LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19476, 11 May 1925, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Tho competitions under the auspices of the Otago Rugby Football League were commenced on Saturday. The general standard of play for the throe matches gave promise of good and inspiring football in tlie games that lie ahead. Although it was a comparatively small beginning, it is nevertheless something in the nature of a triumph for the enthusiastic bund of sportsmen who have an uphill light to got the game established in Dunedin. The League are in the happy position of. starting off with six senior teams, the members of which arc all young players. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS A v. ATHLETIC. Chief interest was centred in tho Christian Brothers A team and the Athletic on the Oval. From the Commencement it was apparent that both were evenly matched. Christian Brothers jumped into action trom the start, and the opening clashes of the forwards and the quickness of the backs gave a forecast of an attractive display. Athletic recovered well, from the first shocks, and the forwards doggedly cleared their territory. Both sides then settled down to even play. The first score was the result of an infringement by O’Connor (Christian Brothers). Thomas, for Athletic, kickeda very fine goal. A few minutes, later, in a scramble from the Creeps twenty-five, Jenkins crossed • the line. Thomas’s kick failed. The game was then taken to Athletics’ twenty-five, and in a nice passing movement Fitzgerald crossed the line. Donnelly tailed to convert. Athletic- 5, Christian Brothers _3. Athletics worked into a scoring position from a scrum. The ball was passed out . to Thomas, who made a spectacular run, but his effort was not supported, and he was collared on the lino. Half-time scores: Athletic 5. Christian Brothers 3. In the second half the Greens made the' pace, ana worked' several nice passing rusne*. Athletic. in vigorous forward thrusts, dribbled and followed up with great energy. After a series of scrums Semple secured and passed to Thomas, who gave the opposition no chance, and scored. Galhvan tried at goal unsuccessfully. Athletic now showed signs of tiring, and the Green* took the upper hand as the result of a pasing rush in which Turnbull, Walsh, Cusack, O’Connor, and Blackledgp pnrtieipnted; the latter crossing the line near tho goal posts. Donnelly added the extra points. A good run _bv Fraser took the. game to the" Greens’ line, and in a fierce struggle the Greens indulged in another r-'C’otacular passing bont. which ended in F’tzgerald scoring. Donnelly converted. Plnvenly passing militated against the worth of the bark plav of the Athletic, and fbetr failure fo heel the ball ont from the scrums. ■ Even nln v followed hv two teams of voung plnvers. and through the match both sides battled with the tide nl chance favouring first one side and then the other. It was a good finish to a brig’-* "cme, Pl'-hHni Brothers A ... J* nm-ts. AiMcilc 3 points. Mr P Umi'en was referee KAITANGATA v. CITY. This match was played at Kaitangata before an attendance of 300. Kaitangata kicked off and played with the sun in their eyes. City then mulled, and Kaitangata made a hot sortie, City clearing with a good kick. Kaitangata. was penalised near the line. Clydesdale took the kick and missed. City pressed, and kept Prescott busy at full back, who was playing a good game. A score looked certain, but City made the mistake of kicking too bard. From a good passing movement Alexander came from the far wing and scored first blood for City. Clydesdale missed with tne kick. City 3 points. Later from a. good passing rush, started bv Eckhoff, and after some nice piny (he ball was passed to Tail, 'who crossed the line, no goal resulting. After give-and-take play Eckhoff again commenced' a passing bout which ended in Urossan scoring and Clydesdale kicking Kaitangata gained possession from the kick-off, ami started a nice passing movement. and just when things looked premising for Kaitangata Oossnn. aft'"- a sharp sprint, scored his second try. The tricky kick at goal failed. After the ball was set in motion City stdl pressed, and Alexander gaining possession of the leather scored his second trv'close in, but Crossan failed to convert. The first spell ended:City 17, Kaitangata nil. Kaitangata opened strongly in the second half, ably led by Thompson, and was for the most part in City's twenty-five. I’rescott (Kaitangatn) shifted from full,lack to centre, and from then on Kaitangnta held the upper hand until Clydesdale opened up a passing bout for City, and passed to Crossan. who later scored. City 1!0. Play again centred in City’s territory. where I’rescott-made a good attempt at goal from a penalty. Kaitangata now put vim into their play, with the result that their first score came from a good passing movement by their harks, J. Crooks. scoring, Prescott eonvi rtiiig. Thompson crossed the line for Knitangaia, and the attempt at goal failed. Just before the rail of time Clydesdale kicked a penalty goal for City, the game ending.— City •• 22 points Kaitangata .. . .. points Mr C. Snow made an efficient referee. The outstanding players for Kaitiiugntn were Thompson and Rodgers (forwards), and Preston and Kennedy (backs) played well, whole ’Wilson, Clydesdale, (Tossnn, and Eckhoff were prominent for City. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 11 v. PACIFIC. These two teams met at Chisholm Park. Following the opening exchanges between the teams, the Greens defending, the ball went to the Pacific's twenty-five, the laUer being penalised, A cross kick by Fitzpatrick gave the Greens an advantage, and from a penalty Walsh failed at goal. I* or lifting in the serum a further penalty was awarded against Pacific, but J. M’Aulift’e missed the goal. Securing possession in the open Deehan attempted to open the scoring, lint his effort went wide. Brown, for Pacific, bowled over the defenders, bur lost a fine scoring chance through not passing. In the second spell Christian Brothers renewed hostilities with a lightning attack. and Holloway tho ball, and misjudging his chances, held on instead of kicking it npfiold. He was well tackled, and Pacific gaining the advantage was stopped near the line. The game was oven again, and from a dribbling rush Davies crossed the Greens’ line. Hie game ended: — Pacific points Christian Brothers .. ... Nil Mr J. Underwood was referee. During the. progress of the Pacific and Christian Brothers match at Chisholm Park some thieves got to work and ransacked the players’ clothes. In this game Hie players hud to undress in the plantation some 30 yarns distant.

AUCKLAND COMPETITION. (Peb United Press Association.) AUCKLAND. May 10. Tho following are the results of yesterday’s League gamesMarist Old Boys 8, Ponsonbv 7;' City 43, Newton 19; Athletics 13, Richmond 7; Otahuhu 14, Ellersme.re 7. WELLINGTON GAMES. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 10, Yesterday’s League games resulted as follows Non-ton 25, City 6; Hutt 23, Petone 6. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. (Reb United Peess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. Yesterday’s League matches resulted: Addington 11, Hornby 5; Marists A 40, Linwood 13; Woolston 13, Marists B 12; Waimairi 11, Sydenham 5.