SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Trial Match.

Otago Witness, 31 August 1888, Page 26

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Trial Match.

Notwithstanding the very unfavourable weather on Satucday afternoon, the trial match arranged by the O.R.F.U. was not allowed to lapse, and it speaks volumes for the enthusiasm of footballers that, out of the 32 players chosen, only four — Baker,Downes, Claffey, and Millar — failed to put in' an appearance. The match was played at Carisbrook, and although at 3 o'clock the players were ready and anxious to begin, yet even then it was doubtful whether the game could come off, as the rain fell in torrents sufficient to damp the ardour of the most enthusiastic. However, the rain did cease, and the football at once began. Williams, M'Donald, Duncan, and Tatersall took the places of the absentees, and Morrison set the ball a-rolling. The game does not call for a detailed description, as the usual tactics of hard kicking and smart following up were adopted by both sides, and a good deal of fast play ensued, the forwards getting any amount to do. Matters were tolerably even for a while, but as the game progressed the Blue forwards began to show their superiority, and just before half-time a neat bit of play between Gibson, Anderson, and .Hunter enabled the last-named to score. Montgomery took the place, and kicked a good goal. The play in the second spell was, if anything, faster and more open than in the first, the Blues again showing their superiority, and adding two tries (got by Anderson and Torrauce) to the score. One of the best runs of the game was made by Scotf during this spell, and had he been well backed up the Colours should have scored. The backs on both sides were well tested in stopping rushes, and Williams, Beadle, and Brodrick were particularly good in this respect. Elder distinguished himself by his very 'smart and cleanpicking up. The best of the forwards were Gibson, Anderson, Torrance, Morrison, and Hunter (Blues), and O'Gorman, Beck, J. Morris, Tattersall, Scott, and Isaacs (Colours).

Cavebsham v. Port Chalmers.

A mateh — Caversham v. Port Chalmers — was played at the Port on Saturday, and resulted in a win for 1 the Port team by one try to nothing. In the first spell Caversham were forced down more than once, and by a good piece of play on the part of Henderson and Bauchop the latter ran in and scored a try, but no goal resulted. The play was good on both sides, but though Caversham appeared more than once in their opponents' territory they had the worst of the spell. On changing ends, and with the wind at their backs, it was thought Caversham would more than equal the score, but the Port keeping the game tight held their own — dash after dash of Caversham.. being stopped by the Port men falling on the "ball. Theyapcparedin Caversham quarters through the play-ltf Leonard Platts and Crawford, and Finnegan took a poti shot. Bauchop followed up and secured the leather >

but the try was not allowed. Shortly afterwards time was called, with the Port as winners.

Wellington Matches.

A Wellington telegram states that 1 - in the championship matches Poneke beat the Rivals by 2 points to nil, and the Athletics beat the Melrose by 3 points (a potted goal) to 1 point. The cup now rests between the Athletics and Ponekes, each having won four matches. There is, however, some talk of the Ponekes claiming the cup as they have four wins and a draw, while the Athletics have four wins and a loss.