FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1956, 20 August 1891, Page 28

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FORWARD. The Second Fifteen of the Paoifio Football Olab have bad a remarkably successful season, They have won all of the seven matches they have played, scoring 50 points and having none registered against them. Under the circumstances they may fairly olaim the title of premiers of third-class teams. The details are as .follows:— v. Warehousemen Second, 16 points to nil ; v. Pirates Third, 18 points to nil ; t. Oaveraham Second, 1 point to nil ; v. Union Third, 3 points to nil ; v. Caversham Seoond (return), 1 point to ail ; v. Kaikorai Third, 7 points to nil ; v. Alhambra Third, 4 pointß to nil. I have good authority for saying that Lynch is willing to play,' if required, in the remain* ing interprovinoial matches of the season. He will take part, IJbelieve, in the Charity Tournament next Saturday. The conditions of the Oharity Tournament to be played on Saturday are pratically the Bame, except as to the scoring, as had to be obBerved at the former tournaments. The teams are to consist of seven a-aide, and the following is to be the By stem of scoring:— A tiy, 2 points ; a goal from a try, 3 points ; a goal from the field, 3 points ; a penalty goal, 1 point ; a force down & point. Balls kicked dead or into touoh-in-goal are not to count as force downs. Eaoh game is to' be played in two spelta of seven minutes each, but if at the call of time the scores are equal or no score has been made the teams must play on for such further time as the committee shall appoint. The task which the Match Committee had before them in picking the team to represent Otago against Wellington was one of unusual difficulty, especially after the play in Saturday's trial match, when several aspirants for places, whose chances of being ohoßen had probably not hitherto been very seriously considered, put forward, by their play, strong claims for representative honours. To say that the composition of the fifteen, as selected by the Match Committee, gave general satisfaction would be to state what was emphatically not the case. The inclusion of Noel was very severely criticised, and was, by many good judges of the game, regarded as the blot upon the team. However successfully this player may have performed in inter-club matches during the season, it was generally believed that his play in Saturday's trial match effectually extinguished any chance he might have of being selected. The chances of Elder and Lang were favourably thought of by the spectators of the trial match, and the prospects also of King's selection were regarded as more favourable than those of Noel, whose attack as well as his defence had been weak during the game. Under these circumstances, when, as the result of the afternoon's piny, the idea of Noel being selected had been practically dismissed from the public mind, his inclusion in the team came as a great surprise. There was a good deal of difference of opinion as to whether Restieaux or Cran should be chosen as Crawford's colleague, those who favoured the former's chances urging that it would be unwise to break up the combination of Alhambra backs, and that he was worth his place on account of his skill in kicking goals, while, on the other hand, Cran's strong defensive play was advanced as a reason why he should be selected. As to the forwards, nearly everybody who was competent to express an opinion agreed as to seven or eight of the nine who should be ohoßen. After their play in the afternoon it would have been surprising had Beadle and Matheson not been included in the team, but the wisdom of select* ing Montgomery, on his present form, was questioned by many, who, however, recognised that with another week or two's' training the University captain would be worth his place. It was, perhaps, fortunate for him, that the play on Saturday afternoon was not so fast as it was in the previous trial match (in which he was not playing), for the pace would in all probability have discovered his weak point.

The interprovincial match', which was fought out yesterday? is the sixth that has been played between representatives of ptago and Wellington. The first two of these matches, however, were not between representives of the Rugby Unions, for the Wellington Union was not established till 1879 and the Otago Union till two yearß later. Still the teamsthat took part in the former matches were sufficiently representative to entitle the contests to be regarded as interprovincial ones. The first matoh of the series was that played during the Northern tour of the Dunedin Football Olub's team (including, as Otagans know, two members of the Union Olub), at Wellington on August 24, 1877. That contest was easily won by the visitors by four goals and two tries to nothing. A. Oargill and W. M'Lean potted goals for the Dunedin team, W. G. Dixon plaoed a goal from the field, P. Nichol converted a try, and W. G. Dixon and H. Rose obtained tries which were not enhanced.

At that time the Dunedin colours were red and black, not the blue that is now ao familiar, and my recollection of the match, which was played on the Basin reserve — now olosed to football in Wellington— is that the Wellington team wore assorted uniforms. The home players, the majority of whom are still in Wellington — one ; (A. B'Bhop) being, however, a bank manager in Obago, while another (R. Fitzgerald) died in the bloom of his manhood — were compelled to play on the defensive for the greater part of the game, only once threatening the visitors' lines with a fina rush, led, if I recollect rightly, by C. Budge, a fast forward. The matoh (was not a very interesting one. The ohronioler of the day reported, in fact, that the first part of the game, which was played in four spells of half an hour each, was "a succession of severe scrimmages," while the third half-hour was " a continuation of bard sorimmages." In those two spells the Otago team played againßt the wind. Almost exactly two years later — on tha 25th August 1879 -teams representing Wellington and Otago met at Christohurch. The fifteens were on this occasion fairly provincial ones, the Wellington team including G. Bayly and G. Hole, from the Wanganui district, and the Otago team including the aboriginal Kerr Terawhito), from Oamaru. Kerr, who played in place of Hamerton, has been blamed for losing the matoh for Otago, his tackling being weak, He possessed a great reputation as a drop kick, and justly so— he was one of the finest drop kicks I have seen, and also a splendid place kick — but he had no opportunity of displaying hie ability in that respect, for, as h ground was very muddy and got rapidly churned up till it looked like a cattloyard, the play was pretty well confined to the forwards, and, a report of the match says, •' a very rough and tumble game at that." Bayly, who was a fine stamp of a ;throe-quartor back, scorod for Wellington' the only try that was got in the match, and J. R. Murraj played a great game for Ofcagj. The match was played in four spells of 25 minutes each. The next matoh between Wellington and Otago was also played under unfavourable circumstances as to tha ground. Tfia date waa July 24, 1883, and the convincing ground was Newton Park, Wellington. The day was gloomy and cold, and the field of play was in a terrible state, owing to several days' heavy

rain. The Otago team were decided favourites on the strength of their having three days previously easily defeated the Canterbury representatives, and they were indeed a formidable combination, R. S. Allan, Braddon, Galbraith, Murray A. Allan, and W. Allan forming the back division, which would have been stronger still but for an unfortunate accident to Taiaroa in one of the trial matches, and J. Allan, Brown, Fowler, S, Leith, Mills, Niohol, O'Donnell, Robertson, and Stanley Russell being the forwards. The slippery state of the field proved disastrous to Otago, for shortly after the commencement of the second spell (the first spell having been pretty evenly contested) R. S. Allan, in trying to catch the ball from a high kick, slipped on the treaoherouß ground, and before he could recover himself Harry Roberts, who has now, I believe, become an evangelist or something of that sort, dashed in and scored. Extraordinary precautions were taken by the Wellington team to secure a goal if possible, and the toe of Dumbell'a dexter boot had the mud carefully removed from it by a white pocket handkerohief bo that be might have the most favourable opportunity of converting, which, however, he failed to do. For the rest of the game the Otago baokß put forth great exertions to score, Murray, Braddon, and Galbraith making some brilliant dashes, but the defenoe of the local players was very strong, and moreover, the disorderly manner in which the publio crowded on the field hampered the attack of the visitors. Wood, at half baok, played a great game for Wellington, and had the satisfaction of seeing the side which he captained win by a try to nothing. Two years later the first visit of a Wellington representative football team— or indeed of a Wellington representative team of any sort —wad made to Dunedin, and on July 22 j the fourth matoh between Wellington and Otago was played on the Caledonian ground. The visiting team were preceded by the reputation of being splendid, fast players, bat in the course of the match there were indications of their having been overtrained. Their backs did not play up to expectations, the halves, Roberts and Perry (of Masterton) doing most I work, add the efforts of these two men were greatly crippled by the wing play of J. Morris and O. Beok for Otago. The Wellington forwards played very plackily, King and Cooper, both (of them interprovinoial vetarana, being about the best ; but the Otago team gradually wore them down. In tbe first spell Bee (now himself at Wellington) potted a goal for Otago, tbe ball being smartly passed to him by R. Fraßer, who, unfortunately, is entirely confined to the house now by the serious illness of which he has been for co long a victim. In tbe second Bpell M'lntyre and Bee secured tries for Otago, the first of which, from a very difficult angle, H. Treseder converted with a aplendid kiok. The Wellington team^ were unable to score, but were kept pretty well on the defensive, and, very greatly to the gratification of the local publio, the match terminated in a victory for Otago by two goals and a try— ll points according to the system of scoring then in vogue— to nil. After another interval of two years the |fifth match, and the last previous to yesterday's, was fought out between teams representative of the two unions. This matoh was played in AugUßt, 1887 at Newton Park, Wellington, in the course of the Northern tour made by the Otago team. It was considered by 95 per cent, of the publio that the looal players would score the viotory, for the visitors were generally regarded as a weak team, and there were few persons who were prepared to see the match end in a draw, without any score being obtained by either side. It is worthy of note, as showing how rapidly the composition of interprovinoial teams j change and as showing that a player of.average ability cannot expeot to keep his plaoe among tbe representatives of his province for more than three or four years, that only one of tbe ! Otago team in that match was included in the fifteen for yesterday's match, this being Isaacs. Four of the Wellington team of 1887 have, however, scoured places in the team that is at present in tbe South Island, Dixon, Gage, Ellison, and Oockroft being the players referred to.

The Wellington Rugby Union decided to send Mr M'Cardell (treasurer) in charge of the team, whereupon Mr Gormley (the secretary) immediately resigned. He considered that as all the work of preparation had fallen on him the action of the committee was a slight, «espeoially as it had been announced he was to>^o with the team.

Some Dnnedin football player has deemed it worth his while to send to a Masterton resident some particulars of the play of the Alhambra team likely to visit Masterton. It may not have been so intended, but it certainly looks as if the writer, whose letter is published in a Masterton paper, had been actuated by jealousy, and was anxious onr premier team should be defeated. He writes:— "The forwards are terrors for following up their kicks. They are a heavy lot, and you want to put your heaviest; forwards against them. . . . They play two wing forwards and two^half backs, who are the most dangerous men in the team, and will need watching. They have a habit of taking the ball out of the scrum, and your boys will bave to be particularly smart in getting on Restieaux, one of the halves. Back play is their stroDg point. . . . Your fellows will have to watch them closely, for a bigger set of pointers than the team, as a whole, is not to be found ia New Zealand. Be sure and sit on Restieaux, tbe half back, that stands out from the scrum." It seems hardly credible that a Dunedin football player should be found capable of writing the last sentence quoted. The Alhambra football team leave on Saturday morning for the North Island to play the Athletic Olub in Wellington and the Masterton Olub, They should have no difficulty in defeating the Athletics, who, though they are likely to win the premiership— which as a matter of fact they have not yet won — are considered by the majority of the members of the Wellington representative team that was this week in Dunedin as inferior to both the Wellington and Poneke Clubs. At Masterton, however, the Alhambra will meat with stout opposition, and their defeat is quite possible. I b9lieve that the sum of £200 arrived in Dunedin during this waek to be invested on the Mastetton team. The Alhambra' players will be absent from Dunedin for a week.

The oommittee of the Otago Rugby Union have unanimously decided to refuse their consent to the members of the first fifteen of tbe Alhambra Club accepting medals from Mr Tooiney in token of thoir having won the premiership for the season, It is pleasant to record the existence of such a feeling of loyalty between tbe local atblGtio bodies as prompted the committee of the O.RFU. to decline to consider a communication from Mr L. A. Cuff in reference to the proposed visit of a team of athletes to England, and soliciting monetary assistance from tbe uoion, until tb.9 courtesy should be shown the Dunedin Amateur Afchletio Club, the local body to the N.Z.A.A. Association, of forwarding the letter through them. The Canterbury Union were desirous that the interprovincial match with Otago should be played on the 29th mat., but the arrangements having been already made by the

O.R.F.U. for the remaining matches of the season it has been deoided to adhere to the 12th September as the day upon which the Otago team will play in Ghristchurch,

A contributor sends the following: — "Undoubtedly the most interesting match of the season was that played on the Caledonian ground on Thursday between the Wharf Lumpers and the U.S.S. Company's office employes. Tha former, who were led by the redoubtable Captain Dan Matheson, at first wished to be allowed their bale hooks to collar with, but, after some demurring on the part of the clerks, the point was not pressed. We believe, though, that the O.R.F.U. will be asked to add a bye-law permitting the use of hooks in matches of this description. Punctually at 330 o'clock the office boys marched on to the ground followed by the lumpers in real fighting rigjerseys were conspicuous by their absence, but moleskins and dungarees were the order of the day, and heel and toe-plates were the correct thing. Three spells of 20 minutes each were indulged in. Mr Noel wielded the whistle, and Messrs Hunter and Twiname the flags. Turton kicked off for the office, aad Rice speculated at it but missed the ball, and kicked himself off his feet. Matheson came to Hie rescue, and with one of his famous drop kicks placed the clerks on the defensive. Ledger, however, obtained possession, and after a smart run drew first blood for the office. After the kick-out a series of scrums ensued, in which the Wharf team'simply walked over the Office, and Edwards and M'Donell scored. At the end of the second spell the score was 2 points each. The third spell was very fast, and Searle scored for the lumpers and the try was converted. The U.S.S. Company's fast and favourite Ramsay then obtained possession of the leather, and steaming down the touchline at a rate of about 15 knots, easily passed the bulks Rice and Matheson and grounded behind the bar — we mean the posts. Hughes converted. The ball waa next passed out to • Chummy junior,' who made a rattling run down the field, but was grassed a few yards from the line. Edwards next came heavily in contact with the full back, but the loss of two teeth was the only result. It was now five minutes to time, and the excitement among the onlookers was very keen. Cries rose such as, ' Well played moleskins,' • Go it pen and ink slingers.V Pat you* weight in, lumpers,' ' Play loose, blotting pads and ink erasers,' &a. Time was called shortly afterwards, and the score stood— Office, 11 points ; lumpers, 5. The lumpers had a long way the best forwards, conspicuous among them being M'Donell, Edwards, and Miller, the latter being much admired as he walked down the field with four men on his back. Among the backs Captain Matheson was conspicuous by the clever manner in which he evaded collaring his opponents. The back play of the office was very good, Mill and Elder, who both scored, being conspicuous. It was a great pity that the O.R.F.U. Match Committee were not present, as I am sure that several of the players would have been included in the team to represent the province."

The trial match on the Carisbrook ground on Saturday afternoon had a result that was unexpected, for the Colours, which side may be said to have been composed of the players whose selection in the representative team was improbable, defeated the Blues, or Probables, whom they met on level terms, by 9 points to 4.

Before leaving Wellington the Representative team played a challenge fifteen, and the match resulted in a win for the former by 16 points (five goals and a try) to 3 points (all tries). The Representatives had much the best of the first spell, but in the second half the game was more even.

The following have been selected to represent Canterbury in the football match with Wellington:—Fall back— H. Wilson; three-quarter backs— T. R. Cresswell, J. Marshall, W. Balcb ; half backs— T. Gordon, E. J. C. Smart, F. Homer; forwards— J. Cow, L. Bbert, F. Evans, C. Garrard, J. Hawkes, W. Humphreys, F. Leach, J. Stokes. A very enjoyable football matoh was played at the Caledonian ground on Saturday between teams representing the firms of Sargood, Son, and Ewen and Bing, Harris, and Co. The game, which was played in two half-hour spells, resulted in an easy win for Sargood's team by 9 points to 1. In the first spell, the only score was a try secured by G. M'Beath for Bing, Harris, and Co. In the second spell Sargood's, with the wind in their favour, made matters lively for their opponents, and tries were obtained in quick succession by Haydon (2), G. Smyth, Hellyer, and Power, the latter converting two. A return match at an early date is anticipated. The High School travelled to Ravensbourne on Saturday, and suffered defeat by the local team by one try to nil. Early in the first spell T. Patterson scored for Ravenßbourne, the kick at goal proving fruitless. There was no other score during the game, which resulted as above. The Alhambra Second met the West Taieri on the Taieri ground on Saturday, and succeeded in defeating them by 3 points to nil. A few minutes after the kick off Carson secured the ball from the line out and dashed over the line. The kick at goal by Searle, although a splendid attempt, was resulfcles?. The play was of a very even nature for some time, uncil M'Ewen broke away from the lino with the ball, and evading the Taieri backs, scored the scond try. The kick was again without resulc. A few good runs were put in at this time by the Taieri backs, but they were unable to score owing to the splendid collaring of the Alhambra. Towards the close of the first spell Barclay ran in behind the posts, bat the kick was again a failure. The match Pacific First v. Union Second was played at Tahuna Park, and resulted in a win for the former by three tries to nil. The tries were obtained by King (2) and Cole. The Pirates Second defeated the Dunedin Second by 12 points to nothing. Tries were obtained by Turner (2), Johnston, Mathesod, Stronach, and Stewart. Morley, Mattheweon, and Matheson'succeeded in placing a goal each.

The High School Juniors defeated the Port High School by 17 points to 3. Gordon scored for the Port, and Brown, Hay; Macdonald, and Falconer for the Juniors.

The match Clarendon v. Rossall, played at Walton Park, resulted in a draw, each side scoring a try. The Rangers defeated the Belmonts by 5 points to nil. The Bay View defeated the Rainbows by 4 points to 1. The Gordon v. Clifton and Melrose v. Imperial matches each ended in a draw.

Tho Hokitika Club beat the Brunner Club on Saturday by 12 points to nil and won the premiership. Hokitika has not had a point scored against it in the five matches played.

Under Association rules the Northern played the Rangers at North-East Valley, and after a good and exciting game defeated them by five goals to nil. The goals were kicked by M'Leod (3), and Walker and Duncan one each. The game was played in the bosfc spirit, and the decisions of the umpires were accepted without murmur. The Burnside Association team journeyed to Roslyn to try conclusions with the Koslyn team. Armstrong kicked off for Roslyn, and the ball was well returned by the Burnside backs. The Roslyn made one or two good shots for goal, and but for

the good play of Eastern (in goal) they would certainly have scored. Just as time was being called, Dunlop, who was playing s good defensive game, managed to score for Roslyn. In the second spell Burnside lost the services of Easton, who was playing a splendid gamo in goal. Scott kicked off, and after some good play Hamilton managed to score for Burnside. The same player was soon given another chance to score, which he was not slow in doing. After the kick out some good play on the part of Arthur and Armstrong (2) carried the ball into Burnside territory, but the good play of the Burnside backs prevented any further score, and the game resulted in a win for Burnside by two goals to one.