FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14439, 4 February 1909, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

Br Full Back. It is still being reported that W. Johnston, late of the Alhambra Club, who wentover to Northern Unionism, and is noiv a member of the Wignn Club |En<r.), is to captain a New Zealand side to visit llugWud during the season of 1910-11.

The match between Oxford and Cambridge 'Varsities (Rtigbv football) resulted in ii draw, each side kicking a goal and getting one try. The luaieh generally was a very poor display. Colin tiilray, of Otago, played a good game, and was very much responsible for saving Oxford from defeat, as many of their best "threes" were crocked.

Tne following from an English newspaper will interest. New Zealamlers:— "Some little discussion took plaec between the Australian manager ami the Welsh committee as to the choice of referee, and two officials in . W : (Tendon) and ( ; il Evans (liirmingnani) were finally considered, the last-named being eventually decided upon by choice of the Visitors' Committee." The Xew /calanders evidently paved ilie way to the Australians being accorded an etiual voice with their opi>onont<i in selecting the referee. That right was denied t.he All Blacks by Wales.

_ Referring to the latest, action of the Scot-J'-h lingov Union a Sydney writer savs:— The action of the Seotlid'i Union is belated and bellicose, in face of leading Scottish players having been members of the Rev. M. Mullineiix's and Mr D. It. HcdcllSivright's Briiish teams in Australia, the members of which received a similar allowance. Dr A. 13. Titnuw. the best of modern Scottish centre three-quarter backs, and I). It. fledell-Sivright, captain ol Scotland, were members of these teams. The Scots of ltugby I nion footljal! are becoming impossible. At one of the Sydney dinners to 1 lie Anglo-Welsh ieam Mr G. H. Harnett, in referring to the attitude of the Scottish l.'nivm towards colonial Rugby, #jaid iliat their sccrelary. Mr Smith, was'a formidable person. Evidently it is no.

Although Wales had Ivealen the Australians by a penalty goal and two Irie.s to two tries at Cardiff, not a groat deal of satisfaction was taken by \\ ebhmen from Iho result (remarks the At hletic Xews). It was pretty generally concodcd that the side had muddled through, and that it was merely a freak of fortune that the colonials •lid nol avert defeat. Only a wonderful tackle by .]. P. ("Polity") Jones after Ij. Williams had been ouimannuivrod sent C. Kussell into touch and prevented him from dashing over the iu-goal line. That was indeed a narrow escape. Hut what was not relished by Welsh people was the fart that their represcniativcs were forced to ntlrjpt other than characteristic tactics to win the mulch. Heel the forwards did on occasion—more frequently m the first, half than in the second period they gained possession—but the singular rhing'was that tho rear movements were ineffective, whereas l he wheeling, dribbling, and backing up of (he forwards curried ilio side through. In the first half, when Waies had opened the scoring, the remarkable sight was witnessed of Owen, after opening up a good position by the "reverse" movement, simply blinking at his backs and passing to his forwards, of whom Travors scored. And again in the closing half the forwards provided the opportunity of which Phil Hopkins was quick to try. M'Kivatt had blundered in defence, and the Welsh serummagers went off with a- fine dribble, which look them over the lino. Hopkins sawbis opportunity, dived for the ball, and scored. The determination of the forwards rather than the skill of the backs pulled Wales through; probably they fielded aa P°or a three-quarter back line as ha'. • represented the Principality during the last dozen years, and they woultl not, through their own etforls, have won the game. What a difference from ilie four who helped so greatly to defeat the New Xealanders on tile same ground !