FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 31

FOOTBALL.

a shot, and Jarvis had a lively second or two of it. Through over-eagerness, however, the Rangers could not score, the ball rolling over the line. The kick out was a good one, and the Northern were not slow to follow it up, but Alf. North sent it bo midfield. Some exchanges between the two centre halves ensued, and W. M'Leod dribbling tha ball with A. White, nearly enabled M'Donald to soore, but Peters saved by a fine kick. The Rangers then attacked, bub the ball went out near bhe .Northern's goal. From a good bhrow in the ball' was headed by E. White to the centre, where a quick shot by the centre half nearly soored the second goal for the Rangers, the ball just hitting the post and rplling back, Jarvis at once preventing a determined shoot made by Adams. The Northern gave their opponents a lively time of it from this ,oub, but the visitors held their own in good style until time was called. Although tho.- game was fast, there was an absence of scientific play, both teams refusing to adopt the' clover passing rushes that the Roslyn have done with so much success this season. The association match between the Rangers Second and Roslyn Second was played on the former's ground, and resulted in a draw, each side scoring"two goals. In the first spell the Roalyn, with the wind at their backs, kepb the RaDgers pretty busy defending, and goals were scored by Waby and Jackson. In the second spell tho Rangers equalised matters, goals being scored for them by Black and Lambert. Strenuous efforts were made to scoro the winning point, but numerous chances were thrown away by hard kicking and defective shootiDg.

NOTES BY FORWARD. The following shows the position of the senior clubs as the result of the interclub matcheß already played :—

The directors of the Kaikorai Football and Recreation Grounds Company have allotted 480 shares to applicants, and as a large number of shareholders have expressed their readiness to pay up their shares in full with a view of getting the ground ready for next season, the directors have resolved to proceed at onee r with the fencing and draining. The - company has secured about five acres on the flat immediately behind Bishopscourt, and as there is no other recreation ground in the borough of .Roslyn the venture should prove a boon to residents. The Wellington Rugby Union have suspended for the remainder of the season a Petone player, named Haggar, for striking the Poneke line umpire, Mr Hare, during the progress of the recent match between the Poneke and Petone Clubs, and Have requested the Poneke Club not to appoint Mr Hare as- their line umpire in future matches. The Sydney Referee estimates that some 2500 persons were present at the match played by the New Zealand Union team at Newcastle, but the takings at the gate only amounted to £44, so that the deadhead must be a good deal in evidence in the coaly city. It was amusing in the matoh between the Kaikorai and Dunedin Clubs on Saturday to see Isaacs kicking out. The Dunedin skipper is not an artist at drop-kicking—he is a low, short kick, but jt served the purpose on Saturday, when Sullivan's lofty kicks simply resulted in the high wind carrying the ball over his own head. , \ At a meeting of the New Zealand Football Association held at Wellington last week it waß decided to hold the annual .tournament at Newtown Park, Wellington, en Friday and Saturday, 25th and 26th August. - Mes3rs A. Parrant (Auckland) and L. 9. Tripp (Wellington) were elected vice-presidents of the Association. The Sydney Referee has a good word to say for the ex-Christchnrch resident,. Mr Hoatson, who acted as referee in the return match at Sydney between the New Zealand Union team and New South Wales:—» The Rev.Mr Hoatson, who hails from the old country, and who has for several years been a resident in New Zealand, where he obtained a great name for his umpiring, but who now resides in Melbourne, was the referee, and proved himself the right man in the right place. To him is due the fastness of the game, as he appears to take the rules in the spirit instead of the letter. His decisions were most impartial, and he gave general satisfaction." • The Dunedin forwards deserve great credit for the way in whioh they kept the Kaikorai out when they were playing against the wind in the first spell of Saturday's match. It was by a decided piece of luck" that the Kaikorai obtained their score in that spell. • Armit had hurriedly 'punted the ball from about the centre of the field, and in its flight the leather struck one or two of the Dunedin forwards, with the result that some of the Kaikorai team who were a long way off side were put on side, .and J. Torrance had little opposition to encounter in his run. ; - ' The Kaikorai have scored a .great many points in their interclub matches this year, but they might have scored very many more had their place-kicking been a bit better. The record of 133 points which the club's first fifteen have to their credit is made up of 11 goals (one from a penalty kick) and 40 tries. Please note the 40 unconverted tries! I am pleased to hear very good accounts of the up-country football this season. A Dunedin gentleman, for whose opinions upon the game I have a high respect, witnessed the match ' between Matakanui and Clyde recently, and he speaks in high terms of the, passing and dribbling he saw. On his return to Dunedin, he was present at the match.last Saturday week between the Kaikorai and Union club 3, and he declares that it was slow compared with the contest he witnessed in the Vincent county. In the return match between the representatives of the New Zealand Union and New South Wales, the former were, according to a writer in the Sydney Referee, beaten at every point of the game. Their forwards in the scrums were beaten time after time; their quarters were outshone by the opposing quarters ; their fast men were outpaced, and their halves and full back lost much by-comparison with those of the victorious team. The Hawke's Bay Union have" taken up a peculiar position. Asked by_ the O.R.F.U. whether they will meet the Otago team on the proposed Northern tour, they, replied that they would be pleased to arrange a, majtch provided the Otago Union did not take the same stand against South Canterbury as has been taken by the Canterbury Union. One .of theTVellington papers informed its readers of-the effectof the Hawke's Bay Union's reply before ifc was made known by the Press Association at .Napier (which, by the way, is, a curious fact), stating that they asked the Otago Union, "in view of the intimate relations of the Qtago'Union with the Canterbury Union, which has declared that it will not play the South Canterbury Union on account of its having joined the' New Zealand Union, wheHier the OtagdUnien proposes to play South Canterbury oa/it* way north, and what is the attitude of the' Otago Union toward the South Canterbury Union.'' 1 We shall next hear, I suppose, of say the Wellington Union or some other, union in the North Island inquiring from the Otago Union whether it is proposed that'the Otago team will visit Hokitika and'play the West Coast Union, as otherwise they could 1 not sea their way to meet the representatives of this district. As the season, however, is getting on and it is impossible to postpone making the arrangements for the northern tour until the position with regard to South Canterbury is settled, the Otago Union on Saturday wired to the Hawke's Bay Union and to other unions iv the North Island requesting a definite answer without delay. This was a polite way of telling the Hawke's Bay Union to mind their own business, and it is to be hoped that they will appreciate, the snubbing which their officiousnesß has brought upon them. ■ Ifc is, of course, not usual for Otago to play South Canterbury, the representatives of tho latter union having been content since they have come into a separate existence to play a team chosen from-the clubs in North Otago. Naturally the question has arisen thw year as

to whether, in view of the " boycott " resolution of Mr Hoben's Union, to which the South Canterbury Union foolishly and thoughtlessly gave in their adherence, this match Bhould be continued. That the Otago Union are not showing any disposition to punish South Canterbury was conclusively proved at the meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Union last week, when a letter was read from the O.R.F.U. stating that they had decided to allow North Otago to play the annual match with South Canterbury, unless the Canterbury ■Union thought they would be weakened in any way by the adoption of that oourse, in which case the Otago Union would stand by the Canterbury Union, as the agreement between the Otago and Canterbury players was of much more importance at the present time than a match between the North Otago and South Canterbury teams. On the suggestion of the chairman, it was agreed that a meeting of delegates from the Otago, Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Southland Unions should be held at an early date to consider the matter. The return match between the Alexandra and Matakanui Clubs, played on the ground of the former, was won by Alexandra by a try to nil.

An amazing anxiety is being displayed by some persons interested in the New Zealand Union to get the Canterbury and Otago Unions to send a team to Wellington to play the representatives of the former body at Petone on tna sth prox on tbeir return from the other side. The first evidence of this feverish desire to see a combined team from the two southern unions in Wellington was shown on Thursday of last week, when a telegram from the headquarters of the New Zealand Union and from an obviously inspired source was published simultaneously in Christchurch and Dunedin, in which it was stated: There is a very general desire-that the suggestion made in the south that a combined Otago and Canterbury team should meet the representatives here should be given effect to. So strong is this desire that I have every reason to believe that if the proposal were made from the south the New Zealand Union would immediately agree to it. The match would be one of such great interest that I hope Canterbury and Otago will move in it at once, and make an effort to show the relative Btrength of these bodies contrasted with the rest of the colony. Of course, unless the two unions outside the New Zealand Union move in the matter nothing will come of the desire so freely expressed, as the New Zealand Union cannot recognise them officially until they themselves apply for the match." This telegram was backed up by one from Christchurch containing the statement — which I take leave to doubt— that a similar desire is expressed in that city. Whatever views may be held in Christchurch on the subject, the proposal was received in Dunedin with nothing but ridicule. It would no doubt be a very nice thing for the New Zealand Union to have a team chosen from their 25 representatives in Australia pitted against a scratch fifteen, chosen, without any practice, from Canterbury and Otago, and the gate, which such a contest would draw, would, aB we all recognise, be exceedingly acceptable to that organisation. "Of course" the southern unions would have to make the overtures for the mateh — this is about the richest thing in connection with the whole matter — " as the New Zealand Union cannot recognise them officially until they themselves apply for it." This is surely the work of some humorist. Why, there was no suggestion of such a match ever heard in Otago until this one was made from Wellington and until this invitation was offered to the southern unions to " apply for the match." Probably it was thought that they would immediately " apply; " for the sake of obtaining from this paltry mushroom union their " official recognition " of the long-established unions of Otago and Canterbury, which gave the North Island its first lessons in football.

The bait not having been accepted last week, the public of Dunedin were treated to some further balderdash on the subject on "Monday. " A gentleman connected with the New Zealand Union" — this is rather a round-about way of referring to the individual who is meant — hag given the benefit of his views to a community which was frantic to learn what he had to say on the matter. And here it is: "He says that the absurdity of thinking that any two unions could be as strong as 13 other unions was manifest from the first." What can have been the condition of the gentleman's mind when he committed himself to such unmitigated trash as that? The history of Rugby football tells exactly the opposite story. If the gentleman knows anything about football in the old country, he must know that the champion county repeatedly beats the rest of England in the match which is played at the close of the season — one county against a host. Where, then, is the absurdity in the thought that any two unions should be as strong as 13 others, particularly when the positive weakness of the majority of the 13 is considered ? Asked as to his opinion of a match between the New Zealand Union team and a fifteen from Canterbury and Otago, "he says it could only be an exhibition of the game," for the former would "hardly be extended" by the latter, who " must be run over." Cheek, thy name is -. (The missing word will be supplied on application to the secretary of the New Zealand Union.) When he has thus unburthened himself to the huge amusement of the southern public, the New Zealand Union gentleman, one would suppose, would not trouble himself much about a match which would result in such a fiasco as his keen imagination has pictured— except, to be euro, for the sake of the gate, which is a consideration to the New Zealand Union — and it is therefore surprising to find that in the very next breath he declares "that if Otago and Canterbury fail to avail themselves of the opportunity whioh they now have" — this, by the way, is in somewhat a different vein from the firßt message from Wellington, in which it was stoutly asserted that the southern unions must seek the opportunity, or otherwise they would not have it — "it must be considered that they have ' backed down,' and do not consider themselves strong enough to meet the returning team." This is excellent fooling. The New Zealand Union team were picked on June 3 and have since played several matches and got to know each other's play, and if Canterbury and Otago do not pick a fifteen and hurry them into the field, without giving them a practice together or enabling them even to make each other's acquaintance, to oppose the returning players in a match which, so far as I am aware, was never suggested in the south, then they must be considered to acknowledge that they are not strong enough to meet the New Zealand team! Well, it the braggart union which Mr Hoben controls can find any comfort in the impression that it is an indication of weakness on the part of Canterbury and Otago when they do not jump at the suggestion which last week emanated from Wellington, they can derive what enjoyment they may from it. In Otago there is, I think, but one opinion, and that is that the proposal is simply a colossal piece of impudence. Iv a letter in the Daily Times 6igned by "Player," and dated from Waikouaili on Saturday last, a very reasonable complaint is made regarding the manner in which some of

the town teams have this season treated the Waikonaiti Club. " Player " writes as follows : "A fixture was arranged for a match between the Waikouaiti and Ravensbourne Clubs for the 24th of May, but we received a telegram the day before stating that they were unable to raise a team. On the 15th of this month the University Second was to play the local team. At the beginning of the week we received a letter saying that they would have to send a mixed team, and we replied that we were quite willing to play them. We made arrangements for dinner, and informed the players (some of whom live some miles away) who were picked to be sure and turn up. But on Friday morning we received a letter stating that they could only get five of the Second to come, and that they would have to fetch 10 of the First Fifteen. We immediately telegraphed to them to send their first, but we received no reply from that day to this. The reason that we were so particular in telling the men to be sure and turn up was that last year they served us the same way." The treatment received by the Waikouaiti team from the Ravensbourne and University Clubs was bad enough, but for 6habbiness the palm is taken by the Zingari-Richmond Club, ■whose Second Fifteen wera to have gone lo Waikouaiti last Saturday. Regarding this, "Player" says: "We wrote to them (the Zingaii) at tho beginning' of the week reminding them of the fixture, and the first intimation we received that they were not coming was in the Otago Daily Times of yesterday (Friday), when we were greatly surprised to find that they were to play the Warehousemen, and about 1.30 p.m. yesterday a telegram arrived from the secretary of the club stating that 'I have just discovered that team cannot go. Sorry.' Now, Sir, the time the telegram was sent was 12 20, and he must have known at the very least the night before to send in to the p*per the names of the team picked to play the Warehousemen, and yet he says : *I have just discovered.' I looked up the Annual, and found that the Warehousemen had to meet the University Second, and the 'Varsity failing to fulfil the fixture they arranged to play the team that was 'to have played us. Now, Sir, is this fair treatment ? We have been put to considerable expense re dinners, preparing ground, &c., and besides puttiDg the team to a lot of trouble, one of our players was riding from half-past 8 to play the 'Varsity. There is no satisfaction in claiming a match by default, and I think that most of the team would be with me in saying that we would sooner play and be beaten than to win a match by default." No one will deny that on the facts submitted by "Player" the treatment received by his club was anything but fair and that it showed an utter absence of considerateness and of honest dealing ; and yet lam afraid that "Player," had he been more fully informed, might have made out even a stronger case. I would like to ask the Zingari-Richmond authorities whether it is not a fact that in the early part of last week they endeavoured to arrange a matoh between their Second team and that of the Alhambra, and whether it was not upon those negotiations falling through that the fixture with the Warehousemen was arranged ? Ido not say that there was never any intention on their part to keep their engagement with the Waikouaiti Club, but if it be the case that at the beginning of last week overtures were made to the Alhambra Club for a Second Fifteen match, then I think I am justified in saying that there was no serious effort made to send a team to Waikouaiti, and at all events the wording of the telegram which "Player" has quoted was disingenuous in the extreme. What is the remedy for such cases ? As "Player" says, there is no satisfaction in claiming a match by default. In what way then, can country clubs protect themselves against the I possibility of being treated in the way the Waikouaiti recently have been ? I can only suggest that a black mark be placed against clubs that are guilty of neglecting to give proper notice of their inability to fulfil their engagements, and that in the future no fixtures be made with them. Other country clubs would no doubt follow the example of the Waikouaiti Club if they were to refuse to meet such teams. They will find that there are a few town clubs which would be above treating them in such a manner. Even in senior matches in town, however ,-there are instances of teams failing to keep their engagements. The University First were to have played the Union last Saturday, and it was only when the members of the latter club were on their way to the ground that they learnt that their opponents could not raise a team. That notice of a fact of this kind should be delayed till the eleventh hour is not what one club has a right to expect from another. The usual weekly meeting of the O.R.F.U. Committee on Tuesday night was attended by Messrs Chisholm (presiding), Milne, Martin, Montgomery, Waters, Stilling, Chapman, Chalmer, and Home. Further correspondence in reference to the Clyde-Alex-andra match played last month having been considered, it was unanimously resolved to suspend Robertson and Webster (Clyde Club), the former during the pleasure of the union and the latter until the end of the present season. The opinion was generally expressed that it was desirable in the interests of the game that referees should report all glaring cases of misconduct that might come under their notice. The Canterbury Union wrote suggesting that a conference of delegates from Otago, Southland, and Canterbury should be held in Dunedin at an early date to consider matters of general importance to the three unions. It was unanimously decided to fall in with the suggestion, and Messrs Milne and Waters were appointed to represent the Otago Union. An application from the Eaikorai Club for the use of the Caledonian ground on Saturday, 29th inst , was granted. Mr Milne reported that the constitution of the Referees' Association had been drafted, and would be submitted for approval at next meeting. Complaint having been made of the annoyance caused by some persons persisting in smoking in the grand stand at the Caledonian ground on the occasion of matches, it was decided to give public notification thafc' anyone indulging in this practice in future would be removed from stand and ground. Various communications received from the North Island unions stated that no positive decision had been come to in reference to receiving the Ofcago team proposed to be sent north at the end of the season. The Cromwell and Clyde Clubs met for the first time this season at Clyde on Saturday last. After a tough game Cromwell came out winners by 15 points to 5. Perriam scored two tries and Richards obtained one for Cromwell ; while Welsford scored the only try for Clyde. In each instance a goal was kicked. Burnside has coached the Cromwell team well, and they have won three and drawn one of the four matches already played this year. At Christchurch on Saturday fine weather prevailed and good attendances witnessed the games which took place on Lancaster Park and at Kaiapoi. In the senior championship Bast Christchurch defeated Linwood by 31 points to 6 ; Canterbury College were beateu by Morivale by 19 points to 5 ; and Kaiapoi won their

match against Christchuroh by 19 points to nothiDg. According to a Brisbane cablegram Saturday's game was the best the New Zealand Unionteam played in Queensland. The passing of the whole team was very fine. Wynyard played a great game, but all the other backs showed much dash, and were very safe. Butland and Bayley did some passing of the highest order. Cockroft and M'Kenzio were the most prominent of the forwards, but all were seen at theif best.'?

I am glad to learn that the Rugby Union intend to take steps to strlgently enforce the regulation which provides that unauthorised persons shall not be permitted inside the snclosure at the Caledonian ground. It is a fair claim that the general public make that every sixpence should be treated alike, and if exceptions are made in favour of any persoos who have no right within the enclosure it becomes difficult to draw the line. On' Saturday afternoon last, a crisis was reached when three unauthorised persons— two of' whom should have known better — refused to leave the enclosure when requested to do so. Both were old footballers who should set an example in such matters. From the other member of the trio to whom I have referred, it would be hopeless to expect an, example worthy of imitation. His course of conduct is generally of a kind which ifc would be undesirable to imitate.

"Crossbar" informs me thafc there was no football in Invercargill on the 19bh inst. A letter appears in another column- from the secretary of the Alhambra Club purporting to be a reply to an innocent remark which appeared in these notes last week. The bulk of Mr Paterson's communication is devoted to a statement, from his point of view, of tho arrangement between the ■ Kaikorai and Alhambra Clubs. His assertions on that point are in direct conflict with statements I have heard in other quarters and, so far as I am informed, also in conflict with his own actions. That is, however, a matter between the Kaikorai and Alhambra Clubs. Mr Paterson is very angry about the following inquiry of mine : "Is it merely because of the decision of the Rugby Union Committee not to grant a proportion of the gate money that the Alhambra have taken a dislike to the Caledonian ground ? " As to that, it is a" satisfaction to me to have the authority of the Alhambra secretary for stating that I have correctly guaged the feelings of his committee. Perhaps it is because I know too much of their feelings that he is so angry. A large number of spectators witnessed the match between the Kaikorai and Dunedin Clubs at the Caledonian ground on Saturday. The Dunedin having succeeded in beating the AlhamVra a fortnight ago, it was expected that Saturday's contest would prove close and interesting. The game was, however, rather disappointing, as the high wind prevented accurate passing, and the backs in consequence remained idle most of the game. Duncan won the toss, and Isaacs kicked off against the wind. The Dunedin at once carried the play to the Kaikorai lines, but Duncan relieved with a fine run, and a penalty kick was given against the Dunedin, but no goal resulted. The kick out was charged down, and the Dunedin were again forced. After a long series of scrums in the Dunedin twentyfive, Doull carried the ball to the half way flag with a fine rush. An answering effort on the part of Ballantyne and J. Torrance ended in the latter scoring, but King's kick had not the desired result. In the second spell it was expected that the Dunedin, with the aid of the wind, would top their opponents' score, but the Kaikorai forwards, playing with great dash and vigour, managed to keep the ball in neutral territory for the greater part of the time. From the kick off Bain and H. Wilkinson headed a good rush, but their efforts were nullified by Sullivan's fine kickiDg. Both teams had to submit to several force downs, but there was no score made until just on time, when Duncan secured possession at the Dunedin twenty-five, and, showing their backs a clean pair of heels, scored near the post. D. Torrance took the place kick, but did nob make much headway against the wind, and time was called immediately afterwards, the score being : Kaikorai, 4 points (two tries) ; Dunedio, nothing. For the winners, King at full back was evidently not in his best form, and Richardson was not so good as usual, but Cunningham and Armit played up to their reputation. Davis was the best of the backs, but Duncan, although he did a lot of work, hung on to the ball too long. The forwards played a splendid game, especially in the second spell, and to them is due the credit of the win. Gawne was perhaps tho best, and he was well assisted by Bain, D. Torrance, and Ballantyne. For the Dunedin, M'Kenzie did the little he had to do well. Sullivan was tho best of the three-quarters, although Lynch played very well in the first spell. Mason put in some very smart work at half, but should have passed more. Of the forwards, Doull, Isaacs, and Taiaroa were perhaps the bes£ of a very even lot. Mr Croxford made an impartial referee. The Alhambra met the Taieri on Saturday at Mosgiel, and managed to score a win by 6 points to nothing. In the first spell the Alhambra had much the best of the game and had several opportunities of sqoring; which were thrown away by reckless passing. - The Taieri also had good chances, but the defence of the Reds kept them out. In the second spell the Alhambra started well enough. By a passing rush carried on by the forwards from the centre of the field Restieaux scored, but he failed in the attempt at goal.^ The Taieri then warmed up and the game became more even, and at times was very fast, the .Alhambra backs getting very few chances of getting underweigh. From a mark gained by the Reds, Restieaux landed a beautiful goal from near- the touch line.

The game was not by any means of a firstclass nature. The play of We Alhambra was very disappointing, especially among the backs, of whom Crawfurd, Ross,- and Johnston were the only ones to show to advantage. The forwards displayed far too much inclination to pick up the ball, and time aftei time spoilt the chances of a good dribbling rush, while their following up was very feeble. Esq'uilant and M'Laren played a hard game, and Hobson and Gibb, for young players, were conspicuous for their fine play throughout the game. M 'Alister showed a marked improvement in his play, and put in a lot of work in the,line out. Of the Taieri backs M'Donald and Mann played a rattling game, the former being very clever both on the attack and defence. C. Flynn, thßfull back, kicked in 'first-class form, and used the touch line well. The forwards all played a hard and determined game, and were a bit too good for their opponents in the scrum, while at times they got on some first-cla9s dribbling rushes. Johnston is deserving of special mention for the rattling game he played. Findlay did an immense amount of work on tho touch line ; and Davidson also put in a lot of useful work. Mr W. J. Strong, who acted as referee, stopped the game on one occasion when there was a semblance of rough play and cautioned tho players. The return match between the ZingariRichmond and Pirates' Clubs was played on the Carisbrook ground on Saturday) and was

witnessed by only a handful of spectators, the chief attraction of the afternoon being the match on the Caledonian ground. It was expected that the Zingari, who had in the former match between the clubs run up a big score against the Blacks, would repeat their performance, and more especially did it seem likely that this would prove the case when it was found that the home team bad turned up three short, and that the vacancies were filled by players who were in no sort of condition, two of the three, indeed, playing their first game for a couple of seasons. Expectation, however, was not realised, and though the Colours gained the victory, it was only by the> narrow margin of a try (2 points) to nothings after a decidedly even game. For the first spell the Zingari-Richmond played from the pavilion end and had the' benefit of the wind, which was not felt to anything like the extent that was experienced on the Caledonian ground. Still it was an advantage to have it, and more particularly, as it turned out, was it an advantage to have the choice of ends, inasmuch as the wind dropped during the afternoon. The play, which was controlled by Mr Smcaton, was from the outset of a fairly even character, and the Zingari had a measure of luck in obtaining their score, which was registered in this spell. Esquilant, who played a consistently good game, had the ball passed to him and, after running to the opposing full back, kicked over the latter's head and over the line. Hume had rushed aoross from his own side of the ground but he slipped and fell when he was going to force down, and this -enabled Esquilant, who had, of course, followed up, to score. The try was not improved. In the early stages of the second spell the Zingari attacked their opponents' line, Esquilant and Pollock doing a lot of work, but their forwards did not exhibit the dash whioh at the beginning of the season marked their play, and they were beaten off ; and during the latter part of the spell the Pirates became somewhat aggressive, Hume making some characteristic dashes and receiving valuable help from Johnston. Though Fordyce, the Zingari full back, had to retire, owing to illness, before the close of the match, the Blacks were unable to equalise matters, and the match, which was played throughout in an admirably friendly spirit and which was consequently enjoyed by both sides, thus resulted as above stated. The Warehousemen met the Zingari Second at Monteoillo on Saturday, and defeated them by three goals and five tries (24 points) to one goal (5 points). In the first spell Holgate (Ziogari), taking a pass from Bird, ran in unopposed near the posts. Mahone converted. After this reverse the Warehousemen gave their opponents a lively time of it. A scrum being formed near the Zingari line. . Best snapped the ball up, and after a strong dodgy run scored by the posts Wood converted. Bird kicked out, and Haydon returned well up the field, but Simmonds muffing the Warehousemen were on him in a twinkling, and Murray dropped across the line. Hutchison failed with the kick. Within five minutes Kinvig scored the third try for his side, but Wood f ailt dto convert. In the second spell the Warehousemen, playing with the wind, simply ran over thair opponent?, and Best-, who played a fine game, scored twice in succession, but the kicks at goal were failures. After some hot plajr in tho centre, Reid made the run of the day, dodgiDg all the opposing backs and scoring near the post. Wood again converted. After some line-out play Stalker managed to drop across the line, but Hutchison failed with the kick. The Zingari then, by a strong rush, carried the ball up the field, but Campbell relieved with a good kick, and Reid secured a clever mark, from which Hutchison sent the ball fair between the posts. Time was called shortly afterwards. . The match Alpine v. Albion, which was played on the Reclaimed ground, ended in a draw — each Bide scoring 2 points. Throughout the game the ball was continually in the Albion's twenty-five. In tho "first spell "Phonograph," for the Albion, broke away from the line out and scored near the corner flag, but the kick at goal proved ineffectual. Rowlatt equalised matters by scoring a try for the Alpine, which was not converted. The match between the Fernhill and Star was played on the latter's ground, and resulted in a win for the Fernhill by 7 points to 2. The Golden Star defeated the Ravensbourne Juniors by 15 points to 3. The match between the Dunedin Second and Eaikorai Second was played on the Caledonian ground previous to ' the senior match, and resulted in a draw, both sides failing to score. The Dunedin had the wind in their favour in the first spell, but notwithstanding this they not only failed' to score, but had decidedly the worst of the play. When the sides crossed over it was generally thought that the Kaikorai would easily run up a score, but the expectation was not realised, for the Dunedin's defensive play was first-class ; in fact, they had as much advantage in this half as their opponents had in the first spell. During the game Dunedin had several shots at goal from free kicks and marks. Ravensbourne defeated the Union Second by 4 points to 2. The Caversham Second met a mixed team at St. Clair Park, and scored a win by 7 points to 5, after a very leven contest. The Mebrose Second defeated the Ravensbourne Second by a try (seenred by Burke) to nothing. The match under Association rules batween the Northern and Rangers Clubß was played on the former's ground, and resulted, contrary to expectation, in a draw, each Bide scoring a goal. The Rangers winning tho toss, took advantage of a slight breeze, and M'Donald kicked off for the Northern. Immediately the junior club were put on the defensive, the opposing forwards, led on by M'Donald, striving hard to obtain an opening, but this was not found for some considerable time. At last a. good combined rush, started by E. White and Sharp, enabled M'Donald to score for the Northern. For a quarter of an hour after this, the Rangers had to play all they knew to prevent their opponents from again capturing their goal, but some good play among their backs averted danger. Up to this the Rangers' forwards were completely " off," allowing the opposing backs to too the ball too often, but following Wright's example, they next made determined onslaughts on the opposite goal. From one of these quick rushes Cilder almost scored, but Jarvis sent tho ball out of danger in fine style. The play became more even and | faster, both teams exerting themselves to the veryutmosttoscore. The Rangers' goal was again in danger until Reid, with a good kick, relieved, andfollowingup well, the town team had a chance to equalise the scores ; but Campbell headed the leather, and play settled midfield. Thoro the Rangers' halves obtained possession, and kicking out to Calder on the wing, North and Wright bore down on Jarvis, and in the rush that ensued the ball rolled through, thus equalising the score. This woke both teams up, aud until half-time was called the, play wa3 fast and furious. The second spell started smartly, and the Northern attacked ,in line - style, the Whites ana W. M'Leod putting in some fast play ; but the Rangers' backs were equal to, tho occasion, and sent the ball up lo Wolsten-\ holme, who missed, and Ashton was down like "

Matcuki I POII ITS. L Club. 1 I' 4> O hi Caikorai Llhambra hinedin lingari- Richmond Jnion 'aieri TniVeraity 'iratea ... 10 9 9 10 D 8; 5 10 10 7 5 6 1 2 1 1 1 3 5 5 6 4 8 1 1 3' 133 10) 41 49 41 13 20 19 ■4 18 33 33 81 78 62 110 1