FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2007, 11 August 1892, Page 29

FOOTBALL.

NOTES BY FORWARD. The following table shows the records of the senior clubs in their matches this season against each other :—: —

The committee of tho Canterbury Rugby Union on the 4th decided to play tho annual match with Otago on a Saturday, as requested by the Otago Rugby Union. It was decided to play tho South Canterbury Union on a Thursday as requested. In answer to a letter from the South Canterbury Rugby Union, the following motion was carried unanimously : — "That the Rugby Union has no jurisdiction over a footballer not engaged in a game." The Lyttelton Times, in its report of the match last Saturday between theAlhambraand Meiivalo clubs, says i— "Tho Alhanlbra men's play was of a high order, although in tho first spell they had nothing the best of tho gamo, and some disappointment was felt at the play. After tho interval, as is usual with the Alhambras, they came out in no uncertain fashion, and by their rapid short passing rushes completely bewildered the local men for sometime. It must be admitted though, that Merivale played a line, hard and plucky game against a superior toam, aud that it had bad luck upon several occasions. The particular point of excellence jn the visitors' play was the splendid, clean and cool work done by the men immediately behind tho scrummages, whilst the combination amongst the forwards was very noticeable, aud was no small factor in the ultimate result." From Waikouaiti I a learn with regret that football is steadily on ,the decline in tho district, and that tho local club can only at present raise seven or eight men, the rest of the team being engaged in rabbiting. I am told that there aro some players ' in Central Otago— men who are highly thought of in their clubs for their play— who huvo never taken tho trouble to acquaint themselves with tho laws of the game, by reading them. One such player confesses to having looked at tho photograph in this year's " Annual," after which ho puts the book away — and he has never read the rules ! The Geiieral Committee of the Otago Rugby Union met on Tuesday night. Mr Ohisholm occupied tho chair, and there were -also present Messrs Milne, Stilling, Montgomery, Wyinks, Home, and Chapmau. The Canterbury Rugby Union wrote intimating that it had been decided to accede to the request of the committee to play the interprovincial match on Saturday, September 17. The secretary was instructed to convey the thanks of the committee to the Canterbury Union. — It was unanimously decided to play Southland on the 7th of September, and that the town team should leave on the visit to the country districts immediately after the match with Canterbury — say, on or about the 22nd September. The details of the tour — which promises to be a most beneficial one for country football — were left to a subcommittee to arrange. — It was decided to hold the annual charity tournament on Saturday, 20th inst., and Messrs Martin, Milne, and Stilling, with the secretary and the treasurer, were appointed to draw up the conditions of competition. — Further consideration of the report of the referee in' the Clyde- Alexandra match on the 30th July was postponed till next meeting. The football match Clutha v. Roxburgh, played at Balclutha on Tuesday, resulted in a win for the Clutha team by two tries (obtained by Wyber and Lattimore) to nil. _ The visitors played a good game, but were deficient in the dribbling game and weak at three-quarters.

The New Zealand Union's Appeal Committee have decided that a ball striking a spectator shall immediately become a dead ball. This was the case in the match Newton (Auckland) v. Ponsonby. A Newton man chased the ball over the Ponsonby 's goal line, and it struck a spectator, who was a member of the Ponsonby Club. The Newton player claimed that the ball was purposely obstructed, and that he would have gained a try otherwise. Ponsonby denied this intention, and claimed that they would have* been able to force down. Tho referee gave it a dead ball under the previous decision of the New Zealand Union, but said that Newton would have gained the try. The matter finally reached the New Zealand Union Appeal Committee for inquiry and decision. The committee urge on all clubs tho importance of keeping tho spectators away from bohind the goal or along the touch lines.

The Napier Telegraph says that the scheme to take a North Island team of footballers to Australia, England, and America, or Jerusalem if necessary, does not find much favour amongst the sports in Hawke's Bay, and that should the matter ever be laid before the Hawke's Bay Union it is likely to meet with strong opposition from some of the delegates. By common consent the return match between the Kaikorai and Zingari-Richmond Clubs was decided to be the match that would provide the most interesting tussle of Saturday, and, despite the uncomeatableness of the Kaikorai ground, where the contest took place, there was a large crowd of spectators, a ring three and four deep lining the ground all the way round. The field of play had been roped in, but this precaution was not altogether effectual to prevent the onlookers from crowding on the ground. The " barracker " was iv evidence iv au unpleasantly obtrusive manner. The play had hardly been started before tho agreeable suggestion was made to the home team that they bhould give their exponents ''their medicine"; and advice such as "Down with the 'sod,'" "Screw their necks," "Serve it up," "Punch him," which, seasoned with language of au undesirable strength, was freely tendered to members of the rival teams by some of their supporters, will sufficiently indicate the feelings of sections of the spectators. Mr W. Wyinks, who controlled the gamo with thorough efficiency and impartiality, did not escape the attention of the inexperienced but raucous - voiced individuals whose room on the football field is so much to be preferred before their conipai^', and he was roundly hooted on one or two occasions when his decisions did not meet with their views. For the first spell tho ZingariRichmond played from the town end, and only a couple of minutes after Torranco's kick-off a free kick to the home players for off-sido play in the Richmond quarters produced a forcedown, Laurenson failing to place a goal. Shortly afterwards a kick of Richardson's, admirably backed up by Laurenson, resulted in

the ball being carried across the line, but the Richmond saved a score. Some desperate rushes by the visiting forwards shifted tho play to the Kaikorai end, but the venue was changed by Duncan charging down, in splendid fashion, a kick from the Richmond lull back. The Colours' forwards again drove the homo team back, and some of them swept across the live, where Garside dropped on the ball, but a free kick to tho Kttikorai was ordered for off-side play outside the line. Smart kicking by Esquilant kept the Blues defending for some time, but afber some give-and-tako play of a terribly vigorous description the play was transferred to the Richmond line, and Caradus, receiving a pass, struggled across between the posts. Laurenson improved the score, and at half-time, which was called shortly afterwards, the Kaikorai led by 5 points to nil. In the second spell the play speedily appeared at the Zingari-Richmond end, and W. King made a bold bid for a score but was grassed before he could get through. Some looso passing by the Kaikorai enabled the visitors to obtain some breathing space, but Richardson obtained a mark about tho quarter distance and placed the ball for Laurenson, whose kick was charged down by Campbell. Then Dunn was prominent in an invasion of the Blues' territory, but sharp following up by M'Laren, who tackled R. Fordyee before the latter could get his kick, again set the Richmond defending. The play now became very fast, and in a few minutes' time it was tho Kaikorai who were on the defensive, the Colours' forwards having rushed tho ball up the field in capital style. Duncan put his lines out of danger, and Holgate with a fine run flattered tho Richmond supporters, but after some exciting and hard play, in which Laurenson was conspicuous abovo all others, the Blues were again down in the visitors' quarters, and had Caradus passed on one occasion, before ho was tackled by the full back, there should have been a score. Ho did not, however, aud Richardson failed by a little to pot a goal from a left-footed drop, a forco down resulting. Tho next incident was that Duncan dribbled over the Richmond line, but lost the ball, which was kicked somewhere down the hill into tho Kaikorai Valley. On play being resumed, the visitors were kept hard at work in their quarters, and after Davis had got over, only to have the ball called back for a prior infringement, A. Millar dribbled to the line, where K. Fordyco dropped on the ball, saving the score. The 1 whistle was blown shortly afterwards, the Kaikorai winning by 5 points to nil.

Of the play generally, which was characterised by an unnecessary amount of vigour that frequently approximated to roughness, tho winning team had tho advantage through the greater part of tho match. Their back division was stronger than that of their opponents, and, excepting in the loose play, in which tho Richmond team, as a rule, gained ground, the home forwards moro than held their own, particularly in the tight scrummaging, in which they were more clever than tho visitors. Tho latter, however, followed up splendidly and tackled well — and when a man was tackled he went down, too. Duncan was decidedly the most conspicuous forward on tho ground, and hia quick dashes, together with some judicious kicking, admirably backed up, gained largo stretches of the field for his side. M'Laren was, after him, about the best of the Kaikorai forwards ; while, on tho opposing side, Campbell aud Garside, both of whom got hurt during the game, were generally to the fore, Moloney and Dunn also showing up well. Davis played a capital game at half back for the Kaikoraj, and Caradus did good saving work, but his disinclination to pass spoiled his usefulness in the attacking game. Laurenson was the best back on the ground, his play being characterised by great dash and smartness, combined with judgment. W. King fumbled too much, but Richardson kicked and ran well, and T. King, tho full back, made no mistakes. Esquilant was tho best of the Richmond backs, and he fully utilised every opportunity he had. A. Fordyee, his colleague at half - back, is a promising player, but Weber was disappointing on the wing at throe-quarter back. Holgato, however, played a capital game, while Winthrop did some good kicking, aud R. Fordyee (the full back) was not so reliable as usual, though his kicking frequently was of service to his side.

The return match between the Pirates and Union clubs was played at Carisbrook, and "resulted in the defeat of the home team by three tries to a goal (6 — 5). The ground was in good order, but the play was by no means fast or of a high, order. The interest was maintained right up te call of time, however, the winning try being scored in the last five minutes. In the short time remaining for play the Pirates woke up, and when time w<is called they were right on their opponents' line, an ineffectual shot at goal from a penalty closing -the game. Mr J. 11. Montgomery made a very efficient referee, and Messrs Downes (Union) and J. Stewart (Pirates) controlled the touch lines. The Union had the best of the forward play throughout, and ft! ' Donald soon placed a try to the credit of his side. Just before half time Praia made a good dash and scored between the posts, and the-teams crossed over with the Pirates leading by 5 points to 2.

In the second spell the Pirates acted mostly on the defensive and Gibson was credited with two tries, neither of which was converted, though Burnside with one attempt landed the ball against the crossbar— a fine kick. The Pirates when they found themselves in a minority of 1 point made desperate efforts to score, and Williams made a fine run but was not well backed up. The Union thus won by three tries to one goal (6—5). Cran was absent from the Pirates' ranks and Hume, who was severely knocked about, only kept his place with difficulty. Brown, Williams, and Rae made determined efforts to stave off defeat, and they were well supported by Burton, who took Cran's place behind the scrum. The forwards were lamentably oub of form, Pram and Priest excepted.

The Union full back played a safe game, and got his side out of difficulties on several occasions by his judicious kicking. The wing threequarters played fairly well, though Gibbon fumbled rather badly. Bumbide at centre put in some good work, his kicking being the fcatuio of his play. Harris and Smith were in their besbl'orm, the latter playing a plucky and clever game. Among the forwards, Barr, Hobson, and Johns were most conspicuous. Hobson was especially good in the line work, though his allrou#d play was first-class.

The return match between the Dunedin and Taieri Clubs was played on the Caledonian grouud on Saturday afternoon' before a large number of spectators. The toss was yon by Isaacs, who decided to play with the wind. Findlay kicked off, and for some considerable time there was no material advantage gained by either side, Iho play being very even, and the g.vme keenly contested. Eventually Findlay managed to get in for the Taieri at the corner flag, but the kick, taken by himself, was a failure. From a ps'S.'iing run M'Donald secured the leather, and succeeded in getting over, but the kick failed to enhance the bcore, the lirsfc spell terminating with 4 points to tbo credit of the Taieri, while the Duuedin had not scored,

The second spell was by no means wanting in good play, but the only score obtained was on the Taieri side, Findlay securing another try, but this was not converted, and the game ended in a victory for the Taieri Club by 6 points to nil. This result may be, in part, ascribed to the fact that tho Dunedin men played six of their second fifteen. Mr R. M Rorie held the whistle, and Messrs H. Boydi'll and Dunnon acted as touch line umpires. The passing of the Taieri forwards was a treat to witness, and in this respect they have greatly improved siuce the two slubs last met. As to the individual merits of the players, the Taieri Club was ably represented by Maun, M'Donald, and Stevenson (backs), who in their several positions were reliable. Fiudlay was in great form, and proved a tower of strength to his side. Gibson also showed up well amongst the forwards. For the losing club Boyd, M'Kenzie, and Stephenson did good useful work among the backs ; and Isaacs, Turton, and M'Lean (who is a promising player) were among the best of the forwards. The annual match between the Alhambra and Merivale clubs was played at Christchurch on Saturday. The weather was fine and the ground dry. Some 3000 spectators were present. The first spell was played iv the centre most of the time, the ball now and again making incursions' into the Alhambra territory. Towards tho end of the spell Crawfurd, Restieaux, and A. Downes by fine passing went well down the field, and their efforts being supplemented by a fine charge of forwards, M'Laren scored at the corner. Restieaux failed to convert, and at the interval the score was — Alhambra 2 to nil.

After starting again Restieaux placed a neat goal from a penalty kick, and the Alhambra's score was 5 to nil. Soon afterwards Johnson got away from the line out at centre, and passing at the right moment to A. Downes, the latter went in right behind the posts, and Restieaux converted. Score : 10 to nil. Then the Reds were awarded a free kick at centre, and Downes, kicking high, enabled his men to follow up and smother Pearce's return, and after some hard fighting on the Merivalo line Lambeth scrambled over — Restieaux failing with the kick. Score : 12 to nil. Some give-and-take play followed — Alhambra generally having the advantage— until just on time Merivale were awarded a free kick near centre, and White placed a magnificent goal, bringing the total scores : Alhambra, I<J, Merivale, 3. The game was very fast and bard, the Alhambra's passing tactics in the second spell especially taking a lot of counteracting. The Pacific met the Union Second on the North ground before a large number of spectators. The weather was all that could be desired, but the ground was in a very greasy state, and players had occasionally some difficulty in keeping their feet. The game, as was expected, resulted in a hollow win for the Pacific by 29 points to nil. The Union Second were unable to cope with the continuous onslaught made on their lines by the black-and-whites. The play in the first spell was disappointing. Through selfishness on the part of several of the Pacific forwards, which they would do well to avoid in future, many chances were thrown away. At half-time the score stood — Pacific, 7 points ; Union, nil. The tries were obtained by Summerell and W. Thomson, the latter registering a goal. Tho second spell was remarkable for the scientific display shown by the Pacific. Playing with good combination, the spectators were given a fine exhibition of passing, probably equal to anything seen on tile North ground. Tries were got by Smith (2), Keogh (2), Gibb (2), M'Farlane, and Parsons. W. Thomson registered two goals. The High School First Fifteen journeyed to Port Chalmers on Saturday to meet the local club. Tho match, which was stubbornly contested, resulted in a win for Port by 10 points nil, although that score does Hot give any real idea of the match, as the School played a really fine game. Early in the first spell Fairley scored from a loose rush, and later on Strachan, after a fine bit of passing, finished up a good run by scoring. In the second spell Matheson also scored a try, and T. Hunter potted a goal. The play on both sides was very good, the passing of the Schcol several times gaining a lot of ground for them.

The Pirates Second journeyed to Green Island and met the local team. After a very enjoyable game, the Green Island won by one goal one try to nil. Mackey and Davidson (2) among the backs, and Kerr, Duncan, and C. Freeman, of the forwards, played best for Green Island.

The University Second turned up to a man to play the Alhambra Second, but as only four of the latter put in an appearance, the match could not take place. The University claim this match by default.

Matches. Points. Alhtimbra Kaikorai Siugari-Kichmond L'aicri Pirates Dunedin Univorsity Union 9 11 12 9 12 13 9 11 a £ 8 0 6 4 4 4 3 2 1 1 4 4 7 8 6 0 a 2 Q 1 2 1 1 1 1 103 !)2 73 25 4S 39 25 39 a "? &/ <J 24 21 32 50 88 S3 55 03 - —