montecillo v. Zingarl-Richmond.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 26

montecillo v. Zingarl-Richmond.

This match was played on the Oval, and resulted in a drawn game, one .try each being scored. The ground is of full length, but is only 60yds wide, and in addition to this it was ankle-deep in mud ; these two causes combined completely nullified the efforts . of ' the fast Montecillo backs. Punctually at 3 o'clock Shepard kicked off, playing with 'the sjin in hjs face, After some good kicking 'between the

backs, % scrum was /formed near the centre. A godddribble'by'lsaacs and Noel was replied to by a combined , rash of the Colours' forwards, but the passing and kicking of the Colours' backs not being successful, the ball appeared within a few yards of their posts, only to be sent down the field by a rattling kick by Esquilant. ' Shepard came to the fore with a good dribble, and a scrum was .formed near the half-way flag. , Best and Esquilant took the ball out of danger, but all to no purpose, for the Bed forwards, with an irresistible rush, brought the' leather back to' its old quarters. Brodrick, however, was about, and punted well down the field ; Aifcken replied, and from the throw out the Mbntecillo forwards took charge of affairs, only to be stopped by a small boy. After some desultory play, of which the ZingariRichmond forwards had all the best, owing to their qufck packing 1 and fast following up, Noel got a mark, Aifckeii took the kick, but was unsuccessful, and Deaker, by grand kicking, relieved his 'side,* and. put ,the Montecillo on the defensive, and shortly afterwards they forced down, it being only owing to Aitken's pane that a score, was .prevented. Half-time was called ( shortly afterwards, and the ZingariRichmond supporters, who were present in large numbers, were jubilant over the grand form displayed by their boys. .

Simpson returned Treseder's kick at the beginning of the second spell, and 10 minutes give-and-take play took place, of which the Montecillo' had somewhat the better, but the kicking of the Colours' backs nullified all the efforts of the Reds' forwards. A long succession of forward rushes now ensued, and the ball appeared in the Mont'ecillo's quarters, but Aitken and Noel by fast following prevented the ZingariRichmond backs making use of their kicking powers, but shortly after Treseder got in. No goal resulted, but the Montecillo were now on their mettle, and rush after rush of, their forwards were unanswered by the Colours, and the ball was carried over the line, where Noel and Rallingshaw had a maul in goal, in which the latter was the victor. The ball was then taken up the field by Treseder and Rallingshaw, assisted by their three-quarters, only to be .returned, and Simpson got a mark. Watson was entrusted with the kick, but was unequal to the occasion. After this the spectators rushed the ground, and play was suspended for , about 10 minutes, time, however, being allowed by the referee. Just oh the call of time the Montecillo again rushed the ball over the line, and Dallas scored, Noel lying on top of him. The kick was unsuccesful, and the game thus ended as stated above. Of the Ziugari-Rich-mond forwards Treseder, Rallingshaw, and Wales were the pick, while all their backs were good, and it would be invidious to select any for especial praise. "Of the Montecillo forwards Beok, Isaacs, Shepard, and Dallas showed up well ; while their backs, with the exception of Noel and Watson, were not up to form.

The game was fairly fast, but rough ; the Zingari-Bichmond working like Trojans to win, and the Montecillo for the same purpose in order to maintain their position as premier for the present season. The condition of the ground was altogether against good play, bufc all the same it was as good a game as has been witnessed this season, the only objectionable feature being the crowd.