Union y. Kaikorai.

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

Union y. Kaikorai.

The weather on Saturday was all that could I be desired for football, and accordingly a large [ number of spectators were attracted" to the I Union ground to witness the struggle between the above clubs: .The game, which was expected to be vtry close, proved one of the most stubbornly contested of the season, and at times it was found almost impossible to keep the excifced supporters from crowding on to the field of play. The ground was in splendid order, and must have been a treat'to players after the wet grounds they have been accustomed to of late. Sides were captained by Hunter (Union) and Douglas (Kaikorai). Mesßrs Wyinks and Farley umpired, wiihMr Morrison as referee. Douglas having won the Iboss elected to defend the northern goal, Hunger kicking off. From the kick-off'the ball was well returned into touch ii\ the'Unibn twenty-five by Miller, whence a^fcar a lot of scrummaging it was shifted to t&o hal&« flag. Some capital-'puriting between the backs and fast' dribbling amongst the forwards then ensued,' until .Croxford by 'a smart kick sent the- ball • into'i touch in the Kaikorai quarters. , $opd passing amongst * 'the Kaikorai' backs ,gave 'Keogh *a chance,' and by a splendid/ run, amidst tremendous cheering, he carried the ball 'to .Union quarters', where he w^s brought to earth by Eraser. The Union men haa their work cdfc out to Keep their heavier opponents from scoring. -Miller haying the ball passed tb him from the line out; had an easy'sh'tft at goal,* but the ball went wide. . The Union for-

wards .now warmed up, and, by some, capital rushes, assisted- by Hunter's punting, invaded the Kaikorai territory.., Henderson crossed the line, but losing hold of the ball the Kaikorai full back was on it in an instant and saved a score. The Kaikorai forwards shifted the scene of play to the Union twenty-five, where Miller, getting hold of the ball, made a desperate effort to score, bufc his progress was . retarded, by, ; Grieve. Through short passing on the part of the Kaikori backs. Bee got hold of the leather, and by kicking well np the field into, touch, cleared the Union lines. - Half-time was now called, and the teams reversed their positions. During the second spell the play was much faster, and the Union forwards by playing , looser pressed their opponents hard on several occasions, but the fine' defence of- the Kaikorai backs prevented them from scoring. Douglas set the ball rolling for the second ■ spell, and it being, well returned, play was centred in the Eaikorai's twenty 'five, where it remained for some time. The Eaikorai's forwards, by packing well, forced the play to the Union quarters, but Fraser here changed the state of affairs' by a fine, kick to his opponents' twenty-five. The remainder of the spell was very evenly contested, until the Union "forwards, by' some splendid dribbling,' menaced the Kaikorai lines, and were again within an ace of scoring^ The Kaikorai forwards rallied, and carrying the scrum, cleared their lines for a while, and eventually shifted the play to neutral territory. Time was called shortly after, the game thus ending in a draw, neither side snoring. Both teams played a rattling game from start to finish, and it would be invidious to single out any player. -The kicking and running of the backs were especially good, and on several occasions brought forth loud applause from the spectators.

United t. Port Chalmers. This match resulted in a win for the United by two goals (6 points to nil). M'Naught winning' the toss, elected to defend the southern goal." Crawford for Port Chalmers kicked off. The ball being well returned, play centred in the Port's twenty-five, where it remained for the greater part of the first spell. Towards the end of the first spell R. M'Naught, getting the ball from the line out, passed to Laurenson, and that player dropped a splendid goal. In this spell the Port team were compelled to force down four times. In the second spell for a time matters were, more even. The Port forwards playing hard aud well together, kept tup* leather about the centre,. but the United forwards' fast loose play soon had the ball in the Port's twenty-five, where it remained for a long time. Julian here relieved his side by getting hold of the leather and running from his own twenty-five to the centre flag, where he was collared by R. Millar. A splendid rush of the United forwards carried the ball .to within a few yard of the. Port's goal, and J. Power by good following up obtained a try, from which J. Clothier placed a goal. The Port team were again forced down four times in this spell, making eight in all. The United team were forced down once. For the Port, Julian, Pinnegan, and Bauchop (backs), Crawford, Stewart, Leonard* and Fairley (forwards), and for the winning team, C. Holland, Duncan, and R. Millar (backs),, M'Lauchlan, Fountain, Harlow, and Power (forwards) played well.