FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1640, 28 April 1883, Page 22

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FORWARD.

Saturday was more like a day for cricket, and this, combined with counter attractions, prevented a big muster in the football field, Only 24 Dunedm men put in an appearance on the new giound, and the Blues, captained by Murray, being the heavier team, had matters pretty well their own way. Gilkißon, Dixon, Cooke, P. Fulton, Murray, Brown, Montgomery, Graves, Lloyd, Johnston, and Webster, on account of some good play, deserve to have their names immortalised in these notes.

The Normal School Second Fifteen journeyed to Blueskin only to receive a thorough good licking at the hands of tho Rev. R. L. Stanford's boys. The Taieri Club opened their season on Saturday with a limited turn out, the consequence being that Rugby was out of the question, and a dribbling game only could be indulged in. There are few old players in the Club this season, and those who turned up on Saturday were not in the very best trim. Nevertheless the Club has some good runners and kickers, and constant practice should bring them up to the mark. Sydney Fulton is deputy-captain, vice Snodgrass left the district. According to the Daily Times of Monday last, the general annual meeting of the Victoria Football Club (playing under Victorian rules) was held in the Douglas Hotel on Saturday evening. By the report aud balance-sheet the Club was shown to be in a very satisfactory position. After it had been arranged to hold the opening match (where it was not stated), the meeting adjourned till Tuesday evening for the purpose of electing office bearers for the ensuing season. Query : Was there not a sufficient number of members present to form a committee ? A friend of mine tells me that he looked in at the meeting, and beheld four or five young gentlemen chatting leisurely over their wine. Where were the anonymous writers and the host (?) of footballers who have lately been championing the Victorian game in Dunedin? Here was a glorious chance for them to do something for their favourite game, but they did not roll up. . 1 fancy these individuals are of the class who are very fond of football — when they are among the lookers-on. The Pirates mustered 40 strong and had a very enjoyable game on Saturday. Messrs Macpherson and Cork picked sides for a scratch match at the Clutha on Saturday, about 20 players taking part in the game. King, M'Neill, Campbell, Calder, Holworthy and other players have left the district and the Club this year. The Timaru footballers seem to be imbued with the Bame spirit as our Dunedin players, and they do not turn up at matches. Perhaps as the season advances they will take more interest in the game. In a match beween the National and Public Schools, the names of Shappere, Cotter, LeCren, Smith, Gabites, Ogilvie, and Chisholm are mentioned. The banKers and lawyers must be present in large numbers in Timaru, for to-day the annual match Bankers and Lawyers v. the World takes place. Owing to the departure of the San Francisco mail the Christchurch Club's arranged match could not be played, only 20 members putting ia an appearance. The East Christchurch Club has adopted the loose style of play which owing to the many light weights in the Club suits very well. There was hardly a tight scrummage during the whole of tho game on Saturday, but while too much attention was paid to passing,sdribbling was entirely neglected. The members also go in a great deaf for potting goals, and StycHe, Hall. Rich, Kiddle, Bean, and T. Fuller are well spoken of, and Francis is a good drop-kick with either foot. Taiaroa made several good runb in the Raven's Club match. Farr, in the third spell, made a splendid i % un the whole length of the ground, and Kinvig also distinguished himself. As in Dunedin, the weather in Christchurch was rather warm for football. Perhaps this was the reason why only 20 Sydenham (Christchurch) men cared to take part in the game on Saturday. lies, Alderdyce, and Prebble played in good style. The passing-back of the Fifteen was up to the mark. The Association v. Christ's College match resulted in a win for tho boys, Dalgleish and Hamilton kicking two goals to the other side's