THE RUGBY GAME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2157, 27 June 1895, Page 32

THE RUGBY GAME.

Seniob Flag Matches, kaikorai v. dunedin.

The match between the Kaikorai and Dunedin Cluba, which was played on the Caledonian gr.-und, attracted a considerable number of persons, who had the satisfaction of witnecsing a well- contested and interesting struggle. The ground was in surprisingly good condition, having recovered wonderfully from the effect of the rain and snow experienced during the week, aud there was not a breath of wind. The Kaikorai, who played for the flrsb spell i from the harbour end, kicked off, and for the first 10 minutes or sa the play. was in neutral territory. By dint chiefly of judicious kicking on the part of their backs, who used the touch line well, the Kaikorai then invaded their opponents' quarters, where off-Hide play by Martin gave them a free hick, and Sullivan had a fruitless kick at goal. On tho play being ! resumed a diversion was caused by, aE a result of a good kick from Richardson, well followed op, a dangerous-looking rush into the Kaikorai quarters, but King saved in good style, and passing between Davis, Dunoan, and Armit c&rried the ball past the centre,, and the vigitinff team again assumed aggressive tactics, but wf re met with a stubborn defence, and a force down was the onlv^ result of their labours, though (he Dunedin citadel more than onoe seemed likely to fall. Towards half time the home team flattered their friends by making an onshughfc up to the Kailsordi's quarter-flag ; but th^y got no further, and at the close of the spell there was no rc^ro. The Dunedin players were seb defending as soon as the ball was set in motion in the second spell, and they had a distinctly warm quarter of an hour before good following up shi f ted the play to the other end of the field, and tho Kaikorai had a turn on the defensive. A mark obtained by Stohr inßide the Knikorai quarters caused the hopes of the homa team to run high, bub Richardson failed badly with the kick, and the opportunity wat> gone. Gradually, through the exertions of their forwards, the Kaikorai took the play up the field and, as time was wearing on, made strenuous efforts to score — Duncan being particularly conspicuous by his attempts to break through ; but the tackliDg of the defending team was very sure, and eventually Richardson and Masou, between them, averted the danger. As the end drew ntar the play became somewhat vigorous but the Duiedin kept tbeir formidable foe off their lines, and just before "no side " the Kiikorai had their last chance to score and win, for a free kick was granted to them jusb outuide the Dunedin quarter line aud fairly straight in front or goal. Kuig was called up from full back to tike a drop, but his kick wert wide, and Mr A. Downes, the refer* c, then blowing tho whistle, the match ended in a draw : Kuikom Nil Dunedin ... ... Nil PIRATFS V. CAVERSHAM. The Pirateg and Caver.--li*m teams met at Tahuna l\.rk on Saturday afternooD, the latter proving victorious. Several casualties, though fortunately nob of a serious nature, occurred during the pame— these being due in a large mcAbure to the »rato of the ground. Mr R. M. Piihiouer controlled the game. Priest kicked off tor thrt Pira'es, and af er about 15 roitiutes' piny, in which neither Hide obtained any decided advautngo, the Cavurnham mengot on a dribbling rush, which ci)d<-d iv A. M'Kenzie scoring neir tho corner 11 ig. The kick waa entrusted to Lawry, who failed to improve matters. After this the Cdversham men pressed their opjjoi.onts hard, play being kept well within the Pirates' twenty-live. A mark to Caversham, though obtained within kicking distance, was not converted by Lawry, the bill, which was very slippery, goiug low. Shortly after wards the Pirates came into dangerous proximity to

the Caversham line, and Thomson passing to Neill the latter was nearly scoring, but was forced into toooh. He directly afterward* pnised to Bhand, who was almost on the Caver> sham Hue ; but Shand failed to take the pass, the ball slipping from his grasp, and * acrum was f aimed. Caversham then got on a dribbling rush, in which A. M'KeEzio was conipicuour, and the ball was carried to the other end of tho field. This advantage was, however, only shortlived.and when play was in the C*ve«ham twentyfire Allan obtained a mark right in front of tho goal, well within kicking distance. Priest a kick was resultlesn, but the Pirates etill kept the'r opponents on the defensive, though timely relief c*me, half time being eoundee?, with play near neutral territory. On changing ends the Caveisham had, for the first 20 minutes, the best of it, play being invariably in the Pirates' twenty-fivo. Subsequently Thomson had a chance to pot when righb in front of I tho Oaveraham goal posts, but he hesitated, and was immediately collared, a second opportunity being taken advantage of directly afterwards, but without result. The sceao of action being shifted, tho Pirates with a dribbling rush 1 oarried the ball right to the full back, Lawry, who got his s'de out of the difficulty wonderfully well, taking the b%)\ and running right down to the halfway iUg before he was stopped. As the result of a dribbling rush by the C*rersham players, Anderton obtained possession, but was ruled off-side. The whistle was blown shortly afterwards, and the ganw resulted thuB :— , Caversham ... 3 points Pirates ... ... NN t ZIKGABI-KICHMOND V. ALBAMBRA. The match between the Ziugari-Richmond and Alhambra teams was played at BJontecillo, and attrected a fairly large number of spectators. Mr F. Campbell acted as referee. Soon after play commenced the ZiDgari had the Redß in difficulties, and for quibe a time tbe game remained within tbe latter's twentyfire. Once or twice the Colours hid a food chance for ecoriug, but nothing came of them. On one occasion Pollock had what seemed a good opportunity of crossing the line, but took a pot at goal insteed, with tha remit that the ball passed underueftth the bar aud a force down resulted. The Reds after this made an effective rally, and principally through tho exertions of Aitken the. leather waa carried to the other end of the field. After a sharp niece of play well within the twenty-five flag, the Alhambra forwards, despite some good defensive play on the part of the Zingari men, got the ball over the lino, but a force down only resulted, The Alhambra after tbia hid all tha best of the game, and were in a good position to score, when their opportunity was lest by Webber's hard kicking. Tho bill went over the line, and one of the Zingari backs speedily touched down, auother force thus resulting. The Colours after this were again hard pressed, bub M'Farlaue, securing a mark, succeeded in clearing the lines by a judioious kick. In tho second Rpell the game was more even— if Jkny- . thing the Zingari had the best of ib. Cunio, intercepting a pats, sopped a somawhat dangerous rush ; but a little afterwards the Colourß started another capital rash, which the opposing full back made an ineffectual effort to stop. The game oscillated between tha two t-wenly-flva lines until near the close, when Campbell made a good run and ecoicd. Tbo try was not enhanced, and the game ihaa resulted : Richmond... 3 points Alhambra ♦« Kil. Junior Flag Matches. GREKN ISLAND V. ALHAMBRA SECOND. The above match was played at Opoho in the presence of h fair number cf spc.ctj.ti v». Owing to the ground being in a wet and muddy condition the play was consned to the forwards. Soon after the kick-off Green Island pouned their opponents in their twenty-five, and from a dribbling ru3h W. Morel and scored first blood. The kick at goal was a failure. Just aftar the kick out tries were scored by W. Brown, R. CanniDg, and R Kerr. The place kinking kicking (owing to the wet conditiou of the leather) was resultleas. In the second spell Green Island haef things all their own way. From a pa^s W. Moreland scored his second try, and soon afterwards R. Kerr and A. Wanjb scored, the latter player running from half w»y and evading all the Alhambra backs scored behind the posts. R Kerr placed a good goal. The whistle was blown shortly afterwards, and the game resulted : Green Island... 2?points Alhambra Nii. WAHEHOUSEMEN V. PIHATES SECOND. The match between these teams was played at Montecillo, and an extremely fast game resulted in a draw. Mr Nicholson gave every satisfaction with the whistle. Scores : Warehousemen ... Nil Pirates ... ... Nil OTAKIA V. DIOH SCHOOL. The High School visited Mosgiel, where they playtd the Obakia Club and suffered defeat from them, the match resulting : Otakia 18points High School ... HH> TAIEUI V. DUNEDIN SECOND. This match was won by the Taieri by default the Dunedin Second failing to put in an appearance. UNIVERSITY SECOND V. CAVEBSHAM SECOND. Tahuna Park was the scene of the matc> bebween these teancs, aud a very interesting game resulted. The Caversham forwards bad the best of the foot work, bub the University backs were the superior. The Caversham were the firat to score, a try being obtained in a general scramble. Tbe University then kep*. the play iv the Caversham territory. O bhp» dropped a penalby goal, and shortly afterward* potted a goal. In the second spell the play w&3 pretty even till the last 20 minutes, when the 'Varsity penned the Caversham, and afteii various failures Ross broke away and passed to O'Shea, who got across without opposition. Alter this the game was continued in eeniu darkness. Scores : University ...10 points Caversham ... 3 points Other Matches. The match between the Kaikorai Second and the Pacific First, though declared off by the Fag Committee, was played at Biehopscourt, I and reoulbed, after a very interesting game, in favour of the Pacific by one penalby goal ana one try to nothing. For the winners M'Kay i kicked a goal, and Bell scored a try. The Star defeated the Melrose Second by 6 points to 3. For the Star, Patemaa (2), and for the Melroae, LyDg Bcored. For the Melrose, J Downes, Wallace, aud Bayers, and for the Star, Walker, Wyllie, and King played well. Mr Marsden acted as referee, and gave every (satisfaction. The mntch Caversham Third v. Raventbourne, at St. Clair, resulted in a draw, neither, side scoring. The White Star visited Ravensbourne to try conclusions with the Rangers, and the game resulted in a draw, each side scoring 3 pomta.