Nelson v. Otago. Nelson, August 19.

Otago Witness, Issue 1866, 26 August 1887, Page 26

Nelson v. Otago. Nelson, August 19.

The interproviucial football match Otago v. Nelson was played in Nelson this afternoon in lovely weather, the sky being cloudless and a gentle breeze blowing, but not sufficient to interfere with the play. Shortly before 3 o'clock tbe Otago men were driven to the ground and received with cheers by the local team and general public, ' who numbered some 2000. Simpson (Otago) and Jackson (Nelson) were chosen umpires, and Cook referee. The game was played in two spells of 45min each. Hunter won the toss and chose the western f.oal, leaving W'ther (Nelson captain) to kick off from the eastern end against the wind and sun in hiseyes. The main feature in the first spell was the fine play of tbe Nelson wings and forwards which was effectively replied to by the smart and well-directed punting of the Otago backs. Tho Otago forwards looked much the heavier and sturdier crew, but yet Nelson had the best of nine scrummages out of 10. They played looser and dribbled better than their opponents, and had a splendid lead in their wings. Otago played -without wings, and the half play, except that of Thomson, was almost completely cooked by the opposing wings and halves. Thomson, who was the^hining light behind the scrum, ran and punted grandly, but his long passes to Keogh were well" looked after by the Nelson three-quarters. Lipscombe kicked off high to Bee, who returned the ball to Nesbitt. The latter player failed to reply, and a scrum was formed on the Otago side of the centre flag. The ball must have bees blown high, for muQs and

.jumbles on both sides were notoriously common. Blue (Otago) made a rush into ' the enemies 1 25, and Ball fumbling the pick up, Crimson (Nelson) was at once on the defensive The Blues were soon in headlong retreat, for the full back' standing all too close to the scrum, muffed, and let Lipscombe, and Sherwood away with, a run. A firm punu from Miller, whs did some very good work in this way all through the epell, brought the game back to the centre! Blue renewed the charge, but' Crimson dribbled back until confronted by Keogh, who recovered ithe lost ground in dashing style. A fine punt down the field was terribly fumbled by Morton, and Crimson and Blue tushed Over the 'goal line together^ but no score resulted-. The kick 'out did not bring relief) and the struggle again raged in Crimson territory. The forwards, howeyer^ came to the rescue with oner of their rusbes> and "cleared both halves and three-quarters, amid loud cheers. The cheers were not repeated when Keogb. came again to the front with a fine run. Thompson was the only Blue back ih'al; was passing decently that of the others Was very poor indeed neither smart nor direct) and missed the chance for. the Crimson wings who dribbled away to the centre half. The spell was now over/and Crimson Was improving in wind. The Blues were getting nettled at teh onslaught on their half play, and repeatedly claimed an offside, sometimes very justly. Nesbitt had closed in on the scrum too much and failed to reach the punts of the Blue three-quarters,! the ball rolling into touch near the centre no alteration took place, the ball being sent from lone side of the field to the other, and when half time was called neither side had scored. '

In' the second spell Nelson had all the advantage, the Blues being on the defensive mostly all the time. They worked hard, but the Crimsons had the wind and sun in their favour, and took advantage of it. From a mark near the Blues' goal line, Withers (the Nelson captain) took a place kick for goal, the ball just falling under the bar. After the kick-out the Blues worked the ball up to the Crimsons' goal line, which was in danger for a short time, when it was returned to the centre, and after strenuous efforts the game ended with the ball in the centre of the field — the result being a draw.

The Otago team were entertained at a smoke concert this evening, and left for Auckland at 9 o'clock.