FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1856, 17 June 1887, Page 26

FOOTBALL.

NOTES MBY : FORWARD. : Dunedin v. Pirates. — The First Fifteens ofi these clubs .'met • for the' first ! 'time ,this season on the Caledonian grounds,, on Saturday ( afternoon. Great ' interest y?&& taken' in the .game, . and there, were, fully r 400 spectator's present. The weather was fine with > no wind, and the ground was in good orcler;', though a .little slippery, and the ball -con-; sequently ■ very greasy. 'The ( following were the jteams :— Dunedih (Blue^: B. J. Austin (full back) ;' Ross, 1 Stephenson,and Walls' (three-? quarters); Cook and Hardy (half baoks)}' Mills] Martin (captain), Menelaus, Malcolnij Turhbull, • Carter, Branigan,'Horne,'and Harper 1 (forwards); Pirates (Blacks) :' Hojrison (full] back) ; Kuss^ll,',' Esquilant,'and Oven'don (thr'ee-^UM > tjersl; / l I homy son an' 3 TFraser "(halves)' j 'Drabble." (captain),' A. W. Morris, J. H. Morris, $' Morris,', ."dantreli," Black, Ronaldson, Diamond, and Bucklajhd (for-, wards).' Messrs Vallange, and Kennedy, umpired, and Mr J. H. Chapman acted as, referee. Play was rather late in starting, and 'the, game at the finish was contested in semi-darkness, to ' the , great disadvantage of both player's Jand spectators.- Drabble 'lost* the toss,*,aua Martin elected to defend the Caversham goal. Thomson kicked off for. the Pirates, and the ball, was returned into touch abou't^the' centre',^ when 1 the Blacks with a grand rush took the ball into the Blue 25. The Blues, as usual; took a few minutes to settle down to play, and then .their heavy; forwards, with, steady hard work, .took,,, the, ball gradually down the field, and gained, a try. The Pirates raised the point that the ball had- been fairly forced down, by their full back, but the umpire's decision"^ was against them, and Harper kicked a magnificent' goal. This, reverse', roused' the Blacks, and 'some splendid 1 forward play resulted in Thomson securing the ball from a loose scrum at the Blues' twenty-five; and potting a magnificent goal just' at half-time. > >, ■ In the second spell the Blues • made matters very warm for the Blaoks in the first five minutes, but after that the ball was rarely out of their twenty- five. Thomson made a clever mark in front, of the Blues' goal, but Drabble made a poor,attempt, and a fprce.down resulted. From a forward rush Russell/whowas following up, scored the first try 'for the Pirates near touch, Howison failing in the kick. ' A. W. Morris scored a second try just before time, 1 but' Drabbles kick was charged down 'by Hardy. Dunedin appealed for off-side play, but the decision of the umpires was against them, it being impossible to tell a Blue from a Black .in the semi-darkness. The Pirates thus won a keenly congested , game, ,played in the most .friendly spirit from, kick off to time, by 1 dropped goal and 2 tries to 1 goal, (five points to three). , The game was chiefly confined to the for wards, and in this department the" Pirates were much smarter than their ' opponents. A. W.' and 3 1 H. Morris, Cantrell, and Black played with, great dash — A. W. l Morris 1 and' Cantrell "in ; particular. Diamond played 'with more 'dash than usual, and Bucklandjdid good work in the 1 scrums, where he was ii well supported! by C. Morris. Martin played the best forward game for the losers, but- has not the same dash as of old. . Malcolm and Menelaus . worked hard in the scrums, while Carter, and Turnbul} were conspicuous in the loose; play. Harper, on the, wing, was very troublesome to the- opposing) backs, and dribbled very nicely^ Thomson "and Fraser played their usual, game at btdf for the Pirates, Thomson's kicking being superb, while Fraser's sharp punting into touch' came in for rounds of applause. ■• The three-quarters played well on the defensive, Ovendon's collaring being very good, and he out off the passes, to the opposing backs in fine style. | Howison played ■ well at full back for so young a player. Cook played the best back game for the Blues, his' passing being very good. Ross, at three-quarter,' made several of his dodgy runs) and looted very dangerous on two' or three occasions. Stephenson worked hard, but played 'without much' judgment. Austin, at full back, saved his side on two or three occasions,/ stopping dribbling: rushes in fine style. The return match- will be played on July 10, on the Carisbrook ground, and will be looked forward to with interest by the many supporters of both clubs. Montecillo v. University. — Saturday saw the above clubs try conclusions at Tahuna Park, and the result was looked on 'with considerable interest after the late victory of the 'Varsity against the Pirates, and the exciting contest with the Alham'bra on the latter's ground last Saturday. The result ' amply justified the expectations formed, as the following account shows: — " . Punctually at 3.38 p.m. the two. teams lined out, and Shepard, having won the toss Milne kicked off. After the usual preliminary long kicking, the scene of play was changed a good dribbling rush into the Blues' territory, and; the latter found themselves playing a hard defensive game. A rush was well stopped by Allen, and the ball appeared in front of the Blues' goal. .The Red half back ' then passed smartly to Gregory, but the latter not taking the ball cleanly, was rushed before the desired pot could be made, and the ball was carried 1 to the centre of the field, where it remained for some time.The play at this period became very rough, but on the apprnl 0f ...... of the captains to the referee a marked change look place. Elliot by good ' punting removed the ball to the Reds' twtntyfive, but gradually the Blues were forced back, and in spite of the efforts of Neave their goal was again threatened. From a scrum in front Noel passed to Gregory, who missed it, and after a ' terrible struggle' the ball was removed to 1 the centre of the ground. Gregory then by a long kick forced the Blues down. After the kick out the Reds, led by Isaacs, pressed the Blues hard for some time, fine play being shown by Aitken and Simpson, ,but Leith fumbling the ball spoilt a cha»ee of scoring. The Blues now warmed up and menaced the Reds' goal. Lovegrove obtained a mark from a knock-on, whiph was disallowed, ' and shortly afterwards halftime was called with the ball in the' centre of the ground. • . ' • Simpson set the bail in motion the second spell, and Skiteh by fast following l it up spoilt Crawford's return. A long kick ,by the Reds full back, and the Blues were again forced down. After kicking out, Hogg had all his w f ork,to stop a fine piece of dribbling, by Aitken. The play now jcentred in, front, of the Blues' goal, and Simpson obtained a mark, outfit only resulted in a force down by Allen ; Milne now gathered his men together, and the ball,' by the united efforts of Kfeave and Elliott appeared In theßeds' territory, where it went into* touch. From' the throw out, v Menzies carried it at his toe,' in grand style, amidst great excitement, down on the Montecillo goal line, where, menaced by Gregory, he transferred the leather to Neave, and' that player dribbling over the line obtained the .try for the College. , Allen's try at goal , was a failure." On, the .ball, being brought out some fine long kicking took' place between Crawford and the Reds', back, and play settled dowe in

the Moutecillo territory; The Reds' now pulled 'themselves together J arid .TieaVled Shepafd, and Dallas, used .every .effort. to ( raise -.a, score. The Blues on the other,. hanS" appeared to lack combination ; ; all their scrums were sw.ept 1 iaway b'y'a torrent of 'Reds,' and" the r whole, ! weight fell on the backs. 'Noel securing the ball, ' passed to his three-quarter, but Elliott charged ' him and spoiled the pass, at ' the same time re- , moving .the, f scene, of play, to the, centre. , THe Reds were , .not , ' to , , be/ denied, however, ] and' Elliott had to repeat his performance, but a phalanx 1 -of Reds bearing down all opposition carried the ball amid great excitement over the ' line, ; and Aitken obtained a' try. ' The 'trial,' by Skiteh, at, a difficult angle, failed } another' force down by the i ßeds/and the remainder,, of the time 1 was occupied by Allen- and Hogg in stopping rushes. The call. of time found the- ball in the Blues*' twenty -five'. ' The most prominent ,men were:, For .the Blues— Hqgg, Allen, JNeaS(e, Elliott (backs), and Smith, TorranceY'.'sibps, sand iTenuant (forwards) ; for the Reds- 1 - Aitken, Gregory, Simpson (backs), and Isaacs, Dallas, •and- 8 Shepard; (forwards).'! -Mr A. V.' Smith , and Mr Bannatyne' umpired ;' Mr JasV Allari f wW. -referee. t .,- , ■ .'•,.> ">< ' ,A ! match Dunedin Second v. Pirates .Second was played on the Carisbrook- ground on Saturday, and resulted after a .pleasant game in a, win; if or the former! x by 3 points to,l point.- Morris .winning thg toss, kicked off I for the ( 'Blueß,',and" jtheiball being well returned j , ! play;'^c ! entred 'in. their twenty-five for the first five minutes; but' the Blue forwards; playing well together, carried the 'ball. into" r their, opponents,'^ quarters, where' it- remained' during- the greater portion of the ' spell, although the' Blacks' backs occasionally, relieved their side by some smart, play. Smith^ narrowly missed potting a goal, and shortly after- * wards the Blue forwards carried the ball over the line, Jackman securing a try, '.from which he' placed a splendid goal. In the second spell the Blacks compelled their, opponents (who, lacked .the services of Monk'man, and on whose forwards, want of condition told) to act almost entirely on the ! defensive ; and from a pass, Fleming was enabled to score a try, which' was hot enhanced. No j addition was made to the' score, the game ending as above. Of the backs', Smith, Butterworth, and Christopher, for . the Blues, and Stronach, Williams, and Fleming, for the Blacks, played, well. Harvey well,' and iSmeaton played hard, but without judgment. Of | the forwards, Turton, MAdam, Morris, Turnbull, and Murray .played best for the winners, while Milne, Mattieson,iMbllison, arid Halliwell were the pick, of the ' Blacks.' ■ Espie and] Driver also- did well,, but were* inclined to get! in front of the ball. This is the Dunedin Second i Fifteen's first .win,, all their other , matches this season having been drawn. 1 '"The White Star beat the Pacific by 4 tries to ' nil. During the first fifteen minutes of the first spell the weight of the Pacific, forwards enabled them to keep the ball in the Stars' twenty-five ; but the cry of "Play loose, Stars!" made the I latter warm up to their work, and they, soon had their opponents in their twenty-five ; and shortly before the end of the first spell M'Queen ran in, Gorn took the kick, which, owing to the difficult angle, was a' failure; - In the ; second spell, despite the efforts of Johnson and Home, the 1 . Stars had their opponents penned inj their" twenty-five,, and Trotter' ran" in five minutes after play commenced, as also did Roberts and Deehan, in quick succession.' Bolton took the kick, but owing to the angle and the s greasy state of the ball, did not improve "the score. ' The same ' player . obtained a mark at ! the ' half-way' flag, and made a grand attempt at potting a 1 goal, the ball just going under the bar. Besides ithose mentioned, Gorn, Hardy, and Campbell (forwards), .and .Weitzell* and;' Gawne; (backs), played well for the Star, and M'Cutcheon, Roseveare, and Moloney (forwards), and Irvine and Hambleton (backs) played best for the Pacific. The match Zinpri- Richmond Second v. Union Second resulted in a draw, no score being made iby either .side. . The Union were, forced down, several times; but it is only, fair, to say that v they were for some time playing two men short! .The Colours playing well on the ball forced it down the field, and Budge crossed the line ; but the try was' disallowed. The Zingari-Richmond had much the best of this spell; and on resum- ( ih^ their forwards, playing with spirit, penned the Maroons on their goal line for some time/ and some tough scrummages took place. Gradually the play was shifted to the centre of thejfield, and the game remained very even till the call of time. Budge, M'Dougall, Peterson, and M'Arthur (Zingari-Richmond), and Brooks and M'Farlane (Union) were the best of the for-,' wards;. while Rallingshaw, Wackeldine,' Best»" and Diack did good service amongst the backs. ' * - A match Port Chalmers v. Alhambra was, played on Saturday at Opoho. The Alhambra played a mixed team, and defeated the Port by 4 goals and $ tries (14 points) to nil. Immedi-, ately after the ball was kicked off Foster obtained a mark near. the centre flag, and Restieaux took the kick and placed a splendid goal. Shortly afterwards Downes potted three goals. In the second spell the Port played- much better, and the chief feature of the game was the splendid' passing of O. Crawford at half back and the kicking of Downes into touch. 'The tries were obtained by C. 'Restieaux and Dixon, but were not improved upon. For the Alhambra, Crawford, Downes, and W. Ross (backs), and Strong, Haig, and Wellington (forwards) were the best. Crawford, Bauohop, and Julian' (baoks), and Crawford and Stew?i * (forwards) did ,the most work 'for the Port. A match Monti'ci'.l' Second v. University Second was played on 'he former's ground,' and resulted in a win ( for the Montecillo by ; five points to nil. .For the victors, Watson. Beck, , and Austin secured tries, and from one of these Watson placed a goal. Twiname, Davidson; and C. Patton, of, the forwards, and ■ Austin and Watson' (more especially the latter) of the; backs did best fqr.J-he winners, while Fee, Butement, Montgomery, Stephens, and Dermer were the best of the University, team. The following are the fixtures for next Saturday :— . At Moaglel— Dunedin v. Taieri ' ' " J ' Oval— Zingari-Bichmondv. High School Tahuna Park— Pacific v. University, ' ' ■ {Jarfpbrook— Pirates v. Kaikorai ' t , Montecillo— Union v, Montecillo ' ' ' l ' „ Roslyn— United v, Oaversljam Caledonian Groun4— Dunedin .Second v. , Taieri Second " ":,''",•, „ . Musselburgh— Zingari-Jlichmonfl Second v. Pacific Second ! ' ' ' ' '"• ' " : Fort- Chalmers— University Second v.'PortOhal. mers . ■ • , Kaikorai— Pirates Second y. Kaikorai Second Union Ground — Montecillo Second v. Union Second' •-'.... R slyn— Unlt-d Secdnd v. White Star Second Caledonian Ground— DunedinThirdv. Caversham Second '• ' , ''",''. Opoho — Alhambra Second v. Gordon ' * , Asylum— High School Second v. White Star. * The following are the ' fixtures' for Jubilee Day:— , . > Caledonian Ground— Dunedin v. Oamaru Union Ground— Pirates v. Union ' ' Asylum Ground — Montecillo v. High School ■ ' 1 Opoho^-Univeraifcy v. Alhambra , . : Caledonian Ground— Montecillo Third v. Dunedin Third:" >- '.«.,'<! m» -_, % . ,