TRIAL MATCH AGAINST THE INTERPROVINCIAL TEAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1816, 10 September 1886, Page 26

TRIAL MATCH AGAINST THE INTERPROVINCIAL TEAM.

A trial match was played on the Carisbrook ground on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a win for the interprovincial team by three tries to two. Four years ago, 16fch September 1882, just a week previous to the match with the New South Wales representativevS a team of probables (15) met a team of itnprobables (25) and put them through to the tune of two goals and nine tries to nil. Now although there may not be amongst us" grandsires skilled in football lore," yet the writer is sure the recalling of the past will lead to some interesting reflections. However, the present is now to be dealt with, and it may be as well to state that the places of Ross and Vallange, who were absent from the ranks of the Blues, were taken respectively by Watson and Russell. Drabble captained the Colours, and Allan kicked off. The ball was well returned, and a few minutes' play sufficed to show that the Blues would have their work cut out to 6ave defeat. The Colours' forwards played uncommonly well together, Martin, Morrison, Hunter, Drabble, and Shepard being the most conspicuous* and backed up by the smart runs of Noel and Marshj and the good kicking of Austin and Hope, kept the Blues quite on the defensive for much the greater part of the spell. The Blues somehow seemed to lack the combination that should have been a marked characteristic of their play, and on several occasions had to seek refuge in force-downs, which once or twice might have been tries but for the over-anxiety of the Colours' forwards. Just after the start of the second spell Noel, who was particularly active during the afternoon, and who (in the writer's opinion) played much better than on any previous occasion this season, got fairly away, and by a first-class run, which was cheered to the echo, drew first blood, grounding the ball close to the posts. Drabble took the try, but did not add to the score. In a very few minutes the Blues were again forced down, chiefly owing to some fine play on the part of Martin, A. Gibson, Drabble, Hunter, and Morrison, and their troubles Were soon further deepened by J. Morris, after an excellent dribble, getting over their inc. Drabble made a fine attempt at goal, bilt still not good enough. As it wanted about 20 minutes to time it was all Lombard street to a China orange that the Colours would score an easy victory; but the history of football battles, as well as that of more deadly ones, abounds with instances of eleventh'bour triumphs, and, stung by their continued reverses, the Blues during the rest of the spell put forth efforts which — as Dominie Sampson would say — were prodigious. Fraser, the Colours' full back, was kept pretty busy repelling the attacks of one after another of the Blues, and the brilliant way in which on one or two occasions he saved a score was loudly applauded. The Blues, not to be denied, continued to press their opponents, and Allan at last came away from the scrum in fine style, and M'Farlane, who was backing up well, dribbled over the line and fell on the ball close to the corner flag. Strong made a capital shot at goal, but, like Drabbles, was not quite good enough. After the kick out the Colours made great efforts to clear their lines, but without success. Millar had one or two good shots at goal, one falling just under the bar, but the weight of a wet ball was against success. Just on the call of time M'Farlane, by a brilliant bit of dribbling, again got in, and although Strong made another five attempt he did not place the desired goal. As scores were now even, it was agreed to play an extra 15 minutes, which was unfortunate for the Colours, as the better condition of the Blues Lold its tale ; and Mill fiually managed to get the winning try. Bee took the kick, which resulted as the others had done. The game taken all round was, despite the wet, a really good exhibition of football, the back play at times being quite brilliant. For the Blues, Fraser and Thomson did their work as usual— everyone knowg how that is ; Millar did a lot of useful kicking, and Bee—who was subjected to a continual and senseless fire of small talk from one or two diminutive individuals in the stand — played a good sound game. Allan, Strong, Morris, Mill, Gibson, and M'Farlane were, perhaps, the best of the forwards. Behind the scrum the Colours were exceptionally strong, and in Austin, Hope, Fraser, Noel and Marsh had good men and true. Roscow did fairly well, bub it is only fair to state that a dry ground is the place where Roscow shines. Of the forwards, Martin, Morrison, Hunter, J. Morris, Wright, and A. Gibson were certainly the best. Next; Saturday Otago meets New South Wales, and that the day may be fine is the fervent wish of every true footballer, back or