FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18592, 28 June 1922, Page 2

FOOTBALL

By Futr, Back. Interprovincial Fixtures:—Canterbury v. Otago, Dunedin, August 9; Otago v. Hawke’s Bay, Dunedin, August 12; Auckland v. Otago, Dunedin, August 19; Taranaki v. Otago, Dunedin, August 30; Otago v. Southland, Invercargill, September 2; Wellington v. Otago, Dunedin, September 9; Otago v. Southland, jjunedin, September 16. N.Z. University v. Sydney University, Dunedin, September 2; Otago University v. Sydney University, Dunedin, September 6. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. W. R., Baiclutha: —l shall be pleased to receive the results by Tuesday of each week Owing to *he inclement weather on Saturday all Rugby football matches were postponed Bain, the clever Southern forward, has secured a position in Christchurch, and left for the north last week. He will play for Linwood. The South v. North Island match will be played at Auckland next Saturday. In previous years the South Island selectors have tried to put in at least one man from any province in which the game was flourishing, but this plan, has proved to be unsuccessful. I remember one year, in a South v. North Island match, that two or three of the South Island forwards were quite green. Then, again, selectors have been known to push the claims of their particular players for inclusion in the team, as they have formed a false impression of their football prowess. Last year, for instance, Steel only fluked a game with the South Island team, being passed over for Phillips. Steel, hqwever, played himself into the All Black team, and Phillips was dropped. This, however, by the way. The two selectors this year (Messrs Stuart and W. Drake) have gone more for the tried footballer, and the combination reads well on paper. If the South Island forwards are on their game thev should give the North Island pack a lively time. As to the backs, they have all demonstrated their football ability m the past, and they should do well. . If St. George plays as well as he is doing in club football in Invercargill he should capably fill the vital position of half back. It is a vital position, 'it forms the connecting link between forwards and backs. _ If the link is strong the two sections combine together in attack, and attack is the best defence; if the link is weak any follower of football knows what happens. The North Island selectors have picked the well-known Wellington half, H. E. Nichqlls, for their side.—[Since writing the foregoing St George has notified the selectors that, owing to a family bereavement, he will not be able to plav at Auckland. _ Matheson. the Pirates’ half will play in his stead. Matheson should fill the place admirably. His defence is excellent, ho gets the ball away well, and he has lost the habit to a great extent of trying to play the solo game.] . i. Fea (captain), ! Dickinson, Matheson, Bell, Williams, Richardson, and Sonntag (emergency) will leave by the express this morning for Auckland to play for the South Island. The other plavers nominated by Mr D. M. Stuart, were Ward and W. Knox. Stewart and Munro were not available,, and Matheson was not nominated until after St. George dropped out. Mr Stuart will go north with the Otago players, and. with Mr Griffiths, will select the All Black team for Australia after the North-South Island match. A representative team from the Eastern District Union will meet Zingari on Saturday week. Great interest in the match is being taken in Palmerston and the surrounding district. The people there, are, a correspondent states, looking to Zingari to send a strong team to fully extend the home team. I notice that the Auckland Star is already commencing to proclaim the success which is to follow on the southern tour of Auoka.nd this year. Says the Star: “The team for the southern trip should certainly bring back many scalps, _ whilst those left at home for matches in and around Auckland should be able to add materially to the number.” Otago footballers should first take these, statements at their true value. I was in Wellington in 1919 for a South v. North Island match, and on the, Wednesday . I saw .Auckland meet Woffington. The Auckland , supporters told the Wellington people what a great side they had : the best they had ever brought south, and so on. They got a lot of people to believe them, too. I forget how many ’ Wellington won by. I know at half time thev had scored throe tries and a potted goal to nil. Teddy Roberts and Corner repeatedly ran through the Aucklanders that day._ The death on Wednesday last of Corporal Harry R Pink recalls the titanic straggle for premiership in 1914 between Kaikorai and University. The match, which was a battle' of styles, was won by Kaikbrai by six points to five. Both teams were very strong. The University backs were slightly superior to those of Kaikorai, but the hill team’s forwards were too good for their opponents. This was the last game of football tliat Pink ever played in Dunedin, for shortly after that he went to the war. He was then playing wing threequarter for Kaikorai. and it will be remembered that ho played a very good game. In foot, it was considered that on that occasion the Kaikorai three-quarter line, as a whole, played its best game of the season. The Southern wing three-quarter of the same name is a brother of the deceased soldier. At the civic reception acoordedi the Maoris at Wellington prior to their departure for Sydney, the" Hon. J, G. Coates (Native Minister) said that it was not the first Native team that had left New Zealand. In 1883 a Maori team was the pioneer of overseas tours; it gave a masterly exhibition of the Rugby game in Great Britain. In 1903 Parata’s team crossed tile Tasman, and achieved great success. In 1913 Mr Parata led another team to Australia, Mid though not quite so successful, it had distinguished itself. The present combination was composed of young Maoris, some of whom had represented their country at football in France. Mr Parata (an old Otago boy), who was their leader, bad done more lor Maori football in New Zealand than anyone else. It was due to his integrity, his personality, and his sportsmanlike instincts, that there were 600 Maoris playing Rugby in the Bay of Plenty, where he -was president of the Rugby Union. C. N. Kingston, the All Black full back, Was seriously injured when returning with his team, Tupaka (New Plymouth), after playing Kaponga. Ihe motor car in which he was riding went over a bank. Kingston was tho only occupant badly hurt. He was injured in the back, and was taken to the New Plymouth Hospital. 1 (writes “Touohline” in the Free Lance) found the following paragraph in a Wanganui paper: —“On the eve of his transfer from Newmarket to Wanganui- Mr W. Elliott, foreman at the railway workshops, was presented with some silverware and other articles from the staff at Newmarket.” Mr Elliott was ono of the great players in Auckland in the late eighties, and was a member of the New Zealand Native team that toured to England in 1888. He represented Auckland, playing for the Grafton Club, from 1887 to 1906, and - was one of tho finest half-backs of his day. Those times there were two half-hacks in a team—the scrum-half and the fly-half (tho latter position • equivalent to tho present five-eighth). “Mother” Elliott was a flyhalf, a hard, and straight runner, preferring to bump an opponent out of the way rather than run round him.—l remember Elliott playing against Otago. Ho certainly could bump off a tackle, and on one occasion he sent W. Lang, tho Otago centre, flying. A difference of opinion between line umpire referee occurred in the course of tho Auckland College Rifles v. Marist Old Boys game at E den Park on Saturday week. One of the wing three-quarters made a sideline run on the attack, and went very close to the side-line in playing tho ball on. The line umpire (Mr M. Lonihan) was close to tile pfey, with a clear view, but notwithstanding that, the referee (Mr W. J. Meredith) whistled the game back and ruled that the three-quarter had gone out of bounds, though the line umpire had not signalled to that offset. The lino umpire resented the over-ruling by throwing down his flag and walking off the field, and another lino umpire 'Was sent out at tho referee’s reque^fc. Referring to tho game between Kaikorai and South Otago, which was played at Balclutha on Saturday last, resulting in a win for Kaikorai by 6 points to nil, “Touchline,'' the football writer in tho Baiclutha Free Press, says:—Tho game was an interesting ono despite tho difficulty players had to retain their feet, and had it been a dry day patrons would have seen a good exhibition, as the visiting team showed good combination. Connor, Crewes, Owles, and Crossan showed yp well in the Kaikorai backs, while thv> forwards all played a solid game. For South Otago Heads was tho outstanding back, his play being exceptionally good. Scott, Ritchie, and Cameron nil played well, the Clinton boy in particular showing good form. Scott played a good game on both attack and defence, and saved time and again. Fea did not play a brilliant game. He was decidedly off colour, and was suffering from a severe cold, ynd had really no right to be playing. Ho, however, did what was required of him. Carter at half played a solid game, and merited his inclusion. The forwards all played a grand game, Jackman, Milne, and Harris being especially

prominent. The team played very well under the circumstances, and should prove a worthy combination before the rep. games are finished. MANTOTOTO SUB-UNION. The following was the position of the teams on June 24:

SCHOOL FOOTBALL. The smooth, running of the three competitions has this season been much interfered with by unforeseen circumstances, term holidays, and inclement weather. Several postponements and cancellings have been necessitated with the result that progress in the various grades has been very slow. This week, on account of the state of the weather, all Wednesday matches have been cancelled. An effort will be made to play, on Saturday morning, .some of th© matches held over for reasons stated. Teams are requested to watch for these fixtures, which will appear in Friday's issue. During last week several interesting contests took place. In the A Grade competition Musselburgh played a hard game against the unbeaten Forbury team, the game resulting in a win for the latter by 18 pointe to 5. The Musselburgh team distinguished itself by being the first team to penetrate the Forbury defence. NorthEast Valley kept Macandrew Road busy In the Bantam competition, Macandrew Road I scored a win against Arthur Street by the narrow margin of 9 points to 6. This, too, is a case where the leading team has had its line crossed for the first time. The attention •of the Management Committee will next be claimed by the selection of the schools' representative team. The Otago team this year plays its annual fixture with Southland at Invercargill, and, in addition to this, the interprovincial tournament will necessitate an early start being made in the choice of players to represent the province. The general opinion seems to be that the Otago team this season will not reach the standard of last year's team. Such may be so, but it must be remembered that last year's team -was exceptionally strong. Unlike senior teams, the personnel of school teams changes each year, and although there may not appear to be the number of outstanding players as last year, nothing definite can be said until players are given a fair trial. ' NOTES FROM CHRISTCHURCH. My Christchurch correspondent writes as follows: A very large crowd turned up at Lancaster Park on Saturday to see the various games. About 99 out of every 100 watched Marists versus Christchurch. It was a fine game^—full of thrills from start to finish. Playing conditions were almost ideal. Marists had to go all out to win. They carried no "passengers" on Saturday. The tendency of some of their forwards to_ dodge the "rough stuff" was not in evidence. Their backs played with combination and system. Christchurch threw away their chances, and incidentally let Marists in c or their first score, by their backs getting out of position. Marists scored their eight points right at the end of the first spell, and strangely enough the points scored in the second half were scored in the last eight minutes. The spectators were getting ready to leave the ground when Brown dashed through for Christchurch. The crowd roared." Could Christchurch snatch the game? Another dash. It looked like it.. They just failed. A lightning change of defence into attack. by Marists and Mullins was over at the corner. Christchurch come again, but the Marist defence held to the finish. There was little to pick and choose between the two forward packs—it was a hard slog from start to finish. • The better understanding between the Marists' backs gave their side the victory. Old Boys and. University played a drawn game on the south ground. The game' wasi played at a fast pace, and was full of incident. Mcrivale and Albion played on the westground. Merivale didn't have matters all their own way. They had to battle hard to keep the lead. It was only in the last few moments that Merivale were able to put the issue beyond doubt. j.he surprise of tho day was the great fight put up by Sydenham-Lyttelton a"ainst Linwood. At one stage of the game Syden-enham-Lyttelton were eight points in the lea/d, and Linwood hod to crowd on full steam to avoid defeat. It was only in the last minute that Linwood got the necessary points. At the start Linwood scemeiV to tako their opponents rather cheaply, and they got the fright of their lives when the minutes began to fly and thev were still behind. Marists. Linwood, and Merivale are still well in the running—Marists by virtue of their half-point lead are slightly better favourites than Linwood, hut with the chances that tho second rounr] will be played right out, anything might happen. The selectors nominated seven forwards for the South Island team. I presume that th<~se, with an addition of another hooker, will, bar accident, comprise the Canterbury representative pack. It will leave a lot of good forwards on the bank when 'rep' matches ore being played. Jackson and Lancbein. of University. Gibson, of Christchurch, Grcatbatch and Toy, SyVienhamLyttelton. are amongst tho ones whose claims will yet have to be seriously considered. If the backs were only as good as the forwards Canterbury would take a power of stopping. The League game here seems to be going "to the pock" completely. Mistaken tactics seem to be at the bottom of it. June 3 was wet—no matches. The following Saturday a "rep" team was sent to Wellington, consequently no matches again. Seeing there is a bye in the competition that meant two teams lost three Saturdays. The break seems to have almost ruined the competition. Addington and Sydenham seem to be the only teams left who can properly keep the senior competition jroing. Thev say that one or two are nibbling at the \einstatement .bait. A FAMOUS SCOTCH AUSTRALIAN. Scottish Rugby followers, who reoall the stalwart figure of Dr A. B. Timms at Craiglockhart, a quarter of a century ago, were shocked to hear of his untimely death (says Athletic News). The "Mighty Timms" was an outstanding personality in Edinburgh University's halcyon days, when they had the finest 'Varsity team in the British Isles. That was in the season of 1901, when they not only won the club championship of Scotland, but contributed no fewer than seven players to the Scottish sides against Wales and Ireland. Tho seven were A. W. Duncan, A. B. Timms, A. N. Fell (the ex-Otago representative three-quarter), W. H. Welsh, F. H. Fasson, A. H. Flett, and A. Frew. In the match against England at Blackheath that year, Timms, Welsh, and Fell each scored a try, and Scotland finished with tho triple orown. In the 1903 match at Richmond, the Scottish three-quarter line was composed of colonials —namely, A. N. Fell, H. J. Orr (London Scottish), A. B. Timms, and J. L. M'Donald (Edinburgh University). On this occasion Timms dropped a very fine goal. The following season, at Dublin, he was among the Scottish try-getters, and in his last international appearanoc at Inverleith against Ireland in 1905 he scored Scotland's, solitary try. Timms played in all five time against England, four times against Ireland, and five times against Wales. After qualifying in medicine at Edinburgh, he took up work in South Wales, and for a time played in the Caridff team.

i 60 a i 2 a s a r»tearott _ P< P M -6,3 2 62 & 11 8 Matakanui ... 5 * 3 1 1 49 26 7 Ranfurly ... 4 1 2 1 20 36 4 Middkroarch ...5 2 0 3 59 52 4 Dunstan Creek ...4 1 1 2 20 18 3 Naseby ...5 1 — Second Grade 4 9 73 2 Gimmerbopi ...2 2 — — 27 11 4 Naseby • ...3 2 — 1 20 16 4 Hyde ...3 1 — 2 9 17 2 Ida Valley ...2 2 0 12 0 Naseby School ... 1 1 — — 18 8 3 Eanfurly School I 1 8 18 — EASTERN DISTRICT UNION. The results of matches to the end of the second round are as follow ': — Palmerston ... s 6 — 61 6 12 Dunback ...6 4 2 63 16 8 Waikouaiti ...6 2 4 — 41 62 4 Coastal Pirates ... 6 — 6 — 20 91 —