FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18322, 12 August 1921, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

THE SPRINGBOKS. AN AFTERNOON AT PORT CHALMERS. 'ihe Springboks, accompanied by the Now Zealand team, had a very pleasant outing to Port Chalmers yesterday afternoon, 'ihe motor trip over the hills was invigorating, and the visitors were* impressed with the scenic beauties of the harbour’s setting, although the season is not yet sufficiently advanced for Nature’s colour-scheme to fully display its alluring attractiveness. On arrival at Port Chalmers, the visitors were met and welcomed by the .Mayor (Mr J M. Stevenson), who expressed the hope they would enjoy their trip to the pioneer seaport, where shipping activities these days were carried out on the most up-to-date principles. He did not quite know the number of football teams there were, in Port Chalmers, but extending from the senior Rugby team to the school team, there were teams of various grade. Football was the chief winter game, and the heartiness of the welcome to the visitors from the Port Chalmers footballers would be second to none experienced by the Springboks and the visiting Now Zealanders.

_ Mr Bennett, manager for the Springboks, thanked Mr Stevenson for the warmth of the welcome to Port Chalmers. It was indeed very pleasant. It was very nice to be made a fuss of, but behind it all was a spirit of real goodwill and friendliness which was worth much and meant more than mere exchange of compliments. The Springboks wore enjoying their trip, which was bringing them into touch with people of this and other dominions. Mr W. J. Stead hlso thanked Mr Stevenson on behalf ol the Now Zealand team tor the very friendly reception and entertainment at Port Cnalmcrs. It had been said tnat football had deteriorated, but, it was coming on again, and he hoped to get a win in on Saturday. Mrs Stevenson entertained the party to afternoon team in the Town Hall, which was prettily decorated in honour of the visitors. An interesting feature of this pleasing portion of the outing was the cutting ol ttio “Springboks’ cake” by the captain of the team. The visitors expressed their indebtedness to the Mayoress lor her dainty hospitality. Ihe Springboks entertained the gathering by giving their way cry. As the party left for the return trip to the city, cheers were exchanged, the local footballers vociferously expressing their appreciation _of the visit of the international football teams to Port Chalmers. COMPLEMENTARY BALL. The ball tendered by the Overseas Club to the South African football team last night at the Art Gallery Hall was well attended, about 120 couples being present, including a good representation of footballers. The music was supplied by Flint’s orchestra, and Mrs Winter was responsible for the catering, which was excellent. The hail was nicely decorated with festoons of greenery carrying many coloured lights, these harmonising excellently with the ball drosses and making the whole scene an animated and pleasing one. ADMISSION OF SCHOOLBOYS. In connection with to-morrow test match, all boys must be ready to fall in in the order of positions previously drawn in Ferguson street at 1 p.m. sharp. No school will be admitted to the ground before 1 p.m. Strict attention must be paid to the regulation regarding the number of teachers admitted with each school. A limited number of extra seats has been arranged. Tickets can be obtained by making direct application to the secretary. Arthur Street School, any time after 10.50 a.m. HIGH SCHOOLS’ MATCH. TIMARU BEATS WAITAKI. (Peb United Press Association.) TIMARU, August 11. The annual Rigoy match. VV auaki and Timum Boys’ High school, was piayed here to-tlay, and resulted in a victory lor the home team by 21 points to 6. Much interest was taken in the match, and there was a large attendance. A strong nor’wester was olowing. 'lhe game, was played in tour spells ol 20 minutes each. The visitors were heavier, but less speedy than the Timaru team. In the first spell Collins scored a try for Timaru, the kick tailing. In the second spell, Waitaki was awarded a try for obstruction, and Hoskin goaled. Collins, by a long run against the wind, scored between the posts and Boys converted. In the third spell, Simmers I, Scott, and Simmers II scored for the home team, and Boys goaled. Simmers II scored again and Boys converted in the fourth spell, and Timaru was then forced down by a long kick well followed up. Near the close M’Phcrson scored for Timaru, and the kick failed The final score was 21 points to 5. Waitaki played a plucky game all through. THE SOUTH AFRICANS v. SOUTHLAND. TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —In your football notes of 10th inst, appears a paragraph concerning Southland looioa.l supporters which is misleading and ivmien in questionable taste. As a spectator at the springook-oouthlai.d muicn, sitting immediately oenmd the press stand, 1 llatiy contradict your reporter s statement, that any excessive ■‘Darrack’' took place; and 1 go inrtner to say that no moie impartial crowd ever witnessed a football match, every move of the Springboks being applauded to the ecno. This mature was treely commented on by the Springboks. io descend to misleading statements for the purpose of “slinging off” may appear clever to some, but to the writer’s mind it is not in accordance with the ethics ot decent journalism, and one might almost bo pardoned tor suspecting such remarks to emanate from jealousy that Southland should hold the Ranfurly Shield—an honour which Otago has hitherto proved incapable of attaining. When the “Blues” come down to contest the shield they are assured oi a hearty welcome and as impartial a hearing as was extended to the tjpringboks. — 1 am, etc., Invercargill. August 11.

[Our correspondent is needlessly excited. There was no suggestion in our reporter’s note that the crowd at Invercargill was not impartial in its recognition ot good play. Wnat he observed was an optimism concerning the chances of the Southland team at a time when it was clearly beaten.— Ed. O.D.T.] THE OTAGO TEAM. TO THK EDITOR. Sin,—As a footballer for many years, 1 should, with others, like to know why it was mat no men outside Dunedin were picked for the Otago team. I know the men who were picked very well, but I know of two better men than a few who were selected. One of them plays for Matakanui and the other for Clyde. There are also two or three very goed players in Uamaru and one in Port Chalmers. The team picked was not an Otago team, but a Dunedin one. This is not fair to other players or places. Fairness is what everyone wants to sec, not favouritism. —I am, etc., Fair Plat Every Time. Ranfurly, August 10. OTAGO v. SOUTH AFRICA. TO THS EDITOR. Sin, —I came away from the match to-day filled with admiration of the great game put up by the Olago forwards and the pretty passing rushes of the Springboks’ rearguard. These were the features’ of the match. The visitors deserved their win. Tnere were, however, certain other features —or, rather, tactics—which, I regret, prompt mo to voice a strong protest against them being passed aside lightly by those concerned i think my protest will he shared by the groat majority of the spectators. 1 refer to the apparent resentment shown by certain of the visitors when tackled hard but fairly. They showed temper. There were also instances of punching, illegal holding, and playing the man. One player’s actions caused a section of the crowd in the eastern corner of the ground to "booh,” and I fear there was occasion for it. Maybe the same “tactics” caused the “bobbing” at the Canterbury match at Christchurch to which the Springbok captain took exception. The public rightly resents fisticuffs and illegal holding. It is not football New Zealanders are used to setting their players take hard tackles with a smile. Uct us hope Saturday’s game will bo free from temper, fisticuffs, and illegal “playing the man.” I am, etc.. August 10. Regular Patronage. THE DURATION OF THE SPELLS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I was surprised to find that the Springbok v. Otago match was limited to two spells of 40 minutes each. I have always understood that the rules specify for 45 minutes' spells. Even our loeal jntorclnb matches are played full time, so why not international matches? In_ all other athletic events the rules are strictly adhered to. We had a good instance of this in the last England v. Australia, cricket match, when Armstrong rightly prevented the English

captain from declaring the first innirigs closed. To play under .other than the rules reduces our football to a bastard game. I am aware that the Springboks play 35 minutes’ spells in their own country, and yet the.v protend to follow closely the British Rugby Union rules. On occasions we see football played in four spells of 20 minutes. ■ Why not 22£ minutes? Spectators now pay 200 or 300 iter cent, more to see matches, and they get less play for their money. Is the “go-slow" policy entering into our football? More pay and less play. —1 am, etc., 1 ■ Euus. [The rules do not proscribe the duration of the spells.— Ed. O.D.T.]