FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 953, 25 April 1889, Page 27

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FOEWAED. New Zealand footballers are to the fore in Sydney,. There are now two New Zealand dabs. The Zealandia, a recently-formed club, bids fair to give a good account of itself. New, Zealariders in Sydney stick to each other through thick and thin;

Jack Lindsay, who was one of the best for-, wards Otago ever 'had, passed through Sydney j the other day en route to, Queensland, where he , intends seeking his fortune anew. Jack is one' of the victims of the Melbourne land boom. He ; made many thousands there when things were , at their best, but he did not know when to stop, ' and the fortune he had make and all his earnings , melted away at last. Jack, however, has still plenty of " go " and is bound to succeed. Kennedy, an old D.F.O. man, is in Sydney in the insurance line.

The New Zealanders in Melbourne have now a Tary good club, though thsy have lost some of last year's combination, which was a very strong one* » The Maoris are expected in Sydney shortly. They play several matches there. Scotland beat England at the Association game the other day. Owing to the international dispute ' there is no Rugby match between the two nations.

A well-known New South/ Wales Rugby player, Mr T. Fligg, died in' the Newcastle Hospital on the 31st ultimo from typhoid fever.

Blackheath beat Oxford by three goals and a try to a goal and a try. A recent number of the Athletic News contains a pprtrajt of Mr Scott, the manager of the Maori team. > An interesting game of football was arranged by Mr F. fl. Campbell at Moeraki on Monday between a team of Dunedinites and Maoris. The game, which was played in two 20-minute spells, was evenly contested, and resulted in a win for the Dunedinites by two goals and a try to a try. The following played well for their respective 8 -,cles :— Christopher, T. Lynch (Duhedin), Walker (Union), Aitken (Pirates), F. H. Campbell, Burt (2) (High School), Candlish, Dawson, • and Laurie. For the Maoris— Urui (ex-Christ College), Roberts, Antonio, Perete, Jack, Richmond, Saggi, Joe Tipe, Aru Pehu, and Mason. A Napier telegram states that the Wellington Athletic Club played the Harriers Football Club on Monday on the recreation ground in the presence of a good number of spectators. The visitors had the best of the game all through, chiefly owing to the local players not knowing or ignoring the new rules, the score standing at the call of time-? Athletics, 8 points ; Harriers, 1 point. ' ' A Christchurch. telegram states that the football match between Christchurch and Wellington Clubs resulted in a victory for Ohristchurch. j by two rtries to one.' Bast Christchurch boat I Waihi Clnb by a goal and, two tries to one goal. Nelson on Friday had visits from football teams from Wellington, Wanganui, ai>d Marlborough. ]fa the matctji, played between $he Wellington Ponekes ana Nelson Alberts the former won by a" goal, from a free kiok, to one try. The football match Rivals (Wellington) againtt ateam put forward by the Marlborough union was played at Blenheim on Friday, and resulted in s draw; each side scoring twq tries. The game was a pretty even one. ' Owing to several qf the team either being disabled or unable tq get the neoessary leave, the Foneke football team haye abandoned the Southern" portion of their trip. The arrangements so, far. as Nelson, Napier, and Auckland are concerned wi}l be adhered ifp. The. Port Gha,lme« Club played a scratch matchon Saturday, aides l^eing pipked by Captain (red and black) and Deputy (blue). The Blues playing with the wind in the first, spell made things very warm for the opposing baoks, but the good play of Finnegan, Platts, and Irviae saved their side on various occasions. Btrachan taking the ball from theline scored a try for the Blues, which Holdey converted into a goal. In the second spell the Reds had matters pretty well their own way,' Finnegan making a good run from about the twenty-five flag and , grounding the ball over the line. His attempt at goal, however, was a failure. From some good passing, Wilson got the ball and potted a goal for the Reds. The Blues then rushed the ball repeatedly np to the Reds' line, Rogerhouse (a visibQr from Wellington) assisting with some fine runs, when their efforts were rewarded by Strachan potting a goal. Some give and take play ensued about the centre fliag, and Pickard passing to Platts, that player carried the ball up the Blues' goal line, where he passed to Pickard, who gained a try which was not improved on. Morgan soon after got a. mark fyr the Reds, and Finnegan kipked> goal from it. Beiidea those already mepioned, Fairleyi Leonard, Davidson, Ritchie, Taylor",, «id Baubho'p played up well for their respective sides.

iHERIVALE t. OAMARU. The North Otago Times give the following description of this event:-- The above match was pfayed on !the North road cricket ground , on Thursday, afternoon, and resulted in a conclusive win for the Ohristchurch team. Lowry captained the visitors, and Meek the local men. Merivale won the toss,' and chose the, north end of the field, being slightly favoured by a strongish north-west wind, and Oamaru kicked on at 1 a few minutes past 4. After some loose play the Blue forwards made a good rush towards the Yellows' goal, but were well stopped by Ross. Scrummaging followed,' and a freekiok was claimed b'y'Merivale for off-side play. Ross returned badly, perhaps owing to the wiud, and loose play in the centre of the field resulted. A Blue man emerged at a good pace, but was coUWd 6y : Meek, who, however, could not spoil the pafcs, and' kick was taken which fell into the hitndtf of 'an Oamaru back. His return was smothered' by the fine fast play of the pine forwards. Sijmbter getting the ballattempted to kick into touch, but failed, getting 1 the ball returoeo! arid Mk aftempfcd a run, being quickly held. By commne'd play the Qamaru forwards worked the baft eld^n tdthe front of Merivale's goal, but' Surmatt relieved, h& side by a fine run, paly to be held by Thomas; who gained the ball and kicked into' touch. Gifford, who played a fine game ail through, got away wjth' a good dribble/ and Lane, Henderson, Ferens, and others gained a lot of ground. From a soruin, the ball came through to Ross, who muffed it badly, and the Oaraaru line was in danger. A pot by one of the Blues was well foiled, but J. Homer getting the ball ran in and touohed down. A neat goal was kicked from the try. Score, three points'tontf. Ferens kicked off for Oamaru, and hard forward play was the order. Lowry obtained a mark, and kicked high, but fikenfell returned before the forwards^ could reach him. The ball fell into the hands of one of the Merivale baoks, from whose kick Oamanjpb.tained amark. We should like to have seen atry at gda^asthedistaucewasnot too gteaj, but a djrop was taken, and again scrums f ollowea slightly in favour of the visitors. Oamaru got the ball and passed across to Cork, bat the fast vwwp of (ha CbwtQhurch team gave him

no 1 chance to rnn, and ihe ball neared O.amara 8 goal line once more. G. Homer got .awa'fy but was stopped by Grenfell, and after a little, give and take play the ball went into touch by the centre flag. Evans got away from the throw in and nearly scored. ■ A scrum followed in Oamaru goal line, but a breach of rules gave the Yellows a free kick, and once more play was carried l to, the centre. ■ Oamaru forwards playing better began to carry the scrums, but the Blue backs almost invariably got away with, the ball in return. Hiddlestone ran in and scored the second try for Merivale amidst. a little .disputing, .some claim being 'disallowed. No goal .followed.. Score, 1 four, points to 'nil.', Scrutns f^UoWjed Thomas' kiok into touch. ' Sumpter' showed up with a good dribble. The ball came out on the Blue side, but was lor' once badly muffed by the Merivale backs, and Grenfell and; Meek did good service I'by1 'by smart following, 1 up. Lowry gained a mark from ' a knock on and as usual kicked high, but Meek marked the ball and kicked into touch. From the throw in Gifford took the ball, and passed to Cork when pressed, gaining a few yards. , Scrams followed,* G. Homer got the ball again, and passed several men, being well neld by Ross. Baker, Lane, and Other forwards rushed hard, but the quickness of their opponents' backs spoilt all their efforts. From a throw in Moule took the ball and passed to Sumpter, who gained a lot of ground by a pretty dodging run, and kicked into touch. An interchange of kipks by the 1 backs followed, and hard Bcrums rather in favour of the visitors until half time.

The Blues kicked off, and Thomas returned. Evans came through the scrum in grand style, but; the Oamaru backs sent the ball back again. The local forwards playing well together continually; rushed the ball down the ground only to have it taken back by the faster baoks of the visitors. From a scrum near the centre the Blues passed right aoross the field to Surman, who simply ran round i the Oamaru backs and gained the third try for Merivale. Lowry placed the ball for Evans, S who kicked a good goal Scores : even points to ' nil. Meek followed up his kick off, and collared the , Blue back about 15 yards from his goal line, and i Oamaru looked dangerous. Their passing, howi ever, was all foiled by the Blue men, and the | ball came up towards the Oamaru line again. The local backs here, crowded up unaccountably \ towards the scrum, and Ldwry had an easy run • in. Richards took the try, but 'did nob increase the score. Score, eight points to nil. Thomas, !who had hitherto played in a very easy-going < fashion, showed up with a little running and {kicking, From a throw in the Yellows rushed I the ball right up to the Blue goal, but were' j quite outpaced, and failed to gain the try. Again the ball worked back, and Surman, with la splendid run, carried it almost to the ■ Oamaru iline, but was collared by Thomas in good style. 'Again the Blue goal was menaced, and A.Grenifell took a smart pot from the midst of a loose' ■scrum, but the ball struck the post. Twice subsequently Oamaru had a chance to score— (once from a free kick and once from a mark, but iboth^kicks missed the goal by a few feet. The iplay was of a give-and-take nature for the rest of !the game, the bail working from one end of the iground to the other very quickly. By good following up a Blue got in,' but no goal resulted. When time was called the score stood—Merivale, nine points;- 1 Oamaru ? nil. The usual cheers were given, and the team drove into i itown. . Regarding the play generally, the forwards on b,oth sides played excellently, but as to the backs ( the visitors completely out-paced Oamaru. For 'Merivale, Evans, Lowry, the Homers, and Barman played best ; and for Oamaru Meek played a grand game ; Giflord, 1 Baker, and Lane did •yeoman's service. Qf the backs we can hardly Bpeak as we CQuld wish. They qften returned the ball into their enemies'' hands instead of touoh, and often stumbled. ''

EAIKORAI V. OAMARU ATHLETICS.

" The above match, which had been looked forj ward to with considerable interest by Athletic players and supporters, came off on the North road ground, Oamaru, on.GoodFrjday, in the jresence of an unusually large number of spec;atbrs, and resulted in a win for the visitors by ! 6ur points to nil. The MaU gives the followng description of the play :— " Torrance led the Kaikorai, and Waddell captained the local team. The latter, winning the toss, kicked off from the north end, with a slight wind. From the outset the Kaikorai backs showed their superiority, ,and it was only the hard, determined play of the Athletic forwards (most prominent among whom were Waddell, Avery, and White) that prevented them from scoring in the krst spell. The visitors started the second spell with great determination, and soon had the local blub in difficulties.' Davie/af.ter a fine run, grounded the' ball over the line close to the corner flag, no. goal resulting. The, local forwards rushed it.to their opponents' tw ; enty-five, but the relief was only temporary, as sqon after tllaffey, who had been kicking splendidly, had the ball' flying uncomfortably close to the goal on several occasions. After a> fine piece of passing Davie,again treated thesjjectatprs to agrand £un, ana 'eluding the, opposing hacks one after the other grounded tlje ball over the Jine olose to the goal. Thomson registered, the major point. Nothing of, further moment occurred after this, the game, resulting as above stated in a win for the visitors.,, Aft the backs,, and amongst the forwards Millar, A. Dunwm, and Armit showed up prominently, while for the, Athletics, Johnston and M'OuUoqh were the best of the backs, and Grant, Waddell, .White, and Avery did most work in,, the forward division. Mr M'Donald acted as referee, and Messrs Wedderspoon and Burns umpires."

MERIVALB v. PIRATES.

The First Fifteen of the Merivale Club, about as strong a club as there is in Canterbury, met the Pirates First team on the Carisbrook ground on Saturday. • A' closely congested game was looked forward to, for although the visitors had six or seven exiinterprovincial players' in their team, it was thought that the Pirates,havinggot the best men of'the'Caversbam Club into their ranks, would be considerably stronger than they were last season. " Judged, however, by Saturday's performance, it is doubtful if the Pirates are as good as they were last season: certainly they are no better, and very considerable improvements, will have' to he made in the style of play if % leading posiiiph is to' be taken amongst the local c,lubs this'year-rthis by the ( way. The weather was first-qlaes for football, and some five or si? hundred spectators watched the game, The teams were placed as follows ;r~ Mkbivalb (Blue and White) t Fullback, White; three-quarter baoks— G Homer, Richards, Snrman; half baoks— A Mooritfort, F Homer; forwards-J Homer, Ohilds, Kyans, Dewsbury, Lowry (captain), Bennett, M'Guire, Plank, Hiddlestone, „ „ Pnu-rEs' (Blaok): Full back, Williamß? threequarter backs-r-M'Donald, Lang. Jefferson; half backs— Farquharson, Cantrell; forwards— Drabble (captain), A W Morris, Crosby Morris, Charles Morris, Kirkoaldy, 3ta,bles, Milne, M'Beath, M'Laren.' - . • - Messrs ' Marchbanfes and Garrard vjmpjred for the Pirates and Merivale respectively; and Mr W Wynko was referee. ' „- rf.; !;t .. , <" ' ' ' . PJay^eganpttoctti^iyatS^apdinafewmrautes the Colours hafrcwriedithe/frall into the Blacktf; 25. A. W. Morris, Milne, and Stables were to the fore, however, and getting ou a good dribble

n**. — r — ?; — -■ — . , „. '.j , j,: ; , — „i '•[',:«'. took the ball to the halfway flag, where it stayed but. a short time, the combination^ the' Colours in loose serum 1 : work more than balancing the excellent but individual efforts of one- or two of the Blacks in dribbling. From near, the twentyfive flag Lowry, who fed' his three-quarters most cnselfishly — and sometimes ■ unwisely — all through the game, passed out to Richards who was" over the line close to the post in a twinkling. The' try at goal was unsuccessful, the ball striking the post. After, the kick out 1 G, Homer, the. Colours' right wing < three-quarter ■ back,, 'gave' some trouble, but cocildjriotget past M'Donald,* whose excellent all-round' play at three-quarters was the one redeeming feature of the other-: wise poor exhibition »f' the Black's n back: division.^ Surman, pn the other wing, was more; successful^ and, although" well, watched, at last ! got away, ran well down the' field, arid when in. difficulties wisely transferred' to Evans," who, travelling on at full speed, wound up by dropping a capital goa.l, t a feat not often accomplished by A forward, but a clever bit of play nevertheless, and loudly cheered! The ball was soon -kicked off again, and the Blacks, rallying, for a few minutes, made things lively for. the' Colours, From a loose scrum Crosby .' Morris got away, and the ball was taken to the Colours' ; goal line, where, the full back tried on the old game of lying on the" ball,' only to find bis ! side' penalised in a free kick, which M'Donald \ by a splendid attempt turned into a' goal. Except that the Blaoks were forced down by a brilliant forward rush of the Colours, nothing further of any moment happened in the first spell, the score at half time! being: Pirates, 3; Merivale, 4 points. For the first 10 or 20 minutes of the second spell the Blacks' forwards played with some. show of combination, kept the ball in I and about the Colours' twenty-five, a^d. on one occasion had hard luck in , not scoring from a throw out of touch.' Thereafter they seemed quite unable to cope with their opponents, who, playing with fresh vigour, 1 got the ball' into the Blacks' territory and kept it there I . ' The passing of the Colours, which was good throughput the ,game, was particularly so in this spell, and from a clever pass from Lowry Surman again got the .ball, and running from his own twentyfive the whole length of the ground easily eluded the Pirates' full back and scored close to the posts. Loud cheering greeted this, very brilliant run, which was renewed when he placed.a good goal. Thence till call of time the Blacks had a bad time of it, and despite their utmost efforts could not get the ball' past the half-way

efforts could not get the ball' pas ..e au-way flag. From a mark got by Surinan Evans 1 placed another goal, and the game shortly afterended in a complete victory for Merivale by 10 points to 3. The winners although a trifle weak in drop kicking were superior to their opponents

in every department of the game, more 1 espeoj* ally in passing and running. Both. , backs and forwards, played with good judgment and passed freely to, each other. ., Surman, , a ,very strong runner whose abilities in this respect were made the most of, GK Homer, and Mountfort (backs), find Evans, Dewsbury, Hiddlestope, flank, and' Lowry (forwards) were about' th^e best of the; ,team. J. Homer has too grea.k' a tendency to hang about the scrum o# .tilde, even to be' a [thoroughly effective forward. On the losers 1 dide" •A. W. Morris, Milne; Orosby Morris; andrStables* (forwards) and M'Donald (back) were the 1 niostf ■noticeable for good play, but forwards and halves completely ignored their three-quarters, and seemed topreferp.layinga "lone-hand" to relying on each, other. ■ Bjar M'-Donald, .the, three-; quarters did not .show brilliant) play when they did Bet the ball : but had Lang or M'D.onald been

given a show when the ball ■was in ihe 'Colours , quarters, the spore might; have been more even. .Williams has been, seen to mrtch be'fctei' advantage than on Saturday, when his play was of a very feebje description.' The officials had a 'good deal to do, as infringements were frequent on both sides, but in every instance the decisions were accepted with good grace. The cbhduot of certain of those pests of the football (fields f barrackers," merits , the [severest censure, (Several of that fraternity— who by $heir remarks proclaimed that they came from pflyersham—made a dead set against one, of the Pirates' half backs, and one youth' was particularly offensive both by the loudness and profanity of his remarks. In the interests* of the respectable patrons of the game, it is to be hoped that the ground authorities will take slseps to have such offenders pat outside the fence on future occasions. • ..-'' FOBWAED.

MERIVALE v. ZINGARI-RICHMOND.

These teams tried conclusions on the Caledonian ground, om Monday afternobn, -In the presence of a large and' enthusiastic crowd' of spectators, . The Merivale team was the same that played, against the Pirates on Saturday, except that the, place of Bennet (forward), was taken by Leech. , v - , r . ,; • . t t • ,

The Zingari-Richmond. team (Yellows) was, as follows :— Full -back— Best ; threer^uarter backs — Wiutrop, Deaker, .iM'Earlane j; half backs—Proctor ', Brodriok^ } "•' forwards— flo'neyma'n; Pollock, f Walsh, RaUingshaw, Edwards, Soott,Pete?Beri, Waters, Hoare., r( '„;', I Bir Garrard umpired for Merivaje, Mr J. Marohbanks for Zingari-Richmond, and Mr R. Martin was referee. /,"', „ ■ , '..;,,,,. Merival'eVhavingwon/t^'^ss^iibpk^dvanJtage of the gale that was blowing',' and Edwards j kicked off for the Zingari-,Richmondi A, long i kiok by Riohardß sen^ the"; Sal} to Deaker, who mulled the return, 'and ttie Yellow's were at once] put on the defensive.' Rain now 1 began to fall very ,heavilyj and thw, together with; the wind, made' things • very nncotnfort-' able, both , for players and spectators. It .is very bad ,;weather though 't that wilVstop a game of, football, and this m&tcb, was np. .] exception , to the , rule., , Getting ■ the -halljatp - j their opponents' territory, Merivale began, to <! practise the tactics that had. proved so" success-^ fql on Saturday, but . although the passing waa neat and ' clean, , the Yellows' backs were wide awake, .and several times ciit'-dff passes to 'Surmari and Hbrher. The Yellows could not get the ball' v flfway, and agQO^'j rush of Merivale* forwards^ in which tHewsbUf jr, M Evans, and' Lowry were conspicuous, took the ball across the line, f fojps whioh place the Yellows - were cleanly in doubt -as .tp. their right to kick the ball ou,t of bpunds,- and ..thus Lowry was enabled to spore. -The try at goal wasirqitlees,; and following,;^, the, kick out the. "Yellows j headed by Hoar'e, Walsh, and, Brodrick got on, a^ gra.n'd rush, and carried the' ball to the Merivale twenty-five. Merivale replied 1 in equally good '_ style, and but for a pass forward Horner'should have scored, the Yellows, however, being forced, down just afterwards. Merivale got a free^kioki and | through some fumbling amongst* -the' opposing hacks came away with an irresistible rush, whioh was checked a 'few 'feet, from 'the' goal line by, .! Best, l in. very pluokjf'atyty and the Yellows. packing well by good, scrum • work took the, ball to neutral territory. Batman, who had been very .weft watohed, at last got, fairly 'away, r a^d ; a,midst,,loud, cheers, made a, ratping^rnn down the touch line. ; jßest^iickled in good style, bnt too olose. to the goaUine ? and floored his man; Sjnrioan,' Kdiyever.lallitlg o've't' his 'tacMerlW scomg. ja Npth% r^J(»mß of M try; and after a ! good de*l ! 6f baling '&sss: . : Awehty/.five/th«YeUowi6rwaS^aft^ y g^cawa^ with Rallingshaw, Walsh, Waterl, tod.Seotiin the van, and amidst greatapplinid took the ba^

right over; the Merivale 'line, 1 where Surman dashed in just in time to ' save /a> score. "The , Yellows' quarters were in turn invaded, mainly by the efforts of Lowry, M'Guire, and Surman; but the persistent effortsof the Yellowrf or wards' were at last' rewarded' by Honeyman scoring. Deaker made a good attempt to put the ball over the bar, but without avail, and half-time was ' called with the score— Merivale, 2 points; Zu> gari-Riohmond, 1 point.' "•''*— ' , ' ' 4 Although the wind had fallen considerably; when the second 'spell began, most people were iof opinion that, in view of the good stand made by the Yellows so far, -the call of time would leave them victors. • As ,is often /the case, /the , severe work done against, the wind in] the first 'spell told it's tale, and thejptyy^of the Yellows' in the second spell did not seem quitje , as vigor-; ous&sit had been. For a few minutes after' the kick off Merivale looked, dangerous, but by another fine dribbling rrish the Yellows' cleared their lines ' and looked like' 'scoring, when Homer chose to lie on the balh The Yellows got a free kick, and Deaker' put the ball, over^he bar, but; much to the surprise of the Yellows and their supporters the goal was disallowed, the,. ball having touched' Horner < in transitu. After a good deal of warm play in and about their , twenty -five, Merivale were .forced twice in succession, only t the over anxiety of the Yellows and the smartness of Homer and White preventing a score. Merivale evidently did not like this, and buckling to in godd earnest took the' ball down the field, and J. 1 Homer got over theline. Sarman took the kick; and placed a good goal. After the kick off the Yellows got a free kick for off-side play by 1 J. Homer, and White by smart play got his side out pf trouble. A 'bad piece of play by, G. Homer put the ball into ' Wintrop's, hands, who dropped a fins goal. The play was of a give and take nature for some j time after this, and then M'Guire, who. plays a good honest game, got away, and; after a fine i run passed to Surman, who in turn passed, to Lowry, and J |>he' last'named" scored. This was about' the mosi brilliant piece of play during the afternoon,, and' 'Was loudly" cheered,' although doubts were expressed as to Lowry having taken the ball while in touch. The try' at goal was not successful ; and although the Yellows made j desperate efforts to equalise matters',' time was called leaving' Merivale' victors by six to four. " Experientia does, it," and did it on this The wet weather doubtless interfered to some extent with the play of the ' visitors, whose strong points , undoubtedly lie in', passing and running, but the Zingari-Richmond are nevertheless to be congratulated on the excellent stand' they made against the powerful combination opposed to them. In fact, had the local men been a little better up in the rules and not quite so green on certain ocbasions -the /result of the game might * have been different. . For the visitors, Surman) White, Richards, Q-. Homer, and Lowry (who J played half) did excellent work behind the 'scrum. White in particular gajined great praise byhi.B safe plajr as jjaJJ backj , , Amongst the, forr, i wards, M'Guire', Evans, Hiddlestone, Dews,b,ur,y, laad'Plkflk were' 'always on the ball; Anjanj'st 'the. local men, Best, MfFarlane, Wjintjop^and j Proctor (b s aißkß), atid'Rallirigshaw, Water's^ Scott, Honeymafl,and' Edwards did yeoman's service. ; Hoare showed up'at first, hut seemingly was out of form in tbe second spell. 'The game, like that ( on Saturday,; was free 1 from all squabbling, the 'only drawback being the frequent infringements :of both sides. The gate was about £23. <• j " I , Forward,