like a barrel hoop by tho tackling of the opposition. Altogether it was a sorry exhibition, and some of the old-timers round tho ring-side and in tho onelcsure must have sighed for- the days of their youth. Miller, who is t-l"> midget- of the Auckland team, was safe and reliable at full back. This player fielded the ball with commendable accuracy from the kicks of the omvwng Kicks, and only on rare occasions did he cause his side any anxiety. Miller's kicking was not always powerful, but was unusuaUv accurate, bringing un tho'lino with everv eft'oTt. Hov the Auckland custodian would have fared ha<l ho boon harassed continually by a team of fast-following forwatils, only one glimpse, of the trouble

he would have been in yras given, and on that occasion. Otago benefited to the extent of a penalty, goal. The Auckland ...three-quarter line was far from being a. brilliant trio, but as individuals they - played well, Their passing, fielding, and running were superior to that of thoir opponents—a-fact which is far from flattering to the Blues' back division,—while their speed 'frequently -enabled them to turn, deferico into, attack. Prior-to his injury Hogan, on the. left wing, played well, ruririing - with fine dash, and proving a somewhat difficult man. to collar, particularly, as one or. two of the Blues wero treating, him like -a:long-lost brother by going for him round , the neck. The strength o! 'the Auckland "three" lino was, however, Murray,' in tho centre, who, in.addition to being tho heavy man of tho back division, exhibited the most Rugby intelligence and resourcefulness. This player was alike prominent in attack and defence. Of his tackling qualifications there is not the, slightest- doubt, -for he frequently crippled the disjointed Otago five-eighth division by. tho cclerity with ; which he swarmed into the passing njovements. Twiname got few opportunities to show up on attack, but his kicking was excellent. Wilson, who replaced Hogan on'that player's'retirement through injury, proved to be a very speedy three-quarter,'and-just on time used -his paoe to such advantage that he had the Blues'' supporters holding their breaths as to the/final result of the game. • In addition to his pace, Wilson fielded the ball well' and made good use of the line.

The Auckland five-eighths attempted the passing..' game, but their .'efforts were not successful, and ,thoy quickly dropped it for other.- jTlie tackling of Dillamore and Mageo .was, however, very sound, and they wisro quick to' got on to the opposing pair. On Magce leaving the field through injury Hoopor went-up to half, Coote, who had beon playing m that position, dropping back into- tho fivo-eighthe line. By tho •way,.'very'little was seen of Coote on attack, but ho was- seen doing his fair share on defence. .. .

The Auckland forwards,-who wero a more even lot than Otago, Had on 'advantage of nearly a stone-'in weight, scaling 13st 41b to tho Blues' 61b.; Tliest. wero immeasurably superior to-Ota-go on^ the line-out and in tho-heavy-play, and infused their movements with the vim and vigour which is "characteristic' of the vanguards of the far north. Players- who caught the eye for good wOrk during the day were Francis, Hayward, and Hall. The latter, playing wing forward, was an offender of the offside rule, and he frequently came under the eye of tho referee. Once; again Otac(o was -in trouble with her full / back.. Davidson was selected against Auckland after a rather indifferent showing against Canterbury. t . Tho Zingari man opened promisingly, but long More the finish, he had proved his unreliability. Ho was frequently.out of his pljce, and rarely ever fielded tho ball with certainty; moreover, his kicking, though accurate at regards line, was not powerful, and-very little ground was gained. The Otago threc:quarter lino was a d'sjointed concern principally owing to 'the failure of Dansey in the centrc. There was nothing of -the well-oiled machinery about their movements, and the thrilling spectacular combined runs were only incidents to dream about, in future contests.

Though'getting but few opportunties, and those chiefly of his • own' making, Scannell abused by some, applauded by others— played with 1 : that dash 60/ characteristic of him and so necessary in a three-quarter of tho first flight. Not that Scannell is in the first flight when we remember some three-quarters who have represented the province, but he'played right up to his opportunities, and gave a good exhibition of powerful ijunning and certain tackling. " Scannell' is not very sure-footed, and at limes when having penetrated halfwaiv 'through the defence'and just about to get into tho open , field lie skidded, and what promised, to end' up in a sensation' bccanio a mere casual hanpening. Yet altogether 011 the.run of the play So\nnelKwas tho pick of the line. Darisey was a big and bitter disappoint, mcnt in the centre. , The University idol was over-burdened with the position. He attempted af times to do things, but failed lamentably;in .their-, execution, but for the 'most part his principal weakness was in fielding tho ball: from the erratic passes lie received from the five-eighths division, his failure to ciit in and make an'opening, and his indifferent transfers to the wing three-quarters.- Altogether he made a poor showing, but the blame does not lio solely at the feet, of tho University man. Anything thrilling and elusive came from Mticphnrson, and he .'occasionally called forth cheers from the elite in the grand stand and tho ringside for his corkscrew running. The University man made several daring-attempts to thread his way. through the opposition, liut .after side-stepping a Blue-niitl-whitc here, dodging another there, and doubling back-on a third lie had penetrated lo the centre, ho was hopelessly surrounded by the enemy,, ofttimes far from the aid of a friendly Blue. A tendency, too, to run in front of his own'goal caused -a thrill c-f anxiety to'go through the Otago supporters. Yet' withal Macpherson, like his. club mate, played up to his opportunities.

If ever Otago's back play , sagged in the five-eighths division it did so on Saturday. Disjointed and out of all harmony 'at the outset, •it did not improve as the game wove on, until it was twisted, crumpled, and generally distorted. Chambers, on whom most of the .wrath of tho enemy fell, was cloan out of the' Rugby picture. Instead of playing fine up to the scrum, ready to jump into. an.attacking movement or to spring with cat-like activity on to tho opposing backs, lie stood yards deep from tho • base of the attack, frequently abutting on ■ tho Ot«;go, ccntrc. • It wa6 quite impossible from the position he took up to he otherwise, than a failure. And this after tho '"instructions'' given at halftime 1

Eckhold played well as an individual, but obviously out of harmony with tho rest of the team, arid the rest of the team a: obviously! out of harmony with the Soulherii

player. 'In defence Eckjioid did his 6hare, but still that constant punting to the touchline with a back division chafing in their

jerseys for a sight of the ball is apt to crush the spirit.of attack in any team. Eckhold is a goodly player enough, but ho has much to unlearn..

Plucky little Fullarton won his rep. cap against Auckland, but in calmer moments lie will wonder-whether the gamo is really worth tho distinction. The enemy paid the midget half a lot of attention—somo of it unnecessary,—and he wa6 not sufficiently protected by the wing forward; moreover, his own back ■ rankers fooled things so badly in tho back row that tho ball only came out into the open day after a despe--rato strugglo for liberty. And then we blame the half back!

The Otago forwards had to give away weight to the Auckland vanguard, but they packed the ecrums solidly, and the frontrankers secured tho ball. This much we must, be thankful for." ■ Somebody, however, muddled things badly in the back roir, and tho ball -fains, for quito 'several seconds after it 1 was'hooked by the frontrankers, and then reoled .out .as if thoroughly ashamed of itself. In the loose tho Blues held their own, and their, dribbling up to a certain stage was good to seo, then when the rush promised to develop, some Blue with more energy than judgment would kick too hard, with the result that the ball was sent into the hands of the enemy, who kicked the non-offending leather 50 or'6o yards into touch down field. , ! On the line-out, as "in previous matches this season, tho Blues were badly beaten. This department of the game sadly requires attention.

Hnll, the Auckland wing forward, who has little regard for the off-side rule, overshadowed Adamson in.aggressive work. The Kaikorai man was, however, prominent on tho line-out and in .the loose. . W. E. ("Scobie"), the wellknown Auckland throe-quarter, has .been transferred to' tho office of' the District Railways Engineer, Wellington. Ho leaves' Auckland in about a fortnight's time.' '

According to report Messenger, of New South Wales, who is ; claimed to he ; the: "sensation" o,f, Australian Rugby, received well-marked''attention from the New Zealand professionals in the first match: "Messenger marked on 1 the. Now Zealand side', of halfway, and Mvas roughly upset after he made it, but he did not mind, and had his kick.. He was blocked, but, recovering the ball, bega-n.to run. He was promptly seized, by two onponents, and his jersey almost ripped, off, his back. Despite this Messenger got 'free; 1 and to tho tune of loud .applause ran'away-, from the New Zealanders, winding up with a great line-kick. A fresh jersey was then supplied him. A moment later Messenger marked again, and .once more he was .knocked over. There were a few Blacks who seemed to have. evinced a. special liking for upsetting Messenger. In fact; sonio of them yelled when' he started to • kick." ; : • A Rugby player, well known in the north, and now resident on the Wert Coast, mis recently written to by the Bnller Rugby" Union, asking him why ho did not attend a certain practice match, and why. he did not advise* the secretary of his inability'to attend? "Gentlemen."-he wrote in- renly. " . . . This is how I explain: Not playing tgrmoipjw -snd. geriisp ■ jersey."

The union suspended him for three yoars fpr. refusing to. play in a representative match and for sending an impertinent letter to the union. At Thursday's meeting of tho New Zealand Rugby Union the suspension was made general. , .