LATE FOOTBALL. WELLINGTON v. OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 1956, 20 August 1891, Page 24

LATE FOOTBALL. WELLINGTON v. OTAGO.

VICTORY FOR OTAGO. , The sixth interprovincial football match, and the first bince 1887, between representatives of Wellington and Otago was played on the Carisbiook ground yesterday afternoon. Of the five previous matches one had been drawn and each side had won two, so that upon the issue of the present match depended, so to speak, the odd trick. This, as the account that) follows, will show, the Obago team succeeded in securing with an advantage of 3 points: The day was a perfect one for football, being perfectly calm at Carisbrodk, and there being no sun. A considerable amount of interest was evinced in the contest, and, notwithstanding that the halfholiday, proclaimed by the mayor, was only partially observed, and that on that account a great number of persons were precluded from beiDg present, there was a large attendance of spectators, fully 6000 beiDg on the ground. THe opposing teams were constituted as follows :—: — WxLLitrctTOir. Otago. (Black.) (Blue). FUll BACK. st lb it lb L Dixon ... 10 9 B Biohardson ... 10 7 THREKQUARTBR BACKS. D Gage ... 1112 W H .Noel ... )1 9 W Fraoer ... 11 10 A Downes ... 11 4 H Speed ... 13 12 A Liuremen ... 11 2 HAM 1 BACKS. T B Ellison (capt) 13 4 O Crawfurd ... 10 12 O Caradus ... 11 0 WJGran ... 11 2 F Smith ... 10 2 FOBWABDS. G Beck ... HOW Beadle ... 12 2 J Campbell ... 12 6 A Esquilant ... 12 10 S Oookoroft ... 12 6 RD Isaacs ... 12 3 J Kelly ... 11 8 W Johnston ... 1113 T Forsyth ... 12 0 A Millar ... 12 5 J Milne ... 12 0 B Matheson ... 12 0 FFownall ... 11 9 J M'Cleary ... 12 5 W Fringle ... 12 0 J B Montgomery 14 7 D Torranoe ... 12 6 Messrs H. M'Cardell (an old Canterbury and Wellington representative three-quarter baok) and W. 3. MacLaughlin acted as line umpires, and Mr B. B. Bowler held the referee's whistle. Shortly after 3.15 p.m., the time appointed for the commencement ef the match, the Otago team filed out on to the field of play and were immediately followed by the Wellington players. Cheers having been exchanged, the teams lined out, the visitors plajing for the first spell from the Oaversham end. Campbell kicked off for the visitors and Laurenson returned into touch near the centre. M'Cleary was initrumental in removing the play to the Blacks' quarters, but as Downes missed a pass Speed shitted it back past the centre, and a free kick to Wellington for off side play had the effect of putting Otago on the defensive. The Blues carried a series of sorums before them, aud thus transferred the play to the centre before Spaed stopped them. Oookroft and Campbell dribbled back for a short distance, and a kiok by Fraser sent the ball into touoh near the Blues' twenty-five flag. Isaaos headed a oharge to the centre, where Orawfurd passed to Oran, and the latter fumbling the ball, Smith had picked it up in an instant and ran smartly with it well up to the Blacks' lines, where he passed to Ellison, the ball being, however, thrown forward. From the sorum Oaradus snatched up the leather, and, before tbe Blues realised their daDg*r, bad dodged through their baoks over the line. This early success of the visiting team was cordia'ly applauded, and the charge of the Blues beinx disallowed, through Beadle's eagerness, Ellison took the kick leiturely and placed an undeui-.ble goal. Tbe Blues had been fairly caught napping, and by loud orles from the spectators they were now enjrined to "wake up" Montgomery's kiok out was feebly returned by Speed, but some wild patting let the visitors into neutral ground, and thence the ba'l was kioked down to Richardson, who returned it into touchat thecentre. I The ball was there secured by Orawfurd, who whipped it out to Downes, and the roar that is usually heard when Noel gets the ball with a good chance of sooring was raised as Downes passed out to him. The fast three-quarter baok had bis progress stopped however by Dixon, but not until be had travelled into dangerous proximity to the Blacks' lines. From a line out the ball was kioked to Laurenson, whom Speed tnokled off side, and a penalty kiok being awarded Montgomery had the ball placed for him. It fell short, however, and an interchange of kioks between Gage, Crawfurd, and Speed left the play at the vi*itors"qnarter distance. The Otago backs Bgain brought their passing into operation, and this time i successf nlly. Orawfurd started the passing about the centre by whipping the ball out to Cran, and the latter, after eluding Ellison, passed on to Downes, from whom the ball was transferred to Noel. Tbe latter fumbled the pa*s, but recovered himself, and dashing off with the ball tucked under bis arm ran round Dixon and scored a try, amid great oheering. The kick was taken by Laurenson, who failed to register tbe maj jr points. Campbell kicked out and Downes returned the ball to Speed, who punted into touch at the half distance, whence Fraser, by a running kiok, sent the ball well inside the Blues' quarters where Riohardson ran into touch. Off side play by M'Oleary, in neutral territory, gave the Blacks a free kiok and the ball was placed for Campbell. The kick had splendid direction, bub just fell Bhort, and Torrance diibbled the ball away from its dangerous vicinity to the Otago line. A kick by Gage sent it on to Bichard«on, who ran with it outside his quarters, where his progress was stopped. Isaaos came through the scrum with the ball in front of him, and M'Oleary kicked it on to Fraser, who, being immediately collared by Johnston, throw it baok to Uixon. The latter had two or three of his opponents on to him before he had time to kiok, but he stuck to tbe ball gamely and saved his aide in good style. Speed, getting a pass from Smith, kicked well up the field to Itichardson, whose return only reoovered a few yards. Cran, by fine following up and tackling, removed the ball back into the Blacks' quarters, and after some scrummaging Montgomery had the ball placed for him for another tree kick from the oentre. The ball fell a good bit short, and Gage's return was beautifully taken by Laurenson, who ran Into touch at the twenty-five distance. Some passing by the visitors was nipped in the bud, aud * Dixon was again tnokled near his own line. The ball was passed out by Noel, but too slowly to give him a chance of gottiig away with it. Speed tried hard to relieve the presture, but he was beautifully tackled by Cran, and Downes immediately thereafter potted at goal without avail, the ball hardly rising, and a force down only resulting. Campbell kioked out, but another force down was recorded within a few minutes, as Montgomery burst away from a line out ar>d hia efforts being ably seconded by Esquilant, Millar, and Mathetonthe ball was carried over the line. The Blues' forwards working oloeely together, kept the play when it was resumed in the Wellington quarters for some time until Fraaer removed the danger by a neat kick, to which,

however, Laurenson replied with a pretty punt into touoh. Campbell, by brilliant play carried the ball past the centre, but the Blues were not to be denied, and thanks chiefly to the exertions of Downes, Ksqullant and Montgomery they were down on the Wellington full back, who again stopped the way. Some scrummaging followed in front of the Blacks* goal and Cran obtained a mark very smartly He placed the ball for Laurenson, who evoked loud cheers by kicking a goal. Campbell kioked out, and after some play in neutral territory the ball was kicked down to Richardson, who fumbled it, and was tackled before he could get his kick. The Blacks dribbled down to tbe line but were driven back for a few yards until C&radus obtained a sm»rt mark outside the scrum. The ball was placed for Ellison at an awkward angle and nothing came of thekiok. Oaradus secured possession, however, and made a sharp dash for the line, which was only stopped in time Johnston removed the play to the twenty- five flatr, and nothing further of moment occurred before half time was called. For the second spell Montgomery put out Baqullant and Johnston as wing forward*, tbe attention* of Ellison and Caradus having been found very troublesome in the first spell by the Otago balf-backs. The Blucb' captain's kick-off was returned by Gage Into touoh, the latter plajer immediately afterwards replying to a nice kiok from Downes by a pretty effort. A pass from Smith to Fraser was too slow to enable any advantage to be secured from it, and the Wellington quarters were invaded immediately afterwards through a run of Noel's. From the line-out Esquilant threw out to Downes, but Frsser intercepted the pass without, however, being able to remove the pressure from his Hues, that objeot being accomplished by Oaradus, who kicked smartly down the field. Riohardson replied weakly, but chiefly through Orawfurd's exertions the ball was carried up to tbe Wellington quarters, where Gage came to the rescue with a timely kiok into touoh. Ihe Blacks gradually drove their opponents back, but Torrance picked the ball up smartly, and running through the opposing ranks gave Noel a splendid chance of scoring by paising to him near the line. The ball was, however, missed and tbe chance lost, a force down only resulting. ' Campbell kioked out, and Johmton returned the ball nicely. Montgomery broke away from the line, but Gage stopped his progress and kioked neatly to Noel, who failed to get his return' A rush of the visitors was cleverly stopped by Craa, and then the enthusiasm of the crowd was aroused by a brilliant exhibition of pasting and running on the part of the Blues' forwards, wbioh resulted in a soore. Montgomery started this by breaking away from the line about the middle of the ground. From him the ball was passed to Isaacs, the latter sent it on to M'Cleary, who transferred it to Johnston, and from this player it went on to Beadle, who ran in with it and scored beside the posts. The kiok was taken by Lauremon, but was fruitless. Fraser kioked. out, and Cran returned the ball with a nice kick up to the Blacks' quarters. Fraser was instrumental in removing the play to the centre, but Isaaos and Montgomery headed a charge back to the Wellington twenty-five, where the ball was thrown out to Downee, who potted without effect, the ball paising some little distance outside the Dosts. Isaacs fell on it behind the line, but, as he was off side, a try was diiallowed. The Blues aisumed the offensive again immediately af ber the kick out. Oaradus and Oockroft got away with tbe ball aB far as the centre, but the result of their exertions was nullified by a piece of dribbling by Eequiiant and a run by Downes. A long kiok sent the bill down to Bichardson, who returned it into touoh, and then some more passing by the Otago bsoks threatened the Blacks' lines, the ball being successively handled by Orawfurd, Cran, Downes, and Noel, of whom the latter was nearly over. M'Gleary came through a sorum that followed, but Dixon proved himself once more to be a safe full back and stopped the progress of tbe Albambra captain. The visitors were, however, forced down immediately afterwards. Ellison kicked out smartly, and Downes responded with a good run, finishing up with a kick which sent tbe ball to Dixon. who ran with it into touch. The Wellington forwards worked the ball out of their quarters, but MOleary headed a rush back, which Dixon stopped in gallant style. Loose passing by the Blubb enabled the visitors to dear their lines and to get away with a rush, Cran eventually stopping their progress. A free kick to Wellington was taken by Smith, but this did not improve their position as Downes returned |it with a nice kick, and himself obtaining the ball as it fell kioked it again— this time into touoh past the centre. Fraser took advantage of some bad passing by the Otago players and made a nice run, but Crawfurd and Laurenson carried the ball back. An exohange of kicks between the baoks left the play about the oentre, where Ellison earned warm applause by breaking beautifully away from the line-out and carrying the ball up to the full back. The Blue* regained some little ground, but for an infringement a free kick was then given against them, and thU was taken by Fraser, who dropped at goal. The ball hit some of the Blues In transit, and betides the kick lacked length and was returned by Laurenson. The ball fell shortly afterwards into the hands of Speed, who ran into touoh on the Blues' side of the half distance, jutt when he was beginning to show what a dangerous opponent he musb be when fairly under weigh. Isaaos dribbled the ball away from a sorum, but was not allowed to get far, and Matheton was the next to show up, as he dribbled up to Speed, who stopped his progress finely, and kioked nicely into the Otago quarters. A pass from Orawfurd gave Noel another good show, of which the latter made such use that he was well inside the Blacks' twentyfive before Dixon and Gage between them put him into touoh. Caradus got nicely away from the line out to the quarter distance, but quick following up by the Blues had the visitors again in trouble, Dixon being tackled before he oould" get his kiok. Campbell, Milne, and Hmith between them relieved the pressure, but Isaaos came through a sarum. and, picking up, pasted to Oran. who wriggled out of the embrace of several of the Wellington team and scored a clever try. The place kicking was again at fault, Torrance failing in his attempt to convert. Gage kicked out with a splendid drop, the ball going to Noel, who essayed to run, but was promptly tackled. t Orawfurd and Johnston made smart runs, and Matheson got away with a dribble, but kicked too high, and the ball came into the poiseaaion of Fraser, who kioked prettily baok. Crawfurd marked the ball and placed it for Montgomery, who found the distance too long. Speed obtained possession and punted baok to neutral territory. Oockroft got away with a neat run, but his pass was not taken, and Isaaos wat In the van of a dribbling rush back, which was stopped by Gage. Cockroffc wat conspicuous in a return charge, but Downes picked up smartly and kioked into touoh. When the ball wat thrown in Downes again obtained possession and paised to Laurenson, whom Speed tackled, lifting him up in bis arms amid considerable laughter. Nothing of moment ocourred in the few remaining minutes of play, and when " no side " was called the ball was in the Blacks' territory, the match resulting in a viotory for Otago by 6 points to 3.

The match was an interesting one, and was well contested in the first spell, but the Otago team evinced a superiority in the latter portion of the game. The forwards were fairly well matched, but the passing of the Blues' baoks was better than that of their opponents, whose drop-kicking, however, was a good feature of the game. Tackling has always been a strong point with Wellington teams, and in this game also it proved to be so. Dixon, the full back ot the visiting team, played a safe and fearless game. Of the 6hre-quarter bioks Fraeer, in the oentre, repeatedly came to the rescue of his team by bis smart kicking; Gage kicked splendidly and tackled well, but was not so brilliant as he was when he was here with the Native team; and Speed, who bad not many chances, also kicked well. If the latter had been well fed it is unpleasant from an Otago point of view to contemplate what the consequences might have been, as he takes the ball splendidly, is fast, and very difficult to stop. Ellison and Caradus both played admirably at half back, but Smith was not so noticeable. Cookroft (who had the misfortune to slip his shoulder in the course of the game), Pownall, Milne, Forsyth, and Campbell were perhaps the best of the forwards. Riohardson, the Otago full back, did not play up to expectations, and, with the exception of Downes, who exhibited capital form, the three-quarter baoks did not play up to the usual, though Noel made some slashing runs. Crawfurd did smart work In the offemive play, and Gran played a fine all-round game. Isaaos, who played splendidly all through the game, was the best of the Otago forwards, but Matheson, Johnston, Montgomery, and Torrance were also very conspicuous. The following shows the results of the matches that have been played between Wellington and Otago -.— 1877— At Wellington : Otago won by four goals and two tries to nil. , . . 1879 -At Christcburcb : Wellington won by one TBB3— At Wellington ; Wellington won by one try to ml. , t , 1885— At Dunedin: Otago won by two goals and one try (11 points) to nil.

1887— At Wellington: Drawn, no score. 1891— At Dunedin: Otago won by one goal and three tries to one goal.

In the evening the Wellington team were entertained at dinner in the City Hotel. Mr James Allen (president of the 0.R.F.U.) occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of members of the athletic community. The toasts of " The Queen and Royal Family " and " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers " were proposed by the Chairman, and the latter was acknowledged by Surgeon Couqhtrey. The Chairman proposed the toast of 'The Wellington Team." In doing so he said that the football match this yesr between Wellington and Otago decided the question of the premiership between the two provinces for the last sis years, each having previously won two matches. He coupled with the toast the name of Mr Ellison* the captain of the visitors.

The toast was drunk with enthusiasm.

Mr Ellison, in responding, said he was sure that when the Wellington team returned north it] would be with very happy recollections of Otago. He complimented the Otago team on their excellent passing, which, he said, really paralysed bis team, and he thought it was to it that the defeat of the Wellington players was due. He had expected that his forwards would be beaten, but he did not think his team was beaten in that department at all. — (Hear, hear.) The passing of the Otago backs, however, was certainly good, and he did not remember to have seen better since the time he was in the Native team. The scram work on both sides was very good, but Otago did more feeding to the backs. He thought that the best team had won the matoh. In conclu&ion he expressed his own thanks and the thanks of the Wellington team for the kindness they had received in Dunedin.

The remaining toasts were: — "The Ofcago Team," proposed by Mr Ellison, and responded to by Mr Montgomery ; and " Rugby Football/ proposed by Mr G. L. Dbnniston (president of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club), and acknowledged by Mr H. M'Cabdell. During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs Lawton, Pownall, Black, Ellison, Montgomery, and Dixon; and Mr Cookroft contributed a reoitation.