SOUTHLAND FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 7 April 1892, Page 31

SOUTHLAND FOOTBALL.

On Wednesday, March 30, on the Union ground, a match was played between the Star and Pirates in aid of the relief of the Welsh family, and resulted in a win for the Star by three tries to nil. It was thought by many that the Star would fall on account of the hard training that the Pirates had been doing for the past two months, but they were deceived, for the Star played a splendid game, especially in the back division, where Jenkins at half (the position he is best qualified to fill) was the best. The Pirates' weak point lay in their backs, who were very poor with the exception of Rodgers and D. Bain, who played well and saved their side repeatedly. Their forwards quite held their own on the line and in the serums, but were not up to the Star in heeling out or in the loose. Some of them are rather green and unable to take an advantage when the opportunity occurs. There was much blood shed and many illuminated faces. Messrs Aspray, Porter, and Harraway acted as umpires, and referee. Their decisions were as unsatisfactory as the decisions of umpires and referees always are, and they received the usual amount of abuse from the players and the public.

Next Wednesday the Pirates and Invercargill will play a match, which I think will result in a win for the former. The Invercargill will not have the services of Treseder this season. Both teams are in active training for their matches in Dunedin, but I don't think all they can do will avert a defeat in either case.

The following I think will be near the team that will represent the Pirates in their match with the Kaikorai : — Backs — Derbie, V. Ekensteen, Rodgers, Manson, Tapper, Bain ; forwards — M'Kay, Taylor, M'Crobie (2), Anthony, Lenard, Sangster, Mentiplay, Lennio, or Duncan.

I hear that the Winton Club will visit Queenstown at Easber, under the captaincy of Thomas. Who they will play I do not know, as there is very little heard from Queenstown about football. It is to hoped that thei Wintonians will rouse them up a little. Last Friday week Mr A. Hannah, who is about to take his leave for Wellington, and who will be missed by the Star Club and by the Southland Union, was met in the Shamrock Hotel by the members of his club and presented with a handsome dressing case as a token of the esteem in which he is held by them as a player, and a member, and a jolly good fellow.

I regret to have to mention the fact of the death of the young wife of Mr G. R. George, who for the last six or seven years has taken an active interest in football here, and who was during that time a member of the union. I am sure in his bereavement Mr George, though he has left us, will have the sympathy of all the Invercargill footballers.— Crossbau.