SOUTHLAND TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUBS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 32

SOUTHLAND TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUBS.

TO THE BDITOB. Sir,—As a read6r of " Crossbar's " Southland notes on football in your interesting journal the Witness, I cannot help saying that his reports are very discouraging to country clubs. He seems to do his level best bo squash out the least spark of animation that any of them might have in making a good fight with the town clubs (tha Pirates especially). But we, as country players, do not mind so long as ho keeps to facts. The Riverton team has played three matches with town clubs this year—the first one with the Pirates at Riverton, which was drawn, 5 points to 5; the second with the Star; aud the third with the Pirates. The last two matches were played in Invercargill, and we had hard work tp get a team. Nevertheless we kept our engagements, and made a good fight both with the Star and the Pirabes; bub after the mabche3 are over we see in print bbat both clubs had a weak team against us. How is ifc that the Pirates in their match with the I.F.C. the following Wednesday only changed one man, eirnply because they could not get any better? "Crossbar" says a weak team of tho Pirates easily defeated a Riverton team by 4 points to nothing, which is an error, as they only beat ub by 5 points to 4 points. Tho Riverton team would have scored, another 5 points- if Mauson had not collared Mitchell by the legs when ho was dribbling tho ball over the Pirate's goal line. To show the interest "Crossbar" takes iv country club matches, he states in his last notes that Orepuki defeated Ofcautau at Riverton by 14 points, made up by a goal, from a try and two goals from markß, which should have been that the Orepuki team journeyed to Riverton and were defeated by the local club by 13 points to nothing. Evidently "Crossbar " has not much knowledge of the rules of football when he says a goal from a try and two goals from marks make 14 poiuts. I may state, if "Crossbar" knew the trouble that country clubs have in sending a team to town, he would be more careful to give them Full justice in his .reports. Trusting you will permit these Hues to appear in print.—l am, &c, 11. H. Twemlow, > Hon.'Sco. lUveiton Football Club. Riverton, July 24.