FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 181, 6 August 1886, Page 26

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FORWARD.

The Club matches for the present season are tiow virtually at an end, and next Saturday will see the trial matches in full swing. It is the intention of the Rugby Union Committee to have three trial matches on the first Saturday— one on the Caledonian ground, another on the Cansbrook ground, and one at Balclutha. 1 here are three Saturdays left for trial matches previous to the selection of the team to play against Canterbury. „, „, , - ... There seems every likelihood of both provinces putting good teams in the field this year. Otago will have better forwards, but Canterbury, on the other hand, will be strong in backs, especially if Taiaroa condescends to play against his old province. I hear that Clem. Beck, formerly of the Montecillo Club, is likely to return to Dunediu with the N. S. Wales team. , . „ , Lindsay, who started to play well m Auckland at the beginniug of the season, had quite recovered from the injury to his leg, but now he has again had to retire owing to an injury to his other leg. As I stated last week, it is the intention ot the N S. Wales team to play two matches in each of' the large centres in New Zealand. The proposal is not likely to be favourably entertained by the Otago Rugby Union, and 1 think ifc not likely that more than one match will be played in Dunedin. ' Braddon, formerly of Invercargill, has been distinguishing himself in athletics at Newcastle. The following are the reports of Saturday's matches, play in Dunedin:— The return match between the Dunediu and Montecillo clubs came off on the Caledonian Grounds on Saturday, aud the game proved to be a very exciting one. Mills winning the toss, elected to defend fche western goal. Iwiname, captain of the Montecillo, set the ball rolling. It was returned into touch by one of the Blues, aud a series oi aurummages followed ; the Blue forwards gradually working the ball into the Montecillo 25, Montgomery, Mill, and Martin being most conspicuous. Stephenson getting hold of the ball at this stage of the game, potted a neat goal for the Blues. Twiname lose no time in setting the ball off again, and the Colours now besieged the Blues' lines repeatedly ; T. Dallas, Noel, Shepard.and Twiname making desperate but unsuccessful efforts to score, and the first spell ending with the ball in neutral territory. Mills with a rattling kick started the second spell, C. Leith returning the ball well up the field. Play was kept in neutral ground for some -time. Ross made several attempts to ge away, and once made a fine dodgy run ibhrough all the forwards. T. Dallas was disabled at this point of the gape, and the Moutoeillo, playing a man short, with combined rushes carried the play into the Blues' 25, where Morley had a shot a goal without success. Soon after Twiname made a fine dribble up the field. Jusfc before time was called, Noel 'secured the ball and being pushed into touch, threw the leather ' <oufc to Watson, who ran round and placed the ball behind the posts amidst great excitement, fihepard took the place aud kicked the ball fair over the bar, the Monteeillo thus winning by 5 points to 4. The forwards of both teams played well all through the game. Martin, Smith, Mill, and Montgomery beiug the*pickof Dunedin; Shepatd, Twiname, Isaacs, and O'Gormau the best of the Montecillo. Of the backs, Ross, Sbephenson,T. Smith, and K. Austin (who punted splendidly) for Dunedin, and C. Leith, Watson, Gregory, Noel, and Morley for Montecillo played well. Messrs S. Leith and 0. Fulton umpired for Montecillo and Dunedin respectively, aud Mr J. Moss officiated as referee. The return match between the Union audZiugaxt clubs was played on the Asylum ground, aud resultedin a win for the" Maroon" by nine points •to nil. Treseder captained the Zingari, and Bee .(in the sfasence of Wyinfcs) the Union. Owing to the gre«&y state of the ground the back play •was not very interesting. It was fully half-past 3 before TreseoUr kicked off for the Colours, and the forwards following up well, play was ■confined in the Union 25 ; but the Union forwards playing well together soon shifted the leather to their opponents' 25, where it remained the most of the spell. The 2Jiugari forwards, who were playing a hard game here, by a splendid rush took the ball to neutral territory, Treseder, Waters, aud Wales showing good play. After Biore scrummaging play was again •centred ia the Zingari quarters, where Hughes :aud Thomson were working hard to keep their opponents from scoring. Shortly after ihis W. M'Farlane obtained a mark which Bee almost converted into a goal, the ball just falling under the bar. During the rest of *he sp«.U there was nothing very noticeable, halftfcirne being called with no score. Daring the ■second spell the Zingari showed batter form, and /by some good rushes on the part of their furwards were very nearly scoring, Fitzgerald and Hunter having to touch down in defence on two occasions. Henderson here camu to the rescue, «,ndbya fine tun transferred the play to the other end of the field, where, after .some good play on both hides, Torrauoe obtained \i mark, from which Bee kicked a goal. The ball being again, set in motion, Thomson by a fine run carlied the ball to the Union twenty-five, ending with a pot at goal, the ball goiug a little wide. Bee and Fitzgerald now relieved thc-,ir side by some grand runs, and after good passing amongst the forwards Tomnce obtained the ball, and fey a bit of brilliant play crossed the Zingari fine and grounded the ball. Bee again took the kick and'plaeed a fine goal. The play during the rest of the spell was chiefly confined to the Zingari twenty-five. Time was now called, leaving the Union victors as above. Besides those mentioned, Strong, RaHingshaw, Espie, and Henderson played well for the Zingari, as also did M'lntyre. Eraser (as full back], Wright, Taylor, and W. M'Farlaue for the Union. The match Alhambra First v. Pirates Second was played on Saturday at Opoho, and resulted fin a win for th& Alhambra by 1 goal and 1 try (7 points) to nil. In the middle of the first spell (the ball being well passed by Downes to him), Turnbull made a splendid run from the half-way flag, passed the opposing backs, and grounded the ball behind the line, but the kick ■was a failure. The Pirates lost no time in kicking off, Turnbull returning the ball well within touch. Soon. afteuwairJa Downes again passed to Turnbull, who by a good run secured a second try ; Restieaux took the kick aud placed a neat goal. During the second spell tlie pJay was pretty even— Montgomery and RestieauK doing some fine kicks into touch Stronacb and Diamond ma'lo strenuous but unsuccessful efforts 1 o score, aud Thomas got over the line, but the ball was eaUed back. Time, was mow eattert. tho Alh&mbva ■winning as abo\e. For the Pirates, Montgomery, H. and F. Stroitaeh (back,), Halliwell, and Bovin (forwards) played well ; as also did Turubull, Grieve (backs), M'Giii, Fitzgibbon.aud Thomas for the Alhambra.

The Pirates won their match against the High School by 4 points (a goal potted by VUlan) to nothing after an interesting game,

The match United v. Kaikorai Second was played on the Kaikorai ground, and resulted in a « in for tiie United by 1 goal and 4 tries (13 points) to nil. In the first spell the play was very even, the United scoring only 1 try. In the second spell the United, playing a fait loose game, gradually tired out their substantial opponents aud scored 4 tries in rapid succession. Fountain, Murray, Duncan, and Hilgeudorf (2) scored the tries, from one of winch Howison placet l a goal. The running of W. Elliott and C. Rutland and the collaring of Duucan were much admired by the spectators. The United forwards all played a hard game, packing in and following up well. 'AmougM; those who showed up well for tho losing club were: Oveudon (who saved his sido time after time by his running aud kickiug), Ballautine, Davie, Wedderspoon, and Leslie. Tho game was conteitttil in a very friendly manner.

Ths match Union Second v. Caversham First, played on tho North ground on Saturday, resulted (after a rowdy game) in a victory for the former by one goal (four points) to nil. Mo score_ was made in the first spell, which was principally devoted to tight scrummages, in which the Caversham seemed to delight .in lying on the ball. The Union had slightly tho best of the second spell, G. Hutchinson potting a good goal. For the victons Crawford aud Grieve (back), R. Watkius, J. Hutchinson, and Croxford (forward) played well; as did Foster and Tweedie (back), Bciggs (2), and Gawne (forward) for the losers.

The match Richmond First v. Taieri Mixed, played at Mosgiel on Saturday, after a very enjoyable game resulted in a draw, neither side scoring.

The match Imperial v. Filzroy was played on the former's ground aud resulted in a victory for the Fitzroy by six points (three tries) to four points (a potted goal). For the Fitzroy W. Graves, O. Graves, and T. Hatcher played a good game, and each succeeded iv getting a try, but no goal resulted. The Fitzroy playud together in gram! style. The backs of the Imperial played well, and B. Meikle played a good forward game.

The match Pioneers v. Port Band resulted in a victory for tho former by 14 points to nil. Crawford captained the Pioneers aud Dench acted in a similar capacity for the Band. For the victors, Goldie, Crawford, and Clark played in good style, and for the losers Jackson and Basire were of good hervics. The Albany street School defeated the High School Junior First by 7 points (1 goal and a try) to nil. Tries were secured by Mouate (who played a splendid game all through) and A. Robertson ; the fir«t of these was converted into a goal by Brodie. Brndin's kicking and running would have done credit to niauy an older player.

The weather at Clu\stehurch on Saturday was very sultry, some good play was shown in the principal matches. The best match was between Sydeuham and East Christchurch. AH the attempts of the Sj deuhain men to score when iv their opponents quarters, were frustrated, the passing being quickly nipped in the bad by Francis and Price. And it was the same Yfhen Bast Christchurch were ia the attacking position. Passing by either team generally meant ground lost. Donnelly, the Sydenham quarter, well deserved the applause that greeted him when he so cleverly cleared his goal time after time by his smart punting. East Christchurch missed one splendid chance of scoring, when Taiaroa got well away ou the terrace side of the ground, and unfortunately dropped the ball when about a yard from the goal line. Atack secured it, but was thrown into touch in goal. The match was in many respects like the first one. The first spell had been a toss up, but in the second East Christchurch had the best of it, but all attempts to score failed, while every novy and again Sydenham came with dangerous rushes, in . which Dobbs, Weekes, Hoban, Moir, and Lawrence invariably shone. They were only ouce in the Yellows' twenty-live, however, and while there Sutherland would probably have scored from a throw iv from touch, but as the ball was thrown very crooked, it was ordered back. Dow, Price, Francis and Fuller did splendid work for Bast Christchurch. The Evast Obri&tchurch skipper made one splendid run and had he wound up by a pot a score might have been obtained, but he passed and the chance was lost. Beare did some good punting for Sydcnham, which gave them breathing space, when it was urgently needed. Time drew on, and Sydenham resisted as stubbornly as ever. At last the ball was kicked over the line with Atack and Allardyce in full cha«e after it. Both men touched ifc, and a try was claimed, but the umpires differing, the referee decided in favour ot Sydenham. To the finish Sydenham were hotly pressed, but their goal was never really in danger, if we except one occasion, when Taiaroa got clear away, with no one to bar his passage, only to be whistled back, but for what reason it is hard to say. For Sydenham, O'Brien, Beare, Donnelly, and Allardyce did good work behind the scrimmage, while Weekes, Moir, Hoban, and Dobbs shone in the ranks of the forwards. Hobbs, the East Christchurch full-back, acquitted himself mo,fc creditably; and Francis and Taiaroa did a lot of work at half-back, while Price, at quarter, proved himself fully up to first fifteen form. Hasoal had literally nothing to do. Dow, Fooks, Fuller, and Kestevtn played well forward.

In the match between Ghristclmroh and Merivale the second spell was a hot contest between the two teams, the ball going continuously up and down the field. Murray, Webb, Beswick, Turnbull, and Wood did splendid work for Christchurch, and Crowe, Dallas, Richards, Homer, and Dewsbury for Meiivale. Homer played with brilliancy for Merivale, collaring, running, aud dribbling with great effect. While Merivale were iv the Christchurch quarters, Crowe had a pot at goal, which dropped about a foot short, and a little latter Mathias followed suit for jOhristchurch with better result, as the ball was sent fairly V j .twc:vn the posts. In the few minutes of play that remained nothing further occurred, and Christchurch remained victors of a splendidly fought game by 6 points to nil. The Jnveroargill club beat the, local Pirates by 5 points to 2. For the winners, Cox, Booth, Brodriek, Pavitb, and Morgan (forwards) did most of the work. Amongst the backs, lies played a grand defensive game, and it was nviiniy owing to his play, ably assisted, by M. Morgan, Snodgrass, and M'Loskey that tho score of the Pirates was kept down. For the lospr.s all their forwards worked hard and well, particularly Oockroft, Mk-utiplay, A. OJalbraith, Ekunstesn, a»d Smith, to vkose exertions tlv» Pirates' score was inaiuiy attributable. Mortison, as wing forward vqp K°°d, biri". rather inelincl to off side play. Of the backs, Crirauagh played most judiciously, hi 1 ; kicking being as good as could be wished, but the othoc three-quartera spoiled their otherwise good play by bad passing, at times loosing all the ground their forwards had previously made. The spectators were constantly encroaching on the field of play, and disputes of a somewhat acri-

monious nature were rather frequent. The strong feeling manifested by players and onlookers, and tho unseemly wranglings which took place wore probably caused to a great extent by the botting, an element which always gives rise to unpleasantness, and is a very undesirable adjunct to football or other athletic games.

After the inat,ch was over Mr George Morrison was presented with a gold locket, the gift of Mr E. Fisher, of the Imperial Hotel, as having played the most consistent game on the Pirates' side. The judges were the umpires and referee.

" Rugby " writes from Oamaru, on July 26, as follows : — " Great enthusiasm has been thrown into football in Oamaru this season, as is shown by the numbers that don the jersey every Saturday afternoon, aud roll out for practice during the week.

There" are two great events to be chronicled this season, first the starting of a new club, " the Athletics," and secondly the presentation of a handsome banner of amber and bkek satin, with letters O.F.C. in blue velvet, embroidered wibh gold lace, to the Oamaru Football Club ; hitherto the club have been without a banner, but at last several well-wishers aud lady friends of the members have come to the rescue. The presentation took place last Friday evening at the Royal Hotel, and in the absence of the captain, through illness, Mr A. Husketh was proposed to the chair, aud received the standard on behalf of the club, ke conveyed the thanks of the club to those who had so kindly assisted. The success of the O.F.C. was then toasted, and the remainder of the evening was spent in a very enjoyable way; thanks to the kindness of host Johnston.

Our team is a very strong one this season, having been reinforced by several good men, viz. — Messrs Motile and Parsons of East Christchurch fame, the latter, all footballers will recollect, having represented Canterbury on many occasions, and also Messrs Clark, of Blenheim, and He.sketh, who last year played for Ponsonby (Auckland). On Saturday week we journey tv Timaru to play the annual match with South Canterbury, which I hope we shall win. We expect Union (Dunedin) and High School to visit us next month."