FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1906, 21 August 1890, Page 28

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FORWARD.

Strong teams have been chosen to represent the town in the matches to be played on Saturday against country players at Roxburgh and Palmerston. The back team for the former match is a particularly strong one, and, as will be seen, includes Keogh and Downes, who have been chosen for it instead of for the match at Palmerston, "by special and urgent request " of a number of country residents anxious to see them perform. With regard to the match with players of North Otago, some difficulty has been experienced by the Rugby Union, as the Oamaru people were very desirous that it should be played in the White City, and at a meeting of the O.R.F.U. Committee on Friday evening last a letter was read from the Oamaru Club stating that it was the wish of the Oamaru players that the Town and Country matoh should be played in Oamaru, and asking the committee to reconsider their decision that the match should be played at Palmerston. It was decided to reply tlat as Palmerston was the only centre that would suit all the clubs concerned, the committee could not accede to the request of the Oamaru clubs. It has been decided that a charity tournament, similar to that held last year, shall be organised for the 27th September, and Messrs Milne, Morrison, Home, Waters, and Chapman have been appointed a committee to make all arrangements. At the last meeting of tha Rugby Union Committee a request was preferred by the Kaikorai Club that the committee should publicly express their opinion as to whether Keogh's conduct in the last Union v. Kaikorai match was such as to warrant his being ordered off the field, or whether the referee committed an error of judgment in so ordering him off. After considerable discussion it was carried unanimously—" That, seeing that by law 45 the jurisdiction of the committee in this case ended with their refusal to take any further aotion, the committee, while regretting that Mr Keogh should have been the victim of what was evidently an error of judgment on the part of the referee, must respectfully decline to take any further action in the matter." I understand that correspondence is passing between the Union and Albambra Clubs with reference to another match between them to settle the premiership, but ifc may be taken for granted that no such match will eventuate. At the* last meeting of the O.RF.U. Committee, the President (Dr Coughtrey) stated that he had received a telegram from Mr James Allen suggesting that the committee should arrange a match between the Union and Alhambra Clubs, but he had not replied to the telegram pending an expression of opinion from the committee. It was unanimously resolved that the committee should not I entertain the proposal. It is stated that Oookroft, the well-known forward, is about to return to Dnnedin from Wellington. The split in the Wellington Rugby Union appears to be going from bad to worse { as the members of Jthe Poneke Club .haying, given up training?since the* disqualification of Gage, are not taking part in the trial matches, and there is, in consequence, a chance of Wellington being more weakly represented in the big matches this year than the province has been for a considerable time. In the first of the trial matches only 12 men could be musterei on one side and 13 on the other. The Roxburgh team has been on tour as far as Bannockburn, playing the olub there, and also meeting teams at the intermediate places of Clyde and Cromwell. The first match, was played at Clyde, where the local team, though a new club, Bhaped very well, giving, their visitors a good deal of trouble, Their forwards were exoellent, bat their baota were rather weak, The game resulted in Roxburgh winning by 6 points to nothing. On the following day the Cromwell matoh was played. Here the Roxburgh found two of their, best, men were unfit to play, and after the ball had been set in motion several others began to show the effeots of the travelling, so that they were not altogether surprised at being defeated, though they never looked for bo signal a beating as that of 8 points to nothing whioh was in flicted on them. The weather was delightfully fine, and on that aooount the attendance of sightseers was unusually large— indeed, the largest ever Been on the Cromwell ground. At Bannookburn the Roxburgh had a tough fight, but viotory 'rested with them , by 5 points to S. The trial matoh on Saturday produced one of the fastest and most open games seen in Dunedin for a long time, hardly a packed sorum ocourring during the whole afternoon, and the play must have confirmed every spectator in the opinion that this season Otago will have an exceptionally Btrong forward team, I do not hesitate to say, however, that after the best lot of forwards is picked another team of them could be chosen that would be almost equally strong, and I am sure that no one will envy the Match Committee their task of choosing the representative teams. Saturday's play was of a kind that specially suited Arthur Morris and Dunoan among the forwards, these players doing splendid service and playing into each other's bandß in rare style. Of the other forwards on the Blues' Bide Rallinshaw, Isaaos, H. Allan, and Anderson were the most conspicuous, but all did their fair share of the work. On the side of the Colours Beadle was very prominent, getting away on more then one occasion in ad» mirable style. Fitohett also played an exoellent game, and Forsyth and G. Allan showed fine form. R. Taiaroa dribbled well, but always managed to get on the wing of the sorum. Among the baoks Keogh and Cran were the most noticeable. The former played one of the finest games he has ever played in Dunedin, though he made one or two mistakes, andOran, who has latterly been improving very much, was in splendid form, pleasing everybody and astonishing many by his play. Stevenson was very useful as three-quarter back on the right wing for the Blues, but Elder was inconsistent, though he did many smart things, Lang did not play up to his true form, and neither did Croxford, while Olaffey did not do muoh beyond putting in some fine kioks and making one dashing run, On the Colours' side good form was shown by W. Thomson, who made several useful runs and also kicked well. Laurenson was not bo smart as usual, and Scott fumbled a lot in the first spell, but improved afterwards. H. Taiaroa did several good things in his own peouliar way at full back, and Atkinson, who assisted Oran at half baok, passed out unselfishly and oleverly, and Bpoiled the opposing players a good deal. Concerning the interprovinoial match between Auokland and Taranaki, the New Zealand Herald says: --"The play throughout was fast and lively, but Taranaki proved to be muoh inferior in combination and passing, and their forward rushes had not enough dribbling in them. Their worst points, however, and which may be said to have lost them the match, were the poor and blow picking up of the baoks, whose returns were far too often spoilt. With fast and Btrong runners there was hardly any passing and combined runH, the centre half not apparently being quick

enough to get the ball from the opposing forwards. The Auckland men all played up to their reputations, the backs seconding each other well, while the forwards excelled themselves in their rushes, dribbling more cleverly than they are accustomed to do, and non* plußsing their opponents' baoks by the number who took part in each charge. Of the Taranaki backß, A, Bayly did the best work, being constantly about the ball; while A. Good ran well, and Hempton shone in taokling. The halves worked hard, but were as a whole inferior to the three-quarters. The forwards do not screw cleverly in th« packs, and miss Setting the ball. Their line work is fair, bat ard kioking ib too muoh used in rushes. Sangater, W. Good, Major, and Lye were about the best, though Barford played hard till he got a knock on the forehead and retired. Of the local players, Elliott, Rees, and Braund were all excellent, playing to each other well, while Madigan and Stiohbury both did yeoman service, the latter having some responsible situations at timeß. Heffernan was perhaps the best forward all round, while Smith, H. Poland, and M'Kenzie ranked next, though the others all played well." Rough play has manifested itself in Sydney. Tho Mail says that in a match on the 2nd inst. between the Arfomas and the Rosedales, two of the players were temporarily " laid out," and one man distinguished himself by the freedom with whioh he banded round invitations to fight. Now, the paper continues, it is not many days ago since Mr M. Arnold stated at the dinner to the Queensland^, with a considerable amount of pride, the Rugby players were of a different olass from Association players ; and if the free übs of threatening language is allowed on the Rugby field, the difference will soon become apparent. No attempt to hush up what has transpired will be successful, and it will be far better for the committee to do its duty, and so put a stop to inoipient brawling. If this is not done the Rugby men will Boon have to adopt the Donnybrook Fair motto : " Wherever you see a head, hit it." The writer of football gossip in the Leader finds fault with one of the rules of the Victorian game-T-tbe celebrated or notorious one, providing a 2yds, minimum for a mark, whioh no umpire ever makes the sUghtest attempt to enforoe, but whioh is on the contrary broken scores of times in every matoh played. The writer mentioned says, :— " While our football magnates boast of the perfection to which the game has been brought they might refleot upon the way in whioh it is in this one respeot held up to ridioule every Satuiday. For years I have pointed out that this rule, as it evidently cannot be enforced, should be altered or eliminated. As it exists at present it is merely a miserable failure of an attempt to avoid a prominent feature of the Rugby Union game. Every time I see a player with the assistance of two hands and a foot pass the ball to a comrade, .frequently without daylight showing between the Tatter's hands and the leather, I ask myself why is this absurd 2yds bußinesa allowed to remain.an anomalous absurdity. If band, passing is Buoh an attractive feature of the game as Rugby players claim it to be, and if as a means of matcipg.the game fast it be necessary, in the interest of the almighty question of gate legalile it openly and honestly by all means, but for pity's sake let us no longer tolerate the humbug which frarces a distinct law for the punishment; pi passing and winks complacently at it being openly ignored and ridiculed in every match played under the Australian rules." I have to acknowledge the receipt of the first Annual issued by t.he West Coast Rugby Union. An introductory notice gives the ration d'etre of this latest addition to the liat of Rugby Unions of the colony so well and concisely that I extraot it almost in its entirety :— " For many years past— indeed, Binoe the first settlement of this part of the colony— football has been a favourite pastime. In the early days the beaoh was the only ground, but notwithstanding this drawbaok keen contests toek place. During the past few years, however, great strides were made, and many excellent clubs formed. This necessitated the establishment of a Rugby Union. For some years the necessity found but a vent in talk, and no aotual steps were taken until early in 1890, when a well-represented meeting was held at Greymouth lon May 24, when it was unanimously resolved to establish a West Coast Rugby Union, Ihe headquarters being fixed at Greymouth.. R-ules were drafted, , and the following officers appointed :— President, Mr J, Pc trie (Greymouth); vice-presidents, Messrs E. B, Dixon (Hokitika), H. Perkins (Reefton), 0. E. Harden (Westport); hon. sooretary, Mr E, A, Wiokeß (Greymouth) ; hon treasurer, Mr H. Bell (Brunnerton) ; committee—Messrs H. Hart (Cape Foulwind), J. Drake (Reeiffcon), E. B. Gibson (Hokitika), W. H. A. ,'Oraddook (Greymoutb), and T. Heslin (Brunnerton) ; selection committee, the General Committee. The joining clubß were :— Senior Cup : Brunner. Black Diamonds First Fifteen, Cape Foulwind First Fifteen, Greymouth First Fifteen, Hokitika First Fifteen, Reefton First Fifteen, and Weetport First Fifteen ; Junior Cup : Brunner Black Diamond Second Fifteen, Grey Olub Sacond Fifteen, Hokitika Second Fifteen, Reefton Second Fifteen, and White Star (Greymouth) First Fifteen." The first committee of the West Coast Union express the hope, in the concluding paragraph of this introductory notice, that at the end of the season they will be able to record a series of keenly contested matches, in which the necessary characteristics of " good pl»y"and "good temper" were evervwbere apparent, and that their first year in office has been one free from any disputes requiring their consideration and decision. The contents of the Annual are the bye- laws and Cup rules of the Union, a list of the affiliated clubs (with the names of the office-bearers), the laws of the game, regulations for the guidance of umpires, and the season's fixtures, I gather that the affiliated olubß represent a membership list of 388, and that the union is taking Bteps to attach itself to the parent organisation in England. lam sure that all tha footballers of Otago will join in wishing the West Coast Rugby Union all the success they deserve. In the list of office-bearers given in the Annual I may say that I rooogniaa the names of at least two or three past pupils of the Otago High School, and of a player who performed in the Canterbury representative teams four seasons ago. It is expeoted that a football tournament between Christ College, the Wanganui Collegiate School, and Wellington College will oommence at Wellington next week. The Wanganui Collegiate Sobool team is to play the Ohriat College representatives on the 28th. On the follawing day Wellington and Wanganui Colleges will meet, and it is probable that on the 30th a match will take place between Christ and Wellington Colleges. Nelson College was invited to take part in the tournament, but tbo reply was to the effect that a team would not be able to visit Wellington at the time. The match on Saturday between the Merivale and Alhambra Clubs at Christohuroh was, the Press says, ," throughout a fine exhibition of Rugby football, the combination of the visitors being exceptionally good, and might

well be emulated by oar local oluba, Their short and quiok paßaing, alike by forwards and backs, though at times on the fine Bide, was without doubt the best ever seen in Christchurch in a club match, and was only equalled by that displayed by the English and Native teams. The Merivale men, on the other hand, did not show to so great advantage as they have done in some of their matches this season. There was a certain amount of hesitation about their play, and a want of dash was also noticeable. No doubt the strength of the opposition was partly to blame for this," The Alhambra, I understand, did not play up to their üßaal form. The Lyttelton Times, in its account of the match, says that before tbe game started odda of 2 to 1 on Alhambra were freely offered around the ground, and Boon afterwards any speculative one could have been accommodated to the extent of 5 to 2 in " gold, silver, or notes" by several metallioians who for a novelty tried their hands at football as a means of picking up a little bit. The Alhambra men proved their superiority throughout in a fast game. Their forwards (the Times says) are a fast and enduring lot, and the play of the back ib marked by a great display of aystom, unselfishness, pace, and skill. Mr W. H. Morrah, secretary to the Wellington Football Olub, writes to the Post on behalf of hia club to make the somewhat strange assertion-in view of the faots that have been elioited-that the olub knew nothing whatever of the Roberts affair. It will be remembered that Roberts said in effeot, on oath, that an offer of £30 had been made to him and another member of the Poneke Olub, whose identity is perfectly well known, to join the Wellington Olub. The remainder of Mr Morrah's letter the Post declines to publißh for fear of further libel arising. „ Football pays in the county of the " Tykes." The Yorkshire Rugby Union, as a result of their season's operations, have divided £2000 amongst the medical charities of their county. The receipts of the union from all sources have been £2747 ; expenses, £577 ; so that with the money given away they have £170 to commence the season with; but they own their own ground. A Napier telegram states that the Taranaki representative football team met a Hawke's Bay team (Maori), and defeated them by 11 points to nil. Hood obtained two tries, C. Bayley one, and A. Bayley potted two goals. The game, despite the Bcore, was close, and extremely exciting. Rain fell during the match. The Taranaki men have been coached by Heffernan, of Auckland, and have improved greatly since the Auckland match. TOWN v. COUNTRY MATCHES. The following teams have been picked to represent the town in the matches to be played at Roxburgh and Palmerston next Saturday against country fifteens : — At Boxburgh.-Backß— Olaffey, Elder, Downes, Noel, Keogh, Oroxford; forward* — Anderson. H Allan, G Allan, Armlt, Duncan, Bsquilant, Hunter, Kallinshaw, D Torrance (captain). At Palmerston.— Backs -H Taiaroa, Beitieaux, Lane, Stevenson, Orawfurd, Atkinson; forwards— Fitchett, Forsyth, Henderson, Isaacs, Johnston, A W Morris, C Mwrris, M'Oleary, BTalaroa.Bmergenoies; Baoks— W Thomson, D Thomson, Scott, Wintrop; forwards — Beck, Furquharson, Beadle, J Torrance, Wales. The following players have been ohosen to represent the country in the matoh to be played against town players at Roxburgh on Saturday:- Milne (Roxburgh), J Perriman (Cromwell). T Lynoh (Balclutha), J Swan (Cromwell), J Bitohie (Cromwell), C Goodger (Cromwell), T Barry (Clyde), R George (Roxburgh), Hart (Lawrence). Todd (Heriot) Altcheson (Heriot), Wall (Matakanui), W J Strong (Bannockburn), and two others to be yet selected; reserves-Young (Roxburgh), Conn (Matakanui), and J Robertson (Bannookburn). The following are the names of the Country players in the Palmerston match: Full back, W. Grenfell (Oamarn), captain; three-quarter backs— D. Ross (Palmerston), H. Cork (Oamaru), D. Rurst (Oamaru); half backs— A. Dreaver (Palmerston), H. Johnson (Oamaru) ; forwards— G. Hurndell (Palmerston), R. Scott (Waikouaiti), D. M'Donald (Waikouaiti), J. H. Preston (Naaeby), J. Marshall (Naseby), H. Baker (Oamaru), J. Barclay (Oamaru). M. Conolly (Oamaru), and J. M'Laren (Oamaru). SATURDAY'S MATCHES. The football matoh between the Alhambra and Merivale clubß attracted 2000 people to the old Show ground, Sydenham, on Saturday. The visitors had their own way throughout. Merivale played stubbornly, but the fast following up and excellent combination of tbe visiting team were too much for them. The Alhambras started with the wind. Downes aud Restieaux led a dashing attack, but Pearse, tbe Merivale full back, saved his side, and after a scrummage on the Merivale line play went back to the centre of the field. After a series of scrummages Crawford passed the ball to Restieaux. From him it went alternately to Downes, Baker, and Noel, and the last-named ran in behind the posts. Reßfcieaux took the kick, and safely landed a goal. A fine rußhof Alhambra forwards, headed by Robertson and M'Cleary, was gallantly withstood for a time by George Homer, Pearse, and Lowry, bub after some fine play by Baker and Downes, Wells got the ball and dashed for the line. He passed to M'Cleary, who scored a try near the corner. Reatieaux took the kick —a very difficult one, but failed to rnprove. Principally through George Homer, play was taken into the territory of the Alhambras, who were forced down once or twice. The defence was too strong, however, and the Meri"vale were driven back. Just before half-time Downea potted, but the ball went below the bar. At the beginning of the Becond spell Restieaux took an ineffectual shot from a f> cc kick. The fine play of Menzies and Lowry, ably supported by White and Cook, seemed ! likely to score for Merivale, but Downes averted the danger. The Alhambraa weref orced down but rallied immediately. After some play in the centre a fine dribbling rush of Merivale, headed by Evans, Leach, Cow, and M'Guire, was splendidly stopped by Ross at his flag. After desperate scrummaging at the Alhambras line the Merivale were driven back to the twenty-five flag. Soon after White ineffectually potted at the Alhambraa' goal. George Homer made a splendid run and scored a try for MenVale ; Pearse took the kick but failed. After several attacks on the visitors' goal White marked at the centre. Pearae took a tremendous long kick, making a poster. The crowd encroached at the corner and the ball went in among them. M'Kenzie got it and ran round ■without opposition. The Blues appealed, but the Rev. J. Hoatson, referee, allowed the try, which Restieaux converted. The Merivales kept up a determined attack for the rest of the spell, but the Alhambras' defenoe was too strong for them, and at the close the score stood : Alhambra, 7 ; Merivale, 1. The game was played in the best P °The first of' the O.R.F.U. trial matches of the season was played on Saturday on the Caledonian ground, in the presence of a large gathering of the public, and produced a very fast, even, j aud interesting game. For the first spell the Colours who played sixteen men against fifteeH, played from the bMbour end, wrf thus were favoured with the

wind. Utilising this Advantage to the full they scored five tries, Fitchett and Be&dle being responsible for two apiece and Cran for the other one. Only one goal was kicked, W. Thomson doing the needful. Duncan got a try for the Blues during the spell, but Claffey failed to kick a goal. In the second spell A. W Morris got three tries for the Blues, Stevenson two, and Duncan one, and Forayth scored for the Colours. Elder only succeeded in converting one try for tho Blues, who losfc by 10 pointß ot9. The High School First Fifteen proceeded to Palmerston, where the local team defeated them by 7 points to 4 points. Shortly after the beginning of the second spell Stephenson, from a pass, potted a pretty goal. Play then became fast and furious, and from a heel out of tbe scrum on the School's line G. Rosa potted a goal. Shortly afterwards O'Neill crossed the line, and the try was converted by Dreavtr. After the kick out Mackay secured the ball, and running along the touch line scored near the fcouoh-in-goal. The School then played up, and put Palmerston on the defensive during the rest of the spell. Just before time Gibson scored for the School— a poster beiug registered by Thomson. The Pirates Second defeated the Union Second ou the North ground by 10 points to 4. For the winners -W. M'Beath scored a try, and Skeet twice crossed the lino, two of the tries being converted in goals by Williams and Matthewson. W. M'Beath also potted a goal from the field. For the losers Robertson aud Robson scored, Gibson succeeding in registering a goal. The match Port Chalmers v. Kaikorai Second was played on the former's ground. Within five minutes from the kick off Kaikorai had scored a try and kioked a goal from it. This wakened the Port up, who penned the Kaikorai in their twenty-five, when, Davidson passing nicely to Strachan, enabled the latter to score between the 'posts, H. Holden kicking a goal. Towards the close of the spell Hunter scored for Port near the corner flag, but the kick at goal was a failure. In the second spell neither team was able to score, the game thus ending in a win for Port by 4 points to 3. The match between tho Pirates Third and the High School Second, played on the Carisbrook ground, was won by the former by 3 points to 1. For the winners Fish kicked a penalty goal and also obtained a try. The match Melrose Second v. Valley was won by the former by 3 points to 1. The Caversham met and defeated the Ravenabourne by 3 tries to nil. Andrews, Dodds, and Palmer seonred tries. In the first spell the play was pretty even, but in the secend spell the combination of the Caversham forwards was too good for the opposing team, the game resulting as above. A match between representative teams from Gisborne and Taranaki, played at Giaborne on Saturday resulted in a draw, each side sooring a try.