LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19295, 6 October 1924, Page 5

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

OTAGO DEFEATS CANTERBURY.

PLAY MAPPED BY RAIN

Rugby League Football people were unfortunate in lighting upon the first thoroughly wet Saturday of the whole season for their interprovincial match between Otago and Canterbury. When the representatives of the two provinces met a few weeks ago in Christchurch Otago secured a victory, but the Canterbury team on this occasion was expected to prove considerably stronger than it was then. The weather could not well have been more depressing from a spectator's point of view and in the circumstances the numbers who did venture out to the Caledonian Ground showed convincingly what a largo gate would have been realised on a fine afternoon. The grandstand was filled, and about 1000 people gathered round the rails. The St. Kilda Band, under Bandmaster J. Dixon, was in attendance and helped the waiting time to pass pleasantly. A handicap C5 - clo race under the jurisdiction of the Otago Athletic and Cycling Union was to have been run during the interval, but was, abandoned on account of the weather. The greasy nature of the ground and ball, of course, told heavily against speed and accuracy of play, but nevertheless the game was never uninteresting. The visitors at first asserted their supremacy and took the score to six to nil in their favour. Otago gradually drew level in the second spell, but Canterbury took the lead again by adding a goal that made the score B—6 in their favour. It was only in the last five minutes that Thomas secured for Otago what proved to be the decisive try of the day, giving Otago the match by a single point. As the scores indicate, the teams were very evenly matched. The visitors nearly always got the ball from the scrums, and their three-quarters seemed to combine better and to venture more in throwing the ball about than their opponents. The Otago forwards, on the other hand, were a very solid pack, and went through a heavy afternoon’s work with little trace of tiring. There were a number of minor injuries, all due to the condition of the field, for there wore no indications of rough play. The flashes of brilliancy that' some of the players showed made one regret that the teams could not have been seen in action on a dry day. The teams took the field as follow: —- Canterbury (red and black). Full-baok, E. Brosnahan; three-quarters—T. Gilroy, J. Sanders, W. Stewart; half-back, A. Mackie ! five-eighths, D. McCormick, A. Murray; forwards—E. H. Ellis. A. Green, L. Vivian, \V Woodgatc, M. .M’Leod. L. Petersen. Otago (dark blue).—Full-back, E. Watson ; three-quarters—D. M’Kay, E. Clydesdale. P. Prescott; five-eighths, S. Knight, D. Crossan; half-hack, B. Jacobs; forwards—• M. Cameron, B. Eckhoff, D, Fitzgerald, H. Thomas, T. O’Connor, G. Semple. JTHE PLAY. Otago kicked off toward the harbour and immediately attacked. Mackie kicked to halfway, and Watson secured but was brought down. Sanders gained ground with a useful kick, and the ball went out in Otago territory. A free kick to Otago took play back to midfield. Canterbury were getting the ball every time from the scrums. Eckhoff stopped a Canterbury rush and kicked back to Brosnajian. Play was continuing in midfield, the heavy state of the ground necessarily slowing down operations. The visitors gradually worked their way towards the Otago line, and an infringement at the scrum brought relief to Otago. The Canterbury three-quarters wore making valiant attempts at passing but without great success. The Otago forwards charged down the field, and Brosnahan miskicked and was brought down in possession of the bail by Thomas. Green and Al’Leod were prominent iu a dribbling rush that took phiy bac-k past halfway. Brosnahan found the lino in face of a Blue rush. Sanders snapped up the ball smartly and ran down the line, but lus kick, when pressed, was smartly marked by Watson. Another free kick went to Otago, but Brosnahan returned it with interest. • Scrumming took place near the Otago line, Canterbury continuing to get. the ball. Clydesdale broke away and dribbled the ball back to the halfway lino. A brief stoppage was caused by an injury to Stewart. Brosnahan fumbled the greasy ball, and was brought down in' possession. Qtavo actually crossed the line but were , brought, back for a knock on. M. Kay made a good run, but was brought, down by Stewart An Otago forward rush was pulled up by a free kick to Canterbury for obstruction. MTCay picked up smartly from the middle of a Canterbury rush, and the ball went , right out to Sanders, who transferred at the right moment to Gilroy, leaving him a clear run in. from just beyond the twenty-five. Ellis’s luck just failed. Canterbury 3 points. Otago ••• Nil. Watson (the Otago full-back) was having a busy time and proving very accurate under difficult conditions. The same thing may bo said with equal truth of his opponent, Brosnahan. ’ Offside plav by M‘Leod gave Otago another free kick, and Brosnahan was called on to check an Otago rush A Canterbury passing rush broke down and the Otago forwards, with Semplo at the head, charged across the line, but Stewart beat him for the touch-down. Canterbury attacked from the kick-off, and Stewart dived over at the corner, but a scrum five yards out was ordered. Sanders had a place kick from a few yards inside halfway, but the ball fell just short. On the resumption of play Vivian secured near halfway, and. making a solo mn down the line, scored at the corner. Sander’s kick failed. Canterbury 6_nointS. Otago Nil. The Canterbury passing _ was becoming more effective, and a promising movement on the left wing was checked by Watson marking. Brosnahan took the ball from an Otago free kick, and his return kick, going over the line, was forced. Fitzgerald and Af’Kay got away, but the latter passed in and sacrificed a fair chance of scoring. Otago continued to press hard, and in scrambling play Cameron got oyer and scored at the corner. Watson’s kick failed in direction. Canterbury 6 points. Otago 3 points. Give-and-take play near the centre of the field followed till the Otago forwards again attacked. The greasy nature of the ball cost Otago what looked a sure score. Prescott failed with a kick at goal from a fair position. Cameron dribbled the ball right down the field and looked like scoring, but in the end Gilrov got there and forced, Knight dribbled for the Canterbury line with good prospects, but at (he critical moment kicked out of bounds. Petersen headed a Canterbury rush, but Crossan secured possession and saved for the time being. Stewart made another bold bid for the line, and a scrum close to the line was ordered. Half-time was called immediately after, with the scores; — Canterbury 6 points. Otago 3 points. The second spell commenced with an exchange of kicks, which ended at Otago’s twenty-five line. Canterbury worked the blind " side with effect. Petersen went through at the head of the Canterbury forwards, and Otago had t 0 force. Semple and M’Kay made a rush back, and the latter was thrown out about 15 yards from the Canterbury line. Watson misfielded a long kick from Brosnahan, hut Jacobs came round and saved with a useful kick. Knight intercepted a pass and got in a short punt, but Brosnahan returned effectively. Crossan made an ineffective pot from a good position. Hard kicking by Otago led to Canterbury forcing down. Semple secured the ball and made a good run before being blocked. Ellis led a rush back, but Watson got in a kick. Plav was stopped for an injury to Semple’s head, who had been playing a conspicuously useful game, lie had to retire, A. Williams taking his place. The newcomer led a rush to Canterbury territory. The Canterbury forwards, however, asserted themselves, and hustled nlav hack again to the other end of (he field. Jacobs brought relief with a nice kick, which went out at halfway. At this stage Watson went un to centre three-ouarter, and Clydesdale fell hack to take his place. Brosnahan kicked to the line in the face of n strong Otago rush, and Stewart and Al’Cormick got in a nice niece of combined passing, which gained 30 nr 40 yard'. The greasy nature of the ball beat M‘Kay when he was in a good position to kick clean past the opposition. A loose Otago dribbling rush ended in Williams scoring. Watson’s kick went lust outside the posts. Canterbury 6 points. Otago 6 points. f’anferhurv attacked from the kick-off, and the full-backs exchanged kicks. Thomas dribbled nn the left wing to halfway, Canterbury were awarded a free kick, which AT’Kay returned. Mackie returned to Stewart, who combined with M’Cormick in a passing rush. Play was briefly stopped for Cameron. The game was drawing to a close, and the forwards seemed to have plenty of fight left in them. Otago were

penalised for offside play, but gained the advantage in the exchange of kicks. The ball went out to M‘Kay in a good position, but ho failed to hold it. After an interval of play in neutral territory Otago came away with a promising attack that penetrated right to the line. It looked as though M’Kay was over on the blind side, but it was not so, and Sanders broke away and took play well back down the field. Thomas was to the fore in a forward dribbling rush that only ended right between the goal posts, where Canterbury forced. The forwards shortly afterwards succeeded in crossing the line, but Alundy was able to save by kicking out of bounds. The visitors now had a turn at attacking, Thomas marked a free kick awarded to Canterbury, and immediately afterwards Canterbury was awarded another free hick in an ideal position, but Sanders failed to lift the sodden ball over the bar. Yet another free kick came Canterbury’s way. and this time Sanders piloted the ball safely over, giving Canterbury the lead, Canterbury 8 points. Otago 6 points. Only a few minutes of play now remained and Canterbury appeared to have the match in hand. Otago were aggressive, however, and kept the visitors’ defence busy. A couple of Canterbury backs fumbled the ball close to their line and Thomas promptly seized the opportunity to dive over beside the posts. Clydesdale’s kick went just outside. Otago 9 points Canterbury 8 points A lucky speculator - by Prescott in the face of a Canterbury rush gained considerable ground. Time was called with Otago attacking and the final scores: Otago 9 points Canterbury 8 points Mr E. A. Hooper was the referee.

A SOCIAL EVENING. • On Saturday evening the Canterbury and Otago teams and a number of supporters of the game were entertained at a social evening in the Strand Salon, George street, There was a large attendance, and the chair w - as occupied by Mr J. T. Cooper (president of the Otago Rugby League). In proposing the halth of the Canterbury team the Chairman said the Otago League had been looking forward with great pleasure to this visit, particularly after it had ' beard of the fine reception given to the Otago players in Christchurch. Canterbury had always been noted for its fine Rugby players, and he was sure the province would bo equally successful with its League players. He had no doubt tha.r when the next League team to go to England was picked there would be a proportion of Canterbury players in it. It was unfortunate that the weather was so bad for the match. If it hazl been fine there would have been 8000 or more people pffesent. If the game had been played under favourable conditions the result might have been different. He congratulated the visiting team on the excellent spirit in which they played the game. The Otago League had been in existence for about two months and during that time had done a great deal of work. The players had been very energetic. Some of them were the best in the Rugby ranks, and the League was proud of them. Already six clubs had been formed, and there would bo no trouble in regard to players next year. The only trouble" would be on the score of grounds, and in this respect ho wished to congratulate the visitors on having their own ground in Christchurch. The speaker expressed pleasure at the presence of Dr Thacker, and said that when men like him took an interest in the game it would go ahead. Mr Cooper proceeded to present to Dr Thacker the first badge of the Otago Rugby League and an inscribed cak©, the latter being for Mrs Thacker. The names of Dr Thacker and Mr Kirton were coupled with the toast. After thanking the chairman for the presentation Dr Thacker said he was very pleased to be present at the beginning of what he hoped would bo a very happy family in the shape of the Canterbury, Otago. Southland. West Coast, Nelson, and Marlborough Leagues. They wanted to know what they were going to do, ana above all they wanted the best men in the teams, the best referees, the best committees, and the best executives, and they wanted the men to be clean sports. The game that day had been a cross between ski-ing and tobogganing slides, but those contests between Con ter bun' and Otago were good-fellowship games. If the weather had been fine there would probably have been big scoies by both sides. He would like to compliment the Otago backs on the way in which they had taken the ball on the full, and to congratulate particularly the Canterbury full-back, who had to do a. lot of his own work and a lot that should have been done by those in front of him,. In Canterbury they felt that they had been on a lone pilgrimage for 12 years, and they had had to fight the battle by inches, Otago had covered nine of those years in one stride, and for that Mr Millard had been responsible. The speaker went on to say that his ambition was to see a team from Canterbury or Otago heat Auckland. There would be a struggle eventually between the Rugby and the League games, and if it came he was sure that 13 League players would beat 15 Rugby players under either sets of rules. After condemning the lireout. Dr Thacker proceeded to state that there was plenty of room for all the codes In his opinion the League Council should throw down the gauntlet, so that the public could see which code brought forth the best athletes. Mr Kirton stated that the Canterbury team had been treated very well in Dunedin. lie congratulated Otago on the great strides made during the season, and expressed the hope that next year the best Otago team would challenge the best team in Canterbury for the Thacker Shield, Mr M’Keon (treasurer of the Canterbury League) also spoke briefly. The toast of the Otago League and its executive was proposed by Mr Kirton. who stated that in the Otago League he had met the finest governing body he had yet met in connection with sport. Ho also congratulated the Otago team on their fine display under such unfavourable conditions. Tile toast was acknowledged by Messrs White and Watson. The toast of “The Referee" was proposed by Mr E. Noes, who stated that the players wore perfectly satisfied with the way in which Mr Hooper had controlled the game. It was a hard game to control, but Mr Hooper had made a first-class job of his task. In the course of his reply, Mr Hooper said that during his career as a referee, extending over about 12 years, only some seven players had been ordered'off the field. Only about two of them were ordered off for dirty play, the majority of the offences consisting of disputing decisions by the referees. The other (oasts were Kindred Sports” (proposed by Mr H. A. Millard and responded to by Mr J. Kilmartin), “The Chairman” (proposed by Mr Al’Kepn and responded to by Mr Cooper), and “ The (proposed by Mr Longworth). During the evening songs were given by Messrs A. J. Parker, Saunders, M’Lean, Clydesdale, Gillies, and Eraser. An instrumental solo was given by Air Alexander, and several humorous stories were related by Dr Thacker.