FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15185, 3 July 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY MATCHES. FIRST GRADE. The following table shows the positions of the teams engaged in the First Grade competition

University v. Dunedin. Dunedin sccured their 6CConid win of tiho season on Saturday, when they defeated' thy hitherto unbeaten University team on. CarisbTook No. 1 Ground. It vres a fine open game, intersting to watch, .afl both flSceus try to win their mafches by playing to their backs and relying on them tf> soore. Tho University backs, too, had plenty of opportunities do score—moro particularly in tho first quarter of an hour—but never could do the right tiling at the right time. Their half-baok, Marshall, generally kicked when ho should have passed, and passed when ho should havo kicked. Tho threeqtm>rter:i showed very littlo combination, on ono occasion Cookrofc lyinir collared on tho ground waiting in vain to give a pass and a clear run in. Cockroft also missed a good chance in tho second spoil by going on his own instead of handing the bail out to Don. Duthic, however, was as «t:~o as ever, and. perhaps was nearer scoring than any of his oimfreres when he cam© into a passing rush and all but bustled his way across the lino. The University full back also got in a fino dribblo in the) first spell, and his line-kicking left very little to be desired. Tho Dunedin backs, • on tho othor hand, made few mistakes. Towards tho end of the spoil Elvidgo put in several slashing runs to his opponents' quarters, and O'Sullivan also got in a few of hw well-known nippy dashes. In tho sccond half Bond opened up the p'.ay moro than ever for his side, and, with Fortune an tho wing, playing up to tho standard sot by Elvidgq and O'Sullivan, and Hubble at full-buck, driving the enemy back with fino line-kicking, tho University forwards were repeatedly repulsed. Forward thcro was not a groat deal to ohoose between the teams. University started off with a rattl<s in the first quarter, and then the Dunedin vanguard had a turn, whilo in tho sccond half the Dunedin vanguard held the upper hand for a time, but then tho University forwards dominated the game. Kerr and Carnegie played a hard game for the Dark Blues, and' J. Skinner did a lot of work at wing-forward.' Nelson (wing-forward) played his usual keen gamo for his side, while* Patterson and Mawson worked hard in tho tight. Had the Royal Blue forwards gob tho same assistance from their backs aa tho Dark Blues did from Bond, O'Sullivan, andl others, tho fixturo would without doubfc havo provided a close finish than it did. The students sadly missed Potter, Tait, Dansey, and the other men with tho New Zealand University team in Sydney. A unique occurrence has to bo recorded. During the progress of the match Fisher kicked a gcal from a. free kick before the ball "had been ailowed to reach tho pround by the placer. From a sorum in tho University twentyfivo Bond sent his backs away, O'Sullivan, well supported by Fortune, running to tho enemy's line. O'Sullivan hero cut in in his characteristically clover manner and dashed across. Tho score was not increasedShortly afterwards tho ball was sent on to Elvidgo from a line-out. Elvidgo finished up a nico run, by handing tho ball 1 on to O'Sullivan, who cut out thrco of his opponents by turning l'n beautifully, and then* gave Fortune a clear run in. No goal resulted. In the sccond half Fortuno mado a dashing run from tho. half-way to the line, where, from a scrambling rush, R. Skihnor dived across and scored. Hubble kicked a goal. Play was thereafter of a give-and-tako order, and then a free kick was given to University right in front of the posts for a Dunedin man, lying on the ground, picking' up the ball from tho turf and passing out. Fisher kicked u goal, but as the ball had not been allownd to touch the ground by tho placer the goal was not allowed. Shortly after Ongley got a short pass from Marshall, and jinked down the side of the scrum, and in an ensuing loose rush Patterson scorod. Fisher did not im prove matters, and tho game ended: Dunedin 11 points. University 3 points. Mr Hobson was roferec. ZINGABI-RICHMOND V. ALHAMBRA. Tho match Zinffari-Richinond v. Alhambra, played on the Caledonian Ground' on Saturday, furnished ono of tho most uninteresting and uneventful games of the first round of Senior Grade contests. It was not bp much that the teams coukl not have played brighter and better football, but ithat the'style of play adopted, while possibly proving moro effective, was hot conducive to the spectacular. Tho stronger and more dashing team oommanded the gamo and oalled tho tuno, _ which was to play tho forwards. Zingari-Riehmond, whoso forwards are nothing if not vigorous, albeit lacking' in science, outplayed the Alhambra pack on tho line, in the scrums,and in the loose. Lacking tho weight of tho powerful Zingari forwards, tho Alhambra team were almost at tho mercy of tho Colours when it came to tight play, and but for the accurate fielding of the Rods' backs, particularly that of Bonnet, Alhambra would have suffered a much moro serious defeat than was inflictod. Tho monotony of the lino work and scrummages was only relieved by one or two good forward rushes, in which Zingari-Riohmond were superior to the Alhambra, frequently carrying play right up to the lino to meet with stubborn defence, but .to eventually get over on two occasions. . Playing with the wind in the first half, Zingari-Riehmond at onco swept down on to tho 'Alhambra line, but tho defence was sound. Alhambra turned tho Colours back, but they camo on again and in a rush Graham scored. Tho kick at goal failed. Forward rushes by Zingari and counter rushes' by Alhambra occupied tho next 20 minutes, with scrums and line play intermingled. Tho Zingari forwards were going well, and towards half-time Patterson, who had previously just missed scoring, dashed over and was awarded a try. Graham converted, and tho score at half-timo stood: Zingari-Riehmond 8 points, Alhambra nil. Tho efforts of Alhambra in attempting to stave off the rushes of Zingari in the first spell had a distressing effect on tho Reds when they camo to play with tho breeze in the second haif. Zingari kept their forwards going to the finish, and though Alhambra tried hard to penetrate tho defence iho Colours repeatedly turned tho movpment into attack. In tho final stages of an uninteresting game Zingari had Alhambra penned up on their own line. Yo further score eventuated, atxl when the H'hisfJo. sounded for timo tho wore stood: Zingari-Riehmond ... 8 points. Alhambra Nil. Sir R. MTaggart was referee. Southern v. Taieri Roveus. Southern and Taieri Rovers tried conclusions on the Mcsgiel Ground, which was in fair condition, though a bit greasy on tho surface. A slight breeze blew diagonally across the ground. The game was one by no means oalculated to cither ovoko admiration or even hold the attention, the play being almost invariably con lined to the forwards, who fought out a hard, but unscientific, game. Thcro were brief patches of individual play, but these only served to whet the appetite, boing few ana far between. Taieri had the uie of tho wind in tho first spell, but Southern soon had them busy on defence. Cuthill and Scott were prominent in clearing, and play was returned to halfway, wnero it hovered for same time. Both teams took a hand in attacking, but neither was successful until tho Colours, by a good bit of play, succceded in waring.' Eekhold sent the ball out to Chambers, who transferred to Allen, and tho latter, running strongly, got over at. the corner. The kick at goil was unsuccessful. The Greens livened up after this reverse, and invaded Southern's | territory, where tlicy made several'unavail- , ing efforts to soore. Tho Colours kept up j a sound' defence, and finally transferred : play to neutral territory. A lot of linc- | out play followed, atld once or twice' tho Southern forwards broke away on premising rushes, l ut the Taieri backs, aided by the wind, were nlayim; well, and several < times staved off the attacks at critical i moments. Prominent in these defeiisive .'movements were Cuthill and Scott. From tho commencement of the sccond spell Taieri set un a vigorous forward rush, and by concerted play worked their way | to Southern's line, _ but Fullarton found ; the line with a serviceable kick. Southern | carried nlav to halfway, and after one or | two ineffectual attempts to play tho passing game their . forwards several times | rushed matters to inside Taiori's twenty-k-a. but Cuthill, playing a sound gamo,

sent them back with long, powerful kicks. Scott -was now playing a good gamo also, but despite this tho Colours camo again, and thi3 timo wore successful. Leith sent the leather to Casey, who transferred to Alien, and the wini; three-quarter dashed over in tho corner, evading a desperate attempt at a tackle by Scott, whoso head came into violent contact with tho corner flagpole, which was smashed in two, whilo tho player was temporarily stunned. Brown failed with the lack. Southern wero now beginning to assert a superiority, and after moro scrambling play thoy again found themselves inside Taicri's twenty-five. A loose scrimmage took place, and the ball bounced over to Morgan (formerly of tho Dunedin team, and who had been pressed into service), and ho dropped over the line. Shcehan did not convert. No further score ensued, and tho game ended with the scores: Southern 9 points. Taieri Rovers NU. Mr H. H. S. Whito was referee. PIHATES V. POKT CHALMERS. This match, which was played at Mussel Bay on Saturday, was won by Pirates by a margin which could soarcely be said to represent the difference between tho two teams. C'ortainly tho Blaoks, with their splendid backs and fair forwards, were tho superior team, but hardly bo tho extent the scores would indicate, and anyone who saw tho latter part of the game would not have been surprised or disappointed with a closer finish. The Pirates' backs made the gamo fast and open, and established a lead on the first spell. Although they increased this margin in tho second half, tho play largely favoured the Greens, whoso splendid forward rushes and short, sharp jjassing bouts wero with difficulty turned aside by sound defensive tactics. Tho ground was. somewhat greasy, but this did not injuriously affect the play. Port won tho toss and Pirates kicked off against a. slight breeze. The greens immediately attacked, and a promising passing rush in front of Blues' goal was spoiled by a bad pass by Dougherty. A rush by the Pirates' vanguard was stopped by Watson marking, but M'Pherson's kick did not reach tho goal. A series of throw-ins near tho Blacks' line followod, and finally G. Dougherty dived over, Watson's kick failing. Good forward work by Booth arid Woods kept Pirates on tho defensive for sorao time, but they gradually cloarcd, and wlien play was well within tho Greens'' territory a magnificent piece of play by Warwick and Robert Black 6aw the latter get across near tho corner. Reginald Black's kick was fruitless. Tho Pirates maintained tho pressure for some time until M'Pherson, cutting off a pass, transferred plav to tho other end, when, a, few seconds later, Johnston got across. A strong run by W. Dougherty let Hay over, but ho lost tho ball. Good play by Macdonald, Robert Black, and M'Kellar kept the Greens' forwards penned down on thoir lino for some time, and eventually some weak play by Driver let Reginald Black through. Fairbairn's kick passed outside tho posts. Ross and Hunter returned to the charge, and the ball was taken over tho lino by Macdonald (centre). Ho lost possession of tho leather,' but, Twoomcy fell on it and scorod, making the halftimo scoro Pirates 9 points, Port 6 points. Tho second spell opener! with a scries of attacks on tho Greens' lino, Hunter and M'Kellar showing up very prominently. Booth and Hay led a momentary rush into tho Blacks' torritory, but Pirates wore back almost at onco, and Robert Black, who gave d splendid exhibition at five-eighths, ran through sovoral Port backs and scored a very pretty try. Reginald Black converted. Port then 6et up a sustained but unavailing attack and M'Pherson nearly got in. Smart work by Black and Macdonald and a good run by Twomey placed the Greens' lino in danger, but Dougherty saved. Each sido then attacked in turn, the efforts of tho Green forwards (who seemed to last better) being tho more sustained. The Blacks' 'defence was, iowovor, very sound, and although Port by sheer 'force and weight camo within an ace of scoring, soveral times their endeavours resulted in nothing tangible. Tho Pirates, aided by tho excellent kicking of Fairbairn, had effected a clearance when tho final whistle left tho scores:

Pilratos 14 points. Port.Chalmers 6 points. Mr A. Fordyco mado a thoroughly impartial referee. Kaikobai v. Union. Tho contest between the Kaikorai and tho Union on tho Carisbrook Ground was very onbsided. Now and again tho Maroons got into their opponents' teri*tory, but tho hill team always kept them in check. In tho first spell Kaikorai scored 9 points (two tries and a gaal from a penalty kick) and in tho second spell 25 points (seven tries, one of which was con. verted). Union failed to score. Early in tho gamo Robinson had a kick at goal from a penalty whioh fell a littlo short of the cross-bar. Later on Eraser got tho ball from a scrum and was on tho point of crossing tho Kaikorai line when he was grassed. Kaikorai with well-combined play shifted play to the twenty-fivo flag. Maroons again attacked, but onco moro their best efforts were frustrated.. Except these two occasions tho Kaikorai lino was never seriously threatened, and tho gamo ended: Kaikorai 32 points. Union Nil. Air W. Faur was the referee. SECOND GRADE. Alhambra beat University by 12 points to 3 point 3. Sim, Frame, Falconer, and Rico scored tries for Alhambra,. and Short registered a- try for University. Pirates boat Dunedin by 6 points tp nil. Neilsou and Thomson were the scorers. Ravensbournc defeated West Taiori by 31 points to nil. For Ravensbournc, Robertson and Moulin played well, and for West Taieri Bathgate and Leask wero the best A feature of the gamo was tho brilliant line-kicking by Robertson. Tries wore scored by Moulin (2), Robertson, Baird, Grant. Donaldson, Olsen, and Booth, one of them being converted by Olson and ono by Robertson, who also kicked a splendid penalty goal from well outsido the halfway flag. THJRD GRADE. Pirates beat Alhambra by 6 points to 3. For Pirates, Donaldson scored a try and kicked a penalty goal. Hardy obtained a try for Alhambra. FOURTH GRADE. Port Chalmors defeated Pirates by default., Union beat Alhambra by 14 points to 3. Trios were obtained for tho winners by Findlay, Wills, Aitken, and -Burns, Maria converting on one occasion. Young kicked a penalty goal for Alhambra. Kaikorai defeated Zingari-Richmond by 8 points to 6. Davie and Crossan scored tries, Cameron converting ono. ZingariRichmond's score was made up by two penalty goals. FIFTH GRADE Alhambra defeated High School by 14 points to 8. Valentine, Marsden, Bayliss, and Robertson reored for Alhambra. Port Chalmers defeated Green Island by 10 points to nil. Tries wore scored by Glengarry and Percy, both being converted. 1 —ono by .Lefevro and the other by M'6'regor. SCHOOL MATCH. The Junior Grade match Arthur Street v. High School_ resulted in t a win for tho former by 9 points to nil. Talboys (2) and M'Ewan scored tries for the winners. MATCHES ELSEWHERE. (Psb United Phess Assocutios.i

AUCKLAND, July 2. Tho inter-union programme of tho Auckland Union was commenced yesterday, when matches were played against tho Thames and Northern Wairoa representatives. The former game was played at the Thames, arid the Auckland team was not up to full strength. Tho local men wcro overwhelmed in the first five minutes by the dash of tho Auckland backs, and 10 points were scored against them in the first fivo minutes, but after that thoir pack got to work, and they had tho best of the remaining play, the gamo finally ending in Auckland's favour by 13 points to 3. Tries were scored for Auckland by M'Gregor and Wilkes, Fitzgerald converting both and kicking a penalty gcal. H. Hayward scored for Thames. The Auckland B team, whioh included several leading representative players, beat Northom Wniroa at Alexandra Park by 20 points to 6. For Auckland tries were scored bv O'l/nry (2), Barolay (2), Geddes, and Macky, ono being 1 converted by Harper. WELLINGTON, July 2. The Senior Rugby football matches yesterday resulted as follows:—Ponoko beat Oriental by 6 points to 3, St. James boat Petc.no, by 19 lxiints to 11, Wellington boat Old T!oys by 6 points to 3, Southern beat College by 31 points to 3, and Athletic boat Melrose bv 10 noints to nil. CHRISTCHURCH. July 1. Tlio footlrill comrxtitions wcro continued this afternoon in fino weather, though as tho result of rain and frosts tho grounds were somewhat greasy. Christchurch defeated Sydenham aftor an even game by 8 points (o i, Albion easily boat Linwood by 26 to nil, and Moriva.m had no difficultv in defeating Marist Brothers by 30 to 3. Tho vacation and the absence of sovoral of thoir best players in Australia left Can-

terbury College unable to raise a team, and they defaulted to Old Boys.

. rf _ ' . O to ft © C CS d *> i . .to .3 £ g S S i P< p j Q k & University ... 9 8 1 0 77 51 16 Southern 9 z 0 96 63 14 ZingariKichmotid ... 9 7 2 0 114 39 14 Kaikorai 9 5 3 1 96 49 11 Alhambra 9 4 3 2 60 40 10 Pirates 9 4 4 1 72 71 9 Dunedin 9 2 6 1 41 80 5 Port Chalmers 9 1 6 2 55 84 4 Taieri Rovers ... 9 2 7 0 50 65 4 Union 9 1 7 1 40 159 3