NOTES BY FORWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 25 September 1890, Page 28

NOTES BY FORWARD.

The " gate " at the interprovinoial match on Saturday amounted to £170,

J.UO lurm uiayinyvu uy xjjruuu uu uauiuuajr must have been exceedingly gratifying to the { Match Committee, for their selection of that player was in many quarters assailed aa unjustifiable. Lynch has in reoent seasons frequently demonstrated his ability to play without much practice, and this was notably the case when he was brought up to play against the Englishmen, and when he was put opposite one of the most brilliant three-quarter backs that England has ever produced. Never, however, has he played in an important match with less practioe than he did on Saturday, as he has been absent from Dunedin all the season, and has only had a few moonlight games with indifferent players, but for all that he showed remarkable form. He did very little kioking, but it was a perfect treat to see him picking up the ball with apparently the greatest ease as he was careering along at full speed, and then bowling over his opponents one after another in quite the old style. It was quite his day out, for he scored two tries Ifor one of them being [indebted to a lovely pass from Keogb), kicked two goals, and charged down what would in all probability have been a goal to Canterbury. Keogh has had a new name bestowed upon faim. In recognition of his agility in jumping over Wilson, when the latter stooped to tackle him on one occasion, and of his cleverness generally in overcoming obstacles in the field, the Canterbury players on Satmday ohristened him the "the steepleohaser." Although he was not at his best— indeed it is doubtful if we have ever seen him at his best — he displayed form that greatly impressed tbe vifiiting team. Oran, too, played what was admitted on all hands to have been an excellent game. There are some who contend that Orawfurd would have done better, but it is perfectly idle to say that, for no one knows what Orawfurd would have done had he been playing. He is very quick at picking up the ball and passing it out, but no one will say that he is Gran's equal in stopping rushes and in defensive work of all kinds, ana there was a considerable amount of work of that description to be done in the first spell, when the Canterbury forwards were coming through the scrum, and breaking away from the line-out with combined dribbling rushes. The only possible fault that could be found with Cran'a performance was that on one or two ocoasions he hung on to tbe ball too long ; but on tha other hand he did a good deal of exceedingly fine work, offensive as well as defensive, and Laurenson's try wasdirectly attributable to his play. The match played at Havvera last week between the representative teams of Taranaki and Wanganui is desoribed as being very interesting and at times very fast. The Wanganui forwards were certainly better than Taranaki, but their back division lacked very much in combination, while that of Taranaki. was good. But for the fine all-round play of Leys, Wangranui must have suffered a muoh heavier defeat, as Taranaki's fine combined play was very hard to stop at times. For Taranaki, A. Bayly was the best of the bunch, closely followed by A. Good and Hempton in the backs, and Sangster, Major, and Pearson were the best of the forwards. For Wanganui Leys took first plaoe, his kicking being very much admired. In the forwards Gray, Townsend, and Montgomerie were the pick. D. Gage, about whose qualification to play for the Foneke Club so muoh fuss was reoently made in Wellington, is now lack in Napier, and is captaining the Hawke's Bay team. In the match played against Gisborne on the 15th inst., Hawke's Bay quickly began passing, and put their opponents at once on the defensive, but the local men's collaring was undeniably good. A pot by Robert Joseph Btruck tbe poats and bounced back to Friday, who ran in and touohed down, but had to come back for off Bide. James made some fine dashes down the line, Gage shepherding him, but tbe local men kept their line clear till the end .of the spell. During the interval heavy rain began to fall. In the second spell Hawke's Bay renewed the attack, and Friday passing to Goldsmith, the ball was sent on to Gage, who got in. No goal was kicked. Rua made some wriggling runs up tbe line, but lost the advantage by not pasinpr. Poverty Bay, especially the forwards, played splendidly, and got on dribbling rushes which gave no end of trouble. Murphy, a Christ's College back, was also Bmart in intercepting passes. Flay was so fast that the men became scattered all over the ground. After a long exchange of kicks the ball came to the local full back, near whom Gage was standing. Gage raced five yards beside him, and then pulled him down, and Morrison getting the pall ran in and scored. No goal was kicked, and tbe game ended in a win for Hawke's Bay by 2 points to nil. On their way down, to Dunedia the Canterbury team played fifteen of South Canterbury on Thursday last at Timaru. The local men started well as, Hobbß having returned the kick off to Moore, who kicked into touch, Ferry passed well from the throw in to Macintosh. This was quickly followed by some grand passing by Moore and Perry on through the hands of Macintosh and Matbo<>on, who ecored brilliantly right between tha posts Rhodes placed tbe ball fairly and neatly ovrr the bar. After that North Canterbury scored rapidly. Batche and Wilson tries gotwhich were not enhanced, and Le Cren next scored a try which Wilson converted. The Canterbury captain, Wilson, then showed up grandly, scoring three tries in succession. With regard to the first of thoee, the report of one of the Timaru papers nicely puts it that Veloin should certainly hare had Wilson looking for grass roots in a jiffy, and the same player is blamed for letting Wilson through on the second and third occasions. Hepburn kicked a goal from one of these trice, and Tf> Cron was the next to score, a goal again resulting. Wilson potted a goal after tbat, and the game was wound up by Veloin scoring a try in the corner for South Canterbury, Macintosh phcing a wonderful goal. Too match resulted in tbe North Canterbury team winning by 16 points to 6 Matheson, M'Lean, and Moore, of the South Canterbury team, joined the winners to take part in the Otago match.

The match on Saturday between Canterbury and Otago which was played in the pleasant, friendly spirit that hns always been characteristic of the matches between these provinces, may be said to have been won for the Blues by the superiority of their backs. The Reds' forwards claimed— in the first spell especially — a marked advantage over their' opponent?, their dribbling being a feature of the game; while they were all workers in the Bcrumm<*g6. Le Cren, Evans, Hepburn, and Matheson were the most prominent of them throughout the match; Garrard absolutely shone on the line out, and also proved himself an effective dribbler ; and Ebert, M'Lean, and Cow worked hardest in the scrums, the latter also showing up in the loose. The Blues' forwards were unable to bring into play the short passing game to whioh they bare too

devotedly paid attention, and in the first spell the Reds went through them, but in the second spell, profiting by the advice tendered to them in the interval, they buckled to at their opponents' game, and succeeded in holding them very well, Anderson was, taking him all through, the pick of the Blues' forwards, and Rallinshaw was about the next best. Isaacs played one of his hardest games this season, but neither A. Morris nor Duncan was co prominent as usual. C. Morris did a large amount of useful scrum work, and M'Cleary, Beadle, and Esquilant all figured prominently at one period or other of tbe game. Of the Canterbury bacfes Wilson was tho best, but, although he was very active and clever, " Baby " has been seen in better form. Donnelly was the more successful of the halves. "Pony" Moore not giving even a glimpse of the good form that three years ago made him a prominent member of the Wellington representative teams. Balche showed a splendid turn of foot, but beyond that did little; and the Hobbs brothers played in very fair average style. The Reds' backs, however, were individually and collectively out-played. In view of the exceptional circumstances under which Lynch was playing — the circumstances of not having taken part in any real match during the season — his performance was simply a wonderful one, and showed no falling off from his splendid form of last season, Keogh'a play was not bo good as some that he has shown in the trial matches, but ifc greatly puzzled the visitors, while ho passed beautifully. Cran thoroughly justified bis selection by his admirable display, though his fault of sticking to the ball was once or twice apparent, and Noel and Laurenson both did good work. The former manifested an aptitude he has never previously shown of dodging his way out of a crowd of players, and the latter, who was pardonably nervous at the start, played a plucky, useful game. Claffey kicked splendidly but, through nervousness or excitability failed three or four times to take the ball cleanly, and thus jeopardised his side. He is capable of better things and, with attention to the points of the game in which he is deficient, may develop into a first-class fullback.

The Canterbury team were the guests of the Otago Rugby Football Union at a dinner in the City Hotel od Saturday night. Dr Coughtrey (president of the 0.R.F.U.) occupied the chair, and was supported on the right by Mr H, Wilson (oaptain of the Canterbury team) and on the left by Mr A. W. Morris (oaptain of the Otago team). The ÜBual toasts appropriate to such an occasion were honoured, and nearly all the speakers referred in terms of pleasure to the good spirit that was manifested on both sides during that afternoon's contest. On Sunday the Canterbury men were driven to Blueskin aud entertained there, a few of the Southland team also joining the party. On Monday night both visiting teams were present at the operatic performance in the City Hall, and on Tuesday morning they took their departures homewards. The visit of the Canterbury team may be said to have more firmly than ever cemented the friendship that exists between Otago and the Northern province, the relations that existed between the Reds and the local men being throughout of the most pleasant kind.

The contest on Monday between Southland and Canterbury was stubbornly contested from tbe start, and was chiefly remarkable for .the forward play shown on both sides/ the teams being well matched in this respect. The Southlanders more than held their own in the first spell, but as the game progressed the Canterbury team assumed the mastery, and towards tbe close they undoubtedly had the whip hand of their opponents— in fact, had the game been prolonged for another spell, they would ' almost certainly have added two or three tries to their score. There Were.however, far too many scrummages to render the game a very interesting one, the match being at times of a kind that forcibly recalled the style of play that used to be indulged in years ago. The Canterbury backs made many mistakes in the first spell, but improved considerably in the second bout. Wilson was a tower of strength in himself, and A. Hobbs and Balche both played in better form than on Saturday. F. Hobbs was, safe at' full back; and Donnelly played with a good deal of dash, though occasionally he ' passed very wildly. Smart was not very prominent at first, but he played up well in the second spell; and his team have cause to be very thankful to him for his unselfish passing. The three forwards who were not playing on Saturday — A. Ebert, Frost, and M'Court — all did good service ; and Hepburn, Le Creo, Cow, and Garrard showed fine form. The Southland forwards justified the reputation that had preceded them of being a formidable lot, though one or two of them showed an inclination to play off side. Bkensteen was undoubtedly the best'of them, but Priest, Treseder, Twemlow, and Galbraith pressed him hard for that distinction. The half backs were a smart and clever pair, both doing excellent work. Of the three-quarter, backs, Donaldson played a sound but not brilliant game, De Joux did some five running, and Howison kicked admirably; while Rodgers, the full back, both tackled and kicked well.

Mr George Harris, tbe popular manager of the Canterbnry football team, received a pleasant little surprise on Monday evening, when the members of the team, through the captain, Mr H. Wilson, presented him with a neat little) silver matohh box bearing an appropriate inscription. Tbe Naßeby Prospectora' Olnb have this soason taken part in five matohes with foreign clubs, and have got 41 points to their credit, whi'e only 9 points bave been recorded against them.

The match between Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay was played at Napier on Saturday under perfect conditions of weather and ground. The local men were captained by Gage, and the Wairarapa was strengthened by the arrival of Baumber. Within a few minutes of starting play Hawke's Bay by fine passing scored two tries. Both place kicks struck the bur. The splendid passing, punting, and dodging of the Hawke's Bay backs — Gage, Taku, Friday, Duncan, Goldsmith, and James — proved too much for their opponents, and notwithstanding the fine play of D'Arcy, Thompson, Baumber, Stanard, Morris, Day, and others, Hawke's Bay scored two more tries in this spell. The second spell was in favour of Wnirarapa, but the Hawko's Bay defence was too strong, and the v'sitors were unable to score, Hawke's Bay adding another try, and winning by 5 poiuts to nil. No goals were kicked, the place kicking being most unlucky. A Wellington telegram states that the football match Wellington v. Wairaraps was played yesterday. Neither union played its best team, and the game was an uninteresting one. Wellington won by 13 points (4 goals and a try) to 4 points (a goal and a try) Mr C. E. Ravnor, the hon. secretary and treasurer of the Pirates Football Club, Sydney, has forwarded me a neatly got-up card of the engagements for the season of that club, the members of which include a large number of old New Zealanders. The First Fifteeu had a very successful season, and just lost the Junior Cup by one point, the winners, the Wentworth, gaining the final match by a goal kioked from the field, while the Pirates scored a try, which WM not oonverted. That the club did well

throughout the season may be judged from the fact that they scored 218 points, while 24 points were made against them. Three of their vie- ' tories were most decisive, the Manly being put ' down at the beginning of the season by 41 points to nil, the Penrith two Saturdays later by 44 points to nil, aud the Petersham last month by 48 points to nil. There are eight New Zealanders in the Pirates First Fifteen, and six of these hail from Dunedin. J. Davie, W. P. Webb (captain), 0. B. Raynor. P. Spedding, A. E. Mollison, and W. Simpson are the six, and the other two New Zealanders are W. G. Cole (Timaru) and W. Grinstead (Christohurohi. Cole being the deputy-captain. lam sure I voice the sentiments of all New Zealand footballers when I express the hope that the Pirates of Sydney may never have a less successful season than that which they have just gone through. The Wellington Rugby Union disqualified for 12 months an umpire in the Junior Cap match for interfering with the other umpire, and called on him to tender his resignation as a delegate to the union. A spectator, belonging to a local club, who struck an umpire, was disqualified from playing for a year.

CANTERBURY V. OTAGO. The fourteenth annual encounter between football teams representative of Canterbury and Otago took place on the Caledonian ground oa Saturday afternoon. The morning promised fine weather for the match, bat in the afternoon, though there was no rain, a disagreeably strong northerly breeze suddenly came on, afterwards veering round in a very puzzling way. The attendance of the public was not so large as there generally is at interprovincial matches in Dunedin, but there' must have been over 5000 people present. Punctually at 3 o'clock the opposing teams lined out, the following being the names of the players :—

Messrs G. Harris and E. R. Bowler acted as umpires for Canterbury and Otago respectively, and Mr E. E. Morrison held the referee's whistle. The decisions of these gentlemen, it may be at once stated, gave entire satisfaction, and were accepted without the slightest demur, 'A. W. Morris, the Otago captaia, beat Wilson, the Canterbury skipper, in'lhe toss, of' "the cojn, and the, Blues decided ,to take advantage of the wind for the' first sjiell. Garrard set the ball in inbtibn for the Reds, and Claffey returned the kick off with a neat punt into touch near the centre. Less than a minute from the start the ball came into Noel's possession, and that player mjide a bee Jine for \the Canterbury goal and touched down behind the posts, but the ball was palled back for an infringement. Cow was ndticeable for some good play, and then from a scrimmage at the Otago quarter-distance flag Donnelly secured the ball and threw it out in the direction of A. Hobbs. Lynch was, however, on the alert, and smartly cutting off the pass, started off in full stride for the Canterbury line. The only man he had to pass was the full back, who proved no obstacle to him, and he scored behind the posts. Loud cheers greeted this achievement, and the cheers were renewed when Lynch himself, taking the kick, piloted the ball over the bar. Claffey returned the kick off, ana then Keogh and Cran indulged in some neat passing, but tbe Reds played very keenly on the ball and prevented any ground being gained by that means. Some dribbling, in which Isaacs was conspicuous, took the ball back into the Canterbury quarters, where Keogh passed out to Lynch, who was promptly and neatly grassed by' Wilson. Garrard and Matheson relieved their territory by good play, and Balche, having a pass from Moore, made a good attempt to get away, but his ruu was nipped in the bud. The Reds' forwards, however, were playing in splendid form, and a dribbling rush, headed by Evans, Cow, and Matheson, took the ball into the Blues' twenty-five. A scrum was formed a few yards m front of the goal, but the ball came out to Cran, who afforded some relief to his side by' kicking neatly into touch at the quarter distance flag. The Blues by dose forward play worked the ball back to the centre, whence Donnelly, Matheson, and Evans brought it back to the Otago territory, Lynch then proving a barrier in the way. In some scrums, in which the Reds had a distinct advantage, Cow was particularly prominent, after which Matheson came through a scrum with the ball and dribbled nicely to the line. A forcedown resulted, and the Rods were accorded a warm round of applause for the splendid manner in which they had played against the wind. Claffey kioked out and F. Hobbs returned the ball. Keogh bounded the ball off Hepburn's head on the line out and then bounced it from his knee over Wilson's head. Following it up smartly he got well down to the Reds' line before A. Hobbs cleverly stopped his progress. Cran then passed to Laurenson, and the latter threw out to Noel, who muffed the ball and thereby lost a good show. Laurenson again secured the ball and nearly got over, and then Matbeson came to the rescue with a fine piece of dribbling along the touch line. Cran smartly stopped his progress, but neat kicks into touch by Donnelly and Moore further assisted their side. Matheson was again to the fore with a nice exhibition of dribbling which took the ball up to Claffey who fumbled it under the bar. Le Cren darted for it, and dropping across scored cleverly for the Reds. Wilson took the kick, and Lynch charged down what threatened to be a certain goal. Claffey kicked out, and marking F. Hobbs' return punted into touch at the centre. Hepburn was chiefly responsible for shifting the play up to the Otago quarters, and Evans and Le Cren also showed up with good play. A W. Morris executed a nice piece of dribbling, the effect of which Wilson neutralned by a clever run and kick. Anderson then dribbled smartly into tlie Reds' quarters, but the raiting forwards by fine combined play swept the ball back past tho centre. A free kick to the Blueo, taken by Keogh, shifted the ball up to the Canterbury quarters, and then Keogh, I after jumping clean over Wilsou, passed out beautifully to Lynch, who was missed by the Reds' full back, and scored his second try near the touch line. The kick was again entrusted to Lynch, who made a fine but ineffectual attempt at goal. After the kick out play centred in neutral territory, where Cran passed smartly to Keogh who, cleverly dodging the Reds' backs, scored after a splendid run for more than half the length of the ground. Lynch's kick at goal was resultless. Donnelly dropped out smartly, and Matheson's fine following up prevented a return. A free kiok taken by Crag sent the ball

over F. Hobbs' head, but Wilson secured it and returned smartly into touch. Taylor and Moore^ were the participators in a fine dribbling rush' iuto Otago territory, where Laurenson stopped ' their progress. Sharp kicks into touch by Crau and A. W. Morris afforded much needed j relief to Obago, and Isaacs assisted with some smart dribbling, the ball being thus taken into neutral ground. Le Cren by fine play got inside the Blues' quarters again, but Laurenson kicked smartly down the field. Hepburn headed a rush of Reds' forwards back into the Otago territory, where Le Cren got a mark. Garrard took a place kick from a distance of about 30yds, but, against the half -gale that was blowing, the ball fell short, and Laurenson punted neatly into touch at the quarter distance flag. A serviceable kick by Garrard put the ball in touch a few yards from the Blues' Hue, but A. W. Morris took the ball splendidly on the line out, aud, eluding the grasp of the nan who had to mark him, ran past the quarter distance flag when he passed neatly to Laurenson, who carried the leather on to the centre. Le Cren, who was playing in fine style, was prominent with a strong run which took the ball close to the Blues' quarters. A. Hobbs obtained possession shortly afterwards, and after kicking high in the direction of Noel, put his men on side before the ball descended, and tbe Alhambra three-quarter back was prevented from getting away. Garrard showed fine play on the line out,' and the ball was close to the Blues' goal line when half time was called, the score then being — Otago, 5 points ; Canterbury, 1.

A. W. Morris kicked off in the second spell, and exchanges between the backs left the ball at the Canterbnry twenty five flag. Evans and Hepburn were to the fore with some smart work, and then Wilson made a fine run into the Blues quarter's, Laurenson returning, however, with a neat kick. Lynch then, picking up beautifully, made a strong run into the Reds' quarters, Moore relieving with a punt iuto touch. After some tight scrums, Esquilant and Beadle headed a dribbling rush into the Reds' quarters, and Noel, obtaining the ball in a knot of players, dodged his way out, and outpacing the Reds' backs, scored near the corner fl*g. Lynch was again entrusted with the kick, and in spite of the choppy wind landed a splendid goal. Garrard kicked off, and the ball went to Lynch, who started on a run, which was stopped by Donnelly. A smart piece of dribbling, in which Evans and Hepburn were conspicuous, put the Blues on the defensive, but Noel, A. W. Morris, and Anderson shifted the ball back and the latter charged down a kick by F. Hobbs. Wilson, who did an immense amount of work, got hold of the ball, however, and kicked to Claffey, whose return was stopped by A. Hobbs, and the ball flew over the Blues' line with three or four players after it, but it went into touch-in-goal. Claffey kicked out and, A. Hobbs picking up a dead ball, a scrum ensued in neutral ground. Matheson got away with a fine dribble, but Cran was in the way and smartly screwed into touch about the centre. After a powerful run by Lynch, the ball was taken splendidly from the line out by Garrard into the Blues' twenty -five. Rallinshaw and MOleary were conspiououa in regaining some ground, but the Reds kept up the attack, Donnelly being very prominent at this juncture. Claffey, got the ball, but Wilson was on his track and brought him down nicely, and then the Reds were awarded a free kick in front of the Blues' goal. Balcbe took the kick, which was an easy one, and as the Blues' charge was, owing to Duncan's impatience, disallowed, be ought to have had no difficulty in placing a goal, but the ball went outside the posts and a force down only resulted. F. Hobbs returned Claffey's kick out in nice »style, and M'Cleary was applauded for dribbling the ball finely up to the Reds' full back, who stopped him nicely. A sharp pass by Keogh gave Noel a show, but when the latter looked like getting in F. Hobbs. collared him in capital style. A smart kick relieved the Reds' line, and after a mark by Rallinshaw, who kicked high,.F. Hobbs kicked neatly into touch at neutral territory. Lynch made a fine run up to the Reds' twenty-five, but then passed badly, and after Noel and Keogh had both made great efforts to break through the defence, the ball was kicked back to the centre. Cran secured possession from a scrummage, and having by feinting neatly jinked the opposing half backs, ran up to V. Hobbs, when he passed to Keogh, who carried the ball up to the line, but could not get across. Garrard got splendidly away with the b.ill at his toe and dribbled in fine style down past the centre. Duncan and Rallinshaw returned with some smart dribbling, and then Claffey muffed a ball, but before Balche could get away with it Lynch interposed,' and with a run and kick sent it into touch at the centre. A. W. Morris made a dashing run back to the Reds' twenty-five, but then passed forward, and a smart piece of dribbling by' Hepburn, well stopped by Isaacs, took the ball back to the centre. Garrard, with Matheson and Le Cren to back him up, got well away and carried tbe play inside tbe Blues' quarters, where Evans and Taylor showed up in some loose scrums. The Reds' forwards, getting together, swept down upon the line, but Lynch, picking up splendidly, saved with a good kick, which Moore relumed into touch. Cran again got splendidly away from a scrum, and slipping past the opposing halves, transferred to the Keogh. The latter immediately whipped out to Laurenson, who scored near the corner without any of the Reds' backs having been able to get within yards of him. Lynch made another fine attempt to enhance the score, but the ball went a trifle wide. The ball went on tbe kick out to Lynch, who for once fumbled i<\ and the Reds, playing with great heart, invaded the Oti\go quarters. The Blues' forwards, with Eflqnilant in ihe van, gradually worked the ball back, but when Claffey did not take' on the full a kick from Wilson, the Otago twenty-five was again the scone of operations. A smart run by Noel and good play by C. and A. Morris shifted the ball back, and, after Matheson, Cran, and Lynch had shown up prominently, Beadle headed an attack upon the Reds' fortress. Donnelly and Le Oren made serviceable runs, and then the ball went out to Balche, who, with a clear field in front of him and Keogh behind him, streaked for the Ofcago line, the speedy Canterbury collegian scoring amid applause near tho posts. A. Hobbs took the kick and placed an indisputable goal. A. W, Morris.' kick off produced a force down, and Wilson kicked out, Lynch roturning A. Hobbs and Esquilant were conspicuous for good play, ami Olaffey gave the players some breathing time, and astonished the spectator?, s ly sendirg the ball with a mighty kick on to the top of th>' grnnd stand. Duncan, Rallinshaw, and Isaacs did sony pood work about the centre aftf-r the throw in, and Duncan immediately afterwards dribbled nicely up to F. Hobbs, beyond whom he could not get. Dribbling rushes and counter rushes left the play about the Canterbury distance flap, where Crari threw out to Noel, bub Balche intercepted the pas 3 beautifully, and after dodging Claffey looked like scoring again, when Keogh out him off, and jumping on his back brought him down. Cran, Noel, and Keogh showed up with effective work, but Le Cren and Matbefcon bore down on the Otago line in splendid style, and the Blues were on the strict defensive when " no side " was called, the scores being— Otago, 9 points ; Canterbury, 4. The following ebows the results of the matohes

between Canterbury and Otago since theif institution : — 1877— Otago won by two tries to nil. - 1878— JJrawn, nonoore. 1879 -Prawn, no score. 1880 -Drawn, one try each. 1881 -Otago won by one goal and one try to nil. 1882— Ofcago woa by five goa\» nnd three tries tonil. ]oo?-°, fcago Y°? by one « oal * ad three trieß to nil. 1884— Canterbury won by one goal to one try 1885— Canterbury won by one goal and two tries to nit. 1866— Drawn, no score. 1887— Drawn, one goal each. 1888 -Otago won by one goal and four tries to nil 1889— Otago won by three goals to one try 1890 -Otago won by two goals and three tries to one goal and one try.

CANTERBURY v. SOUTHLAND. The first match that has taken place on the football field between Canterbury and Southland was played oh the Caledonian ground on Monday and excited considerable interest as the result was expected to show whether the Ofcago representatives did or did not show th;ir true form at Invercargill recently when they were defeated by Southland. The afternoon was a splendid one for football, and the ground had suffered very Htfle from Sunday's rain, so that the conditions were favourable to the best side winning. The following players did duty for their unions : —

Mesßrs Harris (Canterbury) and Stead (Southland) acted as umpires, with Mr B. E. Morrison as referee. Wilson won the toss for Canterbury, and elected to play for the first spell from 'the Caversham end. Treseder kicked off, aud after some play about nputral territory Wilson kicked smartly up to tho Maroons' quarters. Good play was shown by Donaldson and Smart, and the Reds' forwards bore down splendidly on their opponents' lines. De Joux relieved with a clever run, and then a fine combined rush of the Maroons' forwards was well stopped by Wilson. The play continued for some time in the middle of the ground, the backs on both sides showing good form. Cuff, with a fine ruu, made a gallant; effort to score, but Donaldson missed the pass. Some exciting play followed about the corner, where Cuff, having the ball heeled out to him, darted smartly, across the line. Rodgers made a good kick, but failed to enhance the score. After the kick off M'Court obtained a mark in neutral territory, and some fumbling by the Southland backs enabled the Reds to invade their quarters. From a throw in at the twenty-five flag. Le Cren got the ball and darted for the line, but could not get across. Howison relieved with a clever kick, which' A. Hobbs returned inio touch, after fumbling the ball. Scrums followed inside the Maroons' qnarters, which Donaldson cleared, but F. Hobbs returned with a serviceable kick, By close scrummaging, the Reds worked up to their opponents' line, bufe after some tough work Cuff and- Bkensteen cleared their quarters. Donnelly and A. Hobba returned the ball with ' smart ■ runs, but a long kick sent it back. The Reds maintained the pressure; and from a shot at goal by F. Hobbs the Southlanders were foroed. The kick out was followed by an exchange of "compliments between the back. The Reds' forwards, by splendid dribbling, got up to the Maroons' quarters, which were ole ared by a free kick, and then Tapper and Ekenateen took the ball past th 6 centre. Evans and A. Ebert headed another attack of the Canterbury team, but after Howison and F. Hobbs bad exchanged long kioks, smart following up py the Maroons shifted the play back to the centre. Le Cren was chiefly instrumental in taking the ball up to the goal line, and safter5 after the scrum Donalds-on, who was off< side, kicked to Wilson, and the latter smartly marked. A penalty kick was allowed, and A. Hobbs evoked cheers by placing the desired goal. The play had hardly been started before Ekensteen took advantage of a mistake by the Reds' backs, and scored after a good run, Rodgers took the kick, which was an easy one, and registered the major points. The kick off was followed by play in neutral territory, Priest showing up well. A. Hobbs mulling a kick from Howison, the Maroon forwards swept down on their opponents' quarters ; but Wilson came to the rescue of his side, the rush cleverly and then kicking nicejy into touch in the Maroons' quarters. De Joux and Donaldson came into collision in going for a ball, and the Southlander's were put on the defensive. A bad pass enabled them to clear their quarters, but the Reds' forwards upeedily worked the ball back. Twemlow got well away, but passed forward, and then Cow, Wilson,- and A. Hobbs were conspicuous in another invasion of the Maroons' territory, which eventuated in a Poore, as Smart; obtaining the ball passed to Wilson, who transferred neatly to Balche — the latter scoring near the corner. Garrard took the kick, which was resultlesß. A Hobbs returned the kick out into touch at the twenty-five flag. From a pass by Wilson, Balche made a determined effort to score, and then Cuff, Tapper, and Ekensteen made a fine, passing run iuto the Reds' quarters, the latter being overtaken by Wilson when he Ind got clear away. Tapper passing to Donaldson, the latter potted, and only missed by a narrow margin. After the kick out, Twemlow broke away from the centre and passed to Treseder, who was beautifully tackled, and the. Reds were saved from what looked like a probable try. Half time was then called, the score being — Southland, 4 points ; Canterbury, 3-

In the second spell Hepburn kicked off for the Reds, and after some play in neutral territory Cuff, Donaldsou, and De Joux by good running took the ball up to the Canterbury quarters. Some stubbornly contested play among the forwards ensued, and then Wilson and A. Hobbs carried the ball cleverly pnst the centre, and from a long punt by Smart, the Maroons were forced. Af fvr tho kick out thore was a good deal of rather uninteresting play about the centre a splendid passing run by Cuff, Twemlow, Donaldson, and Do Joux into the Reds' quarters beinj* the next feature of interest, Twemlow again got away and passed to Donaldson, who made a rather foeble attempt to pot a goal, a force down resulting. The kirk out was quickly followed by a stroDg attack of the Southlanders, Tapper being conppicuous, but gradually the Reds worked tbe ball back to the centre. Donaldson returned with a powerful run, Hepburn cleverly saving bis side inside the twenty-five flag. A neat kick by A. Hobbs, who had the ball passed to him by Donnelly, was returned into touch about the centre by Rodgers ; and Galbraith led a strong attaok, whici?

was only stopped by F. Hobbs under the Canterbury goal. A free kick to the Reds waa taken by Wilson, who relieved his side with a useful punt into touch at the centre. Smart showed up with some good play, and A Hobbs made a strong run, but passed forward. Galbraith came through the scrum that followed but Wilson was in the way, and the battle raged furiously in mid field. A. Hobbs was chiefly responsible for removing the play to the Maroons' twenty-five. A reckless pass by Donnelly threw away a good show, and then Treseder was stopped by F. Hobbs in a good dribble. Evans, Hepburn, Treseder, and Ekensteen showed up with good play, and the Reds were loudly cheered as they got well ineide their opponents' quarters.^ After some scrummaging — quite in the style of 10 years ago — the Maroons got a free kick, from which Smart marked beautifully and placed for Garrard, who failed from a very difficult angle to place a goal. A. Hobbs made the mistake of running instead of kicking when the kick out wenb to him, and Some good forward play, varied by a five kick by Balche, ensued about the centre. The Reds by fine forward piny put their opponents on the defensive, and a free kick beiug awarded them for offeide play, Hepburn had a place kick at goal. Tho attempt was a splendid one, the ball just falling short, and a force down resulted. The Southlauders played up in fine style after the kick off, aud Galbraith, who was very noticeable throughout the game, charged over the line, but the Reds' full back saved smartly. The Canterbury team played up with great spirit, and, after a good run by De Joux, Balche by fine play put the Maroons on the defensive. The ball was passed out from a scrum to Wilson, who took it splendidly, and, amid applause, crossed the line near the corner, equalising the scores. Balche failed to improve the occasion. There was considerable excitement aa the game was renewed, and the Reds' forwards again bore down on the Maroons' quarters, where some scrums ensued. Wilson got another pass, bub was too closely watched to get the pot shot which was evidently expected of him, and Ekensteen and Donaldson were chiefly responsible in clearing the Maroons' quarters. This, however, was only temporary, the Reds, who were playing all they knew, again coining with a strong attack. After a scramble over the line, an appeal for a try being disallowed and a scrum ordered, a fine exhibition of passing and running, started by Smart and continued by Wilson and A Hobbs, resulted in the latter scoring near touch in goal. Hepburn made a splendid but ineffectual attempt to convert the try. The kick out was finely returned into touch near the corner. From a throw in Evans dropped cleverly across, aud Hepburn had another resultless kick at* goal. After the kick off Garrard got finely away from the line, and Hepburn assisted with some smart work, the Maroons again having to act on the defensive. The play was in the Southland quarters a few minutes afterwards, when " no side " was called, Canterbury winning by 6 points to 4.

Otago. Canterbtjby. (Blue.) (Bed and black ) Full back. st lb eb lb ). Glaffey... 12 3 F. Hobbs ... 11 0 Three-qusrter backs. \ Lynch ... 13 5 A Hobbs ... 10 4 L. Laurenson ... 10 9 H. Wilson ... 11 6 V.Noel ... 11 7 W.Balche ... 11 6 Half backs. N. Gran ... 11 BJ. Donnelly ... 10 6 ?. Keogh ... 12 0 0. Moore ... 10 10 ; Forwards. }. Anderson ... 13 0 J. Oow ... 13 10 V. Beadle ... 12 i F. Evans ... 11 2 '. Duncan ... 12 6 L. Eberfe ... 12 8 L.Bequilant ... 12 8 C. Garrard ... 12 0 I. I«aaeo ... 12 4 J. Hepburn ... 11 12 J. Morris ... 13 10 W. Le Oren ... 12 7 i. W. Morris ... 12 0 G. O. Matheson ... 13 4. ■.JM'Gleary ... 12 6 H. J. M'Lean ... 12 0 J.ißalUnshaw ... 13 6 O.Taylor ... 11 8

SOUTHLAND CANTBBBUBy (Maroon). (Red and Blaok). FULL BACK. St lb Bfc lb Boagers 9 6 F. Hobbs H 0 THRKK-QUAHTKB BACKS. Howlson 11 7 A. Hobbß ... ... 10 4 Donaldson ... 13 6 Wilson 11 6 DeJoux 10 0 Balohe ... ... 11 6 HALF BACKS. Buff 10 12 Donnelly 10 6 lappor 10 0 Smart 10 2 TOBWABDS. Balbralth 14 1 Cow 12 10 Ekeniteen ... 13 6 Evans 11 2 lj. Murphy ... 12 2 A. Kberfc 12 4 r. Murpby ... 11 0 L. Ebert ... ... 12 8 Priest 12 2 Frost 11 0 renklns 11 10 Garrard 12 0 DresedPr 12 8 Hepburn 11 10 L'wemlow 13 7 Le Cren ... „. 13 7 Sl'Robie 13 0 M'Oourt 12 0