THE PIRATES CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 1812, 13 August 1886, Page 26

THE PIRATES CLUB.

" Dropkick" furnishes mo with the following : The season of 1886 will be an ever- memorable one in the annals of the Pirates, the premier club for the season. Venijvidi, vici may be said of their First Fifteen, not a single defeat being placed against the team in the 11 matches it has contested. This excellent performance is rendered more noteworthy owing to the number of players that have from various causes been called upon to represent their club, no fewer than 26 having gained first fifteen honours, thus showing the club to have an excellent array of talent to fall back upon when required—- the true test of a club's strength.

With but one exception all the matches were most keenly contested, victory only resting with the Pirates by a narrow majority in each ease

after splendid contests, in which they had their full share of the luck of the game.

Against the Montecillo both matches resulted in drawn games ; those with the Kaikorai and Pacific Clubs did not eventuate, the former owing to the inclemency of the weather, and the latter to the trial matches of the O.R.F.U. It is extremely unlikely, however, that cither of them would have resulted in defeat to the senior club.

One of the most creditable wins was that against Invercargill, not only from the fact that several Second Fifteen men were included in the team, but also that by the victory the credit of being the first to defeat the powerful Invercargill Club on its own ground has been gained for the Pirates.

Not a little is the marked improvement in the play of the club this season to be attributed to the fact of their possessing such an excellent ground as the Carisbrook enclosure.

Commenting on the various players that have distinguished themselves during the season, the team was unfortunate in losing the services of Russell (last year's interprovincial full-back) during the first match. His place was filled by Hutchinson, of whom it may be said " that, iv the hour of need, he never failed his side."

Of the three-quarter-backs, Bowler stands out most conspicuously, He would certainly have gained interprovincial honours, but, unfortunately for himself and his club, lie was disabled in the first return match of the season — the Union. Allan has played consistently throughout the season, his running, kicking, and collaring being excellent, and, with A. W. Morris, has earned the distinction of scoring most points for his side.

Vallange, an old Blair Lodge boy, who donned the skull and crossbones for the first time in the Union return mateh fc has shown himself a safe and reliable three-quarter. Fraser and Marsh, the two halves, could not be much improved upon. Playing together, as they have since 1882, their combined play is excellent. That of the former— brilliant as ever — is too well known to need comment. In collaring and stopping rushes Marsh has shown x all his old form. Passing — the great feature of a half-back's play — he has successfully acquired. His one weak point has been in kicking. Generally the play of the forwards has been above the average. Though not particularly brilliant individually they have ably shown what science and combination can achieve.

Though often worsted in the tight game they have stood unrivalled in fast open play — expert dribbling and fast following up, combined with excellent passing, has fully compensated for lack of weight. The Morris brothers, Strong, Cantrell, Raynbird, and Black may be singled out as the pick of a very equal lot of forwards. The following is a lisb of the points scored in the various matches : —

Against Taieri, at Carisbrook, won by 6 points to nil ; Dunedin, at Garisbrook, won by 5 points to 2 ; Montecillo, at Carisbrook,draw«, no score ; Union, at Carisbrook, won by 9 points to nil ; High Shoo], at Oarisbrook, won by 2 points to nil; Zingari, at Carisbvook, won by 17 points to nil ; Union, at Norbh Dunedin, won by 4 points to 2 ; Montecillo, at Carisbrook, drawn, 9 points each ; Dimedin, at Caledonian, won by 5 points to 2 ; Invercargill, at Invercargill, won by 4 points to nil ; High School, at Carisbrook, won by 4 points to nil. A mixed team against. Lawrence, at Carisbrook, won by 12 points to 2.