COUNTRY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20432, 12 June 1928, Page 7

COUNTRY FOOTBALL.

SOUTH OTAGO GAMES. (From Oer Own Correspondent.) BALCLUTHA, June 11. The record crowd of the local football season gathered at the Show Ground on Saturday to witness the First Grade match, Clinton v. Clutha, the “gate” amounting to £l9. Hitherto this season only matches of comparatively secondary importance have been played at Balclutha, hence the attendances until Saturday had not been anything like_ as large as those of last season. On this occasion it was recognised that although Clinton was well in the lead for the banner, Clutha had a good team, albeit circumstances had necessitated making a constant change in the backs, and a keen contest was anticipated. Considerable interest also centred in the “ curtain-raiser ” provided by the

Third Grade match South Otago High School v. Clutha 111. The latter team has come on greatly, and the issue was in doubt until the last 10 minutes, when Rutherford potted a goal for the School, the game ending 9—6 in favour of the School. The winners' other score was a try by Kelly, converted by M'Millan, and for the losers Gold and Muir scored tries. Mr L. J. Edwards was the referee. Clutha won the toss and played with the suu at their backs, the day being windless. Clinton assumed the aggressiye from the kick off, and play hovered m Clutha’s territory for some time until M‘Lay took the ball to near Clintons line, and from mixed play Clutha was awarded a penalty kick, from which M'Connell landed a neat goal. After several unsuccessful Clinton attacks, Clutha assumed the offensive, and a beautiful passing run between M'Connell, Jolly, Pennycook, and M'Lay ended in the latter running right round the opposing players and scoring near the posts. M Connell s kick missed the goal, and the spell ended with the score: Clutha 6, Clinton nil. In the second spell the pace was very fast, and it was one of the best exhibitions of football yet seen on the Balclutha ground. Clinton’s first score developed after good work by C. Matheson and A. Murray, the latter touching down well out, and Ritchie’s kick missed (6—-3). Some good play followed, the Clutha backs handling the ball remarkably well, but the defence was too strong, Clinton possessing an ideal full-back in Tuffley. It was after tight work near Clutha s line that Clinton’s next score was gained by Powley. Ritchie, who was not at his usual high mark as a goal kicker, again failed to convert. If anything, Clutha had the best of the last 10 minutes ot play, ihe game ended with the score six all. Clutha’s captain (Tom Wilson) was knocked out temporarily a times during the progress of the match, but did not retire. Mr S. V. White was the referee. The result of the match a leaves Clinton still four points ahead in the banner contest, and unless Crescent or Toko springs a surprise, the result seems a foregone conclusion. (From Cue Own Correspondent.)’ MILTON, June 11. Toko's First and Second Grade teams had a day off on Saturday in the South Otago Banner competition, both teams having byes in the fixtures for the commencement of the second round. Toko’s Third Grade team defeated Crescent 111 by 8 points to 6 in the cup competition. _ , , . The South Otago Primary Schools Shield competition commenced on Saturday. Toko beat Kaitangata (3 —nil) at Kaitangata; Clutha beat Clinton (15 —6) at Balclutha; Stirling a bye. In the Northern Division Second Grade matches, Crescent defeated Union on the latter’s ground by 9 points to 6; Star defeated Waitahuna at Stirling by 20 points to nil.. The banner points for the Northern

Division are:— P.W. L. D. Points F. A. Bnr. Pts. Union .. .. 5 3 1 1 30 18 7 Toko .. .. 4 3 1 — 57 12 6 Star , .. .. 5 3 2 — 32 12 6 Clutha .. .. 5 2 2 1 22 45 4 "Waitekuna .. 5 — 5 — 9 63 1