FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 31

FOOTBALL.

NOTES. BY FORWARD. The following shows the position of the senior clubs as the result of the inteTclub matches . played during the season : —

The return match between the Alhambra and Pirates, which was to have been played on Saturday, was abandoned, the Cttrisbrook ground being in too sloppy a condition to admit of play. The match Zingari-Richmond ' against the Taieri was not played on Saturday, owing to> some misunderstanding as to the ground upon which the fixture should take place. ' The second annual tournament for the New Zealand Association Football trophy takes place at Wellington on 25th and 26th inst. - I understand that Wellington (present holders) and Auckland provinces are hopeful of having strong teams in the field. Last year the Otago representatives were put down by the Wellington, team's heavier weight after a severe tussle with Auckland (also a heavier team) on the previous .day. r i * lam glad to learn from the remarks made by Mr Campbell, the manager of , the .New Zealand Union team, at the welcome accorded to ' that team in Bdthurst, that " they had done their utmost to prevent professionalism in New Zealand." All the same I think I could point to one union, affiliated to the New Zealand Union, whichj at one period in its history, directly encouraged the professional element. The Bathurst Daily Times spread itself some >. — as the American would say—over the match t played by the N,ew Zealand, Union team against ' the Western Districts. Of "Baby" Wilson, the visiting full back, the*paper says that "he did not get much chance to show, his collaring powers, bat his punts and the heavenly smile oE confidence that was always on his countenance, were grand." And the rest of the repoit is in the same style. , Assuming him to bs correctly reported, the Mr M'lntosb, of Timaru, who v went with the New Zealand Union team to Australia, where his transcendent merits as a footballer obtained for him an occasional place" in the fifteen, told an untruth to the Batnurst people about the attitude of the southern unions of this colony. At a smoke concert s given to the -team be|js reported to have said : "In New Zealand there was, a good deal of trouble in gettiDg teams together. The present team was one representing 13 out of 16 unions ; three unions, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, standing out. But they claimed to be representatives^ NewZealand." Fancy Mr M'lntosh as a representative of New Zealand ! " The unions standing out did not show a patriotic spirit. ■ If these unions had the game of football at heart, the New Zealand team would be much stronger. The secretary of the New Zealand Union had gone to a deal of trouble in endeavouring to get the unions to affiliate. Although they promised to do this, all had not kept up to their word.'* Will Mr M'lntosh kindlyprovothat^tatementby showing when Otago and Southland promised to affiliate? f In a leaderette about the New Zealand Union team, the Post is very ungenerous to New South Wales. That paper' says that the defeat of the New Zealand Union team-in the second match against New South, Wales V was clearly not a fastest of the true form of the visiting team. The best team did not win. The victory was that of a fresh team in the best of condition against a team worn out by over-play, stale, stiff, and with many- of its members crippled. On each occasion when the New Zealanders have met their opponents on equal terms they have won easily."-./ This is, of course, simply childish, as well aas unbecoming. t The victdrs in two "out of threetest matches - surely ought not to begrudge to their opponents the laurels gained by them in the odd contest, and yet the Post denies to the New South Wales team the credit of their victory. lam inclined to prefer the explanation of the New Zealand , Union's team defeat given by the Bulletin, •with . that paper's lecal knowledge, to that offered bythe Post and by the satellites of I he New Zealand Union. The Bulletin Fays in effect that after their first victory, over New South Wales the Maorilanders held their opponents cheap and did not trouble about keeping early hours. There is the rub. _ - • ' M'Cleary, of the Alhambra Club, intends to take up his residence in Wellington at the close of the present season.- So says'the Push. In consequence of the accident~bn Saturday week, by which a player named lost his life, the Banncckburn Club have, • I -believe, cancelled their fixtures for the ftmiinder of the season. "<\' ' ,\, '■ TheNaseby Prospectors, whp»cont^niplated a visit to Dunedin this season, have abandoned the idea owing to their inability to raise a team. This is a pity because from the 'account) I hear of the Prospectors' form this y,par -they would be likely to give some of the town teams a good game. - ' '". ; The match «-'iich it was proposed -that the New Zealand Union team BhouW? play against South Canterbury was abandoned, as was only to be expected ; and a match which" was to have been played on Saturday last between the team and .fifteen of Wellington— the.iatter' being a weak combination — fell through owing to the ground at Petono being ULfifc for'jpUy. It is well known that there area great many footballers who are also rowing mm, and I understand that a match is being, arranged to take place between the Dunedin Amateur Boating Club, whose membership, is large, and the other rowing clubs combined. The O.R.F.U. has kindly granted -_tha' use of the Caledonian ground for such a! match on the first vacant date in September. ''. Among the members of the D.A.B.C. are suph prominent players as Beadle and Harris -(Djnion), Sullivan, Isaacs, and Williams .(Dune'dio), Cullen (University), Millar (Alhambra),'and Pollock (Pacific), while their opponents; may claim, among others, good men in Priest and Milne (Pirates), Platts, Teunenfc, !-."and. Hunter (University), Bauchop (Port Chalmers), and Aitken (Alhambra), so that a first-rate and interesting nfatoh should result. .' , • .. I am asked to correot the statement made in last week's notes that Camei-gn, whose suspension has jusH)een removed -by,, the O R F,U. committee, belonged to the Clyde Club. It was of the Alexandra Club that- hs was a member. ". ./•' The Australian Rugby Unions' fcave faken up ' the idea of an Australasian Union keenly, and desire New Zealand to send a fepre&ent&tive to Sydney to settle terms at a conference. ■ \ The usual weekly meeting s of the. dfcago

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■ Rugby Football Union Committee on Tuesday night,' was attended by Messrs Milne, Montgomery, Stilling, Chalmer, Wyinks, Chapman, Waters, and Home. The Hon. Secretary of the Southland Rugby Uuion wrobe stating that the whole of the suggestions made at the > conference > of delegates on the 29th ult had been adopted, and that the Southland Union proposed to affiliate to the English Rugby Union. He further stated that negotiations were being carried on for a match with Canterbury in Christchuroh on the 14th September, and that in all probability the most suitable date for tho match with Ofcago would be the 16 uh September. Permission was granted to the Owake Club to play Port Molyneux on the 26th inst. An application from ' the High School Club for the use of the C«isbrook .ground on the 2nd September for'tjhe annual match with Christ College was granted. The secretary 'was instructed to communicate with the Oainaru clubs, the Palmerston, Waikouaiti, 'Milton, Lawrence, Clutha, Romahapa, and Owake clubs in reference to the proposed . match ..North , Otago v. Smth Ofcago, to be played in Dunedin on the 26th inst. Mr Hoben has been asked to attend a conference of the Australasian Unions to be held in Sydney 1 at a datet convenient to himself, in order to-giVe practical effect to his proposals respecting the formation of an Australasian Rugby -Union. Mr Campbell, of .the New Zealand Union, who conveyed the proposal to Australia, was informed by a member of the committee of the English Union who was visiting -Sydney that the proposals would be welcomed in, England, and that he had no doubt of the extension of the International < Board r or that a committee as suggested would / ba wanted.^ ■ , In pursuance of the resolution passed at a public . meeting, the New Zealand Rugby Union is asking affiliated unions to raise small • subscription^ amongst players with a view to presenting, members of the team with a • memento} which will probably take the form of a smallgold'football suitably inscribed. - The return match between the Dunedin and -Union'" Olubß was played on Saturday on -' the Caledonian ground, which, . consequent ■' on tho steady rainfall on Friday-^night, was very sodden ; indeed', i after about; .-half an hour the field of play very muchresembled a mire. To add to the discomfort of players and spectators alike a south-west j drizzle .set in, which lasted long enough to make it uncomfortable to thoso who had'vnot taken advantage .of the shelter afforded by the ' grand stand.' Notwithstanding these untoward circumstances there was a good muster of on- . lookers, *as ,\a usually the case when these two clubs meet.' ; The game, taken as a whole, was • very/even, but victory in the end rested with the Dunedin by 4 points to 2. The Blues were weakened by the absence of Driver. Mr A. Laurenson .controlled the game in a most satis- . factory manner under adverse circumstances. • From. the kick-off play rested in the Union territory, but a nice piece of passing among the . JlarooD»';backßc«ried tHe leather past the halfaistasce.'.The advantage, however, was ouly momentary; 'for the Blues' forwards, playing well -together, transferred the ball to the Union's- twenty-five, and William i by a fine dash scored- near the' corner Sullivan's attempt to enhance the score was the reverse of good. On resuming, the Blues again invaded their opponents' quarters, but the defence was equal-to the occasion, and no further score was . recorded .up' to half-time, though Mason came . very near it once.. The Dunedin men had had distinctly 'the best of the play in this half, owing largely to the superior combination and dash' of -.their forwards, qualities that were noticeably wanting in their opponents. In the second spell the Maroon forwards showed much more dash, and as a result the Blue 3 were kept pretty busy staving off the attacks made, -on their lines. ' The defence proved impregnable for a considerable time, but -at length W. Harris came away from a scrum with the ball at his toe, and by a pretty piece of dribbling scored a meritorious try. M'Lennanmadeagood but unsuccessful attempt at . goal. Shortly after resuming play the Blues invaded the Maroons' - territory, when one of the defending forwards kicked the ball . straight across the field into Lynch's hands, and the last-named player, having a clear field before him,, made full use of his opportunity and scored vfitjiin a few yards of the corner flag. Th 3 attempt at goal was unsuccessful. There, .was no further score, and the Duaedin were left victors as above. Of .the Dunedin backs, Sullivan, Mason, Haig were the pick, the first-named playing esptcially well. The most conspicuous of the forwards were' Williams, Martin, Turton, Doull, .and Isaacs. M'Lennan, Smith, and Parker were the boat of the Union backs, while M'Donald was.;distinctly superior' to his comrades among the forwards, some of whom played in their worst form. The match between the i Kaikorai and University was played at Tahuna F<uk on Saturday. The ground was nob in particularly good order, especially on one side. The Kaikorai had the best of the gamo all through, and won by 14 points (two goals and two tries) to nothing. Duncan, Cunningham, Armit, and .Davis Ecored! tries for the winners, and D. Torrance kicked two goals. The University Second journeyed to R wensbourne,, on Saturday and met the local team. The University' had rather a weak team, and were dbfeated-by 11 peints (one goal aud three tries) to nothing. In the first spell Holler and M'Gutcheonf/BCored for Ravensbourne, Flynn converting bnejbry. In the second spell Mo Her and Dredge, eiored, the kicks at goal proving fruitless, the/game ending as above. . The Melrofee; journeyed to Mo«giel on Saturday to try conclusions with the Taieri Second, but found- when they arrived that they had to pay a mixed^team' of the First and Second. They managed! to dofeat their opponents by 7 .points to noising. For the winners, Pearce scored, a try^no goal being kicked. Watson scoring anothßp which Lambeth converted. For the losers VRpbinson, O'Neill, Gibson, and .Flynnplaycfjt"^ good game, while for the winners Highley^Hubbart, and Walker payed well. iifi The Port Chalmers High School journeyed to Dunedin tpTtly conclusions with the Union street Schqol/,bufc owing to the greasy state of the. ground. (Which was a perfect sea of mud)" only a few -'of the Union turned up, and a scratch matph'. of one half-hour's spell was played. '■' ;^V The matclj Alpine v. Star, which was plajed on the latter^ g' ound, ended in a draw, neither side scoring. \'|Fhe ground was in a very slippery condition) ' some parts being under water, and the players were not able to keep on their . feet when rupning with the ball. The matchv Golden Star v. North Dunedin was played at Maori Hill and resulted in a win for the former by 8 points to 4. For th*e winners Taylor obtained two tries, whilst Oaborne placed a goal from a mark. For the losers, Robertson obtained two tries. The High (School Juniors met the Albany street School on the Asylum ground, and a very • even game resulted in a draw, each side having scored 2 points. The match" between the Albion and Fitzroy resulted in a, .win for the former by 5 points to 2. ,/W. Bennett scored and J, Murdoch con-

verted for the winners, and J. Spenoe scored for the losers. At Christchurch the Senior Championship matches were finished on Saturday, when Merivale beat. East Christchurch by 16 points' to 2, thus winning the whole of the 12 matches and the championship. Sydenham beat the Canterbury College by 4 points to nil, and Linwood beat Ohristchurch by 22 to niL The results of the contest are ;— Merivale 1, East Christchurch 2, Linwood 3, Kaiapoi 4, Sydenham 5, Canterbury College and Christchurch a tie for last place. Merivale in its game* scored 183 points against 32, East Christchurch . 150 against 32, Linwood 120 against 82, Kaiapoi 73 against 83, Syd9nham 37 against 124, Christchurch 54 against 185, Canterbury College 30 against 109. A football match between Auckland -and Waikato on Saturday resulted in a win for Auckland by 34 points to 3. In the match at Tauranga, between Auckland and Tauranga, Auckland won by 6 points to 5. ' The first of a series of trial matches to select an Ofcago representative team for the tournament under Association rules to be held shortly at Wellington, was played on the Exhibition ground on Saturday afternoon. The following are the teams as tied :— Blues : Goal— Ellis (Roslvn): backs— G •M'MHlan (Ro3lyn), O. Campbell -(Northern) ; half backsBunting and D. MMillan (Roslyn), C M'Leod (Northern) ; forwards -Ross (Roslyn), Scott (Burnside), M'Donald and Walker (Northern), J. M'M'llan (Roslyn). \ Colours : Goal — Jar vis (Northern) ; backs— Wi lstenholme (Northern), Easton (Burnside) ; half-backs —A. M'Donald and W. M'Leod (Northern), O'Connor (Rangers) ; forwards— White (Northern), Watson, and Wright(Ro3lyn), Hamilton (Burnside), and Calder (Rangers). The Blues kicked off into touch, and from the throw in the Colours' right forwards got on the ball, and with smart play dodged the Blues' left wing, and put the ball over the line. The kick frum goal was well returned by the Colours' half back division directly to their forwards, all keeping their fi-jld accurately and putting the Blues' back division on their trial. But for the muddy state of the ground a goal would have been scored from a smart shot from the left. The Biues (favourites) were kept on the defensive for a considerable time,* their forwards being unable to get through the back division of the Colours, O'Connor and M'Donald repeatedly checking their runs, while Wolstenholme and Easton were safe at back, and confined the Blues to their own territory. The Blues maintained a steady defence, C. M'Leod and D. M'Miilan intercepting the passes or falling back smartly to support their back division. From a pass well placed by O'Connor A. White and Watson got smartly along the right. The opposing full back misjudged his kick, and White again securing the bill seemed to have the goal at his mercy, but put it wide. Such repeated attacks from the Colours were more thau the Blues reckoned f Jr, and it was left to Walker, J. M'Donald, and Ross to get the ball out of danger by long judicious passing across the wet ground 'and lay siege to the Colours' citadel. However, W. M'Leod was on the spot to intercept and avert danger. The play was now' very even, toe teams eeemed equally matched, and but for the several pools of water lying on the ground from the I previous night's rain, one of the most interesting matches played in Dunedin would have been witnessed. While on a good dribbling run the ball would become dead in one of the pools, then two or more players would kick and splash in their endeavours to secure it--,— amuiing enough to the spectators, but heavy work for the players, and an interesting feature in football as played in the association code. Halftime was called without either team scoring) and the Colours having the better of the game. During the second half the Blues settled down to a better combination game, and' indulged in less speculative kicking. The Blues' right and centre forwards got well down on the Colours' backs, keeping them busy on the defensive for a time. A shot from the right was well put away by Jarvis, returned by M'Millan, and after a piece of amusing head play 'by Walker, Scott, M'Leod, and Ro?s,. M'Donald. headed it into goal again. Jarvis again fisted it out, but only to be smaitly returned beyond, his reach, and through goal. The Blues soon registered a second goal. A smart shower came on, and by some misunder-' standing two of the Colours' back division retired behind the goal line, leaving the Blues'' right wing an open run. The Colours' remaining bicks "hustled" the opposing forwards, and did their best to avert the danger, but failed, as a smart shot from the centre again got beyond Jarvis. The Blues seemed to appreciate this taste of victory, and pressed the CoUJurs very hard. However, both backs and -goalkeeper played safely, and returned' many wdUdirected shots. A " foul " occurred against tho Colours within easy range of goal. D. M Millan took the khk, and, placing it well in front, of the goal, enabled Scott to head it through. From \ the kick off the Colours' worked, hard and well in their endeavours toscore, the .ball hitting the uprights on two occasions, besides keeping. Ellis busy at interval^. The defensive play of M'Millan and Campbell preserved their goal intact. A good run started ,by' M'Leod, enabled Walker and M'Millan to get away on the left, the former centring.well, his team scored the fourth goal. Shortly afterwards time was called, with the play in mid-field. ' AN EXPLANATION. ' TO THE EDITOB. Sir,— As I was. one of the three "unauthorised pewbns" asked to leave the enclosure on July ' 22, when, the Duncdjn and Kaikorai were playing, permit me to make a few remarks* in, answer to "Forward's" note in the Witness of July 27. He says ho is glad to learn the , Rugby,, Union intend to take Bteps to stringently enforce the regulation which provides that unauthorised persons shall not be allowed inside the enclosure at the Caledonian grounds. Permit me to infotm " Forward " I hive a perfect right to be ther£, considering I am a member of the D.F.Ci.jalso on the committee. I think it would be, very strange if a member of the D. F. C. —especially a xjommitteeman— could not go iuside tie enclosure at one of their own matches. If «• Forward" wishes to verify my statement : he can do fo by applying to the Rugby Union. As he makes the. remark I should have seta better example, being an old footballer, I have written this to put myself right in the eyes of the people, who' s%w the occurrence.— l am, &c, F- Harper. Dunedin,,August 9.

Match iS. Points. i< Club. 40 33 90 85 7ft 139 [aikorai tlhambra ... )unedin iingari-Richmond Jnion 'aiori Jniversity 'iratea | 12 10 11 10 11 9 6 11 i 12 7 7 .5 2- ' 2 1 1 1 a '3 5 6 7 5 91 i i i A 149 105 74 49 60 15 20 21 3 - la