ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18954, 30 August 1923, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

OTAGO v. CAOTEEBUET. OTAGO RETAINS DAWSON CUP. Added interest attached to the interprovincia! Association football match between Otago and Canterbury yesterday from the fact that it was the first game to be played between these provinces for possession of the Peter Dawson cup, -which was donated for competition among the various associations in the South Island. The trophy was originally given to Otago, and prior to yesterday the province had successfully resisted two challenges from Southland. The game, considering it was played on an only partial holiday, drew a good attendance to the Caledonian Ground. A blustering, uncertain wind, wheeling from all directions, marred the play not a little, though it did not appear to favour one side more than the other. The teams took the field as follows, Dickson (of Old Boys) replacing Cherry, who is not, - well. Otago (dark blue).—Goalkeeper, J. Caskie; full-backs, G. and J. Anderson; halfbacks—Dickson, J. Race, J. Dryden; forwards—J. M’Mullan, Murray, A. Donaldson, I. C. Fraser, H. Balk. Canterbury (black and red). —Goalkeeper, T. Jackson; full-backs, W. Gould, J. Jackson ; half-backs—H. Thompson, H. M'Creanor, W. Bond; forwards—E. Ransom, R. Norrie, R. Purdie, E. Colville, W. Thomas. .For the greater part' of the game play, as the scores indicate, was very evenly contested, and it was only in the last 20 minutes or so that Otago really asserted superiority. In G. and J, Anderson Otago was equipped with a very powerful line of defence, and Caskie in goal also gave a sound and safe exhibition. Dickson and Race, in the half-line, were frequently conspicuous for breaking up attacks and sending opportunities the way of their forwards. Balk, on the left wing, made many good runs and well-judged centres. _ Canterbury’s strength lay in the same division as did Otago’s strength for Gould and J. Jackson proved most efficient full-backs whom it was exceedingly difficult to pass. T. Jackson was cool and accurate in goal, and the veteran .M’Oreanor, in the key position of centre-half, did much to hold the team together. Purdie, centre forward, and Thomas, on the left wing, frequently won applause for nippy, dashing play; but the forwards as a whole did not combine very happily. The visitors gave a good exhibition of head work, but made the mistake of lifting the ball too much, especially during the first spell. Otago attacked from the outset and Balk took the ball down the left wing and had a shot, which the wind carried wide. A Jong line-kick gained ground for the visit ors, who proceeded to test the defence of the local full-backs. The two Andersons were fully equal to all demands and usually returned the attack with interest. G. Anderson sent the ball on to Fraser, who had a shot, but T. Jackson cleared comfortably. The visitors returned to Otago territory, and Purdie had a shot from a good position, but Caskio punched well out. A few minutes later Caskie had to stop a hot. low one from Purdie, and this he effectively did. Fraser and Donaldson, working together, boro down on the Canterbury goal, but Jackson got possession and cleared. Then Donaldson got the ball in splendid position from a high punt into goal from Murray. T. Jackson, coming out to save, threw himself at the ball, and Donaldson put an easy' one over the bar. Purdio had a shot off a high kick by J. Anderson, but it lacked direction. Thomas took_ the ball cleverly down the left wing, Dickson and G. Anderson and transferring to Purdie, who lifted the leather -oyer the bar. A moment later Norrie shot into the net a low one, just out of Caskie’s reach, but the whistle h{id gone for Colville being offside, and Otago had a lucky let-off. Otago attacked and Murray sent a half-volley shot closely past the posts. From the first corner of the day Balk sent the ball out to Race, who lifted it over the bar. Balk later sent in a nice centre which promised well for Otago, Hart the opportunities were missed. Gould, of Canterbury conceded a corner, but nothing came of it. Donaldson was penalised for off-side. A nice run by Thomas' ended in Otago having to concede a corner. In the last moments of t the spell Fraser missed two chances of scoring, and when half-time came there was no score.

On resuming play Fraser and Donaldson set out for the Canterbury goal, but Gould sent them back with _a powerful kick! A corner was given against Otago, but play did not remain long at that end. Donaldson and Fraser, combining nicely, got within striking distance, but T. Jackson drove to the lino A little later Fraser had a chance, but the shot never looked formidable. Race, coming out to the right wing, with fine judgment, to assist M‘Mal-ian,-put in a hard centre, which T. Jackson secured but cleared weakly to Donaldson. Donaldson had a clear track, and like a flash shot it into the net. ; Otago 1 goal. * Canterbury Nil. The goalkeeper stopped another hot shot from Donaldson with hia face. The visitors rallied, and from scrambling play ip the goal mouth Colville, getting the ball from Thompson, put it in past Caskie, ' Otago 1 goal. Canterbury 1 goal. Another shot soon came Donaldson’s way. but it went high and wide. A penalty kick was awarded against J. _ Jackson for obstructing, and Donaldson’s lightning kick gave the Canterbury keeper no chance. Otago 2 goals. Canterbury 1 goal. M'Mullan had a shot from a difficult angle, but it. went across the goal mouth. Play was now becoming more lively and interesting, and a drop in the wind made accuracy more possible tor a short time. Otago was getting the better of the play, but Canterbury was always to bo reckoned with, and every now and then got to the circle, where Caskio’s defence was swift and accurate. Otago forwards kept up a long sustained attack, and T. Jackson was frequently called on to’ save, but usually from weakly-de-livered shots. The game, which was controlled by Mr R. Brown, ended with the scores:— •Otago ... 2 goals. Canterbury 1 goal. PETER DAWSON CUP. RESULTS OF PREVIOUS MATCHES. 1922. —Otago defeated Southland 3 goals to nil. 1923. Otago defeated Southland 2 goals to nil. CURTAIN-RAISER. A match between an Otago public schools representative Association team and the High School Fifth Grade was played as a curtain-raiser. The lads gave a very good exhibition of the game. The public schools won by two goals to one. Basil Smith and Connelly scored for the winners and Boyd for the High School. THE CHINESE TEAM. ' NEW ZEALAND DATES FIXED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, August 29. The new itinerary for the Chinese Association football team’s tour has been arranged as follows:—September 18. Tamworth ; September 22, Sydney, fourth test; September 25, Harden; September 29, against Australia, at Melbourne; October 4, South Australia, at Adelaide; October fa, at Adelaide (fifth test); October 10, at Launceston; October 13, at Hobart. Tire team will sail on October 19 by the Manuka for Now Zealand. The following dates have been arranged : —October 27, Auckland; October 31, Wanganui; November 3, Christchurch ; November 7. Dunedin; November 10. Wellington. On November 12 the team will depart by the Maunganui for Sydney, and on November 17 it will sail for China. EVIDENTLY A MISUNDERSTANDING. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 29. With regard to the dates cabled from Sydney for a tour of New Zealand in October and November of the Chinese Aeso-, ciation football team, the Now Zealand Football Association had already turned an offer down, as neither the dates nor the terms wore considered satisfactory, .and without the consent of the association no such tour can be undertaken, nor will anyone play against the visitors. There is, therefore, evidently some misunderslahdiug in Australia