FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 29

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FORWARD.

The following table shows tho records of the senior clubs in their matches this season against each other : —

J.ne annual match between the Alhambra and Menvale Clubs will be played on Saturday at ChnstcWh. The members of tho Alhambra team, who, I imagine, will be warm favourites, leave Dunedin by the express train this (Thursday) morning. v The Taieri Club pay LlO for the rent of their ground for the season, and they rely on their gate-money to some extent to enable them to discharge their liability in this respect and to keep the ground in order. The takings at tho gate last Saturday were two shillings ! A large number of supporters of the Ziugari-Richmond Club went out to Mosgiel, but they preferred jumping the fence to entering by the gate and paying their Jmoney like men, and they assumed a virtuously indignant air at being requested to part with their sixpences. The English vocabulary is inadequate to justly characterise such contemptible meanness. The Queensland footballers have defeated „« th Wales this fc ™c by 18 points to 9. lhe team that was selected to represent New bouth Wales against Queensland on the 23rd ult. was composed as follows : — Lyons, Moulton, Braddon, Abbott, (or Colquhoun), Moses, Ihilhps, Surman, Outtrim, Shappere, Hale, Cowan, Reed, Belbridge, Bowman, and Veech. It will be seen that there are two ox-New Z-ealanders included in the number, these being Braddou and Surman. As I have already said there were three old Maorilanders in the Queensland team. Of these three the Brisbane livening Observer, in some particulars about the team, has the following to say "Full back: F. Warbrick (Wallaroos), 10.8, a sure tackier, kicks with either foot, very cool player, and can bo depended on. Half back : r ,'i Warbrick (Boomerangs), 12.4, played at lull back last season, kicks and follows up well, good tackier, and bird to stop when goiii" Forward : G. Matheson (Emus), 13.3, a Canterbury (N.Z.) representative, a most unselfish player and powerful forward, splendid ou tho line out, is a host in himself."

At Christchurch on Saturday, a trial match was played. Two very fair teams opposod oach other, the Reds beating the Colours by fivegoals and three tries (31 points) to a goal and two tries (9 points). The Selection Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union — Messrs Dixon, Arneil, and Speight—met on Monday and picked the following fifteen to represent Auckland against Taranaki on Saturday : — Full back, F. Taylor; three - quarters — R. Masefield, F. Peace, F. M. Jervis ; halves —W. Elliott, A. Braund, W. Rhodes ; forwards — Murray, Blarschall, Bruce, O'Connor, Montgomerie, M'Millan, Pennalligan, D. Stewart. The Taranaki team leave for tho Thames to-morrow. They were on Saturday guests at a smoke concert given by Aucklauders to the Thames team.

The match between Taranaki and Manawalu ended in a draw. There was a good attendance, and the ground was in fair condition, despite the recent heavy rains. The play was mostly among the forwards, and was of " an even character in the first spell, towards the close of which Taranaki rushed the ball over tho line, but lpst it after a maul. Tho visitors were superior in the second spell, keeping the game mostly in the Manawatu twenty-five. Lusk had one or two shots at goal from penalty kicks, but was unable to score.

An Auckland telegram states that in tho football match Auckland v. Thames, the former won by 16 points to 7.

The Zingari-Richmond team visited Mosgiel on Saturday afternoon to play their return match with the Taieri Club, and a good deal of interest was manifested in the fixture, as it was clear that upon the result would depend the possession of third place in the list of clubs for the season. Though the weather was beautiful the ground was very heavy, and the ball speedily was reduced to a greasy state. The Taieri team were without two of their regular backs, Mann and Gibson, and this necessitated a rearrangement of their rear division, Flynn taking Mann's i^lace at half, while Oliver played three-quarter back, and Robertson, a Second Fifteen player, was full back.

The Zingari-Richmond played for the first spell from the pavilion end, and this gave them the advantage of having a dazzling sun behind them — an advantage which their backs did nob fail to avail themselves of by kicking tho balU high in the air to their opponents, who could not properly judge it as it fell. % The play from the outset was, however, confined chiefly to the forwards, and both sides with loose rushes invaded their adversaries' quarters. The game had not been long started before the Zingari (or the Richmond, as their supporters seem to have adopted as the abbreviated form of the club's doublebarrelled name) having the ball well within the Taieri territory, palpable off-side play by M'Donald gave the visitors a free kick, and Weebor placed a goal from an easy distance and angle. The Taieri had an opportunity some time afterwards of equalising the score, for Flynn had a kick afc goal from a free kick for off-side play, the ball being placed for him in a line with the quarter distance, but he failed in the attempt, and at half time there was no addition to the score.

The &un was still in the eyes of the defenders of the eastern goal when the teams crossed over, and as, though there had been a score against them, the Taieri had actually had the best of the play in the first spell, the supporters of the local team were in hopes that they would be able before the conclusion of the match to top their opponents' score. Had they utilised the chances they got they might have done so, or very nearly done so, but they failed to make the most of their opportunities or to cross the Richmond line, while the visitors, on the other hand, materially increase'. 1 , their record. The first score of the latter was, indeed, a lucky one, for the ball was kicked by Esquilant towards the Taieri full back, who, in running for it, slipped and fell, and the Richmond captain, backing up his kick^pecured the ball before any other player could* got near it, nml ran in, practically without opposition. "Wcebor registered the major points. Shortly before the termination of the struggle Garside obtained a further try for the visitors, but this was not improved, and it being the final score of the match, the Zingari-Richmond won by 10 points to nil.

The play, which was efficiently controlled by Mr F. D. Clayton, was not noteworthy "as mi exposition of the fine points of the game. On the contrary, while it was essentially a hard tussle from beginning to end, the forwards on both sides playing with any amount of vigour, there were few lessons in football to be derived from it. One lesson, however, was furnished by the Richmond forwards, who showed with what effect a team, playing closely together, keeping well on the ball, and tackling forcibly, can perform. Campbell and Garside were probably the pick of the forwards on the winning side, but there was not much to choose between the best aud the worst of them, in which fact consists largely the strength of the club. O'Neill was as conspicuous as any of the Taieri scrummagers, but Findlay and Stoddarb did a lot of work. The forwards on both sides committed numerous infringements, and penalty kicks were frequent incidents. , Of the Zingari-Richmond backs Esquilant and R. Fordyce were the best. The former played with capital -judgment, and the latter was safe and kicked admirably under not alwaj s favourable circumstances. Weeber also kicked judiciously, and Winthrop did some useful work. The halves on both sides played serviceable games, Flynn's display being about the most effective. Stevenson was not so conspicuous for the Taieri as on the previous Saturday, and, while he ran well, his kicking was not so reliable. Oliver, on the other wing, kicked exceedingly well, and had hard lines in only getting a poster in dropping, in the second spell, at the Zingari goal. He did not trust much to running, but he made one sensational run, in which he jumped clean over the Zingari full back, as the latter set himself to tackle him, and had he been properly backed up a score to the Taieri must have resulted. Maclrie, in the centre, was useful but not brilliant, and Robertson was a capable full back. The Carisbrook ground was the scene of the return match between the Pirates aud University clubs, which resulted in a win for the former by two tries to one (4 points to 2)- The ground after the heavy rain during the earlier part of the week was in bad order and militated against fast play. The game was chiefly confined to the forwards, and the superior skill of the Pirates in the loose play more than counterbalanced the heavier scrummaging power of the ' Varsity. MrW. Wyinks officiated with the whistle.

Montgomery won the toss, and elected to play from the pavilion end, thus giving his opponents the sun in their eyes. The first score was in favour of the visitors — Ross, after a dashing run started by Haydon breaking away from the line out, touching down close to the touch-in-goal flag. The score was not enhanced by Strong's kick at goal. Towards the end of the spell the Pirates equalised matters, Hume scoring after one of his quick dashes from a pass from Williams, who received the ball from Rae. The place was a difficult one, and no goal resulted from Priest's attempt. In the second spell the Pirates had much the best of the play, though they only succeeded in crossing the visitors' line once. The ball from a rush was swept over the line by Brown, and Rae touched down near the posts. Drabble failed to convert, though the try was an easy one. There was no further score, and the game ended as already Mentioned. For the Blacks Hume's reappearance in the back division was in a large measure accountable for the victory, and Rae and Williams were also very noticeable. Cran was unfortunate enough to receive an injury to his neck in the second spell which necessitated his retirement, and Milne was taken out of the forward ranks to fill the vacancy. Of the forwards Priest, C. E. Morris, and Prain^ were perhaps most noticeable, and M'Queen," a recruit from the Second Fifteen gave promise of developing into a first - class player. Of the 'Varsity Rutherford at full back, Porteous at centre' three-quarter, and Collins at half, were the best of the back division, and among the forwards Montgomery, Ross, and Platts (who had the misfortune to break his nose) got over the heavy ground somewhat in front of their comrades.

The return match between the Alhambra and Union Clubs was played on the North ground, and resulted in a win for Alhambra by 17 points to 2. There was a large number of spectators. The ground was in a terribly muddy condition. Crawfurd won the toss and kicked off from the north end, and the Union had immediately to assume the defensive. . About five minutes after the < kick-off Alex. Downes passed to his brother, who ran in, but no goal resulted from the place-kick. Play after this became oentred for a time, but Johnston then dribbled nearly to the full back, when he picked up and passed to Bsquilant, who succeeded in scoring. The try was converted by Restieaux. The Alhambra continued the attack, and before the spell had concluded scored three further tries, those who got over being T. Downes, Baker, and Johnston.

The second spell was stubbornly contested, and on the whole much more even. Shortly after play started Downes passed to Noel, who made a brilliant and dodgy run and scored a try. Restieaux failed with the kick. After some further play the Alhambra again crossed the Union lines, and Restieaux again failed, the ball striking one of the goal posts. The Union forwards then invaded the Alhambra territory, and after a lot of fierce scrummaging H. Douglas touched down for the Union. The referee awarded a try, but as Beadle was bringing out the ball it was found that the line umpire had raised his flag before the ball was touched down, and play had to be resumed in a very muddy corner near the toueh-in-goal flag. The Alhambra cleared their lines, but in a few minutes Gibson kicked the ball, and the Union forwards following up well, Beadle picked up and ran in. From the try Gibson kicked a poster. Give-and-take play ensued till the whistle sounded, the game terminating — Alhambra 17 points, Union 2 points.

The winners' backs all played well, A. and T. Downes and Crawfurd being in great form. Johnston, M'Laren, and Esquilant may be regarded as the pick of the forwards. For the losing side Burnside, Gibson, and Harris played well among the backs, the former, to strengthen the back play, being shifted from half-back to centre three-quarter, where he did splendid work, his collating of Noel being particularly good. Beadle played a dashing game from start to finish, and was well supported by M'Kinley, M'Donald, Barr, and Jenkins. It may be mentioned that the Alhambra played their full strength ; while substitutes had to be found in the ranks of the Union men for Wright, Hanniug, Munro, and Alexander, all of whom may be regarded as prominent forwards.

The return match between the Kaikorai and Dunedin clubs took place at the Caledonian ground, and, was won by Kaikorai by 11 points to nil. There was a fair attendance of specbatow. The ground was in a very heavy condibion owing to the late severe frosts ; for play had hardly began when the field became a sea of mud, aud'on this accouut anything like a scientific exposition of back play was out of the question. In the first spell the Dunedin forwards made the game " tight," and were therefore able to more than hold their own, giving the Kaikorai rather a merry time of it. The firet spell ended

without a score on either side. Towards the close of the second spell the Kaikorai men seemed to waken up and scored four tries through the agency of Davis, Duncan, M'Laren, and Richardson, in quick succession. Laurenson, by a phenomenal kick, converted the first try, but the other three were very poor attempts.

Of the Kaikorai forwards W. King, who was played as wing forward in the first spell, was put into the scrum in the second half, where he played a rattling game. He was ably seconded by Gawn and A. Miller, the other forwards apparently not playing up to their standard at all. The half backs, Davis and Duncan (considering the marked attention they received at the hands of the Dunedin halves and wing forwards), played very well together. Of the three-quarters Richardson seemed to be the beat, his dodgy running and kicking proving of much service to his side. The form displayed by Laurenson fell far short of many of his previous efforts this season. Caradus as a wing three-quarter was rather out of his element. King at full back played very creditably, his long kicking frequently getting his team out of difficulties.

In bhe Dunedin team Lynch played instead of Taiaroa at wing three-quarter. The whole team played well in the first spell, but want of training told its tale, and in the last 15 minutes of the second spell they fairly went to piecea. Of a fair team of forwards, Driver on the wing and Heenan, Isaacs, aud Turton in the scrum were the best. The backs played a poor game, which was only redeeming by the play of Brooks at half and Mackenzie at three-quarter. Lynch was " off colour," while Haig, at full back, found the ball too slippery for him. An objectionable feature of the game was the amount of talking indulged in by both teams, and it is high time that captains exercised their authority to put a stop to ifc. - The matter rests in their hands. Mr J. H. Chapman officiated with the whistle.

Considerable interest was taken in the meeting at Tahuna Park of the Pacific First and Kaikorai Second as both had an unbeaten record for the season. There was a large attendance of the supporters of each side, a considerable portion being of the fairer sex. Much to the surprise of the hill team and their supporters the Pacific scored an easy win by 22 points to nil. The winners on starting almost at once penned bhe Kaikorai men in their twenty-five, and Thomson picking up and passing to Summerel, that player scored the first try for the Pacific. In a few minutes Cole scored another try near the corner flag. Gibb on both occasions failed to register the major point. From this out the game was not interesting, as the Kaikorai team were outclassed. M'Farlane and M'lndoe each scored a try, and W. Thompson converted one into a goal. In the second spell the hill team can scarcely be said to have been ever dangerous. The Pacific added another nine points to their score — King, W. Thompson, and M'Farlane, each scoring a try, Thompson converting his own into a goal. Pollock, for the winners, was reliable at full back, his neab picking up and kicking were well worth seeing. Cole and Thompson, on bhe wing, played a good game, the latber twice striking the bar when potting at goal. Gibb, at centre, put in some good work, bub went in for potting too much. The halves played a sound game, Hambleton showing an improvement on his previous form. The forwards played a rattling game from start to finish, their combination completely smothering their opponents.

The Warehousemen's First Fifteen played Green Island on the latter's ground on Saturday, and a very enjoyable game took place. There was some very hard playing from kick-off till time was called, neither side scoring. Every man in both teams played his level best, and it would be hardly fair to enumerate any particular player ; but, from an onlooker's point of view, Besb brothers, Gillan, aud Smeaton of the Warehousemen, and Brown, Davison, and "Wee Sandie " (14st) of the Green Island seemed to be in the besb form, and were very conspicuous in both tight and loose play. The match Port Chalmers v. Dunedin Second was played on the former's ground on Saturday, and resulted in an easy win for the Port Club by 22 points to ail. In bhe first spell Kelly and Montgomery scored tries. In the second spell Driver, Hunter, Lyle, and Stewart also gained tries, two of which Wilson enhanced. Hunter also potted a' goal. The Dunedin team played under a disadvantage, having three or four substitutes.

The match Star v. United ended in a draw, the score being 2 points each.

The Standard beat Fernhill by 4 points (two tries) to nil.

An evenly contested game was played on the Asylum ground between the Melrose and Pacific Second, which ended in a draw. For the Melroee Highloy, Currie, Fountain, Pearce, Hume, and Wallace, and for Pacific Burke, Brady, Irvine, Botting, Ritchie, and M'Farlane being the best of them.

The fixture Warehousemen Second Fifteen v. Pirates Third did not come off. The Warehouse team were all waiting when a solitary member of the Pirates team turned up (without uniform), and explained that the Pirates could not play as they could only muster 10, although their team had been advertised. This ■is jthe sixth time the Warehousemen's Second have been disappointed this season. It is their intuition to claim the match as a win. Taking in matches by default, the Warehousemen's Second's regojrd is as follows : — Matches played 4, wins 9, losses 1.

Another fixture which went by default was that of the Union Second v. Alhambra Second, at Ooho. Owing to the large demands on the Union Second to fill up the ranks of the First Fifteen it was found impossible to get a team together, and by an oversight the intimation ib wasinbended bo give to the Alhambra team was not given.

A match U'ider Association rules between the Northern and Rangers clubs was played on the latter's ground, and after a close and exciting game resulted in a win for the Northern by four goals to two. J. M'Donald kicked off for the Northern, who for the first spell were playing wibh bhe sun in their eyes. After some give-and-take play the Northern managed to break through the defence of tho Rangers' backs, and Sharp scored goal number one. After this reverse the Rangers played up grandly, aud Adams, with a good shot, equalised the scores. The game became very close and exciting after this, but up to half-time there was no further score. After the kick off the game was very even for some time, strenuous efforts to score being made by both sides. The Rangers swept down bhe field, and Adams, obbainingp ssession, with a good bhot scored goal number two for the Rangers. The northern invaded the Rangers' territory, where they obtained a foul. Leech, taking the kick, passed to A. M'Donald, who scored goal number two for the Northern, making the scores even. The game was very fast after this, both sides showing some good play. The Northern then, with a passing rush, took the ball well down the field, and the Rangers' full back making a mis-kick a corner was given. M'Leod, with a fine effort, succeeded in placing the ball fair in front of the goal, the ball glancing off one of the

Rangers' men and going through. The Rangers played up with great spirit after this, M'Laughlin especially putting in a lot of useful work ; bub bhe good back play of bhe Northern provented a score, though on one occasion the Rangers had very hard luck, as the ball passed the Northern goalkeeper, bub the Rangers were unable to obtain possession before Campbell, with a fine kick, saved. The Northern forwards, wibh good combination, took the ball well down bhe field, and M'Duff passing to Leech, that player scored goal No. 4 for his side. There was no further score after this, and the game ended with a win for the Northern. A match between the Roslyu and Burnside (Association) teams was played.at Burnside. The ground was soft and slippery ; and bhe game was cousequenbly nob so fasb as is usual when bhese beams meet. The Roslyn captain, winning the toss, elected to play with the sun at his back. Burnside kicked off. The return kick of the Roslyu was well followed up by the forwards, and the ball passing successively from Gillespie, centre forward, to Sunderland, inner wing, and from Sunderland to J. Macmillan, extreme wing, was shob through by bhe last-named. Tho kick off did not relieve the Burnside, who wore kept on the defensive by good back play on the part of the Roslyn. A free kick was allowed the visitors before the Burnside goal, and Salmond passing to D. Macmillan the latter safely negotiated the second point for Roslyn. Buruside now had a turn ; but bad backing up and erratic shooting spoiled their chances. Shortly before call of time, Roslyn, who had been pressing their opponents, obtained their third goal from a combined rush. In the second spell, play was more even, and the backs on both sides had their work cut our. Smith relieved the Burnside repeatedly by good kicking, and Harrison, in goal, saved well. But the Roslyn were not to be denied, and in a scrummage before the goal the ball was forced through by their forwards. This was the last score, as, although Burnside pressed Roslyn more bhan once, they were unable to score. The game thus ended in a win for the Roslyn by 4 to nil.

Matches. Points. a £_ 8 8 (i 3 4 \ 1 a 1 A 103 87 73 19 43 39 25 33 .s & <j 24 21 27 50 80 77 55 8S Llhambra taikorai... .'. lingnri-llichmond aieri 'iratea )unedin Jnivetsity Jnion ... 9 10 11 8 11 12 9 10 1 1 3 4 6 7 6 9 1 2 1 1 i ; - _