LITE FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2013, 22 September 1892, Page 26

LITE FOOTBALL.

TOUR OF THE TOWN TEAM,

(From Oob Special Reporter.) Lawhence, September 21.

The scheme of the Ofcago Rugby Football Union for sending a team of town players to visit the clubs in the interior of the province has been brought to a definite issue, and the team left Dunedin this morning by the south express. A considerable amount of difficulty was experienced during the past few days iv getting together a representative team, such as the country clubs desired should be sent to meet them, but eventually a very strong combination was procured, including as mauy as 11 players who have secured representative honours for their province, besides one who has obtained his place in the Wellington interprovincial team. As a heavy programme had been arranged, it was decided to take 21 players, and the following was the final selection : — Full back — R. Fordyce (Zingari- Richmond) ; three?quartor backs— A. Laurenson (Kaikorai), A. Downes (Alhambra), W. Burnside (Union), D. Stevenson (Taicri), G. Stephenson (Djmedin) ; half backs— O. Orawfurd £A.lhambra), C. Caradus (Kaikorai), H. Harris (Union) ; forwards— R. D. Isaa,cs, captain (Dunedin), J. Baker (Alhambra), J. Beck (Pirates), W. Beadle (Union), J. Campbell (Zingari-Richmond), J. Duncan (Kaikorai), A. Millar (Kaikorai), G. M'Laren (Alhambra), D. M'Laren (Kaikorai), J. O'Neill (Taieri), J. T. Pram (Pirates), and D. Torrance (Kaikorai). Messrs W. Wyinks and F. J. Stilling, of the committee of the Cvago Rugby Union, accompanied the team as managers and Selection Committee, and two press representatives completed the party. For this afternoon's match, in which the tourists met a combined fifteen representing Balclutha, Milton, and Lawrence, Stevenson, Stepheuson, Harris, D. M'Laren, Beck, and O'Neill stood out of the town team. The following was the country team : Full back— Finn (Balclutha) ; three-quarter-backs — Curtain (Lawrence), Watson (Balclutha), C. Grant (Milton) ; half backs — Dunne (Balclutha), Parlane (Milton) ; forwards— Conn, Kelleher, Hart, Watt (Lawrence), A. Grant, W. M'Donald, Tansley (Milton), Lattimer, J. Wyber (Balclutha). Though the weather was glorious, the attendance did not exceed a couple of hundred. After the kick out the country team, playing with the sun behind them, pressed the Blues, and the latter being penalised on account of Duncan being off-side, Wat3on had a place kick without result ; but by passing the Blues carried the play to the other end, and Downes scored the first try, which Laurenson by a splendid kick converted. Shortly afterwards the ball came out in the Colours' territory to Downes, who potted a neat goal ; and the next score was a try obtained by Campbell, this not being improved, A passing rush, in whioh

several forwards took park, led to a try scored by Duncan, and£Laurenson converted. Before half time, Torrance and Burnside also crossed the line, andLaurenson improved on each occasion, raising the score to 26 points to nil. In the second spell the Colours went to pieces, and score after score was recorded against them. Downes, Baker, and Beadle each scored two tries, and Laurenson and Burnside each scored one. Burnside converted four tries, and Laurenson improved one, and the latter also placed a goal from a penalty kick. When no side was called the town team had won by 60 points to nil, the scores consisting of 11 goals and four tries.

After the first few minutes of the game the Colours had little say, though they made a few spasmodic dashes into (the visitors' quarters, whence, however, the ball invariably was removed immediately through the passing of the Blues, who played a game that wouldhave been good enough to secure victory against much stronger opposition than they had to encounter. The country forwards played a hard game, but naturally there was not much combination in their ranks, and towards the close some of them lagged behind. Grant was, perhaps, the pick of them, and among the backs Watson, of the old Montecillo Club, who kicked well, and the other Gra.nt were most conspicuous.

On the Blues' side the forwards all did good service, the most noticeable of them possibly being Baker, who was, however, rather inclined to play for his own hand in the second spell when he found the weakness of the opposition. The combination in the backs of the team was admirable, and some fine passing was shown. Caradus has never played a better game in Otago, and passed out with accuracy. Downes bothered bis opponents by his smartness, and Fordyce's kicking was one of the features of the match, which was efficiently controlled by Mr Wedderspoon. The country team was regarded as one of the strongest that the town team will have to meet in their tour, and the extent of the win was quite unexpected.

Consolation Handicap, of 15sovs. For all horses beaten during the meeting except post entry horses. Distavce, one mile. Entrance, 15s. 'Nominations for all Handicaps, including Time Trot, to be made to the Secretary on or before MONDAY, 3rd October 1892. Weights will be declared on the 11th October 1892. Acceptances and Entries for Maiden Plate to be received not later than 8 p.m. on THURSDAY, 20th October 1892. R. DEWAR, 22s Secretary.